Ultimate Workout Reunion

Dates

December 26, 2014 - January 4, 2015

Location

Panama

Participation Fee

$650-$800

Download Info Pack

Overview

Volunteers will be going to Panama to refurbish one of the churches built by Ultimate Workout volunteers who visited the country in 1996. Churches in Panama experience regular use, and the constant sun and rain showers create wear and tear on the buildings. This is an opportunity for volunteers to give one church a much needed facelift by painting it inside and out.

In addition to connecting with the past, volunteers will also look to the future by assembling two One-Day Church buildings that will be used as a church and Sabbath school classroom for a local congregation. The group will also conduct outreach projects in the local community. After the project, the group will have the opportunity to participate in a local excursion. Scholarships are available for UW Alumni.

This project is geared towards volunteers who have a previous connection with the Ultimate Workout through personal experience or through the experience of a friend or loved one. There will be special times to reflect on UW memories and experiences as well as share how the Ultimate Workout impacted their lives. This project is open to all those willing to share in these memories and have a willing heart for service.

Scope

Two One-Day Churches

Painting

Outreach

Friday, December 26

Arrival in Panama City and spend the night

Saturday, December 27

Travel to Bongo Abajo

Sunday, December 28

Work days

Thursday, January 1

Return to Panama City

Friday, January 2

Panama Canal Excursion

Saturday, January 3

Emberá Indian Excursion

Sunday, January 4

Departure from Panama City

ARRIVALPlease plan to arrive in Panama City (airport code PTY) in the afternoon or evening of Friday, December 26.Please wait for confirmation from Maranatha before purchasing your airfare to ensure there is still space on the project.

DEPARTUREPlease plan to depart from Panama City (PTY) in the morning of Sunday, January 4.

Tent

VIEW ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

The first night of the project will be spent at the Riande Aeropuerto Hotel in Panama City, just minutes from the airport. After a night of solid rest, we’ll embark on an 8-hour bus ride to Bongo Abajo in the morning.

In Bongo Abajo, volunteers will relive some of the conditions from UW experiences past! Volunteers will camp at the Bongo Abajo church, so be sure to bring a tent or hammock, bedding, and towels to use during the trip. Basic showers are available, but because water service is not always dependable, you may find yourself bathing in the nearby river.

At the end of the project, volunteers will return to Panama City to enjoy some of the famous sites of Panama and spend time reflecting on the difference UW has made in the lives of so many. The group will stay at the Radisson Summit Resort just outside the city. The Radisson provides breakfast in the morning, free Wi-Fi, and a pool.

Travel Information

Volunteers will purchase their own plane tickets to the capital
of Panama City. Please wait for confirmation from Maranatha before purchasing your airfare to ensure there is still space on the project. Volunteers will spend the first night at the Riande Airport Hotel in Panama City before traveling together by bus to Bongo Abajo the following morning

Travel Resources

Azumano Travel:
800-454-4099 or by email with Erle at edpenha@azumano.com

Butler Travel:
503-879-5005 or by email with Nathanael at nathan@butlertravel.com

Kayak:
www.kayak.com

When contacting the Azumano or Butler travel agencies, make sure you mention Maranatha for the best fares.

Panama Canal and Emberá Indian Village

After completing the renovations at Bongo Abajo, volunteers will return to Panama City for excursion activities. The first excursion will be a full day cruise on through the Panama Canal aboard the Pacific Queen. The tour starts in the Pacific Ocean, passes under the Bridge of the Americas, traverses through two sets of locks, and ends at Gatun Lake on the Atlantic side of Panama. Breakfast and lunch are provided on the boat. The following day, the group will take a trip in dugout canoes to an Emberá Indian Village where you will see, first hand, how the indigenous people live day to day. That afternoon the group will go to a nearby zoo that is part of a national park in Panama. The cost of these excursions is included in your participation fee.

Contact Us Want to speak with someone at Maranatha directly? Please call our office at 916.774.7700 to speak with a volunteer specialist. Alternatively, you can send us an email.

Thank you for your interest in one of our mission projects. You have been added to the interest list, and you will be notified via e-mail as soon as more information is available and registration has been opened. Typically registration is open three to six months in advance of the project dates; although, sometimes it can be delayed as we lock in accommodations and budgets. Thank you for your patience.

Please note that putting your name on the interest list ensures that you will be notified when registration is available, but does not guarantee you a place on the project. You will still need to complete the online registration form to reserve your spot on the trip.

Feel free to contact us at anytime to find out the current status of this project.