Colón, Panama, often called the northern gateway to the Panama Canal, is a city of contrasts, rich in history, culture and resilience. As one of Panama’s major port cities, Colón has long served as a vital hub for global trade and travel. Yet beyond its bustling harbour lies a deeper story, one of community, faith and hope.

As our Partners in Mission team journeyed toward Colón, the scenery was breathtaking. The road was lined with lush greenery, palm trees swaying in the warm breeze and sunlight shimmering across the water. It was the kind of day that lifts your eyes upward and your heart toward gratitude. But as we neared the city, the landscape began to change. Grand buildings that once reflected Colón’s prosperity now showed the wear of time; faded paint and cracked walls and windows whispered stories of endurance.

Though the surroundings appeared tired, life and colour were everywhere. People gathered in doorways, music played from open windows and children laughed in the streets. Colón had seen much yet continued to stand strong. When our vehicle pulled up to The Salvation Army Colón Corps, Lieutenant Manfred Ortiz Alaniz was waiting for us. Even from a distance, it was clear he was exactly where God intended him to be. There was a quiet strength in his presence, a deep faith and dedication that anchored the ministry. He greeted us warmly and explained that in about 30 minutes, 40 children from nearby schools would arrive, eager for lunch and even more excited for worship.

Inside, volunteers prepared tables and arranged supplies. Lieutenant Alaniz shared that the program was about more than serving meals; it was about offering physical and spiritual nourishment, food for the body and hope for the soul. The children are taught Bible lessons, Christian values and songs that remind them of God’s love and care.

Before long, the children arrived, their energy filling the room. When worship began, their voices rose together in Spanish as they sang Goodness of God: “I love you, Lord, for your mercy never fails me. All my days, I’ve been held in your hands.” Hearing those young voices sing so sincerely was a moment none of us will ever forget. Children who face hardship and uncertainty each day were proclaiming the goodness of God with their whole hearts.

Colón Corps has become a refuge, a place of safety, comfort and belonging. No matter the challenges they face at home or in their neighbourhoods, the children know this is a place where they are loved, can speak freely and are safe.

The corps is in one of Colón’s most difficult neighbourhoods, locally known as a “red zone.” Rival gangs, poverty and violence pose daily challenges. Yet even amid hardship, The Salvation Army stands firm, determined to bring a message of hope and peace.

Lieutenant Alaniz shared that his greatest reward is seeing the children’s faces, the trust in their eyes, the joy in their smiles and the warmth of their embrace. They look up to him and the volunteers not just as leaders, but as people who care deeply and show them what love looks like. A verse that holds special meaning for him, and one he often shares with the children, is: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NRSVUE). It reminds them that they are valued, capable and deeply loved by God, a truth that inspires them to overcome challenges and believe that God holds their future.

The feeding program relies heavily on donations and community partnerships. Some days the future feels uncertain, yet God always provides. The Panama Canal Authority has sponsored the program over the years, and local restaurants often donate food. The generosity of others ensures that this ministry continues to make a lasting difference. Each meal served, lesson taught and prayer offered stands as a testament to faith in action.

As our time in Colón came to an end, the children’s song lingered in our hearts: “And all my life you have been faithful, and all my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.”

Those words echoed long after we left, a reminder of what we had witnessed: God’s goodness shining brightly in a place the world might overlook. In Colón, that song isn’t just a melody, it’s a message. It’s the heartbeat of the children and those who serve alongside them, believing in hope, grace and the steadfast goodness of God.

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