Anyone who has spent any time in another country knows about adjustments and acculturation. Missionaries spend years, sometime a lifetime, in a culture very different from their native of "home" culture. For a century foreign missionaries lived and worked in Korea. I was the child of Korea missionaries. It took me many years to realize all the ways that the Korea experience impacted my life.

My book is being published. Special early bird price is available until Oct. 1. You can order online http://www.kirkhouse.com/Books/An_Intricate_Tapestry. Part of the proceeds go to support the important health and nutrition projects of Christian Friends of Korea in North Korea: http://www.cfk.org/

The book is a collection of stories, observations, and memoirs from many of the Korea missionaries and missionary kids. I have woven their stories with my own to explore our adventures in acculturation.

Since leaving the mission life in Korea I have traveled extensively and lived outside of the United States again. Although the stories in my book are specific to Korea, anyone who has traveled or lived in another country can relate. Many immigrants and refugees have their own acculturation stories and struggles. I see many parallels between my own life and those of the foreign families I care for in the clinic.

Donna Sidwell DeGracia

Religious Differences

THE NEWS TODAY SADDENED ME. Apparently a minister in Florida burned a Koran last month. Today people in a town in northern in Afghanistan retaliated by attacking a United Nations post. When I heard the news I recalled a conversation I had earlier today with a Somali co-worker regarding our beliefs. We often have similar conversations and usually are in agreement as we find references in our perspective religious writings that support the same principles such as "Thou shalt not kill", "love thy neighbor as thyself", "judge not, lest you be judged", etc.

Maybe it is because I am the child of missionaries and grew up surrounded by Confucian traditions and Buddhist beliefs that I am comfortable with differences. But, honestly, I have found more similarities than differences. My wish for the world is that we could all get to know people who are different from ourselves on an every-day basis, learn to love them as our brothers and sisters, and see the world through their eyes. If we could do that, we could do away with the need for wars. There would be no more refugees other than those caused by the whims of nature...Maybe then the "Imagine" world of John Lennon could become a reality. Let's try.

Latest newsletter

The newest Panama Global Connections newsletter is available at: http://www.panamaglobalconnections.com/. Learn more about our January trip and plan your own trip with us.

Vulnerable natural resources

Panama has changed and grown a lot since I was first there in the early 1980s. While growth can be good, some in Panama are worried about the future and the rape of natural resources and natural habitat and ecology in the name of progress. The unspoiled beauty, ancient cultures, and biodiversity are all vulnerable. Panama Global Connections believes that education and global awareness are the only way preserve these national treasures before it is too late. We support the efforts of the many groups in Panama who work to preserve all that is beautiful and unique in the tiny country bridging the Americas.

Panama Canal eco-tour

An eco-tour of the Panama Canal is a little different from your traditional canal tour. You don't get to actually go through the locks. Did you know that the cheapest transit through the canal was $0.50. In the 1920s someone swam the canal. The swimmer weighed 150 lbs. and was charged according to his weight. These days the minimum charge is $500.00.

On the eco-tour we boated through other parts of the vast canal waters where we could easily see the ships transiting the canals, the on-going canal widening projects and a lot more. We visited several different monkey islands, each with a different kind of monkey, and had the opportunity to feed some of them peanuts or bananas.

After a substantial lunch and a rest in a hammock on a large house boat we were ready to set out by kayak for the 1 km trip to our swimming hole - complete with a water fall. What a great way to see the famous Panama Canal and to learn about the history, the geography, and the ecology.
See more pictures on facebook: conexiones de Panama

Old French Quarter, Panama City

The French Quarter dates back to the building of the Panama Canal. It is still a beautiful and vibrant part of Panama City. A favorite tourist spot is San Jose Church where the alter made of gold survived the many pirate invasions because the quick thinking residents of the city covered the alter with black mud to disguise it's value. We were lucky enough to catch the annual international jazz festival as well as the Panama canal museum, the scenic view of the canal, and some great shopping all in one afternoon. See more pictures on Facebook: Conexiones de Panama.

Panama Global Connections Volunteers

One of the highlights of our recent trip to Panama was also one of the most difficult. Panama Global Connections incorporates service into all trips. This time we volunteered at Hogar Trisker, a home for orphans and other children who could not live at home for various reasons. As a medical group our assignment was to conduct a small workshop for staff. The aim was to give the staff a little more knowledge that might help them care for their vulnerable wards. This experience was hard for some members of the group for several reasons. For some it was an experience that took them out of their comfort zone into a world where children slept four to a bed and shared everything right down to their head lice. For others who took this opportunity to practice their Spanish, it was a stretch to give a presentation without the use of an interpreter.

Everyone was impressed by the dedication of the staff. Their love for the children was evident. The staff members from the night shift stayed over several hours to attend our workshop. After talking with them and visiting the home we came away wanting to do more. It is difficult when you are not on site all the time but , Guadelupe, the volunteer coordinator from Habla Ya is committed to the site and is open to new ideas. We hope to work with her, and with the staff of Hogar Trisker, more in the future to harness the experience and talents of Panama Global Connections groups to help the children towards a brighter future.

Look for a feature story about Hogar Trisker in our next Panama Global Connections newsletter.