Pastors and members of the Church of the Nazarene were part of the first Cystic Fibrosis Association of Panama.

On August 2, the first Cystic Fibrosis Association of Panama was inaugurated as an initiative of Nazarene pastor, Rev. Amable Polanco with the support of families affected by this condition and additional support from medical specialists and members of the Church of the Nazarene.

During the event, Dr. Malena Cohen, a specialist in this disease from Jerusalem, Israel, shared in this conference.

This initiative was born out of the experience that Pastor Polanco experienced when his son Micah Polanco was diagnosed at the age of 1 year with Cystic Fibrosis disease.

Pastor Polanco shared that his life and that of his family changed at the time of receiving the diagnosis of his little son, as they faced an incurable disease with very high-cost medications.  He also shared that he went through very difficult times and in one of those moments, he thought about leaving the pastoral service, but his wife, not knowing what he was suffering, motivated him by reminding him that God does not give us more than He can endure.

“From that moment God began to move his hand in the life of Micah; the social security of Panama has covered 95% of the medicines he needs and Micah has developed a stable condition up to today,” said Pastor Polanco.

This is how Pastor Polanco, thinking about both his son and other patients with the condition in Panama, began with the project to formalize the association that took place in August.

“Pray for all the projects that the association will be developing and for each patient, especially for the champion Miqueas (Micah) Polanco and for our Nazarene family,  and members of the association’s board of directors,” said Pastor Polanco.

The members of the Church of the Nazarene who are part of the board of directors are: Carlos de Gracia (vice-president), Amable Polanco (secretary), Gabriela Bustos (treasurer), Susseth Dotting (prosecutor), Maryelis Chávez (vocal)  .

Source: Amable Polanco Perlata, pastor of the Nueva Esperanza Church of the Nazarene