Hope in Colón  

In one of Colón’s most challenging neighbourhoods, The Salvation Army is offering more than meals. Through worship, care and community, children are discovering a place of safety and a reminder that God’s goodness remains constant even in difficult circumstances.  

A city of contrasts  

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 the country’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 we 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 fills your heart with gratitude.  

Yet while the surroundings appeared tired, life and colour were everywhere. People gathered in doorways, music drifted from open windows and children laughed in the streets.

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, cracked walls and broken windows whispered stories of endurance.  Yet while the surroundings appeared tired, life and colour were everywhere. People gathered in doorways, music drifted from open windows and children laughed in the streets. Colón has seen much, yet it continues to stand strong.

From left: view of Colón city; beach; harbour in Colón; traditional dance

Lieutenant Alaniz shared that the programme is about more than serving meals. It is about offering both physical and spiritual nourishment: food for the body and hope for the soul.

A warm welcome  

When our vehicle pulled up outside The Salvation Army Colón church, 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 anchors the ministry.  

He greeted us warmly and explained that in about 30 minutes, around 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 programme is about more than serving meals. It is about offering both physical and spiritual nourishment: food for the body and hope for the soul. The children learn Bible lessons, Christian values and songs that remind them of God’s love and care.  

Voices of worship  

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.  

A place of safety  

The Salvation Army church in Colón 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, where they can speak freely and where they are safe.  

The church is located in one of Colón’s most difficult neighbourhoods, locally known as a ‘red zone’. Rival gangs, poverty and violence present daily challenges. Yet even amid these hardships, The Salvation Army stands firm, determined to bring a message of hope and peace.  

Children enjoying lunch at The Salvation Army church in Colón

Faith that sustains  

Lieutenant Alaniz says his greatest reward is seeing the children’s faces; the trust in their eyes, the joy in their smiles and the warmth of their embraces.  

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 Bible verse that holds special meaning for him – and one he often shares with the children is Philippians 4:13:  
‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’  

The verse reminds them that they are valued, capable and deeply loved by God. It inspires them to overcome challenges and believe that God holds their future.  

The Salvation Army church in Colón has become a refuge; a place of safety, comfort and belonging.

A ministry sustained by generosity  

The feeding programme relies heavily on donations and community partnerships. Some days the future feels uncertain, yet God continues to provide.  

The Panama Canal Authority has supported the programme 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.  

Singing of God’s goodness  

As our time in Colón came to an end, the children’s song lingered in our hearts:  

‘All my life you have been faithful,  
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 is more than a melody. It is a message: the heartbeat of the children and those who serve alongside them, believing in hope, grace and the steadfast goodness of God.

This article was first printed in Salvationist Canada and Bermuda Territory and has been edited and republished with the permission of the original author.