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Our family moved out of the United States in January of 2013. As a reporter for the Christian Broadcasting Network, I was covering the election in Detroit in 2012. The state of the city, with its vacant homes and industries replaced by criminal activities, was a look at what I believe lies ahead for much of America and was a pivotal factor in our decision to leave.
Detroit's decline, reflecting issues in the wider country, and the election results made me question my contributions to a system I felt was deteriorating the nation I loved. Verses like Mark 9:43 inspired me to take decisive action, including where to live.
My wife and I discussed moving to the Pacific Northwest, but the challenges of Obamacare and the harsh winters led us to consider Panama. We were familiar with Panama from previous visits and valued its culture, people, and language. By January 2013, we had packed and were ready to move.
Panama, a first-world country, is often misunderstood. While it has areas like Darien that fit the jungle stereotype, many regions are more temperate and less problematic in terms of crime, comparable to the U.S. in many respects.
In Panama, we found a balance between avoiding oppressive heat and winter in the mountainous regions. The town we settled in has a pleasant climate, reminiscent of West Virginia in spring, and a small, close-knit community.
Despite the challenges of expatriation, such as bureaucracy, limited availability of American products, and cultural differences, we found Panama to be a suitable choice for our family. We had to adapt to new food, time concepts, and the local job market, considering the unique legal system and schooling options.
Panama's advantages include a year-round growing season, a unified society without the polarized views found in the U.S., affordable and quality healthcare, a stable and business-friendly government, and a low cost of living. Although gun laws are stricter compared to some U.S. states, they are balanced and practical.
The deeply religious and moral culture of Panama was a significant factor for us. Prayer in schools, illegal abortion, and general adherence to traditional values resonated with our beliefs. The community's self-sufficiency and resilience, along with their welcoming attitude towards foreigners, made the transition smoother.
We found ways to integrate and contribute to the local community, particularly through our church. The benefits of living in Panama, along with the growing number of expatriates, highlight its appeal as a place to live with freedom and dignity.
While it was difficult to leave the U.S., we view our move as a stand for our beliefs and values. We hope our experience can guide others considering similar choices, and maybe, our actions can contribute to positive changes back home.
Our move to Panama was not just about personal comfort, but a stand for what we believe is right.
This is the video shown by Donald Trump in the White House today. We'll talk about this more on tomorrow's show.
It's here! Tell us what you think in the comments!
Armenia: The Last Man is a short documentary by Chuck Holton that takes you to a nearly abandoned village on the edge of Armenia, just miles from the Iranian border. In this forgotten place, one man lives alone as the last witness to his community’s slow disappearance. Through powerful visuals and on-the-ground reporting, Chuck shares a story of resilience, loss, and the quiet strength of faith in isolation.
All the major news media outlets were reporting yesterday that the IDF dropped a bomb on a house and killed nine of 10 children belonging to a Palestinian doctor.
They all reported it as fact.
Here’s the picture they circulated. Aside from the fact that all of the children look to be about the same age, which shows the photo is AI generated, this same photo was used to claim Palestinian casualties from another IDF strike in March.
The media has no shame.
Two young Israelis, Sarah from Kansas and Yaon from Jerusalem, were shot dead in cold blood on a Washington DC street last night after leaving a party at the Jewish Museum. Their futures stolen in an instant—he never got to propose in Jerusalem, the ring still in his pocket. The killer, a Chicago-born man radicalized by leftist ideology, shouted “Free Palestine” at his arrest. It’s no longer just barroom talk: Jews in America are getting murdered for being Jews. You see the same pattern in Europe. These are not isolated incidents; random violence tied to radicalism is growing bolder, and nobody seems interested in providing real deterrence.
So here’s what kicked things off. The UN’s aid chief gave an interview on the BBC claiming that 14,000 babies would die in Gaza within 48 hours if aid wasn’t delivered. Let that sink in. Not “could be at risk.” Not “might go hungry.” No, he said they’d be dead. In 48 hours. From lack of baby food.
Folks, I’ve been around war zones long enough to tell you—when someone says something that outlandish, you start digging. And sure enough, the claim wasn’t just wrong—it was stratospherically wrong. The actual UN-backed study says 14,000 children could be at risk of malnutrition over the course of a year. Not dead. Not starving. At risk. Over a year. That’s a massive difference—and it’s no innocent mistake.