An update on the Dominican Republic partnership...

Back in early November, our STINT team joined the first Panamanian missions project to the Dominican Republic to help with movements of evangelism and discipleship on the campus there (Universidad Autonomo de Santo Domingo, or UASD). Panama has a partnership commitment with that country, much the same as Canada has a partnership with Panama, and a promise to help provide training & extra help in the form of missions teams or stinters.
During our 10 days there, we were filmed almost 24/7, as there was a film team there capturing footage for a Reality tv show about our trip. This movie is to serve as a model to the rest of Central America on how to do a Missions project, as well as an encouragement tool to other countries.
They have just finished the trailer and have posted it on YouTube - I cant wait to see the finished product!!!
Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrAhkJ1-Fsc

Also, there are plans to have another Panamanian missions project to the Dominican Republic in 2010, from Feb 13-28. Please be praying for this even now...that God would be working so much in the Panamanian students' hearts for them to come, for their support raising & all the details associated with large trips like this.
Its exciting, Panama is becoming a sending nation!!!

The final stretch

Today is June 20th. Really, where did June go!?! Each month this year has seemingly passed by faster and faster. And now, reality is setting in that we leave EXACTLY 2 WEEKS from TODAY. OH MY GOODNESS.

The Panama Project students and staff left on Monday and Thursday, respectively. I am amazed at how fast it flew by. We saw God work in many ways, new relationships formed, and had a pile of fun. June 1-4th was spent on campus with the project students, wrapping up, and then we concluded our time with the Commitment Dinner on June 4th (more to come in my June newsletter!!!! stay tuned). Then the weekend was spent in El Valle for some Rest & Refocus, and the next week was spent in the Jungle of Cocle doing whats called Missions Experience. The team headed out to work in 2 communities, helping local families in the day doing common tasks, and then showing the Jesus Film, coupled with personal testimonies at night.

Unfortunately, I had to stay home from Missions Experience. I had gotten sick the second week of project, and thought I was better, but then got super sick again the first week of June. So, we decided since I wasnt totally better yet and the living conditions arent the best in the Jungle that I should stay home. I definitely had mixed feelings about that decision. But, God knows why and thats what really matters.

It was a good week spent reflecting on our STINT year, the project & the future at home, heading to both UTP & Univ de Panama weekly meetings, doing admin for the project and hanging out with Raquel and our good friends Andrea and Jose Andres Santana.

And then, we headed out to Debrief with the project from Fri, June 12-Wed June 17. What an awesome way to end the project, as we relaxed, celebrated what God did over the time and prepared for re-entry back into Canada with the students. We also had some stellar staff debrief, which was good to conclude our time together.

And, NOW... basically we're wrapping up loose ends, closing out relationships, saying long Panamanian goodbyes, moving out, processing the year, saying more goodbyes... It's the final leg!

Its definitely a mixture of feelings these days. Sometimes Im super excited about coming home, and other days I dread it. I get excited for prospects of hanging out with people I love; for hearing about people's lives and sharing all the Lord has done in mine this past year; for having normalcy and routine... well sort of... ; and for seeking the Lord's will in my next life steps. On the other hand, parts of me will be sad to leave Panama: To say goodbye to the ministry we spent so many countless hours in prayer, planning, and on campus to build; my incredible team; the real friendships we've begun to form with the staff, students and friends; the familiarness of life here; and the warm weather (hahaha).

Needless to say, its gonna be an interesting 2 weeks as we wrap up here. Whatever state my roller coaster emotions choose to take me on a ride for in the next month or so, I pray that my heart and mind is first and always focused on the Lord and how I can minister to the people around me.

Over my reflection times in the past week, I was really challenged to do 3 things: to fix my eyes on Jesus first and foremost, to trust that He has a great plan for my life (although I really have not even a vague idea what my future looks like) and to ask Him for things, as He wants to give us good gifts.

Heb 12:2 " fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith..."

Amidst all the unknowns that lie ahead I find peace and comfort in really trusting in Jesus to be my all. To be my joy and my hope... my reason for living life when I go home, whatever season I may be entering into.

Prayers for clarity in processing the year would be great, closing our time well, even for good re-entry and safety... but more than that - I ask that you would also pray with me over these weeks that both of us would make this Heb 12:2 verse our focus - Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. So that no matter what we face in our lives, we will be ready, faithful, and obedient to his calling. And, because as much as I'm in love with the fact that Jesus has made this my desire, I so long for it to be yours as well... gracias y los quiero mucho.

Marellene

This past weekend on project was spent in El Valle, at a Rest & Refocus weekend. It was super relaxing and refreshing! As we refocused, we remembered some of the things God did on the campus cycle. As a part of that, we had to come up with a cool story about how we saw God working during our time on the campus.

My story is about a girl named Marellene.

One Monday Dorrie and I went sharing in the Business Administration faculty, and we met a first year named Marellene. We talked a bit and then shared the Gospel with her. She was already a Christian, so we finished talking and set up a follow up meeting to discuss more about the Holy Spirit the same time the next week. Our week flew by, and Sunday night I texted her to remind her of our meeting the next day. She did remember, and said she would be there to meet us. To be honest, I was skeptical that she'd show up, as she didnt seem very interested, and the track record in Panama for students who show up is pretty small...

But, regardless of this thought, Dorrie & I showed up at our meeting place right on time that Monday morning. AND, Marellene TOTALLY CAME!!! I was SO excited!!!! This was the second time this year that I've been able to see a student come to a follow up meeting!
Then, we sat down to meet, and I was able to do the meeting ALL in Spanish. That in itself was ultra encouraging, as language has been a challenge for me all year. It was also really humbling to see how God used my weakness (language wise) to still help teach Marellene some Biblical truths. I am so thankful to have had this experience while project has been here.

2 Cor 12:9 - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."