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.