Im a fan of Donald Miller...

What story are you telling? from Rhetorik Creative on Vimeo.

And, we're BACK...

Time simply flies by!!!! We arrived back in Canada Wednesday, June 16th at night, after a long day in the air.

A lot happened since May 30th, my last blog update. Here were some of the highlights:

1. COMMITMENT DINNER, June 3rd - This was the second annual dinner, where Panamanians involved in Vida Estudiantil and those we had worked with on project were invited to a night of food, friends and vision to reach the world. All together, there were about 70 of us, all together for this inspirational night. To start out, Yaremis, an involved student who accepted Christ last year, gave her testimony; Oliver shared the vision of how Vida Estudiantil aims to change the world and Secundina shared some of her heart. Then, Steve gave a challenge to the Panamanians. This challenge was essentially a form of higher commitment in 4 areas:
1. To walk with God in obedience
2. To a life of evangelism and discipleship
3. To involvement in Vida Estudiantil on their respective campus
4. To help complete the Great Commission in this generation.
Each student was given a card with these 4 items on it, and then everyone prayed about the commitment. And, God was working in many hearts!!! After praying, Nayeli, a first year Business student on the National Campus turned to Allison (one of the Canadian students) saying, "I know this commitment may be hard, but I feel like its the next step God wants me to take." It was so exciting to see and hear how students were responding to the Lord's leading in their lives. Overall, we saw about 44 students make this commitment (those from the National, UTP and Santiago campuses).

Above: Oliver sharing how Vida Estudiantil seeks to Change the World with the news of Jesus!

Below: Yaviris, myself and Yaremis - they are involved in Vida Estudiantil at the National campus

2. Rest and Relaxation weekend in El Valle-June 4-6th --This was a time to remember and reflect on the things God had done during the campus cycle part of our trip, as well as rest and refocusing ourselves for the adventure cycle portion. (Unfortunately, I got a bad virus the Friday night, so missed all the Sat & Sun sessions.)

3. Adventure Cycle, June 7-11 - Sancona, Cocle - The team headed up there to work along side Pastor Correa to reach families in the interior, mountainous province of Cocle. This village was different, as there wasnt a lot of alcoholism, and the general outlook of the people was positive. This was because there had already been a missionary visit and a church had been set up there...it was so clear that the Gospel was already at work in the lives of the people (as compared to other villages who had never heard of the Good news of Jesus!). I wasnt able to go on Adventure Cycle, as I was still feeling sick from the weekend...so I headed back to Panama City to rest and prepare a bit for Debrief.

4. Debrief, June 11-13 - This was a time for the students to process what God taught them on the trip and to prepare for life back in Canada. It was very restful and we all enjoyed our last moments together.

I will be sending out a Newsletter with some Project Highlights some time in the next couple weeks - watch your mailboxes :)!! Thanks very much for your partnership and the role you played in reaching Panama with the Good News of Jesus!!!

Prayer Update...

I updated the prayer requests on the side of my blog, but wanted to further explain a couple items:
1. Commitment Dinner - Thurs, June 3rd. We're inviting Panamanian students who are already involved in Vida Estudiantil or whom we've been working with each week while we've been in Panama. The purpose of this is to challenge them to further commitment in their walks with God, involvement in Vida Estudiantil and a commitment to the Great Commission. Last year we saw 44 Panamanian students take this challenge, and many of them have grown so much in their faith as a result. We're praying for 45 Panamanians to commit to this challenge.

2. Adventure Cycle - Mon, June 7 - Fri, June 11.
We're heading to the interior, about 5 hrs away from Panama City, to a small village called Sancona. While we're there, we'll be helping the families during the day and then showing the Jesus film at night. Many people in the interior of Panama have not heard about a personal relationship with Jesus before, so it will be cool to share the Gospel up there. If you could pray for physical safety (conditions are rough), spiritual protection (often there is much more visible spiritual warfare up there) and wisdom for our trip leaders (Juan Carlos, Wes and Pastor Corea).

A peek back and the week ahead...

Wow, two weeks have flown by since the last post. So much has happened...I will try and summarize it as much as I can.

Our Weekly Schedule:

Monday: Campus (9-4:30), Bible Study (3-4:30), Training night (7-8:45)

Tuesday: Campus (9-4), Team fun or Guys time/Girls time

Wednesday: Campus (9-4:30), Bible Study Prep (3-4:30), Free night

Thursday: Campus (9-4:30), Weekly Meeting (12:30-2), Project Fun night

Friday: Campus (9-3), prayer meeting (6:30-8)

Week: May 17-21

Our team primarily worked within the Business Faculty this week, as we finally received permission from the administration to be there (long story cut short: the administration said we werent allowed to be there until we had a schedule of what we would be doing and they had a meeting with the Panamanian Staff Member, Secundina). We had a classroom talk outreach, and also had a small movie outreach.

Occasionally we were meeting up again with students from science, whom we met in the prior week, to further answer their questions about God, and the Gospel.

Week: May 24-28

This week, we focused even more in the Business Faculty, as one of the Vida Estudiantil student leaders is in this faculty. His name is Ruben. He's been a huge help to our team in translating and has a contagious enthusiasm for life, God, and reaching others for Christ.

We were able to have two outreach classroom talks, with first year students. During these "classroom talks" we presented some material on "Relaciones Exitosas" or "Successful Relationships," followed by a personal testimony and then a Gospel presentation.

and now, THIS WEEK!

This is our last week on campus!!! I cant believe it.

This week we are really focusing on following up with those who we've shared the Gospel with and those who heard our presentations in the classrooms. Often, these follow-up meetings are quite challenging, as students will agree to meet up, but for whatever reason, simply dont show up to the actual meeting. If you could pray for these meetings, that students would come and really discover a dynamic relationship with our living God, that'd be awesome!

Some Pictures from Project:

Pictures help tell the story a bit better...here are couple snapshots of our time here so far:

Above: Our Team!! Back row, L-R: Ruben, Corrina, Dan, Erin, Seanna. Front Row: Me, Carlos, Simone & Juan Carlos

Above: Sharing the Gospel with Tanya, a Pharmacy Student

Below: Lorenzo, a Panamanian Student giving a talk at the Vida Estudiantil Weekly Meeting

Project Fun night: singing "In the Jungle..." with matching costumes! It was pretty funny!

Campus Ministry Update

Our team has been assigned to the faculties of Science & Business Administration on the National campus. Our team is comprised of: Juan Carlos & I (team leaders); Corrina, Seanna, Erin, Simone & Dan.
Last week was our first full week on campus, and we spent a lot of time doing initiative evangelism (sharing our faith with students) and had a few follow up meetings. We focused primarily in the Science faculty last week, as we needed a few extra permissions to be able to go into the Business faculty.
My favorite moment from the week was when Erin, Corrina & I shared with a girl named Yira. She explained to us that she wasnt sure what religion was the correct one, and as such, she hadnt made any decisions. We shared the gospel with her, and asked her if she'd like to invite Christ into her heart. She said no, cause she is still searching and is on a journey to find truth. Even though she did not accept Christ, I was super encouraged by her honesty, and her ability to openly confess that she wasnt sure what she was gonna believe and was on a journey to find out. This normally doesnt happen - most students say they want to pray to accept Christ regardless of their true thoughts, as praying is so culturally acceptable. I thanked Yira for her honesty, and explained that we're on the campus really to be a spiritual resource for students, and to help them take whatever steps they need to in their journey to pursue truth.

Some Prayer Requests:
-->HEALTH: both physically & spiritually. Its always an adjustment to get used to the hot, humid climate of Panama. Most students are doing alright so far. And, spiritually, as many students are finding it spiritually & emotionally draining to be talking with people each day about the love of Christ.
-->BOLDNESS IN THE GOSPEL: that we'd boldly share the Gospel, out of love, with everyone we encounter, and that God would use this to both bring people to a relationship with Himself, and bring Himself Glory
-->SCIENCE FACULTY: in the past, students in this faculty have been pretty closed to hearing about the Gospel. Pray for open hearts and for ideas as to how to connect with these students.
--> BUSINESS FACULTY: this week, we have some classroom talks to first year students, an english class & movie outreach planned. Pray for strength for our team as we host the events, and also for genuine life change, as many first years hear the Gospel and have a chance to respond.

Thanks very much for your prayers, thoughts & support!!!

I feel so encouraged!!!

I know I already posted today about the past week's happenings, but one event in particular really encouraged my heart!!!
On Friday, we had a lunch at which Panamanian students involved in Vida Estudiantil could come and meet each team of Canadian students who would be working in their faculties. The purpose of this lunch was to really connect the two groups of students together, and emphasize that we (the Canadians) are down here to serve the Panamanian Vida Estudiantil ministry and help further solidify their movement of Christ centered laborers on the campus.

The absolutely amazing part was to see all the involved Panamanian Students. There were 19 of them who came to the lunch, and it was so evident that they really have a deep desire to reach their campus for Christ!!! This was so encouraging, as it was evidence that the commitment that most of these students made during last year's Panama Project Commitment Dinner (see prior blog post) has really stuck. God has definitely been at work in the lives of these students and for the first time, we have a group of core Panamanian students to work along side during our short time working on the campus. God has totally blessed everything our STINT team labored so hard for in the Lord last year!!!

To summarize week 1....

We just finished a week of orientation - both for the staff and then one for the students. Staff orientation was on the Monday & Tuesday, to ensure our staff team was all on the same page and to allow us some time to prepare for our assigned student orientation responsibilities. Then, on Tuesday night, the 21 students from across Canada flew into Panama City, and started their orientation on Wednesday. Their orientation included training on the culture here, how to share their faith, what is spiritual multiplication and discipleship. It was a great time of connecting, and already deep friendships are forming within our large team.

During this orientation, we also divided the students into teams to work on the University campuses. Juan Carlos & I are leading a team of 5 Canadian students to work on the National campus, in one or two faculties (in either Business Admin, Architecture, Law or Sciences). We still have to decide which faculties we'll be in exactly. Our team is composed of: Erin, Seanna, Simone, Corrina and Daniel.

There are 3 other teams, one working in Santiago, one also working on the National Campus, and one team on the Technological University. Overall, we're praying to God for some big things, namely: 1) that each Canadian student would be able to see 3 Panamanian students enter into a personal relationship with Jesus; 2) that out of those 3 students, that 2 would be followed up effectively; 3) that for each pair of Canadian students sharing the Gospel together (side by side with the involved Panamanian students), that 2 movement builders or future spiritual multipliers who really catch the vision of Vida Estudiantil would get involved in the movement to reach their campus for Christ. Would you too join us in prayer for these things?

Tomorrow we start our time on the campuses....exciting!

And, we're off!!!

Wow, how the time has flown by! I'm leaving tomorrow for Panama, which marks the beginning of Panama Project 2010!!! Craziness. It doesnt seem quite real yet...

On another note, a praise report - I finished support raising Tues, Apr 20th!!! Praise GOD! Finishing was a huge answer to prayer & I am thankful for your partnership in reaching the people of Panama. Thanks yet again :)

While Im down in Panama, Im planning on updating this blog weekly. So, stay tuned for news & stories of whats happening on the Project.
Until then...stay tuned!!

One month...

Its exactly one month until we step foot on Panamanian soil once again. WOW.

Im pretty pumped!!!!!!

An update on support raising: Im at 66% of my goal - Praise the Lord! There's $2200 yet to go...

Sobre La Fe (About Faith)

To kickstart this blog into action once again, here is an exerpt from my friend Oliver Marin's latest newsletter. Oliver is a full time staff member working on the Technological University Campus in Panama City, Panama.

Its about faith.

I can relate. These past 5 months have been a time of shifting from theoretically trusting in God, to practically trusting in Him. And, as Oliver noted, once this shift takes place, we meet a real God who wants to teach us how profound our faith can be. I feel like I'm just touching the tip of this iceberg called faith! So much more to be taught and apply...im thankful for His Holy Spirit in my life.

I totally agree, Oliver. "...old faith does not work for me today anymore. I have to start from zero again and remain on His power and wisdom." The faith I had when living in Panama does not work for my day to day life here in Canada. Each day it needs to be renewed by Him (although, I can look back to things He did in Panama, to see a testimony of His power). And, as I prepare to go back once again, my faith is gonna take on an even newer and different dimension. Im excited.

On Canadian turf again...

Well, we've made it back to Canada!
It is pretty cold here, but its good to be back.
We arrived in Toronto, ON Saturday at about 8:30pm, after about 7 hours in the air. The flights were good, gracias a Dios, and now we're getting ready this afternoon to head off to a couple days of debrief in Guelph, ON. Im looking forward to some solid sessions on the transition we'll have to face adjusting back into Canadian culture, having some last incredible times with the team and also the awesome food at the retreat center. Its gonna be a good time.
Debrief ends July 9th, and then Im heading out to BC for a short vacation with my family at the lake out there. I'll be back in Calgary July 19 or 20th...which seems so far away, but will come fAsT!
I wont have much internet until I get back to Calgary...so until then...enjoy the sun! :)

ps. My June & July newsletters are going to be combined. So, I will be sending out a bit longer of a letter later in the month. Stay tuned!

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."

Snapshots of Project....

Panama Project: what an awesome time!!! Its been insane as we try to balance an intense schedule with our normal life here in Panama. However, I absolutely am loving it and having a blast ministering on campus alongside my team and the other Canadians in other faculties/campuses. God has blessed me with an awesome team in the Business faculty that I've been able to work with over the past month.

My team! L-R: Lisa, Mona, Andres, Kathleen and I!

Overall, on project, we minister on the University campus for 4 weeks in total. That sure isnt a lot of time, so we've created a 'strategy' to maximize our focus and work there:

Week 1: Focus on evangelism, or helping students discover a relationship with Jesus (through Initiative evangelism, classroom talks, outreaches etc)

Week 2: Focus on evangelism and also beginning to build into the students we've seen come to Christ in the previous week (help them experience Jesus in their lives). This is done through follow up meetings, a precoursor to personal discipleship

Week 3: Focus on the building into students through follow up meetings, and helping inspire them to go out & reach others for Christ (preparing them to get involved in reaching their campus through involvement with Vida Estudiantil and also to reach their friends, family, country and ultimately world)

Week 4: Focus on inspiring the students to go out and reach others for Christ, through involvement with Vida Estudiantil and equipping them to share their faith while growing in their personal relationship with Christ.

Weeks one & two were super encouraging, as our team was able to organize and hold 7 different outreach classroom talks, and exposed about 140 students to the gospel. Out of those students, 98 indicated decisions to accept Christ into their hearts!!! Praise GOD! So, as a result of these decisions, this past week was spent meeting up with students who indicated such decisions to build them in their new faith. We were able to have about 10 follow up meetings with interested students, which is amazing!!! In the past it has been a challenge to have such meetings, as students simply aren't interested or forget. Its been a real answer to prayer to see such attendance and interest!

One of our classroom talks in the Business Faculty
Mona & Lisa with some girls from the Business Faculty we met through classroom talks...we're hoping to do follow-up with them!

As we look ahead to this upcoming week, we're preparing for a Commitment Dinner on June 4th. So, both the days prior and also at this dinner we will be challenging key Panamanian students, either from this year or our month on project , to commit to 4 things:
1. Walk with God in Obedience
2. Personal Evangelism & Discipleship
3. Involvement in Vida Estudiantil
4. Help fulfill the Great Commission in this Generation
We’re praying 40 students will make this commitment, and get hooked up with Panamanian staff to help build the Vida Estudiantil movement here. Please join us in praying for these students!

On another note...each Friday night we've been having whats called "Noche de Connexion," or Connection Night. Its a time for Panamanian students from each campus to come together (along with our Canadian team) for some fellowship, worship and crazy fun times. Below are some pics of the games we've played...

Psalm 72:19 - "Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does MARVELOUS deeds."

Project so far...

The past two weeks have been a flurry of activity, with the Canadians here on Panama Project 2009! This project is for University students across Canada to come down and partner with the Panamanian ministry in doing evangelism & discipleship, to both help the ministry here and also train them so they can reach their campuses more effectively back in Canada.

Last week (May 5-9) we had a training week for the Canadian students. Wednesday & Thursday were spent hearing sessions on topics such as how to have a quiet time, how to construct a personal testimony, how to share the gospel and how to live the Spirit Filled Life (and so many more...). Training is so important, as the concepts are basic for all Christians (its good for us all to know how to share our faith etc), and are very transferrable, meaning the students will use the concepts here in their ministry on Panamanian campuses and also when they return back to their Universities to Canada. The week finished off with a morning sharing their faith on campus, an amazing race across Panama City, and a tour of the Panama Canal, Causeway and the market on Saturday.

This week was the first week on campus!!! (Mon-Fri, May 11-15). It definitely was not what I expected at all, as I ended up getting sick with a sinus infection/cold over the weekend, which made me stay home & rest both Monday & Tuesday. However, my team made the trek to campus each day, and began our work in the Faculty of Business Administration and Accounting (Facultad de Administracion de Empresas y Contabilidad, FAECO).
My team is: Me, Andres (co-leader), Maria Jose, Lisa and Kathleen. Pictures to come...

And, some crazy things happened that first morning...as the team stepped out to go sharing, a couple profs approached them, seeing they clearly werent from Panama, to ask what they were doing there. After some dialog on our purpose on being on campus, the team met with the student in charge of the student club, and an influential professor in the faculty. And then, they organized a meeting with the dean of the business faculty the next day, to discuss ways we from Vida Estudiantil, could partner with the faculty to give helpful talks to the students (such as how to receive better grades at university, which ties the academic side, into the spiritual side of their lives.).
The meeting with the dean took place on Tuesday, and was incredible. So many doors were opened for us to enter into the classrooms and give talks to many 2nd, 3rd and 4th years next week (May 18-22). At first they wanted us to give 8 talks per day, at one hour each...whoa. But, after discussing a bit more, it was decided that we'd hold about 4 talks in the morning, each day next week. Thats an incredible outreach opportunity, as many classes have atleast 40 students in them...so, the potential gospel presentations could be as many as 4 talks*5 days*40 students per class = 400 students! WHOA.

My STINT teammates are leading teams at UTP, Santiago and in the Architucture/Law faculties...and they too have seen God work in crazy ways this week! Check out their blogs for some cool stories.

Ps. 66:3a - "Say to God 'how awesome are your deeds! So great is your power..."

Please be praying for our team, as we organize details for these talks, and also come up with strategies to follow up with the interested students. Follow up is so key to helping students really understand the Gospel and getting them hooked in with Vida Estudiantil, an environment they can grow in their faith.

Today is the day

Today is the day that will begin a "different" life for us over the next 6 weeks.

From May 5-June 15, a group of 17 Canadian students are coming down to Panama to do ministry a long side us in whats called Panama Project. And, 3 staff from Canada are coming down to help lead the project...and they arrive tonight, just in time for some staff orientation to start tomorrow. I cant believe its time for the Canadians to come already!!

Here's how project is split up:
May 5-10 --Student orientation and training
May 11-June 4 -- Campus Cycle: 4 weeks are spent on campus, doing evangelism & discipleship. We'll have 2 teams at Univ de Panama, 1 at UTP and 1 in Santiago. Each of us STINTers will be leading or co-leading one of these teams.
June 5-7 --Rest & Relaxation weekend
June 7-12 -- Missions Experience: A week of serving the people in Panama's interior
June 12-15 --Debrief: A project review, time for reflection and to make some future faith goals.

This project is the same 6 week trip like the one I came on in 2007. It definitely changed my life, as I grew closer with the Lord, gained a larger heart for campus ministry, formed many lasting relationships and it ultimately was the catalyst in my decision to serve here for a year.

In short, Project is one impacting & amazing time.

If you could be praying for the Canadian students, our team & the staff from Canada over these 6 weeks that'd be stellar! And, especially for this upcoming orientation week, as we'll be in sessions and training from 8:30am-9pm each day...its gonna be a long but awesome week.

Some huge blessin' went on

1 Sam 12:24 - "But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you."

One day per month, we have a Day Alone with God (DAWG), to read our Bibles, pray, worship and generally spend time with the Lord. Its also a huge refuelling day, as at times, you can feel dry when always doing ministry.

This past Friday we had our April DAWG. It was so refreshing and I enjoyed it immensely. God was able to show me numerous things from His Word over the 8 or so hours we hung out together, and among the items was this 1 Sam 12:24 verse. I really liked it, as it talks about being obedient to God (fear of the Lord is equated to obedience), serving Him faithfully and also meditating on the sweet stuff He's done in your life.

Sometimes we dont take enough time to really consider our blessings from the Lord and genuinely thank Him for those. Atleast I know I dont. When good things happen, sometimes I only give God half the credit He's actually due. I enjoy the moment, but dont necessarily allow God to enjoy it with me. I want to get better at viewing everything as a great thing He's done for me.

On the topic of great things God has done, our Visa Renewal trip to El Salvador was a HUGE one!!!

To give a bit of background, to live here in Panama we either need tourist visas, which are good for 90 days, or we need to go through the extensive and expensive immigration system to get temporary one year visas. We decided to go with tourist visas, cause they were cheaper and we had to leave the country for Dominican Rep project, Christmas etc. So, with our tourist visas expiring on the 17th of April, we knew we had to leave. We looked into El Salvador, as Raquel and Juan Carlos both have family there. God totally provided us with cheap $22 each way flights, and we were able to be hosted by Raquel's family in San Salvador.

It was such a great thing to even just be there. To see the country; taste the DELICIOUS food (namely pupusas); to visit Raquel's uncle's beach house; to go to the beach; to see a Panamanian friend who is on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ there; to hang out with the American STINT team who is serving in San Salvador with Vida Estudiantil; to visit a volcano; and to drink the best coffee at a shop since my last Starbucks in August. It was such a great 4 day trip - there was some huge blessing going on. And, all from our loving Heavenly Father. Thanks God.

Photos: Top - Two STINT teams from Panama & El Salvador

Middle - The beach we visited

Bottom - At the top of a volcano with Raquel's grandma, Mama Ethel.

what commission!?

God often uses simple things to bring joy to my heart. This was one of those times:
Friday night we had our bi-weekly "Noche de Conexion" (Connection Night) with students from all 3 Universities we work at. This week, we handed out a questionnaire for the students to fill out, with a few simple questions. Some of the questions were: What is the vision of Vida Estudiantil? How has Vida Estudiantil helped me in my Christian walk? And, what can I be doing to help fulfill the Great Commission in my generation?
One of the students, who accepted Christ the end of March and has just recently gotten involved, read the third question and was like, "What Commission!? What are you talking about?" We told him it was the great commission Jesus talked about in Matt 28:18-20. He responded with, "I need to look this up." So, he went, grabbed a Bible and read the passage. His next comment was, "Interesting. You learn something new each day," and then continued to fill out the questionnaire.
His enthousiasm was encouraging and it reminded me of times when I've learned or understood something new in God's Word - its really EXCITING!

the past, present & future few days

This week we've had Vida Estudiantil frosh tables set up in 3 different faculties, the Science, Law and Architecture faculties.

Today, while I was at the science table, a guy, Toddy came up and asked me what Vida Estudiantil was. I told him some info on it, and then he said he knew someone on staff, but couldnt remember the name. I named off one current staff member, Toddy said no, that wasnt him, and then I mentioned Leopoldo, the former campus director of VE. As soon as I mentioned Leopoldo, Toddy's face it up. He continued to explaine how a few years back in Colon, Leopoldo had really encouraged his father to follow hard after God and was a real inspiration to their family. He also said how they lost contact with Leopoldo, but still hold a special place for him in their hearts, because of his encouragement. This conversation really reminded me that God really does work in His own timing, and we just need to be faithful in serving Him although we may not immediately see visible results or fruit. Leopoldo probably had no idea his encouraging words back in Colon would impact a family for many years to come.

Thursdays also mean we have the Weekly Vida Estudiantil Meeting from 12:30-2! This week we saw about 25-30 people there. It was awesome, as most of the students were in their first year or were friends of students already involved. There were lots of new faces - Praise God!!!

Tomorrow we head off for a 4 day trip to El Salvador. Every 90 days we have to leave the country, as our Visas expire and we want to stay legal in Panama :). We're gonna be staying with Raquel's grandma, are planning on seeing a Panamanian friend living there and the US STINT team in San Salvador. It should be fun!

On another note, we headed out last week on a conference for Semana Santa (Holy Week) from Apr 9-12, with the Crusade church here, La Comunidad. Here are a couple pics from the weekend in Boquete, Chiriqui.

Day #1: Oliver, a Crusade staff member, sharing a morning devotion before the main session

Our team overlooking beautiful Boquete!

Day #4, Sunday - we had some baptisms!!! 13 Panamanians got baptized in the pool.