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.

Have some faith

The end of March and beginning of April means Frosh preparations and time spent connecting with students on campus. Frosh week is the first week of classes on campus, and is where we aim to reach first year students with the gospel and also the vision of Vida Estudiantil. If we can reach first years, they have another 4-5 years to grow in their faith, transform their campus and be equipped to change the world!!

March 23-27 was the first week of classes on the Universidad Tecnologica de Panama (UTP) campus, and we had the chance to set up an info table and Soularium outreach tool in the lobby area of the main building. Many students engaged in spiritual conversations with us through the Soularium pictures and signed up to receive more info as well as weekly Bible Studies. After hearing what the vision of VE was, one first year student, Michael, told Raquel and I he was praying to God to find a group of Christian students on campus, and then he found us! Marielena, one of the Panamanians who works on UTP, got to meet a student named Jesus. They talked, she shared the gospel with him, and he accepted God into his heart. He stopped by the info table each day after that, and also came to church on Sunday. It was so encouraging to see such interested students that are hungry to learn more about God.

Mar 30-Apr 3 was the frosh week on the Universidad de Panama campus. We had the opportunity to enter some first year classes in faculties of law, arquitecture and sciences. We described what Vida Estudiantil was, and invited the students out to the weekly meeting held every Thursday. Our frosh activities will continue over the next couple weeks, connecting with students next week and setting up info tables and using Soularium the week after.

As I reflected on all these activities and had a quiet time on campus yesterday, I came across a word that summed it all up: faith, as seen in this verse:
1 Tim 1:4b - "...advancing God's work - which is done by faith."
I couldnt help but think that our faith in God, that He'll accomplish exactly what He wants to, and will always be at work through His Spirit in the hearts of man, is the backbone of our ministry. Sometimes we may see a lot of fruit on campus, in the form of really excited students or those who accept Jesus as their saviour. Other times, it may be such hard work, seem like everyone is apathetic and like nothing is happening. Regardless of what we may be visibly seeing or feeling, we need to have faith that God is doing things and moving in people's hearts.
Isa 55: 9-11 - "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so it is with my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

The info table and Soularium board at UTP; talking with students

The team at the UTP tableWelcome sign for 2009 year at Universidad de Panama