December Update

Divine Design: Women's Retreat

From the sharing of testimonies on the car ride there to our fellowship on Sunday morning, every moment of the PAINT (Panama International Church) women's retreat was full of God's presence. Twenty-eight women put their weekend plans on hold and dedicated these two and a half days to worshiping the Lord and encouraging each other in the Spirit and in Truth. The Lord provided generously through the grandmother of a leader in PAINT church to lend us their spacious beach house in Coronado. Complete with several rooms of bunk beds, multiple bathrooms, two large living rooms, and a kitchen/patio area with hammocks and an incredible view, the beach house was the perfect space to meet together as women and commit anew to becoming God's Divine Design.


To go deeper into this topic of "Divine Design," we were led through four different sessions throughout the weekend. We began each session with worship through song and prayer and committing our time to the Lord. This allowed us to be in the right mindset to hear the messages each speaker would bring us. Each session's message was beautifully delivered and full of God's truths that uniquely spoke to each woman there. The speakers had not communicated with each other before the retreat on what exactly they would talk about, but God in His sovereignty tied each theme together like a well-chosen gift.

Clarice spoke first. Clarice and her husband do an outstanding job leading the Pursuit youth ministry at PAINT church, and I looked forward to what she had to say. She spoke on Proverbs 31 and gracefully showed us a perspective that is not often shared in church.

Clarice began by reminding us that we were precious (Proverbs 3:15) and that we were made in His image and He is our potter (Isaiah 64:8). She highlighted the spiritual beauty mentioned in Proverbs 31:30, and then had us look in depth at the story of Abigail in 1 Sam. 25:23-42. One of those stories that, as a church kid, I had heard, but had since forgotten about.:

To summarize, a beautiful, intelligent woman named Abigail was married to an ogre of a man, Nabal, and David (before he was king) sent his men to Nabal to ask for provisions for him and his men. Nabal, being the selfish, foolish man he was and sharing Saul's hatred of David, refused to offer David's servants anything. Shocked by the news that his request to Nabal had been denied, David, in turn, wanted to take vengeance and teach everyone a lesson by killing Nabal and all his household.

By God's grace, one of Nabal's servants overheard the plan and delivered the grim news to Abigail. When Abigail heard of Nabal's refusal and the approaching doom, she did not hesitate to act. She was wise and courageous and sent the largest care package the donkeys could carry and went ahead of the servants herself to meet David on the road and plead for the lives of her family. 

When Abigail met David, she dismounted her donkey and fell facedown before him. "Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you and hear what your servant has to say.." She came before him with a humble attitude and a rational plea to forgive the foolishness of her husband and not act out in anger, lest he be guilty of needless bloodshed. She affirmed David and prophesied over his future as King. David, appeased by the gifts and her wise and humble words, decided not to carry out with his plan and blessed her for her good judgment. Later, justice was served when Nabal had a heart attack and died, and David asked Abigail to be his wife. She named her firstborn son, Chileab, or Daniel, which means God is my judge.

In our study, Clarice expounded on five characteristics that Abigail's life demonstrated. 1) Intelligent, 2) Humble, 3) Responsible, 4) Servant-Minded, and 5) Had a Cheerful Heart. We looked at these characteristics in more detail through a word-association activity where we had to use these words/phrases to summarize what each of these characteristics really meant and how to apply them in our lives.

As women, we talked about these lessons late into the night, the next day and the next. We shared personal testimonies of God's faithfulness and redemption in our lives. And it was the greatest encouragement to know we're not alone in this journey with Christ. Saturday night, we joined hands and prayed together aloud in the power of Jesus' name to answer different requests, interceding on behalf of family, friends, the church body and our larger Panama City community.

Three more messages were shared during the retreat. Each one powerful and encouraging us to unite as women in prayer and to remind each other of our true identity in Christ.
Here are some memorable quotes from our time together:

Orar Conmigo

Mi oracion ya ha sido traduciendo en espanol! Gracias a Steve McCune de Crossroads Connections por la traduccion! 

Amado Jesús,

Hoy trazo un círculo alrededor de los estudiantes de la Academia Cristiana de Crossroads.

Te alabo, porque ya estás formando las vidas de los estudiantes de CCA para ser administradores misionales de Tu Palabra para que puedan ser testigos Tuyos por todas partes.

Señor, Te pido que cada estudiante que pase por las puertas de CCA se acerque más a Ti. Revélales La Buena Nueva y dales un corazón comprensivo para entender quien Tú Eres y cuánto los quieres. Te pido que esta relación contigo transforme todo lo que hagan y que sus familias lleguen a conocerte también.

Haz crecer estos jóvenes. Que sean fuertes exploradores que presenten La Verdad y vivan piadosamente. Enséñales a usar sus dones con la cosmovisión del Reino y a vivir con integridad y pureza. Ponga a fuertes hombres cristianos en sus vidas que puedan servir como hombres guías a través de su peregrinaje al mostrarles cómo arraigarse en Tu Palabra. Recuérdales que su identidad no hace en sus reputaciones ni en sus hazañas, sino en Él que sirven.

Y Señor, bendice a estas jóvenes con discernimiento, gentileza, y gracia. Enséñales a guardar sus corazones sin levantar muros y así establecer fronteras que no se cruzan sino solo por invitación. Anímalas a reflejarte a Ti y bendícelas con otras mujeres desarrolladas para alentarlas con La Verdad y estimularlas a buscar la belleza espiritual. Enséñales a estas jóvenes a someterse a Tu voluntad, para ver las oportunidades de inspirar y servir en palabras y en obras. Afírmales que su identidad no es la popularidad ni las apariencias, sino solo Tú. Que sean adoradoras Tuyas.

Te alabo Señor, sabiendo que de estos jóvenes hombres y mujeres Tú forjarás embajadores atrevidos que sirven. Ellos irán contra la marea por Ti, Señor, amando a sus enemigos, tomando el tiempo de amar a los que son difíciles de amar, dando generosamente, perseverando en oración con diligencia, y siendo responsables y respetuosos. Guarda sus palabras y sus acciones en las redes sociales y rodéalos con influencias Cristo-céntricas. Renueva sus mentes para que puedan someter cada pensamiento a la guía y la filtración protectora del Espíritu Santo. Enséñales las salidas de emergencia para huir de la tentación y guíalos en los caminos de Tu justicia para honrar Tu Nombre.

Vela por ellos. Protégelos. Enséñales cómo amarte y vivir cada día por Ti. Todos intercedemos por los estudiantes de CCA con divina anticipación por lo que Tú vas a hacer en ellos y por ellos.

En Tu Nombre Todopoderoso, Jesús. Amén.

Join Me

School Theme for the Year: Romans 12:2 "Upstream"

My school, Crossroads Christian Academy, just finished our first full week of school! It was full and good, and, at the same time exhausting, since we're all getting used to the school schedule again. I was praying this morning for the school and was reminded of all of the answers to prayer that the Crossfire team experienced in Ecuador. We prayed specifically for different situations and circumstances to line up, and God answered above and beyond for His glory!

So now, I'm inviting you to join me in a prayer I've been praying daily for the students at CCA:


Dear Jesus,
Today I draw a Circle around the students at Crossroads Christian Academy.
I praise You, because You are already shaping the students at CCA into mission-minded stewards of your Word so that they can be witnesses for You far and wide.

Lord, I pray for each and every one of the students who pass through the doors of CCA that you would draw them close to You. Give them a revelation of the Gospel and a heart to understand who You are and how much You love them. I pray that this relationship with You transforms everything they do and their families come to know You.

Grow these young men into strong, courageous adventurers who are not afraid to stand for the Truth and lead godly lives. Teach them how to use their gifts, how to work with a Kingdom mindset, and how to live lives of integrity and purity. Place strong Christian men in their lives who can serve as role models and mentors along the journey and root them deeply in your Word. Remind these young men that their identity is not found in their reputation or what they do, but rather in Whom they serve.

And Lord, bless these young women with discernment, gentleness, and grace. Teach them what it means to guard their heart but not put up walls, to set boundaries but also invite others in. Place in each of them a yearning to reflect you and bless them with godly older women to mentor them, speak refreshing truth into their lives and encourage them to seek after spiritual beauty. Teach these young women to be fully surrendered to your will, to see opportunities to serve and to be an encouragement through their words and actions. Assure them that their identity is not in their popularity or the way they look, rather in Who they look to. Give them a desire to worship.

I praise you, Lord, because You are going to mold both these young men and women into bold ambassadors and servant-minded young adults. They will be "non-conformists" for you, Lord--loving their enemies, taking time for those the world labels as "unlovable," giving generously, persevering with prayer and diligence, being responsible and respectful. Guard their words and actions on social media and surround them with Christ-like influences. Renew their minds so that they submit and filter their thoughts through the Holy Spirit's guidance. Show them the paths you provide to flee temptation and guide them in paths of righteousness for your name's sake.

Watch over them and protect them. Teach them what it means to love You and live for You daily.
We pray all this with holy anticipation for what you're going to do in and through the students of Crossroads Christan Academy.

In your all powerful name, Jesus,
Amen.

My original 7th graders, now in 10th grade!

Some of the CCA students on Field Day, 2015

View of Panama City from Ancon Hill

Ecuador Mission Trip: July 2015

I just got back from spending the week in Ecuador with the Crossfire youth group team! We spent July 21-28th partnering with Operation Mobilization and the local church of San Antonio de Encalado. We worked alongside the people of the Nanzag community digging a 1500 mts long ditch and putting in pipes that will eventually bring clean water to the village. 

The Nanzag community is incredibly dependent upon water-for their plants, animals and for their own survival. Nanzag life is primarily based around farming and agriculture. Most people are shepherds, cow-herders, or harvesters of the many crops like potatoes, quinoa, habas, choclo, wheat, and avena (oatmeal).

Normally, community members have to hike down the mountain to a little spring in order to get water and hike back up the mountain. If they don't use fresh water, they have a much higher risk of disease, early death and teeth degeneration. Without knowing it, we were helping to bring healing both spiritually and physically to this village.

In the afternoons, our team ran Vacation Bible School (VBS) activities for the local children. We started outside with songs and games to welcome the kids and make them feel comfortable and then went inside the little Catholic church to do crafts (manualidades) and a memory verse. Playing with the kids and getting to share Jesus with them was definitely a highlight of the trip for a lot of us.

There's something about the faith of an 8 year old that just inspires you. 

We were told that the kids would be quiet, shy and not very open to strangers, but (glory to God), by the end of the week, they were singing loudly, doing most of the motions, and even a few of them could say the Bible verse by memory. 

Our goals were to act as Christ to these people, so they could begin to understand who Jesus is. We were there to support and encourage the local church as they tried to reach this community with the gospel. It was a much larger project, physically and spiritually, than we ever realized.

And there were many many:Lessons I Don't Want to Forget

Ecuador: July 21-28, 2015

On our last day of debriefing as a team in Guayaquil, Ecuador, our leader, Jorge, challenged us to record all the lessons and memories we didn't want to forget. I started writing, flipping back and forth between journal pages, and I have to say that, in writing all these out, you realize God is so good and reveals Himself in the midst of difficulties!

I never want to forget:

Breathing

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD." Psalm 150:6

Taking five breaths as a devotional exercise at the beginning of the trip, we were challenged to remember God's gift of life-giving breath and give thanks.

This thanks turned into profound gratitude as I prayed fervently with Ana Gabriela as we walked up the hill at around 3000 mts altitude. We cupped our freezing hands together and alternated steps with scripture. Ana started singing, "This is the air I breathe."

Did I crave God the way I craved air in that moment?

Depending

The next day Paulina, Isabella, Jovanni and I worked side by side picking up shovelfuls of dirt and flinging them out of the ever-deepening ditch. The villagers watched in amusement at our feeble attempts. Yet, we found some patient teachers too, that instructed us in the correct way of using the pick or shovel. I leaned into the shovel to scoop more dirt. As I mustered the strength to repeat this motion of "stoop, scoop, fling," I repeated the scripture verse my friends and I were trying to memorize.

"Todos dependen de ti"
"Everyone depends on you" (from Psalm 104:27-28)

We had started this ditch with a simple line on the ground. The whole Nanzag community, decked in their traditional ponchos and hats, set to work and our team of 26 high school students and leaders joined in. The community demonstrated unrelenting strength and perseverance at its finest; our team, short of air, needed more breaks and encouragement. Unified together as a single community, digging in sync, we accomplished a lot. Just an hour later, the ditch was deep enough to stand in. A few hours later, the ditch was so deep, you had to jump into it and climb out.

All this so the community could install pipes that would carry clean water up the mountain to the village.

Thirsting

You never realize how critical water is until you try to accomplish everyday tasks without it.

How do you flush a toilet without water?
How do you wash a team's worth of dishes with just a trickle?
How do you keep on jumping around and giving energy to kids when you haven't had a drink of water for three hours?

Yet, God put it in my mind that there was a Water source more important than the fresh stream at the bottom of the mountain.

How would these people know about Jesus, the source of Living Water? 

"Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'" John 4:13


Seeking

"Tu Amor es Grande" -Vacation Bible School Song

I kneeled next to Gladys, a shy 8 year old girl, and sang the VBS songs with her and the other village children. As we sang, I prayed that these children, as well as their parents would personally experience God's profound love for them. Soon after, God gave me a glimpse of His heart for these little ones and the opportunity to share with them.

Using a rubix cube puzzle that told the Gospel through pictures on each side, I shared about Jesus with Gladys and a small group of her friends. All of them prayed to accept Jesus!

Later, my friend Jovanni built trust and rapport with a large group of kids. Being a native Spanish speaker, he was able to clearly share the message of salvation and pray with the kids who understood and wanted Jesus to be their Savior!

God was bringing Living Water to this village!

Twice, God put a sign of his promise in the sky. He sent a rainbow arch over the mountains to remind us of his faithfulness. He would sustain us and watch over this community. Our team prayed persistent prayers for God to answer, and, later, interceded on our knees for spiritual protection in the midst of the amazing work the Holy Spirit was doing among those people and within our lives. We saw His answers the next day in very real and practical ways!

I distinctly remember praying with a widow named Maria. She has six kids, two cows, and large field on the side of the mountain where we were installing the water pipes. I had the privilege of praying with her on the mountainside as well as after the last evening church service, when most people had left. 

Somehow God gave me the words to pray for her, and, when I looked up from the prayer, Maria was crying. She confessed to me that she had so much fear. I held her hands in mine, looked into her eyes and reassured her with the confidence of God's promises and truth. Jesus will never leave you no matter what. He cares for you and loves you deeply. You are so precious in His eyes, and you are not alone. 

Eventually leaving Maria's side, I couldn't shake the conversation from my head. I stood, breathing the cold, mountain air outside the little Catholic church, and prayed with all my heart for the community. I looked up at the array of stars, so clearly seen from this pinnacle far removed from any city, and God reminded me of this verse:

Psalm 147: 4
"He determines the number of the stars 
and calls them by name."

God is so infinitely powerful and so immeasurably wise, yet so tremendously personal that He has named every star. How much moreso will He care for us, His special, set apart creation made in His image? This reminder overwhelmed me -- God would take care of Maria. He would take care of these people. He would take care of me.

Bonding

"Todos deben ser de un mismo parecer." 1 Peter 3:8a

God used this week to unify us, as a team, as a community, as a Church. We not only had to depend on each other and learn to work well as a group, but we also had to be unified in prayer and vision. It was beautiful seeing our memory verse lived out among the team members! Even while different team members suffered from headaches, lack of sleep, or muscle pain from the hard labor and the cold, they still persevered to show compassion, brotherly love, and a tender heart, all while maintaining an attitude of humility. 

Multiple times I witnessed a team member volunteer to hike down the hill to get water, to carry someone's backpack or tools, or take over the job of digging when one of us needed a break. During VBS, the team did the motions with enthusiasm and stooped down to wipe runny noses, throw a ball, or glue a popsicle stick frame. After meals, the team worked together to collect and wash dishes and to sweep and mop the dirt-smeared kitchen floor. The team overflowed with generosity, and God gave us eyes to see the needs around us.

Reflecting 

During the week, we had the privilege of working alongside Alfredo, Ma Fer, Andres and Cristian, engineers and members of the local Operation Mobilization team. They helped to give us insight into the Nanzag culture, teach us Quechua words and phrases, and remind us that God's work would not stop when we left. We were inspired by their selfless examples and commitment to serving God in these difficult places.

This work was bigger than any of us ever imagined. CODEINSE (Corporacion de Desarrollo Integral Socio Economico), which does work in community development in these rural mountain towns, has been supporting these clean water projects. I know, with their help and the funds we raised to aid the project, that the task will be completed and, Lord willing, this year the people of the Nanzag community will receive fresh, running water for the first time in history.

Praising

The last day, CODEINSE invited our team to a celebration BBQ at the park in Rio Bamba. We felt humbled to sit with this incredible group of people and enjoy an Ecuadorian specialty, grilled cuy (guinea pig). We reflected together on all the Lord had done in the Nanzag community and prayed about all the Lord was still doing in Ecuador.

Numbers 23:19
"God is not human, that he should lie, 
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?

Thank you for partnering with me through prayer and finances to go to San Antonio de Encalado, Ecuador and see firsthand what God is doing among the Nanzag community. We can stand together amazed. Because God's work is not finished. 

Habakkuk 1:5
"Look at the nations and watch--and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."

Ecuador Update and Year in Review

Thank you Church family and friends for deciding to partner with me in God's work in Panama City, Panama this 2014-2015 school year! It has been a year full of blessing and increasing opportunity to disciple students and speak truth into their lives.

Your generous support with both prayer and finances have made these opportunities possible.

Now I am preparing to head back to Panama on Thursday, July 9th, to set up my classroom and get things ready for the upcoming school year beginning in August. I have only a couple weeks before I join the church youth group's Ecuador Missions team from July 21-28th. Please keep us in your prayers!

Pray specifically for:
-safety in the journey
(landing in Guayaquil and taking a bus 4-5 hours up the mountain to a town called Guamote)
-wellness for the team
(we'll be working at 10,000 feet; pray against altitude sickness and that we won't get sick from eating guinea pig or whatever the villagers feed us)
-unity among the team and a positive attitude
-seeing God's hand in the unexpected (because that's bound to happen!)
-that we can be clear testimonies of Jesus Christ to the villagers 

MORE DETAILS HERE.
-Thank You Video
-All about the Trip
-Update 3/28

More about my context, living, teaching and serving God in Panama:

Video!
Panama Context
Newsletter from 2014
Year in Review: 2013
Why I love my job 2013 (updated version coming soon and all about my students!)
My Visit to Panama: with parents in 2012
The Bible Translated into Kuna!

We leave tomorrow July 21st and are gone through the 28th! 

HERE is the video we shared with the church at our commissioning service on Sunday.

Time to Say Goodbye: 2015

These are simultaneously the most beautiful weeks and the most heartbreaking weeks of the entire school year. Las Despedidas (the Farewells). (Pictures to come)

Several members of our close-knit school community are transitioning out. For some, we've known for awhile that they were leaving after this school year. For months, we held tight to those precious moments together, those "normal" ways that these people are regularly part of our lives and daily interactions. Meanwhile, we've been pushing back the thoughts that want to burst into tears, thinking that next year, these moments won't be the same. In fact, these experiences might never exist again.

One of the best parts of living in an international Christian community is the depth of relationships that are formed. As we say good-bye, we celebrate what these people have offered us, this season of being neighbors and face-to-face friends, and we are so thankful to have been loved so well.

So this piece is dedicated to those people:

As I stand here, at our final goodbye dinner, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I have been surrounded by "these people."

The people who greet you at the airport, introduce you to the local stores, and walk you through Albrook Mall without getting lost.

The people who show you how the bill system works, where the bus stop lunch place is, and how to navigate your way through the Circle of Death.

The people who share countless road trips cross-country Panama, exploring Spanish ruins, black sand beaches, coffee plantations, and the all important Quesos Chela!

The people who you exchange smiles with at morning devotions, knowing what they're thinking without them saying it. The people whose laugh you hear in the hallway, and you're drawn out of your seclusion to join them in reminiscing over student antics or simply celebrating all that is life.

The people that invite you into their family life and spend time counseling and sharing honest stories long after the kids have gone to bed. 

The people who were newbies at the same time as you--with whom you shared many firsts and lots of laughter at failed attempts and U-turns. 

The people who witnessed and encouraged the healing and transformation process from when you first came, and the people who lovingly and patiently helped shape who you are today.

The people who ultimately reminded you that you had purpose and to not give up. 
"God's story is not finished."

These people are leaving.. 

They are leaving their mantle,
passing the baton, appointing the next in line. 

The goodbye is not easy. Like velcro ripping away. The sound lingers long after these people leave, the thoughtful memories and throwbacks to earlier times.

These people leave
us with inspiration: "What does it mean to stay well?"

We will continue to contemplate this question.

For next year,
we become "these people."

La Ampliacion: Part 1

These pictures, not to mention experiences, almost never happened!

Following the Chame youth group retreat, Esther and I booked it over to the Panama Canal expansion (on the Pacific side). For two years now, we've felt the explosions of the dynamite to make this structure, and we desperately wanted to check out the almost-finished product. Not only that, but Esther had informed me that for one day only, the Canal Expansion was going to be open to the Public. You would be able to walk right through the canal locks!!

Esther masterfully navigated (thanks to Pills' directions) to the parking lot in Panama Pacifica, and we loaded onto a bus from there. Now, out of the masses of people that were there, it "just so happened" that the Fernandez family from CCA (I have two of their boys in my classes) was on our same bus! What a fun surprise!

The Wait

We followed their lead in joining the enormous line snaking through the bus stop parking lot. The line led to a ramp that led to another set of buses that would take people over to the canal expansion.

Kathy Fernandez told me that this was actually their second time trying to get into the locks that day. They actually had to go home and change shoes. No sandals were allowed!

I looked down at my feet. I only had the versatile footwear I had used for retreat, my very sturdy Keens. Even so, Esther walked between me and the police officers who were sending people out of the line because of dress violations or having too young of kids to visit a construction site.

We had almost made it up the ramp, and I was getting pretty excited about the whole venture. In my mind, it felt like I was going on a Disney Ride, where you stand in line for an hour to experience the magic, yet I knew that this experience would be even better. This would be walking through a once-in-a-lifetime part of history! Once the locks were filled, you wouldn't be able to walk through them again!

Denied

As I near the crest of the ramp, the revolving turnstile entrance in plain view, a stern police officer says to me, "No chancletas" (No sandals.) And he motions to me to step out of the line. There are masses of people, and the look on his face tells me that he's not one to be argued with. Mr. Fernandez sees what happened and turns and throws me his keys, saying, "There's boots in my truck you can use!" How generous!

I clutch the keys, wondering how I'll ever find his car in the parking lot where there was such little space that we had to park on the grass. Sadly, I move out of line.

I tell Esther to go ahead. This is her dream, so she should go walk the locks without me. She's upset too, since we planned on sharing this trip together, but the rush of people are pushing her along, and she waves goodbye and disappears into the masses.

As I stand there contemplating whether to get the boots, Kathy calls over to me. "Laura!"
A huge sense of relief floods over me. Kathy, her little 5 year old son, and her friend were also pulled out of line, because her son was too young. I had people I knew still around, and that was a huge comfort.

We stand beside the line, and she tells me the size of the boots. They'd be too small, so we decide to just pass the time and catch up on her recent trip to the States. Meanwhile, we're watching the line pass us by and wondering how long it will be until we reunite with the others after their tour.

Our conversation is interrupted by a lady police officer, "Estan juntos?" ("Are you together?")

We look at each other and agree, "Si."

"Go ahead." She says in English.

"Wait..what??" I wonder aloud, surprised by this sudden change of mind.

The woman police officer had mercy on us and explained that I should just make sure to step carefully, and the little boy could go if he met the height requirement.

I was filled with elation. I would get to walk the expansion after all! We stride confidently toward the turnstile entrance. But my dreams are almost crushed a second time, as that same police officer says, "No. No pase." I flag down the merciful lady from earlier, who vouches for us, and gives us the right to pass to the other side.

Such undeserved grace! As I pass through the turnstile, a huge smile on my face, greeters hand me a Panama flag and a map of the locks. "Bienvenidos!"

I sprint toward the coach bus brimming with people and find my way to the last empty seat. I had made it. Now if I could only find Esther..

To be continued in: La Ampliacion: Part 2

The coach buses dropping off and picking up hundreds of visitors for this special one-day event. You can see it's somewhat flooded, so that must be why they didn't want anyone with sandals.

Where the canal doors will go (MASSIVE)

No special event in Panama is complete without the local music!

I've never been to the grand canyon, but I imagine it feels somewhat like walking through here.

There were all sorts of Patriotic things to do: Take a picture with the sign! #idontknowthesepeople

Take a picture inside a twitter sign and they'll post it on the site. There was a LONG line to do this.

They gave you all sorts of facts on the tour. None people would really remember, but once they did compare a measurement to how many bowls of rice that would be. LOL.

This is where the doors will go. Fortunately there was a little bridge over this part for the buses to pass.

Here's those facts you've been waiting for:

La Ampliacion: Part 2

These friendly volunteers handed out ice-cold water bottles to every visitor and were much obliged to take a photo with me.

Part 2, continued from Part 1

Like I said, it was a reminder of God's total undeserved grace getting to pass through the inspection and enter the canal locks. I tried to text Esther on the bus with an excited message, "They let me in!" and a plan to reunite afterward. But, possibly due to the other hundreds of people trying to access the data, my phone message would not go through. 

"Okay Lord," I silently prayed, looking out the window at the view of the construction. "You've brought me this far. Now, if it's your will, please please help me find Esther."

I knew it was a long shot, especially when we stepped off the bus, and there was such a large crowd of people that people were barely moving! Cheers rang out from a team of volunteers wearing "Soy Parte de La Historia" t-shirts. I really did feel like I was experiencing an unforgettable part of history!

I meandered through the crowd, enjoying the sights and joining others in gawking at the enormity and immensity of the project. I couldn't imagine how big the ships would be that would pass through this space. An incredible accomplishment, and this was built and owned by Panama!

Making my way around the coned off area, I glanced to my left. There was a crowd of maybe a hundred-or so people in just that small area, and I thought maybe they were looking at something. Turns out, they were only heading towards the exit, but couldn't move any faster, because there were so many people. I scanned the crowd, hoping against all hope that I would catch a glimpse of Esther.

Suddenly, I saw her. But not only did I see her, but she saw me, and she was waving at me!!

My eyes widened in shock, and I whooped for joy! She couldn't believe it either, and I signaled above the crowd, "I'll meet you over there!" pointing to a somewhat less crowded space on her side.

"What are the odds of finding Esther in such a massive amount of people??" I wondered as I slid by the multitudes of people with selfie sticks and Panama flags. 

"Well, you did ask me.." I imagined God gently tapping my shoulder as a reminder, "I'm here, and I'm all powerful. Why did you doubt?"

"Oh yeah.." I chuckled to myself, brimming with such undescribable joy. My God answers prayer! This was no mere coincidence. 

I made my way over to Esther, and we gave each other a huge hug. We started laughing, "I can't believe we found each other!" we said almost simultaneously agreeing.

And, of course, who should be coming over the bridge right behind us, but the Fernandez family. They had all made it as well! We made sure to take photo together, thanking God the whole time!

The tour concluded with a bus ride up to see the view from above, but I just couldn't get over the fact that Esther and I found each other! We stood admiring the view, but most of all, admiring the work of a loving and omnipotent God who answers prayer in personal and miraculous ways!

James 5:16b-18
"The prayer of righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain and it did not rain on the land for three and half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."

Chame Retreat 2015

Loading hula hoops and soccer balls into the trunk of my car, I prayed "for protection, for a fun time, and for honest conversations" for the weekend. I watched as over 100 students 6th-12th grade loaded onto two coach buses toting their sleeping bags and pillows. We were heading out for my first ever Chame youth group retreat, and I knew we were about to enter into a battle only God could win.

Thanks to Brennan's driving skills, with only one mandatory stop at Quesos Chela, we arrived safe and sound to the Chame Palabra de Vida (Word of Life) campground. I was amazed at the beauty of this part of Panama. I had been to the Palabra de Vida grounds before and heard of God's ministry through the Delibasich family and their volunteers. However, I had never stayed the night in the cabins or really explored the campus. 

I looked out over the vast terrain: soccer field, basketball court, pool, 4-5 cabins up the hill, an area for fogata (bonfire), a sheltered stage area with a kitchen attached. What a privilege it was to join together with 4 other churches in Panama, look out to the mountains, sing worship songs together, and remember our God!

Throughout the weekend, there were many sweet and hilarious moments:

• Playing fun variations of Capture the Flag 
• 1. With a Watermelon: When it broke, all the kids rushed to eat it!
• 2. At Night: We used glow sticks to designate teams and a large glow stick inside a clear, plastic soda bottle for the flags. It was mass chaos, as people chased each other across the field, not knowing for sure if someone was on their team, since many used "decoy" glow sticks to lure the other team into a trap. It was pretty funny to not see anything, than suddenly you see this floating, glowing bottle bobbing up and down the field super fast, illuminating a leg here or there and hearing the shouts of victory as the other team brought the "flag" successfully across to their side. My team lost pretty badly, but it was a game to remember for sure!
• Smashing "mystery sauce" pies into kids' faces in the Yes/No Game
• Super thankful to have some of the high school upperclassmen involved--they made the game 10x more entertaining, because they would throw the questions back at me or change the subject in a creative way. Even my lovely assistant got pied!
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• Having a conversation with a leader who I thought had just gotten proposed to
• Turns out, it was only her Quincenera ring worn on the left hand!
• Trying to balance and watching others attempt to balance on Brennan's slackline
• one of my friends was able to do it! impressive!
• Meeting leaders and students from different churches in Panama City
• Amazing to be part of God's larger story for reaching the youth of Panama for Christ!
• Rally Games
• Part of the sessions were a series of stations where each team (randomly chosen) had 15 minutes to complete a task
• Your team had to do everything from running dipped sponges up the hill from the pool to fill up a bucket to navigating a maze with your whole team tied together. It was a privilege to watch as the team cheered each other on and followed John's clear leadership. #go_green_team
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• Bonfire time
• The Fogata was so raging hot that no one wanted to get near to make the S'mores, so we just passed out all the ingredients afterward and the students still loved it!
• Had an awesome, honest talk with a girl in my small group for the weekend, named Nicole. She shared how she first came to know Christ when she was 9 years old through attending a similar Chame retreat. This time, she was recommitting her life to Him, to serve Him through thick and thin. Wow!

Zoom In

Unlike my talented brother and sister-in-law, I don't have the gift for photography or even naturally spotting the details, but I will do my best to capture some word pictures to allow you to see what the retreat taught me.

1. Humility

Being a leader for the retreat, I had different duties and responsibilities to fulfill during the weekend. It is easy for me to get in "servant" mode, and not spend as much time with the students, which is of FAR more importance in the long run. Well, this weekend, I got an equal dose of both!

Whenever I went to prepare a game/activity or help clean up something, there was a small crew of middle schoolers who came over and asked if I needed help. And letting go of this control over the activities/details, I felt more peace, could relax and enjoy just being with them. Not only that, but we had a blast working together! We were able to laugh at and with each other as we squirted strange-colored concoctions into tinfoil to-go boxes for the Yes/No game or as we picked up trash off the field. Not to mention my small group girls (freshmen and sophomores) I was extremely humbled and grateful to everyone who led by example and helped out during the weekend.

2. Vulnerability/Tell your story!

One of the most beautiful parts of the weekend was that my close friends, Danae and Paulo (engaged to be married: July 2015!), were the retreat speakers. To know them both, is to know that they have undergone incredible transformation and growth in Jesus in the past three years of knowing each other. And, unlike, typical retreat speakers, they're willing to admit publicly that they're not perfect. 

Yes, the theme/message of the retreat was on the Unity of the Church through loving God and loving people, but Paulo and Danae shared with us much more than the cookie-cutter salvation message. They were real, and they made the Truth real.

Paulo and Danae started off by saying something to the effect of "We are a mess. In fact, everyone is. But God loves that mess. He made you, and sees a masterpiece in you." After they said this, I noticed a collective sense of relief pass through the students. These people are going to be honest. I can trust them.

Within the next three sessions, Paulo and Danae each laid bare their soul and shared about their personal journeys with Jesus. Their testimonies were raw, gripping, and vulnerable. It reminded me of God's power to rescue us from desperate situations, anger, bitterness, perfectionism, and self loathing.

Jesus rescues us from addictions to porn, struggles with lust, and the need to bully others, and replaces them with a new spirit, a new person. A person who is so consumed with Jesus that he gives his thoughts over to Him, who is overcome with God's love and this pours out of his soul to foster life-giving relationships, other-centered decisions, and an ability to love fully, comfort others, and be merciful in all circumstances.

God rescues us from perfectionism, a striving to achieve more and do better than everyone else. He rescues us from a competitive nature that pushes us toward the World's temporary pleasures in order to feel accepted and popular and rescues us from the need to feel in control of a life that is slowly crumbling around us. A time when we stop eating, hating ourselves, pushing outwards on the pillars of our life to hold them up, but the pressure and the weight of the problem is increasing, and your arms no longer have the strength.

Jesus rescues! He pulls us out from the rubble and places us in a safe place with walls and a foundation that will neither crumble nor fall. He replaces that desire to control with an unyielding trust in Him. He replaces that fight to belong, that self-loathing and struggle with comparison with the words, "You're mine." He replaces those temporary pleasures with an enduring truth, a satisfaction that lasts.

Jesus affirms our true identity and destroys the Deceiver's strongholds and lies!

Because.. He loves us.

And we are His Masterpiece.

Thank you so much Danae and Paulo for humbling yourselves and sharing these truths with us this weekend! Thank you to George for the vision and for your leadership in uniting the youth groups of Panama City to share in this experience. For these messages are truths that will last much longer than a day and a half retreat. These truths and stories will transform lives!!