It has been an interesting month with a sloth watching, church worship leading, prison ministry visiting, intercessory praying, disco bus riding, huge mall wandering, large group cooking, sweet children meeting, other missionary story telling, sweet friend making, and time with Jesus kind of June.
In the Panamanian jungle. Living in a clearing for a base made by YWAM missions’ organization. So many different people come through this place. There are new faces passing through every other day. The short time that I’ve had to spend with any of the people I’ve met here has made me rethink some previous complaints. I have spent a lot of time thinking that there isn’t enough time. I’ve been disappointed to watch a month go by and then realize how much more I can invest in a longer period of time. It’s hard to love on someone when time is short and rather limited. It’s hard to dig deep without the proper time to build a friendship.
The truth is though, that is a cope out. It’s a lame road to take. I have found that time does not matter. You can invest everything you have and show deep love to someone new in two hours, one day, or even one month. I am learning not to use these excuses anymore and just to go for it, even though I know and have experienced how hard it can be at the end.
So coming into this month I am excited to love people no matter what, to release myself of the excuse of oh well I only have such little time. We must show love to the people around us in order to share Christ as the bible shares that we will be known by the way we love. I want to love like that. A love to be known by… not to spread my name, but His.
So here’s to Costa Rica. A place where I will refuse to “wear a watch” where I will not make my decisions on how much time I have. So, I’m heading out of Panama’s beauty and into a whole other new and exciting place and this time I am packing something extra: a love that knows not time.
Love Hard. Love Deep. Love Despite.
Alyssha
