Reflections of Grace, Beauty, and Love
Thank you for following along and support my personal journey this year in Ministry with World Race. Everyday so far is literally a constant process of saying “God, thank you for inviting me on this adventure with you! What do you have for me today? Give me eyes to see and recognize you.”
Month 3 of our 11 and has been here with Youth with a Mission (YWAM): Panama. The top three words I would use to describe this month are Grace, Beauty and Love. Panama has taken me by surprise. I really didn’t know what to expect especially after how much I enjoyed Nicaragua. I found myself tearfully sad to leave. But yes, those are the perfect words and here is a little photo journal…
Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God:
Since day one YWAM Panama has been a blessing due to its beautiful scenery and blended communities. We met Panamanians and Expats of all different origins. The Expats were from South Africa, America, Canada, and China. But the true source of the richness in blessings can only be due to God’s favor on the many ministries here at YWAM and in Panama.
Face Painting with Kids Club.
Piñata Time at Kids Club
Loading book for YWAM Library
Room prep for new guests at YWAM
Cleaning up YWAM property
Holiday Skating Party for the youth of Chirqui
According to Google, Beauty is a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, which pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.
I am constantly in awe as we see the beauty that lies right in nature all around. Lately I’ve been going on nature prayer walks just to experience God through his creation. Panama has been perfect place to do that and I’ve been having the most enriching encounters as a result.
My mediation has been Psalm 19 (NLT): (below is 19:1-6)
“The Heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
Night after night they make him known.
They speak without word or sound;
Their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
And their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heaven for the sun.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.”
Morning walks in Panama
Sunrise in Panama
View from outside downtown Bouquette.
Love for me is something so much harder to define but as I learn more about God’s love for me I know what strive for.
It’s a process of beginning to know what it feels like and learn to see reflections of that same love in the world and people around me. God’s love and very presence was made evident from the very start. As the hymn says they will know we are Christians by our love. The way we love really is a direct reflection of the love and relationship with have with God. If someone never really experienced love, could they ever know how to give it or show it?
The coolest part is that God keeps revealing his love in so many ways. Love through marriage, community, friendship, organizations, and individual exchanges/talents. I think God put it most simply when Monica, one of my teammates came to me one afternoon. She said, “I’ve been praying over the things you shared and I felt like God just wants me to tell you that we just want to love you. To show you love.” I heard him but even more than that, I knew she meant it. Wow, love in its purest form is disarming and powerful. It can be the scariest and hardest thing to except but God keeps giving us that gift without fear; then asks us to join him.
New friends and Community in Panama <3
Meet the Base administrators! Andrea and Cathy make a fun duo. They help delegate and get things done around the base. Things ranging from ministry schedule, transportation, daily tasks around base, to adventure excursions. When we first arrived to David Bus Station; Cathy, Gracie, Brent and Andy where there to greet us! Little Andy was the youngest of the team and made the perfect greeter. He was full of life and non-stop chatter.
Meet Bob and Laurie they recently celebrated their 45th anniversary and are one of the sweetest couples I’ve met in Panama. Bob was a pilot and Laurie was a travel agent. They both met traveling and Bob pursued her. He is originally from Canada and Laurie is from Australia. They were so warm, sweet, and fun this is what I want love to look like in the distant future. It was fun getting to serve with them at God Eye’s clinic.
Meet the YWAM: Panama directors Debbie and Richard. Our team came in at a busy time for the ministry. There were projects to be done for YWAM n home, graduation, and they had just returned from ministry in Ecuador. But they were fun and level headed from start to finish. With the support of Andrea, Cathy, and our team we tackled the things we could step by step.
Meet the Martinez family Caleb, Kayla, Lucas, and Elyssa from Oklahoma! They were recent students in the Discipleship Training School (DTS). We were fortunate to be able to spend an extra week with them after graduation! Kayla and Caleb met in the Airforce then became the best of friends which lead to marriage. They have an authentic harmony as a family that is unique. Just being around them you can feel it. It’s like watching night fall then the moon and stars appear, they just all complement each other.
These are some of the people that made up the YWAM Community this month and many more. It was awesome and replenishing to be able to share this holiday season with them all.
Holiday Team Photo
I need your help!! Thanks to your support I am now at 57% of my fundraising goal. But I need to be fully funded by January 31st. Please stay tuned for my next blog to see ways in which you can support. All donations are tax deductible.
