Love one another.

From left to right: Karina, Steve, Lindsey, Derek, me (Raquel) and Juan Carlos.

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

I was reminded this past week how relationships take time. Friendships don't just happen from night to day, but rather require time to develop. The only team members I knew coming into STINT were Karina and Derek from Project last year. I feel like I'm slowly getting to know my teammates better. We are such an interesting mix of people, all so different. And yet I'm really embracing our uniqueness.

I spent some time this afternoon praying over our team, but more specifically praying for my relationship with each of them, and their relationship with each other. I started thanking God for the qualities that I admire about each of them.

Something I'm very grateful for is that we're learning to be open and honest with each other. We also have a lot of fun together and laugh a lot. I know we're not perfect and there will be times when we'll get frustrated with each other, but my prayer is that we will learn to deeply love one another as it says so in 1 Peter. Only by abiding in Christ can that occur.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

It's all about love.

Well this past week we began our campus ministry at "La Universidad Nacional" (The National University). Derek and I are focussing on the Law and Architecture Faculties with Steve overseeing, while Karina and Juan will be working at the Science Faculty with Lindsey supervising them. Steve and Lindsey are our team leaders. They are both restinting, which means this is their second year in Panama on STINT.

Every Wednesday Derek and I will be going to UTP (La Universidad Technologica de Panama - The Technological University). There is only one staff worker there full time and the ministry only began in May so there's a lot of work to be done, but both Derek and I feel very honoured that we get to be pioneers in this adventure. We love the vision that is held for this university.

Ministry is hard! I was reminded of this this past week as we all faced challenges and hardships during our first week of being on campus. However, something that God has been reminding me of a lot lately has been that what needs to drive my ministry is my love for Jesus. Above all else God cares more about my relationship with Him than how many people I've led to Christ or discipled. A friend preached on Revelation 2:2-5 last week at church and it struck me how easy it is for us to loose our first love, especially if you're like me someone who has been a Christian all her/his life. In fact we can be doing all these great things for the Lord but if we aren't being driven by our love for Christ and are neglecting our relationship with Him than none of these things matter. My greatest desire for this year is that I will fall deeper in love with my Saviour. I want to be so in love with Him.

"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." Revelation 2:2-4

Jesus, help us not to loose our first love. Help us to fall more in love with you every single day, because without your love our words are meaningless and empty. I pray that as we fall more in love with you that your love will overflow and spill onto others that they might experience your unfailing love. Thank you that you first loved us. Amen.

My STINT team!

"Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name - the name you gave me - so that they may be one as we are one." John 17:11b

I really love my STINT team. I've been thanking God for them each morning. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity not only to do ministry with these people but also to get to live life here in Panama together. God knew who was supposed to be placed into this team. We are each different with different gifts and talents and my prayer is that we will all use our gifts together for God's glory. Please continue to pray for our unity. I know Satan likes to break unity, which is why it's so crucial that each of us regularly spend time with the Lord.

My team from left to right starting in the back: Karina Campbell, Raquel Meza (me), Lindsey Davies, Steve Scott, (in the front from left to right) Juan Carlos Herrera and Derek Radcliffe.