These are special times.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

This verse captures how I feel. My heart is full. I had a wonderful Christmas with my team in Panama. Thank you to all who prayed for us during this holiday season. Although, I missed my family and friends God was beyond good to us. Yesterday was so special. The guys came over to our apartment around noon, and in the early afternoon we opened presents. What was so touching was that everyone put thought into their gifts and we had a great time opening them together. The rest of the day was a chill day as Lindsey and Steve cooked our turkey and prepared dinner for us. At different points throughout the day all 6 of us were able to talk with our families back home, which was a blessing. Our turkey dinner was delicious and before eating dessert we read the Christmas story, from the gospel of Luke.

There were so many times yesterday that I was on the verge of tears. As Karina and I walked to the grocery store to pick up some yams, we both talked about how blessed we felt and how it had been such a good day full of love. We both recognized that this was a unique Christmas, one that will never be repeated and one that we will always treasure in our hearts. God gave us a new family this year and I am so thankful for each and every one of them. Not only are they my teammates but they have become dear friends. Below is a picture of my team before they begin to eat the delicious meal that was prepared.

I pray that you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. It`s so amazing to think that God became flesh and made his dwelling among us and later gave up his life so we could enter into a relationship with him. My dear friend Melissa sent me a beautiful email this morning that made me cry. At the very end of it she wrote 1 Peter 1:3-9. It is such a beautiful and hopeful passage. I would like to leave you with the last two verses from it.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

May you and your family experience all the joy and love that can only come from Jesus. And may you like Mary treasure up all these things and ponder them in your heart.

Joy and peace,

Raquel

End of the Semester.

Thursday, December 4th was our last day on campus as the semester is over and students are now in exams. Our time on campus during the last three months has been quite the journey. There have been tears, frustrations, and joys. I have been doing a lot of reflecting lately and am aware of changes that I need to make both in my ministry and in my personal life. As 2008 is quickly coming to an end I thankful to God for the countless blessings he has given me.

Last week the STINT team went to the mountains in "El Valle" for a Shepherding trip with two staff workers from Canada. Steve and Robyn Strongitharm and their two adorable children basically came down to Panama to encourage us, and help us to reflect and cast vision on the upcoming year. They also brought Jessica Fauvelle with them who was a part of the Panama STINT team last year. Steve, Robyn and Jess were a huge blessing and so encouraging to us. The love of Christ shines through each of them. We had a wonderful time in El Valle as Steve led us through devotionals on John 13-15. He reminded us of the bigger picture; of the importance of living with an eternal perspective and emphasized that what we are doing here in Panama is of great significance because we are investing our lives in the kingdom of God. God really spoke to my heart through Steve and I was so blessed by him and his entire family.

We had the opportunity to go to the beach when we were in El Valle and as I walked along the water Jesus painted me a picture that his love is like the ocean. His love is gigantic, majestic, powerful and beautiful like the sea. Simple I know, but it was a precious God moment I had and it made me feel so loved.


For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

The team after climbing a mountain in El Valle


The wonderful Strongitharm family: Steve, Robyn, Benjamin and Joshua


Jessica reading Scripture to us.