The Narrow Road: 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