October.

I love October! I have several reasons why. The first reason is that it's the month of my birthday...yay!! I may be a little bias. And this year it's a big one folks. The big 25...yikes!

I also love October because it's the month when we celebrate thanksgiving. Granted we should be thankful all year round, but the same is true of every holiday. I still think it's nice to set aside special time for it so we can truly reflect and thank the Lord for his endless blessings in our lives, as well as enjoy a big turkey dinner (or whatever you eat at thanksgiving) with those you love.

Finally, I love October because that's when I feel like it's truly autumn. September is still a changing season, November is building up to Christmas and we see snow, but October is the climax of fall. Leaves are at their brillant best with their range of gorgeous colours. And when you walk in the midst of them it's like you're walking in one of God's masterpiece paintings.

So, happy first day of October everyone. I woke up this morning thankful and happy that this beautiful month is here. I encourage you all to spend some time with the creator of it all today and to maybe even walk in one of his breathtaking paintings. :)

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. Psalm 33:8-9

With love,

Raquel

Beautiful people.

I have been incredibly blessed and inspired recently by two women whom I have never had the pleasure of meeting in person, but I've gotten to know a little bit through their writings.

Since returning from debrief I read a book called Authentic Beauty written by Leslie Ludy. Leslie invites and challenges young women to live set apart lives for God (or as she tends to refer to him our Prince). She reminds us that no human being could ever fulfill us like Christ alone can and that we can never truly enjoy human relationships unless our relationship with our real Prince (Christ) is the number one relationship in our lives. God has been using Leslie Ludy to invoke an even greater desire in me than ever before to live a life that is set apart for Him. Being set apart doesn't just mean being a Christian, it's so much more than that. It means being different even among Christians, it means seeking complete holiness in EVERY area of my life. I'm reminded right now of the verse that says "everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial" (1 Corinthians 10:23). What wise words. I have a list of new goals. I'm going to start being more radical in my life. Time is precious and I want every day to reflect more and more Jesus. I don't just want people to think "oh there's Raquel a nice Christian girl," rather I want people to say "there's Raquel a set apart woman of God."

Another beautiful woman of God who has blessed my heart to no end is author and speaker Beth Moore. Many of you may be familiar with her and her Bible studies, but although I had heard of her before, it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I became more familiar with her. My Bible study group and I have been going through one of her studies called "Stepping Up: a journey through the Psalms of Ascent." This study explores Psalms 120-134. These are psalms that traveling pilgrims would sing as they travelled to the great Jewish festivals. I have been so filled with joy and inspiration as I watch the dvds and do my homework. I love the title of the study because it's very symbolic of where I'm at right now. God is calling me to step up. He's beckoning for me to come closer to Him.

God is so good. I love how he uses people in our lives, sometimes people that we have never met and maybe never will on this side of heaven, to draw us to himself.

May He be praised!

Raquel

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion. Psalm 134

A New Season

As you can see I decided to change the layout of my blog.

I love symbolism, and I wanted my blog to change in order to reflect the change of season in my own life. As many of you know I have returned from spending almost a year in Panama and now I am in a season of waiting. It's interesting I was telling my sister Natalie today that I feel like the theme of waiting has been a constant in my life. I'll be the first to admit that I don't always like waiting but I know it's necessary. Afterall, the Bible tells us "to be still and know that I am God," Psalm 46:10a. So that's what I'm doing now; I'm being still and getting to know my God on a deeper level. For a while now God has been whispering to me that it's time to go into deeper waters with him, that I've done enough walking and now it's time to start running with Him. He has given me new specific prayer requests to pray over my life as well. I'm excited! Yes, at times it feels like the waters ahead are deep and scary, but I know Jesus won't take me to those waters without him going with me. And it is only Jesus that can give me streams of living water (reference to John 7:38).

"...Be still and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10

Oh Canada!

Hello friends,

I am once again in the land of the maple leaf and Tim Hortons. I just realized that I have been in Canada for a little over a week and have yet to blog about it. Yikes, I apologize! My team and I returned to Canada July 4th and then headed off for a few days of debrief in Crieff Hills, Ontario. I am slowly getting back to the swing of things here and have begun meeting people for coffee dates. If you are in the Niagara region and would like to hear about what God is doing in Panama feel free to send me an email or give me a call.

God has been teaching me and reminding me of beautiful truths lately, which I hope to blog about later. I am excited to spend a summer resting in Him. Honestly, I'm just excited to fall more in love with Jesus. I can already feel it happening. Anyway, I can't wait to share some of the things I learned at debrief in another blog entry. I just wanted to inform you that my team and I are safely back in Canada and thank you for all your prayers.

To Him be all the praise!

Raquel

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

Aqui Estoy (Here I am)

Aqui Estoy (Here I am)
Por: Jesus Adrian Romero

No quiero perder las cosas que me
quedan por hacer las cosas que me
quedan por vivir en Ti.
No quiero olvidar las cosas que planeaste para mi
los sueños que me diste lo dare por Ti.

Coro:
No tienes que buscar a nadie mas yo quiero ir
Aqui esta mi tiempo, aqui estan mis horas
Aqui estoy Yo

Mi vida es para ti y en ti la quiero yo invertir
Aqui estan mis manos aqui esta mi voz
Aqui estoy Yo
Aqui estoy Yo

Listo quiero estar, los dones que me diste voy usar
los años que me has dado vivire por ti
Voy a conquistar la tierra que me diste
y sin dudar hare lo que me pides vivire por ti

Coro
No tienes que buscar a nadie mas yo quiero ir
Aqui esta mi tiempo y aqui estan mis horas
Aqui estoy Yo

Mi vida es para ti y en ti la quiero yo invertir
Aqui estan mis manos aqui esta mi voz
Aqui estoy Yo
Aqui estoy Yo

News about the Dominican Republic partnership.

As many of you know my team and I along with Panamanian students and staff went on a mission's trip to the Dominican Republic back in November 2008. It was the first Panamanian missions project to the Dominican Republic to help with movements of evangelism and discipleship on the campus there (Universidad Autonomo de Santo Domingo, or UASD). Panama has a partnership alliance with the Dominican Republic similar to the partnership alliance that exists between Canada and Panama. The next mission's trip to the Dominican will be from February 13 - February 28, 2010. Please be praying for the details of this trip, including the students that God has set apart to go. It's exciting to witness Panama as a sending nation!

While we were there in November we were always being filmed as part of a reality tv show that was being made. The purpose of this show is to demonstrate to the rest of Central America how to do a Missions project, as well as to encourage other countries. Everyone had a blast filming! It definitely made our trip extra special and fun. Last week we received an email saying that the trailer had been finished and had been posted onYouTube.

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrAhkJ1-Fsc

I hope this wets your appetite for what's to come! I am looking forward to seeing the completed product! Enjoy! :)

Home

(Chorus)
In this life, you're the one place I call home
In this life, you're the feeling I belong
In this life, you're the flower and the thorn
You're everything that's fair in love and war

Head Over Heels (In this Life)
by Switchfoot

I have been wanting to blog for days but I couldn't bring myself to do it. My hesitation was that all I could think of to write about was how I have such mixed feelings about going back to Canada. Alas although I wanted to try and write about something different I can't help but blog about this transition. Honestly, I have been feeling super sad these days. Yesterday I told my teammates that I felt like I had a black cloud over me that I couldn't shake off. And being the wonderful team that they are they prayed for me. I began to pack today and it felt very strange. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm dreading returning to Canada; it's just hard to wrap my mind on the fact that I have to close the chapter on a season of my life that was very special to me. But that's life I know. It's weird though on Wednesday we were celebrating Karina's 25th birthday, yet it was also Steve's last day in Panama with us (he had to leave a week earlier than the rest of our team because his brother was getting married the next day). Contrasts have been a familiar theme in my life lately. Joys mixed with sorrows. I'm emotionally drained as a result of it all. Please lift up my team and I in prayer as we are all learning how to say goodbye.

Something God reminded me of yesterday morning is that home is where He is. My true home isn't Panama or Canada but rather my home is found in Jesus. I am always at home wherever I go because I always have Christ abiding in me and he goes with me everywhere. I take comfort in this, especially these days when I feel so lost at times. In this life Jesus is the one place I call home.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9

One of our last team photos in Panama

The Future...

"Do not let your hearts be troubled..." John 14:1

Dear friends,

I have been thinking a lot lately about life after STINT (my short term internship international here in Panama). A few months ago I didn´t know what I was going to be doing afterwards but I was okay with that, knowing that God has good plans for my life. However, as time has progressed and I realize that I have a little less than two months before I leave this beautiful country, fear has crept in. I know in my head that God will direct my steps and take care of me, but worry has entered my heart like a rushing river.

My friend Emily flew down to visit me for a few days this past week. During my whole time on STINT she had been trying to come down but for some reason God kept saying no. And this time God opened the doors wide and said yes. I am convinced that God´s timing is perfect. During her visit I began to process my departure. She was a great friend as she listened to my mixed emotions, my apprehensions, as I reminisced about my experience in Panama, etc. I guess my most dreaded question when I get home is ¨So what are you going to do next with your life?¨ Honestly, I don´t know. I´m in the midst of trying to figure that out. I am asking God for the answer as I pray, read his word and seek wise counsel.

This is what I do know. I love God. I want to live for him and serve him the rest of my days. I want to give him every area of my life. I know that I always want to be involved in ministry, whether it´s in a career capacity or as a volunteer is something I still need to discover. In the meantime as I continue to search and seek I am trying to hold onto truths. My campus team did an inductive Bible study on John 14 this week and a verse that I need to stand upon is the following:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Please pray that God would give me his peace, and that he would iluminate my next steps. Also, please pray that God would prepare my heart as I leave Panama soon. I really love my life here and my friends. It´s been a hard and challenging year but also a year of beautiful blessings. It´s going to be extremely difficult to say goodbye to what has been my life for almost a year. One afternoon Emily and I went to one of my favourite cafes here in Panama City called ¨New York Bagel Cafe¨ and she comforted me as I wept and grieved for the loss that I will be experiencing. I can already feel that life is changing with the missions trip taking place now. But I do know God is good and I know that change is a necessary part of life. I am excited for what´s to come and I know that whatever happens God will never leave me nor forsake me.

Thank you to all who have been reading my blog and newsletters this year, and to all who faithfully pray for me and the ministry here. I wouldn´t be where I am without you.

I love you all.

Raquel

One Body.

Our tourist visas expire every 90 days, therefore on Friday, April 17, 2009 my STINT (short term internship international) team and I left Panama and arrived in my homeland of El Salvador. My teammate Juan is also Salvadorian. All six of us stayed at my grandmother's house. Although our time in El Salvador was short (we returned to Panama Tuesday, April 21), everyone had a wonderful time. With the exception of Juan and I my team members had never been to El Salvador before so it was cool showing them around the country where I was born. We went to an art museum, saw a volcano, visited the ruins, ate pupusas, reconnected with a Panamanian friend, and more.

The highlight of the trip for me was exactly two Sundays ago when the Panama STINT team (my group) and the Salvadorian STINT team met. We have a Panamanian friend Selegna who is a missionary in El Salvador working as Staff with Campus for Christ. We went to her church the Sunday morning and then as a team we went out to lunch with her. After lunch, 5 out of the 9 Salvadorian STINTers came to the fast food restaurant we were at and hopped into the van that we were renting so we could all travel to see the ruins together. The ruins are about an hour and a half from San Salvador so we had plenty of time to get to know the El Salvador STINT team that is composed of Americans. An interesting bit of information, all 9 stinters are from the state of California.

It always blows my mind how Christians who are strangers can have instant connections and depths of conversation that you can't have with non believers. Christ can unite and connect people like no one else can. And that is what happened during our ride to the ruins. All of us were talking about our experiences being on STINT in Latin America and it was encouraging to know that the two STINT teams understood each other. We talked about ministry and also about what God was doing in our own lives. I spent the majority of the time conversing with a girl named Jenna and I was so encouraged by her. I stopped her during the middle of our conversation because it hit me how special it was that we had just met each other and there we were talking about God and connecting on a deep spiritual level. I told her what a blessing that was and she agreed. She then went on to tell me how they used to be a team of 10 (6 girls and 4 guys), but that a few weeks ago one of their girls due to health reasons had to immediately leave the country. It shoke the team up and Jenna explained that it was extremely difficult because it was like loosing a member of the body...like all of a sudden a leg had been ripped apart. What she said really struck a cord with me.

Each member of the body is extremely vital. I know that we know this, but sometimes I honestly feel like we forget or we act like we don't care. This past Wednesday during a team meeting I asked Derek if he could read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (the section about One Body, Many Parts) because I felt that we all needed to be reminded of this. Later on this week I had a rough night and a fellow team member of mine took the time to come sit down with me, listen, pray for me and just be my friend. His actions said you are an important member of the body of Christ and when you suffer the rest of the body suffers. We are the body of Christ. As hard as it is sometimes to get along or understand each other we need one another. There is no way around it. Every part is valuable.

But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:24b-26

5 out of the 9 U.S. stinters that are working in El Salvador and 2 staff members


El Salvador and Panama stinters and El Salvador staff

P.S. Feel free to check out Jenna Lewis' blog at http://jennainelsalvador.blogspot.com Jenna is serving God in El Salvador with Campus for Christ. She's the Stinter that I wrote about in this blog entry.

A girl named Madeline.

Yesterday was an exciting day for our team. As usual we went in pairs to share the gospel with students on the university campus, and each team witnessed a student come to Christ!

Lindsey and I went sharing together and we immediately came upon a 2nd year Science student named Madeline. She was super sweet and gentle and open to talking with us. After getting to know her for a little bit we began to talk about spiritual things. Something that she said from the very beginning caught my attention. She expressed how she loved God but felt that something was missing in her life. My heart broke for her as I saw tears in her eyes. I instantly started to pray for her in my head that we would be able to share the gospel with her and that she would accept Jesus' invitation of new life.

We shared the 4 Spiritual Laws with her, which is a tool that Campus for Christ uses to share the gospel.

1) God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.
2) Man has sinned and is separated from God.
3) Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin and rose again.
4) We need to individually receive Christ as Lord and Saviour in order for us to be able to experience God's love and plan for our lives.

We asked her if she wanted to receive Jesus into her life and she said yes. We have a new sister in Christ! Lindsey and I were both touched as Madeline seemed so sincere and hungry for God's love. She cried, and Lindsey and I couldn't help but be moved and cried as well.

What God impressed upon my heart the most was that he had been preparing this girl's heart. She was ready to receive the gospel. With all the students that accepted Christ yesterday God had already been working in their lives, preparing the soil, and when we met them they were ready to take that huge step of opening the door to their Maker. God is so good, and rich in mercy.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Please pray for our follow up meeting that we have with Madeline next Thursday at 11:30am.

And two were added on that day!!

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7

This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to go on a youth retreat. Every Wednesday night I along with Lindsey, Steve and Juan Carlos volunteer with the youth at a church called Crossroads. We each lead a small group. I have the blessing of leading an amazing group of grade 8 girls. The youth ministry is called Crossfire, and I have loved being a part of it since September. It goes from grade 6 to grade 12. It's such a cool experience because Crossroads is a bilingual church with sermons done in English but people who speak Spanish have the opportunity to listen to the sermon in Spanish by radio while in the sanctuary. Crossfire also operates in the same way and during our praise and worship time we sing worship songs in both Spanish and English. If you want to learn more about this unique church in Panama you can visit the following website:

http://www.cbcpanama.org/

The retreat we went on was called "God's Will." During the weekend the youth pastor Mark Warder talked about how God has a sovereign will that everyone both Christians and non Christians are under. He also explained how God has a moral will, which is the Bible and pertains only to believers. He explained that God gives us free will and that just because we make mistakes doesn't mean that we have messed up our whole lives or that God can't still work in our circumstances.

For me the highlight of the weekend was Saturday night when Mark went through 6 different wills that God has for our lives. The first one was that "everyone would be saved." He went on to show a video of Jesus on the cross, did a gospel presentation and said a prayer for students who wanted to accept Christ into their lives. Before his message that night each student received a piece of play dough. After he said the prayer Mark asked those students who had just prayed to receive Jesus into their hearts for the first time to come up to the front and press their piece of play dough onto a large play dough cross that had been made. Two of my girls went up! I was filled with so much pride and joy to know that they had received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. I gave them big hugs and told them that they had made the best decision of their lives.

Diana gave her testimony at Crossfire last night during large group and then expanded during our time in small group. Something that impacted me was when she said that she had experience more change in the last 3 days than during her fourteen years of life. My heart is full! I am rejoicing in the fact that two young girls have been added to the kingdom. Diana and Estefanny have begun the best relationship they will ever have...a relationship with Jesus! I made sure to convey to them that following Jesus isn't easy, but it's an amazing adventure and the best thing choice they could ever make. Praise God for my two new sisters in Christ! Please lift up Diana and Estefanny in your prayers. Pray that they will continue to read their Bibles as they have begun to do so in the last couple of days and that every day they will fall more and more in love with Jesus.

Here I am with my small group. Estefanny is in the yellow shirt next to me and right above her is Diana.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Evangelism.

Every Friday morning our team meets at the girls apartment to receive ministry training from Canada. It's called Ministry Prep 101 (Campus for Christ). We have been going through the section of Evangelism during the past few weeks and today as a team we had to discuss some of the struggles that we face when it comes to keeping evangelism a priority. As many of you know evangelism plays a huge role in what we do here in Panama. We are here as missionaries working at the national university in Panama City and the majority of our time on campus is spent telling students about Jesus. It was encouraging to know that all six of us have struggles when it comes to sharing our faith. A few of us talked about how it's hard to continually have passion for it when we seem to be doing it day in and day out or how discouraging it can be when we don't see fruit. It was good to discuss what our motivation should be for telling others about Christ. I love what 2 Corinthians 5:14 says "for Christ's love compels us..." Our love for Jesus should naturally draw us to want to tell others about God's love for them. We looked at some Scripture passages on evangelism as a team. I was really encouraged by them. Here are a few of the passages:

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:35-38

Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News! 1 Corinthians 9:16

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. Colossians 1:6

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:14-15

A key point that a team member of mine reminded us of is how vital it is to be Spirit filled when we go out sharing. He mentioned how he needs to be right with God before he can tell others about Jesus. Often when there is garbage or something blocking his relationship with the Lord, he will go and spend time with Him before he goes out to evangelize. It's so true; we as Christians need to be continually abiding in Christ (John 15:5) so we won't be able to help but speak of God's great love for them (Acts 4:20).

A Heart Changed.

It's amazing how God can change our hearts. Last Sunday, February 22nd the team and I along with our Pastor Todd and his wife Marielena went to the jungle of la Comarca de Kuna Madungandi. It lies between the provinces of Panama and Darien. Our mission was to go a Kuna Village (Kunas are a group of native people) and share the love and message of Christ with them.

I have to be completely honest, I was not looking forward to the trip. Not because we were going to be ministering to native people, but rather it was the idea of being uncomfortable for a few days (i.e. not showering, going to the washroom in a hut, sleeping uncomfortably, etc) that got me nervous. Ever since I was applying for STINT I knew that I was going to have to go on one of these missions experiences and that I was going to have no choice but to "rough" it for a few days. I had to do a lot of praying because I didn't want to go into this experience with a negative attitude. Well I have to say that what God did in my heart blew me away!

We had to take a bus and then a 45 minute boat ride to get to the village. As soon as we arrived we were received by many Kuna women and countless children. They came straight to our boat and started picking up and taking our things to the hut were we would be staying at. It was incredible to see how friendly and hospitable they were and I fell in love with them instantly! Any nervousness or dread I had disappeared completely and God melted my heart entirely!

For me the highlight of our trip was the children. I really felt like it was God loving them through me the entire time I was there. I can't even do justice when I tell you that I absolutely LOVE those kids! They have captured my heart like no one else ever has. They longed and craved from us the affection that their parents don't give them. They literally would cling onto us, and I tried to hug them and let them put their arms around me as much as possible. I wanted to pour all the love that I had onto them because I kept feeling that that is what Jesus wanted me to do. I couldn't help but think how Jesus would never ever reject any child, and how each one of those little ones is so precious to Him. From the bottom of my heart I desired to hug every single child, look them in the eye and tell them that God loves them and that he has given them great worth. During my stay at the village God continuely brought to my mind and heart the following passage:

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16

My heart broke for these kids. We returned to Panama City on Wednesday, Febuary 25th and the first thing I thought of when I woke up the next day was them. I could vividly see their beautiful faces in my mind and I wanted to cry. Please pray for these Kuna children that they would have a personal relationship with Jesus, that they would feel loved and valued, and that they would grow up to be men and women of God. They have all heard about Jesus and had the opportunity to see the Jesus film. It was so precious how they learned a song about Jesus. Please also pray for their physical needs; that they will have enough to eat, that they won't get sick (i.e. get diseases like malaria, which is very common there), etc.

I was humbled by God. I am thankful to him that he changed my heart and in the process taught me a lot. To think that an experience that I was hesitant about actually has turned out to be one of the most amazing things I have ever done in my life goes to show how we need to be available and open to the Lord and his plans. As much as we were there to bless the Kunas they blessed me too!

I have more stories to tell about this trip as well as let you know what it is exactly that we did there, but I felt a strong urge to write about what was pressing upon my heart. Thank you to all who pray and support what God is doing here in Panama.

Nuedi (thank you in Kuna),

Raquel

Beautiful Kuna girls that Karina and I got to bond with.

My friend Cristelana and I.

Life.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

Christianity is hard, or maybe I should say life is hard. The older I get the more I realize this is true. I´m not a kid anymore, and I know it´s only going to get tougher. A lady from church reminded me of this yesterday.

People who think that once they have accepted Christ into their hearts their lives will now be pain free are in for a big let down. I was reading Isaiah 40 last night and verse 30 caught my eye; ¨Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.¨ As I read this I thought this is so true. I have been feeling this way lately.

In December I was really sad to think that I would be leaving Panama in a few months, but these past few days I have been deeply craving home. I have been craving small things such as my bed, but deeper than that I have longed for what´s familiar, safe and comfortable. However, there are two things wrong with this picture. First of all, if I think that life back in Canada is going to be perfect I am completely mistaken. Just like there are challenges here in Panama so I will also face hardships in Canada. Tomorrow will bring its share of new problems. Secondly, I know that my character is being fashioned and developed as the Lord continues to polish and refine me here. Although, it´s not easy I will continue to run the race as God has called me to do. I desire to finish the race strong in Panama. I love how Isaiah 40 states that God will not grow tired or weary. Thank God for this truth.

I woke up in the middle of the night with the chorus of a song called "All that I can do." I leave you with it.

All that I can do is hold onto you
And follow where you lead
Where you're leading me
All that I can do is hold onto you
And let you bring me through
It's all that I can do

All that I can do is hold onto Jesus and I can't think of anything that makes me feel more secure than that. He's reaching for your hand too. All you need to do is grab onto it.

Keep fighting the good fight.

Raquel

Exciting things are happening...

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. Colossians 1:6

Yesterday I talked with a friend from Canada and I was super encouraged by what God is doing at my old university, Brock University in St Catharines, Ontario. Campus for Christ is in its third year at Brock and has no staff. However, the ministry is doing so well that they won't be getting staff for another three years. Last year three of us went on differnt mission trips. In 2007 my friend Rachel went on Scotland Project, Daniel travelled to East Asia and I felt the Lord call me to Panama. In 2008 Amanda and I decided to intern as staff for a year overseas; she is in East Asia and I am in Panama. Projects are six week mission trips, and are a great way to become familiar with the vision of Campus for Christ and, to get awesome training on evangelism, discipleship; not to mention they are life changing. My friend told me that this year 13 Brock students have applied to go on projects!! And many of these students are in their first year. As I heard this I couldn't help but cry! I was completely overwhelmed by God's goodness and faithfulness. What's also amazing is that the first year of C4C there were only about 20 students who attended the weekly meeting, now 60 is the average of how many students come out.

I've also been touched and encouraged to hear friends of mine have gone out sharing their faith on campus. God is doing great things at Brock and the students there are so passionate about growing in their faith and telling others about Jesus. Please be praying for Brock University and for all the students involved with C4C who have a desire to make a difference on their campus and are being used by God to change the world.

God bless you,

Raquel

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone,

I am finally settling back to my life in Panama. As a team we had about three weeks vacation and are now back to full swing ministry at the university.

I trust that you all had a wonderful New Year. I was blessed to get to spend it with a Panamanian family that has become like a family to our team. The Santanas made sure that Derek, Juan and I would not spend New Years by ourselves and took us to the house of some of their friends. Then on January 2, 2009 I traveled to El Salvador to visit my extended family. It was a blessing to see all my cousins, uncles and grandparents again and to eat all of the yummy Salvadorian food! On January 13th I flew directly from El Salvador to Costa Rica where I was reunited with my team. We spent four days on the beach in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in Costa Rica, reconnecting as a team and relaxing before heading back to Panama to begin work again.

I had some really good quiet times during my holidays. I was able to reflect on the past five months and am looking forward to the next five months. It's interesting to think that I am at the half way point of STINT. I have mixed feelings about returning to Canada. I will miss my life down here and all the wonderful friends I have made in Panama, but I'm also excited to get to see my family, friends and church in Canada once again.

Please continue to pray for our team as we begin a new semester on campus. Right now it's the summer semester and there are less students on campus, which has actually been nice as the university is not as crowded.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man... Colossians 3:23

With my friends Andrea and Jose Andres Santana during New Years.

My maternal grandmother and I in El Salvador.

A Volcano in El Salvador.

Some of my team members and I in Costa Rica enjoying a delcious breakfast from "Caribeans Coffee." The owners are Christian missionaries.
www.caribeanscoffee.com