Rejoice in the Lord always!

Panamá Update—September 10, 2010

Well…it’s been 2 weeks since I stepped on Panamanian soil once again…and it’s been 5 days since the CCSFS team departed.  While the team was here, we had a great time of ministry and outreach.  We got to do a children’s outreach in two different schools, one of those was for children with disabilities.  Both were such a great time!  We also had the opportunity to go into the local hospital and pray with patients (women and their children).  It was a very special time.  These are only a few of the different things we got to do as a group.

Since their departure, my task has been to get adjusted and settled in, little by little.  On Thursdays, we go to a village called El Sigual (also spelled Cigual).  This is a weekly Bible study done with a few families and their children.

After our time at El Sigual this Thursday, we took a beautiful and scenic drive up the mountain.  I got to ride on the back of the pick up truck along with some of the children from El Sigual.  The scenery is truly breath-taking!  So beautiful and green!!! God’s hand in nature is so evident. It was “pree-tee” (what we would call, pretty).   Our drive ended at a place where a cow had just been slaughtered and the meat was being sold. Talk about fresh meat! Ha ha.  We bought some meat (quite a bit actually), and soon enough that’s what I’ll be enjoying for lunch or dinner.  Talk about an adventure!  Nothing I have ever experienced before! Unfortunately I did not have my camera. I was so bummed, because I would have loved to capture the scenery as well as the fresh meat.  Maybe there’ll be a next time. Haha

As for me, I’m learning to adjust to my new life here day by day.  I’m excited to serve Jesus here in Panamá. He is doing great things here and I am privileged and honored to be here.  Do I miss home, family & friends? Absolutely!  Do I miss the comforts of living in the U.S?  I do!  But, God has been the God of all comfort and has been meeting me in beautiful ways through His Word, providing me with the strength and joy that I need.  I’ve been spending a lot of time in the book of Philippians and have found wonderful encouragement through this little book.  I’ll share just a bit with you.

I am called to “rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS” (Phil 4:4).  My joy is not based upon circumstances, location, weather, people, food, possessions, etc.  My joy comes from the Lord and He is unchanging.  I can rejoice in what He is doing in my life and where He has placed me, even if it’s far from those whom I love.  I’m learning the joy that comes with obedience.

A few other verses that have been close to my heart this last week are found in Philippians 4:11-13. I am so encouraged by Paul’s personal account of God’s faithfulness upon his life.  He was a missionary and we know he suffered many trials and persecutions, but through it all he LEARNED to be content in all situations.  I am encouraged that he had to learn to be content. It was not an automatic response.  He says, “for I have LEARNED in whatever state I am, to be content…”  His contentment came from knowing that whatever came his way, he would be able to face it because as he writes in verse 13, he could do “all things through Christ” who strengthened him.  This is so applicable to my life today.  In no way am I comparing what I am experiencing today with what Paul endured.  But I am learning to be content in the changes that are taking place in my life.  Learning to be content with or without close family and friends, learning to be content with or without healthy food options (like fresh veggies and a variety of fruit); learning to be content with or without bugs and creeping things crawling around in my room, learning to be content with cool weather or with sticky & humid weather…and so on.  It’s all part of the adjusting to this new country.  But all of this and whatever challenges may come in the future will be faced with God’s strength.  Like Paul, I too can say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  What a wonderful God we serve!!!

Please pray that I would be His faithful ambassador here in Panamá.  Also, there is a team coming in a few weeks. Pray for their safe arrival and for their time of ministry here.

Thank you!

Rejoicing in HIM!

~Rocio 

A warm welcome from the children! :)