STINT...

Dear Blog

Its been an interesting past couple of weeks. I remember talking to a couple of team mates of mine recently and they both said the same thing to me "STINT (our year in Panama) is not easy." And I would have to agree with them. Don't get me wrong, I have awesome times down here, I feel amazingly blessed to be able to be here...but at the same time it isn't easy. There are lots of reasons sometimes it gets tough. Different culture, away from home, living-working-breathing with a team... and spiritually we often find ourselves under attack. Also as God's children He takes us through hard times and disciplines us. I read this encouraging verse today,

Hebrew 12:5-6
And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

So although STINT is tough at time, it is encouraging that God is using it to shape me as His Child. And although I pass through tough times, I can look back and say that each time God has used it to correct me or shape me or teach me....

On Monday I had a bit of a frustrating morning. I had had a conversation with a student that really just went in circles. The past few days of ministry on campus had been a little dry so to speak and I was feeling a little defeated. I took a half hour after lunch to do some devotionals on campus before my next appointment and came across this

Psalm 62:1

I wait quietly before God,
for my victory comes from him.

It put me a bit in place, realizing that I was really more just frustrated with myself and being impatient. But also it gave me a lot of hope knowing that my victory (or victories in life) all will come from God. Fortunately God is also loving and caring for His children and didn't make me wait long for Him to provide me some victories.

Wednesday, Lindsey and I went sharing at Interamericana University. Specifially we had been praying that day to meet 1st or 2nd year girls, as the girls Lindsey works with are all nearing the end of their degrees. Walking in to the cafeteria we met Juliana and Jenifer, two 2nd year Hoteleria students. We had an amazing conversation that ended with the praying to recieve Christ! We look forward to following up with them on Monday...and they are too. I bumped in to them yesterday and they reminded me of the follow up, always an encouragement.

So anyways Stint is hard, but God is good. Today we're taking our monthly 'Day alone with God' and it reminds me of Psalm 23. That although we pass through the valley of the shadow of death, God will also lead us beside still waters.

Until next time,

Steve