Jr Sr Trip Year 2

I wish I could split my self in two. Our team of Jr and Srs went their separate ways last week. One team back to Volcan another team to Mariato/PaloSeco/LaGigi. I went on the latter. I loved Volcan Last year. That experience with the 7 of those students and two others leaders will never be replicated in my life again. It was a blind adventure that we cooked up together and the Lord blessed it and it is a sweet moment frozen in my heart that will forever make me realize that God KNOWS me.
With all that sap being said this year I went on the new trip. And was blown away in a completely different ways like...

God's creation (Rivers, Mountains, flowing water, loud roosters at 5 in the morning, etc.)
My students know how to work hard! Climbing mountains with PVC pipe or sand bags on their backs they got it! I wonder where that is in math class...? haha
I don't really mind being dirty.
I LOVE rocky rivers.
I can make pancakes with olive oil in an open flame kitchen.
If I need to pee at 1am I will do so even if I'm terrified.

Mostly I was blown away by Rio Missions. In this lovely community we have the Cottons. Dan, Jess and their 4 kids. Dan works at the school part-time and Jess raises awesome children. They have a missions base and run Rio Missions. By far the highlight of this trip was getting to see what they do in real life and not just hearing about it. One day Dan was explaining what Rio does to the team and this one statement he made struck a chord with me: We meet basic needs in Jesus' name.
Simple.

We climbed a mountain to a water source and bought about a mile's worth of PVC pipe to help the community of La Gigi reroute their water supply. In Jesus' Name.

We also played soccer, by we I mean everyone else. Had field day games. Sang worship at church. Watched Horton Hears a Who. Made a bonfire. In Jesus' name.

So Much Win.

You can totally still support us by going to http://www.gofundme.com/r93bk6p4
Soon we will tally up the bill and the Students' families will have to take on the remaining cost so the more support the less the bill. =)

Panamanian Snow Days and #Restored2k15

Obama shut down Panama because he came for the 7th Cumbre de Las Americas. Because the traffic patterns in the city are rough as it is the Government shut down school and work so people would be off the streets. We affectionately refer to these as Panamanian snow days! On this four day weekend I headed to the beach. It was well timed and well spent. The first two days were chill and quiet the second were #restored2k15

The youth group here had a girls retreat this weekend and I was so happy with the outcome. I was worried like a nut that it wouldn't work out. I mean Obama had the roads shut down and we had to caravan and what if there were too many girls or we left one. A million things and it was prefect. Everyone showed up and made it back in one piece. Some highlights of this weekend:


-a set of parents that  live in Costa Del Este made it safe even though the corredor sur was shut down (this is a big deal and they just moved here like 2 months ago)
-it was beautiful and sunny
-I got to do the first session, we talked about moving on and did some solo time
-we swam A LOT
-we had break out session for the girls about comparison, guilt, the Father's heart, transparency, courage, and giving God your best yes
-sweet mixed small group times
-yummy food
-dancing and singing to Taylor Swift at the top of our lungs
-night session was great, listened to Lisaaaaaa, had great worhsip time, great prayer time and all in the dark because the lights went out
-NIGHT SWIM with awesome pool lights and did the cupid shuffle in the pool (this was one of my happiest moments)
((((Maybe this link will help you visulaize... or not =))))
-morning work outs
-panel sessions
-didn't hit any traffic on the way home!!!

The most terrible small group picture ever

Lauren and I being super cute

SO good so much Jesus. I was just praying for freedom and peace and restoration. I was happy to see it.