Our Last Ministry

As you may already know, for the month of May and half of June most of my squad has lived in Bocas Del Toro, Panama. Specifically, on Isla Bastimentos on a YWAM Ships base. Accessible only by boat, the island has no roads and only foot paths. The base is on a hill with a beautiful view, and everything that comes up comes via the stone stairs from the dock (including groceries, drinking water, our bags, everything). To our left and right are small indigenous villages on stilts closer to the water. For most of our time here, we lived with two YWAM teams on their outreach from Hawaii. 

Ministry at this YWAM base looks a little different. The base is understaffed, so we take on staff roles here by keeping the base running. Ministry jobs included: cooking, cleaning, hospitality, grocery shopping, maintenance, and kids ministry. I’d be lying if I said this ministry wasn’t difficult at first. I have a huge passion for locals and getting to build relationships, so not leaving the base at all seemed really contradictory to what I wanted. Then it hit me. It wasn’t what “I wanted”. Living a life fully surrendered to the Lord isn’t easy or what we want, it’s walking in obedience to where He calls us since our lives are no longer our own. I don’t know why the Lord called me to live on this island for six weeks, but I do know He is good and worthy of my trust. 

The time I’ve spent here has actually been a very sweet season. I’ve experienced a lot of joy. My new team has grown and improved immensely. I’ve made great relationships with other missionaries (the YWAMers). I spent lots of down time processing all I’ve been through on this race and prepare to return to the states. I’ve gotten to step out of my comfort zone and participate in kids ministry with the locals on the island and share the message of the gospel with them. I saw three of them come to Christ. I got to clean toilets and scrub floors with joy in my heart because I was enabling YWAMers to go out and evangelize in the broken town of Bocas. I got to do some evangelism myself on adventure days and encounter some really cool lights in the dark town. I also got to adventure to some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever been to! 

It’s crazy to think this is our last ministry on the race. All four I’ve been with have been so different, yet all so amazing. I have seen fruit in them all and can recognize the Lord’s hand tangibly sprinkled everywhere. As I enter into my last few weeks of the race, please join me in praying for my squad to finish strong. To keep pressing in and staying present. Join me in praying for this base, that God would continue to send people here and use them to build his kingdom in the areas around. 

Thanks for reading, and USA I’ll see you soon!!