So while on the Summer Beach Project my focus has been towards the students; pushing them to Jesus, showing them Christ, and meeting them where they are at. I do enjoy so much being with the students here on the project, but oh how sweet that my Jesus knows my heart and knows how to give me blessings that I myself don't even know I desire.
A few weeks a go at church Bentli met a few Chinese students who are here on a university exchange summer program. Bentli introduced them to me after sunday school and what a joy that was to me. That next week Bentli and I went and saw Shirley (one of the girls we met) at work and she was overjoyed that we came just to see her. We've tried to hang out with Shirley and the other girls more but our schedules are just so different it's been difficult.
On Sunday Bentli invited them to our Tuesday night theme meeting and Candy said she wanted to come and would bring some friends. On Tuesday Bentli and I went and picked up Candy and Emmy. Not knowing how that night would go I prayed that the Holy Spirit would make sense of all conversation we would have with the girls. The car ride over was so fun yet so challenging. It has become so real to me how a language barrier can be so difficult. We were just having simple conversation and you have to think about everything you say before you say so it makes sense to everyone. We got to the meeting and tried to explain what was about to happen..i'm not sure they understood anything I said. Okay we're getting to the great part...So the meeting started to the girls were so excited as they watched the hype, skit, and testimony. They began to ask questions as things were happening and Bentli and I did our best to make sense of the craziness. As Chris Kuzdale (one of the guy team leaders on the project) began his talk the girls were diligently trying to understand the words he was saying. They would try and translate the english words to chinese script on their cellphone. This is when Bentli and I both individually were able to share the gospel with both of the girls. The entire thirty minute talk was spent explaining who Christ was and trying to explain that we are all sinners. We gave them scripture and read it to them praying the word of God would pierce their hearts. I gave Emmy my Bible so maybe they would be able to read the scripture we left them with and the Holy Spirit would continue to soften their hearts.
I am overjoyed at how the Lord has brought these girls into our lives and pray that the Lord will continue to be faithful in building a friendship with them these last two and a half weeks we are here in Panama.
