There's only one way.

There's only one way I will ever be able to go to Peru next summer.  If God provides, He is my refuge and I will seek comfort in Him.  I know that relying on myself or others will never lead to making it there, that only by trusting completely in Christ will I be going to Peru.  Getting ready for the trip is almost a trip in itself, because it's stressful, it's real, and it's amazing.  I've learned so much in Christ while preparing for this trip.  It's so important to keep a daily quiet time with the Lord, the best way to have a great relationship with God is actually spending time with Him! Crazy, I know, but we sometimes forget in our so called busy lives to make time to spend with Jesus.  He is the most essential, important, amazing part of our lives, so why not spend all our time growing in Him?  I've also learned to trust God completely with everything I have.  With this trip.  I know if God wants me to go to Peru, that it will happen.  I trust in Him, and claim victory.  I know only He can provide a little over $3000 for me to minister to the people of Peru and make a difference in someones life.  Here's the thing.  It's ALL for Him.  This trip, my life, everyday.  I pray that as you read this, you would join in with me, in growing closer to Christ each and every day.  To have a true relationship with our Creator.  
For His glory,
Chantry.

Rain Before Rainbows.

God truly challenged me after I had the thought of staying another month in Panama, this next week of my trip was the hardest and most difficult part.  But God is faithful, and his love never ceases. 

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4

Day 16: Travel to Darien. June 28, 2011

Another crazy day.  We drove two or three hours to our village in Darien. [Darien Jungle, Panama] We got there, and it's completely different than the islands.  Our hut is huge compared to the islands, and it's one of the biggest in our village.  Our village is right off a road, but it's very primitive.  I called Mom tonight and asked if I could stay another month, this is so unreal.

Day 17: June 29, 2011

I was so sick, so I spent most of the day in my hammock. I threw up, it was nasty. I needed to grab a bucket. Ha! [Inside joke with my group] I called home again, it's $672 for another month, I know God will provide.  I talked to Dad, he told me he had to put Maddy down.  Everything went wrong that day I thought. 

Day 18: June 30, 2011

I was half sick today, I forced myself to go to VBS, it's so much different from the ministry on the islands.  These people don't really have a church, they need hope, they need life.  I was still sick so I didn't get to do hut to hut again.  We did get to go on boats down the river, the kids helped us guide the boats.  It was super hard to push them upstream and everyone went through some crazy things.  We prayed some tonight and I just kept thinking how much I didn't want to lose this fire once I go home. 

Day 19: July 1, 2011

Today was my first full day of ministry, it's rough.  We had over 130 kids at VBS, but most are unresponsive and don't get into it much.  I still felt sick so hut to hut was difficult, these people seem like they're taking advantage of us.  I know we're supposed to be servants.  I'm starting to wonder if I can really stay another month, what was I thinking.  I know it's in God's hands, oh yeah I got to hold a monkey today! 

People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives ... and when the bubble has burst, they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted.

 — Nate Saint

13 going on 300.

I am so amazed by all the ways God is moving in my life and also in the plans for my trip. I am so so so excited to see all the many ways God will work through me in Peru next summer!

Then it hit me. First of all, I don't need to worry. If God wants to send me to Peru, God will send me to Peru. Now don't get me wrong, I'm definitely doing things to get money for my trip, but I am not stressing out about getting all the money in. 

First of all, I ask for your prayer support. It is essential! Also, I do need to get some of my money in soon, I have a deadline of $300 that I need to make relatively soon. I've already got about $50 so I only need to get $250 more. 

13 people. 

If those people each give only $20, I will hit my goal! Just think, instead of getting a new t-shirt, a dew coffees, or a cd you could send the GOSPEL to Peru. To bring eternal life to a child, a mother or even a family. What an amazing way to invest in the Kingdom! Think about it.

If you would like to be one of these 13 amazing people, pray about it, and then go to www.globalexpeditions.com/donate, click on support a missionary and my ID number is 2593060. 

Thirteen people can help make an eternal difference in someones life in Peru. Will you accept the challenge?

Best Decisions

This was one of the most crucial, and awesome points in my trip. I started to feel the calling to STAY for another wonderful month!
God really worked in me so much during these few days and the next week. I really learned so much more about following God through everything, no matter how tough it is. 


Day 13: Travel to Panama City June 25, 2011
We said our last goodbyes to our friends in Nargana and headed back on the boat to the port.  We drove three hours back to Panama City, [Villa Lobos] it was a long, curvy bus ride.  We finally made it back to base camp.  We mainly sat around not doing much, then Ed and Josh wanted to talk to me and everything changed from there.  I wasn't in trouble, they just wanted to help me group and help me work through problems.  It was crazy, I really feel like I got a lot closer to God.  I think and hope that nothing will change when I get back from my trip, that it will feel as if I'm still on a trip. I know God has the strength to bring me through anything. And I'm up for anything. 


Day 14: June 26, 2011
Day in Panama City.  I got to go to a Panamanian Sam's Club type store, [Price Smart] and I even got to eat pizza.  It was amazing.  We had a relationship talk tonight.  We had a candlelight guys dessert night, showing us how show doesn't matter and all.


Day 15: FREE DAY June 27, 2011
Free day was crazy! We had five hours to walk around and shop.  We went around like a road with no cars and ate KFC! It was great!  Then we got to go to an internet cafe, it was awesome.  I got to get on Facebook and talk to Mom and Dad, it was good to talk to them and my group had fun.  Then we found Cinco de Mayo [The tourist barter part of shopping] it was really fun!  We got to barter and I bought a lot of stuff, haha.  Then our day of shopping was done, and we started heading back to our base camp, then it happened, I started wondering if I should have done the two month trip.  And if I had ignored God's will for me to go to Panama, I know I was called to come here, but I just don't know how long.  I prayed about it and decided I would talk to Josh at the end of the day.  We had session before I could talk to him, Ed talked about world missions, I started thinking about staying even more and finally got to talk to Josh, I was really confused because I was mad at myself for not trusting in God in what to do.  I gave it up to Him, now I just have to see how things go from here. 

With my friends Kendra and Verity on our free day. We were so happy to get bottle cokes and some caffeine!

If the Great Commission is true, our plans are not too big; they are too small. 

-Pat Morley

Directions.

As you all know, I made a decision this summer. It may possibly have been the best decision of my life. I decided to stay in Panama, to continue God's work there, and show unconditional love to the people there. God completely beautifully wrecked my life. He has shown me how important missions are, but more importantly how important HE is and following His will is. He has put a burden on my heart to work with youth and children, and also to speak Spanish, translating and ministering to others through Spanish. It has opened up so many doors, I made so many amazing relationships and got to have amazing ministry because I actually understood what they were saying and was able to communicate back! I know God has called me to work with people who speak Spanish.

 To stay here and disobey God -- I can't afford to take the consequence. I would rather go and obey God, than to stay here and know I disobeyed.
--Amanda Berry Smith

I know God has placed on my heart to go on missions, in fact, we are all called to missions. There is so much hurting in need all over the world and we are CALLED as Christians to show others the hope found in knowing Christ Jesus.

So I'm thinking of where to go on my mission trip next summer, and I really come up blank. I wanted to choose somewhere that I knew would be a great trip to do amazing ministry and see God move in many ways. I even thought about going to a country that did not speak Spanish, but God has definitely shown me that right now I need to minister to a Spanish speaking population. I looked at all the options for Latin America and where to go, where God is ultimately calling. And there were so many options, so many amazing trips, but one stood out, and one actually worked. 

Next summer, God is calling me to go to Peru for a month. 

Yes, it's a very big decision. And I have prayed a lot about it. I can't see myself not going, I know that I am called to go. If it is God's will, it's His bill, and I'm trusting the finances completely and totally to Him.

My trip is also going to be around $3,000 , which I am not taking lightly. I do not go out and waste money, and for Christmas and my birthday, I will be only asking for money to fund my trip. I say this not to brag, but to show you I am dedicated to the cause. Only if you feel led, should you donate money to me. If you would like to donate, you can go to www.globalexpedtions.com and clicking donate. You will have to enter my ID number which is 2593060.

In conclusion, I ask for you support in prayers. Prayer is not optional in mission trips, but ESSENTIAL. I ask that you pray for me as I plan my upcoming trip and grow in God's word. I also ask that you pray for the people I will encounter in Peru, that they would welcome the word of God with open arms, and that life-changing experiences happen. 

If you found a cure for cancer, wouldn't it be inconceivable to hide it from the rest of mankind? How much more inconceivable is it to keep silent the cure from the eternal wages of death.
--Dave Davidson

Falling for Panama.

These were my last few days ministering to the people of my first island in the San Blas, Nargana. 
God really blessed me with amazing leaders of the church who continued to bless us throughout my stay in Nargana. I was so encouraged by the church there and how they are following God with everything they have. 


Day 11: Thursday, June 23
We went in the morning to the sister island, Corazon de Jesus. The people there are less receptive, so it was hard. We got weeds out around a lady's house and then we helped a man pick up parts of his roof that had fallen off the night before, it was good but we didn't get to talk to them much so it wasn't what I expected. VBS we did at Corzaon too, so we got to see some new faces. We did another service tonight that Josh led, there was a bunch of people there. I think most of them are more lukewarm if they're Christian at all. Tomorrow's the last day, I don't want to leave these kids but I'm exhausted. 


Day 12: Friday, June 24
Last day with the kids, I knew it was going to be hard to do. We knew we had to give it all we got. We went hut to hut and some of the kids in my group wouldn't talk, Ed, our PD [Project Director] had a chat with them and they really stepped out and shared. I translated everyday for my ministry group when we went [hut to hut.] Then our last VBS, it was probably our best VBS of the whole week, but we should have been this way everyday. We got ready for our last church service, we did a human video to Everlasting, it was awesome! Maristel spoke and the message was amazing. People started coming up and we got to pray for all these teens, it's so cool that there were so many teenagers wanting a deeper relationship with God. Then came goodbyes, they were hard, everyone said goodbye and I'll miss you. Everyone was crying and hugging, it was so hard to know we might never see them again. The peacher gave the guys all molas, he said they were going to sell them to us, but we were such a blessing in being there. I couldn't believe we were leaving the next day. But God is good and I will never forget those children. Elliel, Elieflet, and Abias, the youth ministers Leroy and Javier, and Pastor Eli. 

With my little buddy, Abias. 

Christ wants not nibblers of the possible, 

but grabbers of the impossible.

-C.T. Studd

Love One Another.

I'm so thankful to modern technology that I can easily share with you about my amazing mission trip to Panama, and possibly future trips! So blessed and amazed at everything God did in Panama. 
I've learned so much on my trip. This part of my trip, I realized how important it is to love everyone, to bring glory to the Father. 


Day 8: Monday
Another day of VBS. The kids are so sweet! Before VBS we cleaned out a room in the school, so we got to invite them to VBS. Then we did hut to hut ministry, it was hard. The first family we prayed for had a son that couldn't move much or talk because he had been in a fire, he was only 13 years old. It was hard, I started crying while we were praying. We were really doing God's work. We got to pray over a blind lady and an old man also, which was good. It's crazy because this place is so beautiful but the people are so poor. Another funny thing, we saw some little kids playing Mario on a [Nintendo] DS! We had couch time and Maristel our TL [Team Leader] spoke, it was amazing! The guys went exploring and it was awesome, we got to go across the bridge to Corazon de Jesus [ Heart of Jesus ], the little island on the other side of the bridge. We saw Javier, a youth leader at the church and he gave us a tour and we got to talk to him. We were amazed by how nice and genuine the people here are. It's amazing. I found my little amigo here, Elliel, he's 10, every time he sees me he says 'Chancho' [My Spanish Name] and gives me a big hug. He's the pastors son, he's so sweet! We got to go to their youth service and it was so cool! I got to pray for a guy and it was great! 


Day 9: Tuesday 
Today was great, but hard at the same time. In hut to hut, we helped clean a house, washed dishes, and helped cook. It was really fun to minister through that. We went to other people's houses and prayed for their sickness. I'm getting really exhausted and it's hard to stay hyper for the kids in VBS. At night we watched the sunset on the bridge and prayed for the other teams. 

Praying for the other teams on the bridge. 

Day 10: Wednesday
Pushing through everything and knowing God will help me through. We got to help build a house today, it took us about 45 minutes to nail one board, and we helped pick up trash too. Then we prayed and the man started crying. Then we helped build a fence, and I got to use a machete, it was fun. VBS was fun and most of the kids are great. I don't want to leave! Tonight Josh spoke at the church and Maristel translated for him, it was really good! Then we had another couch time, I think every time we do have it, we grow closer as a group. 

God never intended for us to be mere recipients of His love;

He calls us to share it with others.

-George Foster

Can you taste it?

This part of my journal is the last day in our base camp in close to Panama City and then the first few days on my island in the San Blas Islands. My island is the main island, Nargana.
This part of the trip was truly relying on God in every aspect, and getting my first true view of Panama and how amazing my trip was. 


Day 5:
Another day in Panama City. It's so beautiful here, we leave early tomorrow, I'm so ready to finally be there! We've had to pack up our supplies we need for our part on the islands and practice our VBS a little more. 


Day 6: Travel to Islands
Woke up at 3AM, I think we left around 4ish. We had a three hour bus ride through the beautiful Panamanian countryside. We saw lots of mountains, it was amazing. Then we made it to our port and began our long wait for our boats. We got to get snacks from a real snack shop, it was cool. 
But our boats weren't there, and then some were but not ours. Then one group that had already left came back because their motor died. So we waited around for about three hours, then finally got on our boat, we didn't leave for a good thirty minutes because they wanted our whole group to leave at the same time. Then we were off, starting the longest hour of my life. 
The waves were fun to go over but I was sitting in the back and on the side, thus all the water splashed from the boat came directly to my mouth and eyes. I kept my eyes closed for 3/4ths of the ride and we finally made it to the island where we made a quick stop at. Once I rinsed the salt water out of my eyes I finally got to see the beauty of the San Blas Islands. They're little pieces of paradise. Then we got into a larger boat that we didn't get soaking wet in. We got to look at all the beautiful places for about an hour long boat ride. Then we got tot the first island to drop off the other group, and my island is about five minutes away. We were finally here! It was weird, the people live in shacks and are very poor but they have electricity. My island is the biggest inhabited one. It's called Nargana. 
We got to the church, it's baptist! We got to play with all the kids and they're SO sweet! I got to speak Spanish to them, it was fun. Our supplies got shipped to another island so the locals lent us hammocks for the night. It finally hit me I was in Panama, it's so beautiful. the first words I said when I stepped off the boat were, I think I'm falling in love. 


Day 7: Sunday
Our first day of ministry was great! We did VBS in the church that morning, it went really well. I got to translate which was awesome and the kds are so fun to play with! It's great, I'm finally doing ministry and it feels so right. After VBs, we ate lentils, ha! We all were laughing and making a good situation out of a possibly bad one. We all kept yelling, "Can you taste it?!" [Referring to being salt to the world and also staying strong even through eating lentils.] It was great, then we got to go to a jail an dminister to eh guys there. I was the translator for my group and it was pretty fun. We all told our testimonies to them, and we could tell that some of them were impacted. It was really a great experience. Then at night we had couch time, wehre someone shares their testimony with the team, Josh our TL [Team Leader, each team has one guy and one girl TL, they are over 21 and are the leaders of the groups] went it was great! 

This was the first view of my island, Nargana. 

The beginning.

There's only so much I can remember or tell you guys. So I'm going to start putting my journal up to show you from my eyes what all happened and to let you know a little more of what went on there, and my heart for what I did there. I'm honest in these entries. It was a hard trip, but God brought me through and got to see the amazing things God did and I got to be used to do so many awesome things for the Lord!


Day 1: Flying to Texas
Flew into Dallas today. I got to see some of my friends from my trip last year. It's finally hitting me that I'm actually going to Panama, for a month! I can't believe it, I'm so ready to go and do some awesome things in God's name!


Day 2: Texas Training
Training is rough. We have to rehearse our VBS over and over again. I think we worked on it for almost four hours. I'm learning lots of patience and trying to be friends with everyone. It's hard. We split up into teams today, all my friends are in the other teams so we'll be on different islands. But I know it's good to be out of my comfort zone. 


Day 3: Texas Training
Training is very boring, I'm so ready to actually be in Panama! The commissioning service was awesome, I can't wait to see all the crazy ways God is going to move on the trip. In a few hours I'll be on my way out of the country!


Day 4: Travel, Finally!
I probably slept 2 hours. We drove to the airport at 2 in the morning. I slept on the bus, but that was all I slept for the night, I was just too excited. We flew into Miami and had to run, like home alone, to our next gate to get on the plane to Panama. The plane ride to Panama was around 3 hours, it was really boring and we had to circle around the city for awhile because of thunderstorms. But then I was finally there! We hung out in the airport for a while and called home. Then we loaded a school bus with all our luggage and headed to our place in Panama City, it's called Campamento Monte Carmelo, it's BEAUTIFUL here, and I can't believe I'm actually in Panama. For supper, I had my first food in Panama, fried chicken and rice, it was amazing. The view from the camp is beautiful and we can look out while using the urinal, and taking a shower. I'm in my paradise, I haven't got to speak too much Spanish, but tonight we sang Hillsong United in Spanish and I knew almost all the words. 

                                      First meal in Panama. :)

Thanks and quick story.

Okay, so I'm safe and sound back at home. I got home the fourth and have spent the time until now, resting, unpacking, and eating good food! I have had the time of my life this summer, God has done so many amazing things and I cannot begin to say how grateful I am to everyone who supported me in their prayers and financially.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! 
I have had so many great experiences these past two months and I'm so thankful for everyone who has supported me throughout this whole time. I'll share a quick story of a cool thing that happened. 
So in my first island that I ministered in we did Vacation Bible every afternoon for the children who lived there. It was the last day of ministry on the island, and we hadn't had any salvations. I had prayed that morning that God would put someone in my life that day that I could minister to and share God's amazing love and grace that He has for them. During arts and crafts I get to talk to an 11 year old boy, and I started asking him if he believed in Jesus and had accepted Him into his heart. I went through the gospel with him, and made sure he understood everything and asked him if he wanted to accept Christ. He said yes, and I got to lead him to the Lord! This one soul won for the Lord was worth the whole two months, but so many other amazing things happened throughout my two months in Panama! I can't wait to share with you all the amazing things the Lord did in Panama this summer! 

Update from the field!

Wow, I can´t believe it´s almost been a whole month! I´ve been already to the San Blas Islands and then to a village in the Darien province. It´s amazing how God is working! I really felt called to stay for another month so I am! Right now I´´m in an internet cafe, tomorrow I´ll go for a short village trip to help out in a town where our pastor has his church. Then I get on with the B trip and go back to a different island and then another village in the jungle also. We´re doing VBS for the children and then in the afternoons we do hut to hut ministry helping people clean or get water from the river. It´s amazing the relationships we´re building with the people here. I´m helping translate for my team which is amazing, the main problem we run into though is that there are some people who only speak Kuna the tribal langague in the places I´m ministering in. Well, I wish I could say more, but I´ve got to go! Adios!

The Time is Finally Here!

I am so close to leaving! I am so EXCITED! I leave for Global Expeditions headquarters in Tyler, Texas on Monday to have two days of training. After that I will be flying out to Panama City, Panama!! It is finally hitting me that I'm leaving the country for a month,I am so excited to see God work through my team and me and impact the people of Panama. 

Once in Panama, I will be staying for a night in Panama City at a camp with electricity and hot water. Then we'll head out for the Kuna Yala (San Blas Islands) about 3 hours away in a car to the boat docks, then an hour canoeish ride to the islands (they have motors). The islands do not have electricity and the only people who live there are the indigenous Kuna people. They are polytheistic, so one main goal is to show them of the one true God. The women there are very traditional, and most speak only their tribal language. The men and children speak Spanish, so I will get the opportunity to utilize my Spanish speaking skills and help translate! Also, if you were wondering, we do not speak Kuna, so we will speak Spanish to the children who will in turn translate to their mothers. My team and I will be assisting the people with their daily chores and work in the morning, such as getting fresh water, helping with women with the laundry, or helping cook or clean. Then in the afternoons we will be doing Vacation Bible School for the children. I will stay on the island for about two weeks then head back to Panama City for a break and a trip to a market! 

After getting a short break, we will head off to part of the Darien Jungle to a town there. We will be doing the same ministry there also. My team and I will be there for about two weeks also. Then we will head back to Panama City to tour the Panama Canal, and go canoeing in 'El Lago Gatún' Gatun Lake. Then I head back to Global Expeditions for the conclusion of my trip for debriefing and preparing to go back home!

I am so excited to go, but I am also very nervous! Your prayers would be so much appreciated, and my team and I could not make it without the support each and every one of you has given us. So thanks for supporting me this far! I'm very excited to see God moving in big ways in Panama this summer!

In Christ,

Chantry

Let the countdown begin...

Wow. I haven't wrote anything since Christmas. Sorry! I've been very busy these past two months. Well, I'll fill you in on what God has been doing in my life lately and how my trip is progressing! 
Right now, March 29, is 75 days until I leave! I am so excited and am trying to equip myself in all ways possible for my trip. I am working very hard in my Spanish studies and am getting better daily in my speaking abilities. This is very important, because Panama is in Central America and the men and children I will work with speak Spanish. The women only speak the tribal language of Kuna, so if I want to communicate with the women, I will have to speak Spanish to the children, who will translate for their mothers. On my trip, I will be doing ministry mainly with the children in the area, doing Vacation Bible School and other activities with them. Also I will be helping the people there with their daily chores to build relationships in order to minister to them properly. I can not be any more excited and ready to be there! I leave for the mission trip headquarters on June 13, am trained for a couple of days, and then fly out to Panama! I will get back home on July 9! The total cost for my trip is about $3,300 and I have $3,000 already! God has provided! It has been great, and I would have not been able to make it this far if it wasn't for the support from everyone. Thank you so much! God has been working so much in my life lately, preparing my for the trip this summer. Recently I went to my local Disciple-Now weekend with my youth group and am growing so much in Christ! At D-Now, I recognized God's will in my life to surrender to the ministry. I am not entirely sure where God is leading me right now, but I know He wants me to work with youth and children and also have something to do with Spanish. Well, I've got plenty of time to figure that all out! In the mean time, I have been studying and preparing my heart for ministry this summer! I guess that's about all for now, I want to thank everyone again who has helped me, I would not have been able to do any of this without you! 
In Christ,
Chantry