兩天後；短宣隊到奇特利埠開始另一個VBS，車程約三個半小時，報名參加人數只有十二個人，打算減少班別，是日中午當地弟兄駕車與短宣隊一同探訪邀請，小朋友人數增加到廿多位，而電影晚會及親子班都有很多未信主朋友參加，最難得讓他們有機會聽福音。奇特利信主的弟兄姊妹人數不多，信主日子在五年以下，極需要栽培造就，除每主日崇拜及團契外，沒有查經班、主日學、講座等等。此刻想到城西堂的主日學、團契等屬靈供應及教導時，我們是何等蒙福的一群。

在離開奇特利前一晚有聚餐，餐後有團契時間，由當地弟兄姊妹分享，每個家庭有不同遭遇，存著不同難處，甚至坐冤獄等，人生一遍灰暗，因著信主，心靈才有盼望，靠著神的話才能得安慰、得堅立；正如詩篇第四十六篇一節「神是我們的避難所，是我們的力量，是我們在患難中隨時的幫助」。

首先，我有份參與VBS的教導，而我班的學生是 2 – 5 歲的幼兒班。怎樣令這班小朋友安定坐下來，不隨處亂跑，對我來說是一個很大的挑戰，更何况要教他們手工、唱歌、寫字，實在是信心、耐性和愛心的考驗。但有一位小朋友却給我一個難忘的回憶。我記得VBS還未正式開課的那天，學生們正在玩音樂櫈 (musical chair) 熱身遊戲，有一個學生名叫朱錦華，當音樂停下來，原本他巳經很快找到了櫈坐下，可惜被另外一位活潑頑皮的小朋友把他推了出來，搶了他的坐位，他無奈地站在那裡，起初強忍著眼淚，但最後忍不住放声大哭，我連忙把他抱起，坐在一邊，替他抹眼淚，讓他安定下來。當我抱著他時，我忽然有很大的感觸，人間尚且有憐憫之情，更何况是創造我們的天父，祂豈不更憐恤和愛我們嗎？在我們傷心、痛哭流淚的日子，我們返到祂的面前，祂不是一樣的擁抱著我們，替我們抹乾眼淚，叫我們安靜在祂的懷裡？

在短宣期間，我有机會派宣傳單張和探訪當地華僑。接觸到一位女士，從她了解當地人的生活情况。大多數的移民都是以開餐舘、士多為生。前舖後居，一星期七天就是困在熱烘烘的店鋪裡，無朋友，無社交，勞碌而單調，心靈無限的寂寞，甚至不明白生命真正的義意。還有很多的家庭、婚姻問題。他們實在何等需要一個屬靈的家給他們團契生活，神的福音和神的愛！ 這提醒我們在加拿大是何等幸福，我們要珍惜每一個傳福音的機會。

另外一個得著就是在短短的兩個星期內，短宣隊員增進認識彼此的性格和恩賜，有美術設計的、有教導的、有語言的、有特別技能的、有愛心的、有領導的、有服事的，彼此建立，被神使用，發揮合一和團隊戰精神。藉此建立我們事奉信心、靈命的成長。還有最重要是讓我們去經歷神的預備和同工，在不知多少的突發的事情上、神一一為我們開路，叫我們不斷讚嘆祂的奇妙作為。正如聖經所說：天怎樣高過地，照樣神的道路高過我們的道路，神的意念高過我們的意念！願神繼續帶領及祝福我們教會在巴拿馬的宣教事工！

出發第一天，我們在美國 Newark 機場等候轉機去巴拿馬的時候，隊長蘇黃莉茗姊妹跟我們宣佈假期聖經班可能會取消，那刻好像晴天霹靂一樣，我們一早預備了的功課，將會完全用不上，付出的努力都會白白浪費。我們不住的祈禱，當然；我們的努力最終都沒有白費。

讓我講一個廁所的故事給大家聽，在我們到達聖地牙哥市華商會所後，一眾隊友就展開預備場地的工作，清潔的清潔，購買必須品的去購買，大家分工合作。隊員蘇達生弟兄跟我說有些廁所損壞、有些漏水，又有洗手盆下方來水的喉管爆裂。於是我們一起去查察，發現有一個馬桶 (廁盆) 嚴重破裂，如勉強修補使用會有危險，至於其他漏水的，唯有關上水掣暫停使用。這樣很不方便，原有四個坐廁，只有兩個能用上，關了水掣又沒有水用。

心裡想！我懂修理水喉及廁所呀。不過；我今次來的目的是短宣不是修理廁所呢？我可以不理會的；但是想深一層，這一定是神的心意，祂差遣我到這個地方，一定有用得著我之處。於是，我得隊長同意後，跟會所的負責人宋家興先生建議，他們出資購材料及工具，我可以義務替他們更換一套新坐廁及修理其他水管漏水的問題。宋先生說明天才答覆我。

翌日；宋先生來找我一同去建築材料及五金工具店，購買了一套坐廁及其它必要的水喉零件及工具。我花了兩個上午的時間，終於把所有必需修理及更換的全部做好了，解決了清潔衛生的問題，給暑期聖經班的師生們大家方便，大家都很高興。

今次短宣給了我很寶貴的經歷，就是「我們要時常禱告，有甚麼事情我們都可以求告神，神就會按祂的心意，按時給我們預備，比我們所想所求的還要豐富」。

有人問我，只有十三天的旅程，我們能在這麼有限的時間為巴拿馬的居民做甚麼呢？我想；我們並不是有多好，能去幫助，甚至施捨他們，參加短宣；原是叫我們自己更深的經歷神，暸解這工場的需要。當然能探訪當地一些生活刻板的居民，與他們聊聊天，也確實帶給他們一些温暖和盼望。

十多天其中一個很大的祝福是能與一群愛主，且有宣教負擔的弟兄姊妹同工。一些我以前從未有機會說過一句話的，因為這短宣，我們竟有機會有很深入的分享。資源的短缺更引發各人發揮獨特的恩賜，在整個過程中我們看見神使用隊中每一個，負起不同的任務，以致所有工作得以完滿地成就。

上帝使用那些不起眼的，發霉的，封塵的 。進行VBS(兒童假期學習班) 的場地是「華人工商聯誼會」的聚腳地，沒有預備給我們作小孩子的課室，因此黑板，小孩適用的桌椅全部欠奉。

經過弟兄姊妹的「創意工程」，原本舖滿灰塵的三張乒乓球桌變成了上課用的黑板; 本來鄉里們搓麻雀時放煙蒂的小木櫈套上一元店買來的絨布，成為幼兒班小孩安全舒適的座椅。一直沒有人理會的幾個舊汽水箱(也是舖滿灰塵的)，用它們乘托著沒有人用的乒乓球桌，便成了給幼兒班的矮桌。

神把無用變成有用。 那怕頹廢許多年了，那怕你以為自己多沒用，當上帝要使用你，你便能成為人的祝福。看著那些「黑板」和「桌椅」，我深深的感恩。

回來後對巴拿馬這地方多了些認識，也下意識地留意這地方的消息多一些。心仍然想念巴拿馬的居民和孩子，即使不能長時間在他們身邊，卻可以在禱告中記念他們。

當我細想；我們辦VBS的城市Santiago共有100戶華人家庭，現在我們身處的多倫多華人數目卻比這100戶多很多呢！既然我們能長途跋涉往巴拿馬尋找那100戶，在這裡；我們可以作更多更好的本地福音工作吧。 這是我回來後更積極福音工作的動力。

值得；只因十多天的經歷非以筆墨能形容，即使別人如何詳細地分享，還只有自己親身去看過，嗅過，觸摸過才能感受到。

As our Panama Short Term Missions team embarked on our journey to a small town called Santiago, I had no idea what to expect. I wondered to myself, what great things will God do (through us) in these two weeks? However, in that short amount of time, I learned that God is already doing great things and we are honoured to be seeing it and being a part of it.

It was a Thursday afternoon after our VBS English lessons when I got to go around the town and visit some of the local Chinese immigrants there. With a local person who took us around, we went to see and visit my students, an elderly woman on her deathbed, and other people at their homes. I was most touched by the visitations of the students. Their parents are convenient store owners and their house is above their convenient store. When the kids go home, they actually go to their convenient stores and sit at the cashier all day. They eat, do their homework, sleep, and then start the next day. Life is routine and repetitive but they’re still obedient and would do what their parents say.

By the end of VBS, I could really see the potential in this group of young teenagers to be the pioneers of a Christian fellowship in their town. One of the students started a conversation with me by telling me she goes to a Catholic school, inferring that she knows a bit about this faith and religion. I could see in her eyes that she would like to know more and to understand the love of Christ which brought our group all the way to Panama. It was unfortunate that this mission trip was so short but I was assured that a seed has been planted there and God is continually working and is faithful to the town of Santiago.

There is still a lot of work to be done. God is faithful but are we faithful to Him? I cannot say I contributed much in that short amount of time but I know God has put a vision in the missionaries there to see God’s kingdom on earth, in Panama, as it is in heaven. The Panama ministry is not a one-time trip but in fact it is a long-term ministry our entire congregation can be involved in. The missionaries and churches need constant support and encouragement. As more members of Jaffray Alliance Church go to be a part of this exciting ministry, I hope that we can together catch the vision and bring glory to God in the country of Panama.

Going on a short-term mission trip is one of the ways to experience that joyfulness in working alongside with Christ Jesus.  Jesus said “Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together,” (John 4:36)   This year, at TJCAC we have ten brothers and sisters from various ages and background working alongside one another to harvest what God has sowed over the years in Panama.  We have all witnessed how the Holy Spirit was at work in this short-term mission trip.  For many years, God has sent faithful servants to sow the gospel seeds to the people in Panama. The fields are ripe for harvest but reapers were few.  If we missed the opportunity to harvest, the fields will fall away and be wasted!

I am very thankful to be able to take part in this harvest. It was a pure joy in seeing people come to Christ through VBS, visitation, health workshop and gospel nights.  It was totally a humbling experience for each of us in trusting Him. Many of them were ready; we are merely the reapers for the Lord Jesus.  “I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the good work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” (John 4:38)

Our main ministry location was in Santiago, Panama. There were a handful of believers hoping to have a regular place to have fellowship or even worship.  What a simple wish that we often take for granted! I pray that in His time God will provide their needs. On a personal note, this is my seventh short-term mission trip and again God has reminded me to respond to His urgent call to sow and to harvest His field. Time is running out: my time is running out and is your time running out as well? We must not miss the God-given opportunities to lead people to Christ’s saving grace.

正如隊長蘇黃莉茗姊妹說：「如果肯踏出第一步參與短宣，相信是你人生中最得著的恩賜，超乎我們所想所求的。」

今年當地的天氣、場地安排都很理想，當然其中仍有很多突發的事情，經過誠心禱告和神的安排、保守，我們覺得今年都算順利。

感謝神的信實和沒有離棄，有些很久沒有參加查經班的姊妹，今年亦肯再次參與，有些僑胞因沉迷賭博，不理家庭，妻子、兒女等；因著神的眷顧，沒有放棄，有著聖靈的感動而改過回轉。見了我們短宣隊再次重臨，他十分高興感動，每天都帶著我們招生、探訪等。看到他回轉後的改變，一家人再有笑容，更有望日後有自已的教會、有崇拜；神的憐憫、慈愛對每一個人都不會放棄。

今年，十個隊員中我是年紀最長的，所以榮升叫「婆婆」，從他們中學到快捷、順服、配合，很幸運能與他們同工、分享他們的喜樂，再感謝神給我機會和安排。

願榮耀和頌讚歸與我們的神 ─ 萬軍之耶和華！

相同的地方就是看見我們中國的同胞，都是非常刻苦耐勞的民族，在加拿大的華人在這內陸居住，甚少華人聚居，大多數經營餐館，時間長，晚上十時收了舖，還要在廚房預備明天的食物與及清潔地方，至少再做二，三小時，然後帶著疲乏身軀回家，第二天一早又再返回店舖，又開始同一樣的工作。

而中美洲的巴拿馬，華人多數開士多店（或便利店），在探訪他們，以作招收他們的子弟參加暑期班，實在看見很難有機會與他們傾談福音，因為他們實在很忙在做生意，要請他們來參加電影晚會，更為艱難，只有畢業典禮晚上，才較多家長參加。

二地的華人，為了生活，雖然可以搵到金錢，但卻失去了屬天永恆的福樂（永生），其實聖經早已說出世人的心結，所以預先作出警告：『人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有什麼益處呢？人還能拿什麼換生命呢？』（馬太 16:26）。

另外，見到這情況，也讓自己有如主耶穌當日走遍各城各鄉傳道時的心境，如馬太所記：『他看見許多的人，就憐憫他們；因為他們困苦流離，如同羊沒有牧人一般。』（馬太  9:36）。所以當去探訪他們時候，體驗主那份憐憫的心，都會多了一份的催逼感，盡量與他們分享這福音，希望這些同胞，能有機會與我們一樣得到主耶穌，得著生命的改變。

雖然感到這短宣的工作有如杯水車薪，但難道就因此要注定他們要下地獄嗎？

Recognizing that this was my fourth time to Panama, many people would think that the intricacies of planning and preparation for the STM would be relatively straightforward.  In a way it was familiar territory to me.  But on a personal level, it was increasingly challenging for me as the team leader.  As I persistently desired to share the gospel in Panama, Satan tried his very best to discourage me.  He did not want God’s name to be proclaimed in all the ends of the earth and in particularly, Panama.  To me, it was an intense test on my faith.  During the past year, the Lord allowed many trying circumstances to besiege me – physical ailment, financial instability, family obligations and pure fatigue.  As I became doubtful and weary at times, ready to give up, these verses came to my mind: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-9.  It seemed as though giving up was the easy way out, but as I chose not to admit defeat, the spiritual battle continued and became more intense.  Satan tried to convince me that I had been forsaken, unworthy, weak and fighting alone.  Instead of giving up, I chose to stay the course and trust in His heart, the Almighty One who is trustworthy and never-changing.  I am truly convinced that He who accomplished great things in the past will continue to accomplish great things for His name’s sake.  God has never promised smooth sailing but He assures me that this is a path of grace and that He will never forsake me.  He does promise that if I love and obey Him, He will make my paths straight. The short-term mission work in Panama is not about me, nor is it about TJCAC, but it is all about God.  It is about bringing people to the saving knowledge of Christ. However unworthy and weak we are, He uses us as instruments to bring peace to all nations.

When I returned from the Panama STM last year, I asked the Lord to show me clearly whether He wanted me to lead the 2009 team.   Since then I did not have it easy because I was continuously confronted with obstacles.  But the Lord has been faithful and provided me with spiritual “comrades” who walked close by my side, to assist and encourage me, so that I could carry on with His work.  Best of all, He gave us an incredible team this year.  Through the supplication of others and waiting upon the Lord, the obstacles were removed one by one.  “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” Ecclesiastes 11:4.  If I were to look at my own circumstances, I would have most certainly quit long ago.  He had carried me through each step of the way.  He unlocked all the doors and showed me that this was the role that He wanted me to play.  While I am aware that our ministry in Santiago has a long-term commitment, I have been constantly asking myself, “How many more years are we going?”, “What if nobody wants to go?” Just as I thought there wouldn’t be anyone going this year, He graciously provided a team of ten.  On the one hand, I was ecstatic about the prospect of having a big team, but on the other hand, it would usually be tougher to work with a group of this size, many of whom I had not even crossed paths with.  How could 10 people from diverse backgrounds and varying age groups work in harmony?  I embarked on the training sessions in May with great trepidation.  From past experiences, this was going to be a “bumpy” ride.  Praise the Lord!  None of my worries were substantiated.  The team members brought a variety of gifts.  They were “young” and convivial, yet ever so committed. They were also very energetic and submissive.  Everyone worked wholeheartedly, willingly and in unity.  It was true team spirit in action!  All of these positive outcomes were attributable to prayer and supplication by faithful prayer warriors – over 100 of them.  It was definitely through prayer that we were empowered to share the gospel with the people in Panama.  God answered everyone’s prayers!  He is able to accomplish things over and beyond what we could ever hope for.

This year’s mission was yet another spiritually enriching experience for me, despite the small glitch that we had at the beginning of trip.  A week before we left for Panama, I prayed to God and asked Him to show us ways that He would like us to experience Him as a team, as I realize that there would be last-minute changes and unknowns, making these perfect opportunities to see God at work.  Two days before we left for Panama, I received an email from my coordinator in Calgary that there might not be any VBS classes this year because of the teachers’ strike and the delay of the spring break in Panama. At that time, I did not even know how to break the news to my team members, since a few of them had spent an incredible amount of time preparing for the VBS.  I could see the excitement on their face when we were commissioned the Sunday before.  How would they react?  What if they become disheartened?  I began to pray to God about how I could communicate this to the team and how He could use my past STM experiences to encourage everyone to fix our eyes upon Him and to follow His leading. In the end, God touched everyone’s heart in His own special way as He allowed the VBS to proceed.  He provided us with 22 students!  He also added six adults and 12 children to our family in Christ.  Praise the Lord!

Our prayer is that someday, brothers and sisters in Santiago will have their own local church and in turn, bring others to Christ and make disciples. They covet our prayer and financial support.  Yes, we are in it for the long haul!  Through it all, the message is clear: if God is for us, who can be against us?  What God desires to accomplish, nothing can stand in the way!  Hallelujah, for we serve the risen Saviour, whose name is great through all the nations.  Let us continue to pray for Panama and fight this spiritual battle!  Mission is a relay.  Are you willing to join us next year and carry the baton?

When it came close to leaving, I started to have a lot of anxiety. I doubted how God could possibly use me, since I can barely speak Cantonese, let alone Spanish! But God reminded me of His awesome power, in Philippians 4:13 it says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

For the most part,  Stephany and I were to teach English to the oldest group of kids attending our VBS. When I was told that I would be helping with visitations before the VBS, I was so nervous and caught off-guard! As Auntie Cynthia likes to say, “I ate a chicken.” The goals of visitations were to recruit students, which involved speaking to their parents/ grandparents. I knew the adults in Panama didn’t know much English and again I questioned my usefulness. But after visiting the first family, I had an immediate boost of confidence! The grandma we visited was so nice and I was even able to communicate with her using my limited Cantonese. At the end of the visitation she invited us to feed her horses and we had a fun time! The people we visited were so hospitable!

My experience with teaching English was harder to swallow. We found out on the first day of teaching that most of them didn’t understand much English or Cantonese. The task of teaching fell on Stephany since she knew Spanish. And for those first few days of teaching I felt utterly useless once again. I couldn’t even communicate simple things to them because they could barely understand, questions like, “What is your favourite subject?” But I found there is more than one way to express love and care. Poking games and the awkward cow became my best friend and seeing smiles on their faces always made me want to try harder. I really wanted for them to experience the love of Christ.

Through this mission trip, God has opened my eyes to the work He has done in Panama, but also the work that still needs to continue. I experienced an enormous amount of generosity from the Christians in Panama, as they opened their homes to us and chaperoned us wherever we went. But I also saw their need for fellowship. In Santiago, the city we were working in, there is no church and no weekly fellowships. A pastor from Panama City comes every other Thursday to do Bible study there. In Canada, we have the luxury of fellowship any day of the week. Wednesday prayer meetings, Friday fellowships, Saturday cell groups and Sunday worship. I think we’ve taken these things for granted and often forget how fortunate we are. Even if the people in Santiago wanted to learn more about Christ, it’s very difficult without the encouragement and help of other Christians provided by a church or fellowship.

I’ve realized that because I was on a mission trip, it gave me an excuse to be bolder in my faith. I shouldn’t need to go to another place to be bold though. Why can’t I be bold in Canada too? I think God has used this experience to show me how the mission field is wherever I am and that there is no difference in what I need to preach; whichever country I’m in.