Tears glisten in the young woman’s eyes as we sit with her in the hospital parking lot and pray for the safety of her hurting friend. “Why are you doing this? You come because of your own heart to pray for strangers?” she questions in Spanish. With the translator there to support me, I take this opportunity to share with her the love that Jesus showed us on the cross and the hope that I have in him. Because that was the reason we went to Panama: to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

On this trip to Panama City, our team had the opportunity to partner with the McVeys, a family truly passionate about international evangelism. Involving their children, they led the team from LifePoint and four pastors from South Carolina through a week full of loving people and sharing the gospel. We connected with college students through an English conversation club, ministered to over 200 third graders at their school, prayed over patients and families in hospitals, helped a local church feed the community, and participated in door-to-door house visits. Ultimately, the purpose behind all these activities was evangelism. Overall, we shared the gospel with over 400 people, saw six make a profession of faith, and invited many to the Panamanian churches ministering with us.

With our short time in Panama, we were able to encourage the McVeys and local churches to continue the good work they are doing and help them reach more individuals than they could on their own. But this trip was not only for those in Panama; we were spurred on to have spiritual growth as well. Personally, I frequently found myself in situations where I had to step out of my comfort zone and put my faith in the Lord. While I speak some Spanish, sharing the gospel, praying, and answering questions without a translator terrified me. But when necessary, the Lord gave me the courage and the words. And as a team, we faced many difficulties, from health concerns to canceled plans to rejection at the hospitals, but through these situations, we were able to care for one another and watch the Lord’s better plans unfold.

From the beginning, we were reminded that evangelism is not limited to international trips. It can be so easy to set the mission mindset aside after a trip like this and simply return to everyday life. But this misses the point entirely. Everyday life is where our main ministry lies. The missionaries encouraged us to think of individuals in our lives who need to hear the gospel, as well as believers who need a discipler to walk alongside them. I encourage you to prayerfully do the same, because this is something every Christian is called to.

We are sincerely grateful for the prayers and giving that went with us during our time in Panama; we could not have done it without your support. As you continue to pray for the missionaries that we support as a church family, please keep the McVeys and their ministry in Panama in your prayers.

Blessings,

Eliya Sica

‍