So I’ve heard there’s some major complaints about my lack of blogging and I’m sorry to all of those who have been waiting on one. There’s so much to write about that it’s hard for me to choose! But here it is, my first blog while on the Race, my first of many more to come.
Many great things come from being a part of The World Race. We work with children, teach English, repair houses and buildings and have the possibility to work with human trafficking victims, love on orphans, share the Gospel, and most importantly continue to grow spiritually in our walk with our Heavenly Father.
We aren’t lasting, though.
We come into these people’s lives for a month—a very short time for those we encounter—and then we leave. But what really are we leaving behind? Who really are we leaving behind? Our ministry partners, our host families, everyone from our month in that country; and those are the people making the lasting difference! We come into contact with these amazing people that serve God and their communities in amazing ways and I can’t help but be inspired by them! So, instead of only writing about what I did with my time in Ecuador, I’d like to share my month through some of the incredible people that I came in contact with throughout my stay in Quito, Ecuador.
Gustavo
My teammate Cassady and Gustavo
This was our contact in Ecuador. He owns a house where missionaries can stay called Casa Blanca. During our first month Gustavo housed about 35 World Racers! He genuinely cared about how each of us was doing and how our ministry was going. If we only answered with “good” or “fine” after he asked how our day was he would respond with his famous, “why, porque?” To constantly house so many people is a blessing to us and a service to God that not many would be willing to do.
Mabe and Fabe
Mom and Dad. That’s the role that these two beautiful people gracefully accepted. They would cook us breakfast, lunch and dinner–Fabe is an actual chef! Whenever you were done with your food there better not have been one piece on it (not even oats on the side of your bowl) or else you would get sent back until you finished it ALL! It’s a trait that has stuck with me throughout my time in South America–and an important one to keep. They would greet us in the mornings, hug us when they saw us, and spend time talking with us in the kitchen. They were our family! How many people really want that job? How many people want to take care of such a large group of people? They know that missionaries come and give back in God’s name and they honor the Lord by serving the people they take in. As we left they stayed. They will continue to serve the Lord and others for much longer and they are the ones that will stay behind and serve with all they have.
Tamarita
Photo taken by Eva Cranford evacranford.smugmug.com
This fabulous woman runs the ministry site we got to be a part of during our stay in Ecuador. Centro Opcion de Vida or COVi is a place where kids can come either before or after school so that they are able to stay off of the streets. She originally met with youth on the streets, but in 2005 the government saw what she was doing and gave her a building and a garden area so that they could grow their own food. Tamarita exemplifies Christ in such a pure way–she pours her love into the kids that so many people overlook. She shows them compassion, patience, structure, and guidance just as our Heavenly Father does for us everyday.
Maria
Photo taken by Eva Cranford evacranford.smugmug.com
Pots on pots on pots of food, and juice! A lot of juice! Maria was the cook in charge of feeding all of the hungry mouths at COVi (including ours!). She was so joyful and never complained about anything. My team would often be in the kitchen singing and dancing and she loved it–she would join right in with us! Her love for the kids and her constant hardwork was such a reminder of the attitude each World Racer needs to have. Her joy was contagious to everyone she came in contact with!
As we left, they stayed. Gustavo, Mabe, Fabe, Tamarita and Maria–they will continue to serve the Lord and others for much longer and they are the ones who deserve the glory in God’s eyes. They have dedicated their lives to the welfare of others and I can only hope and continue to strive to have the same kind of servant’s heart as these heroes of the world!
I have encountered others in Peru and in Bolivia that serve God in many different ways, but have dedicated their lives to honoring our Heavenly Father and for that they are heroes!
