[This is well overdue. I enjoy writing, really I do. I didn’t think of how hard it would be to keep up with blogging when I left to go on this journey. So, where to begin…]
Ecuador was incapable of being summed up in only a few words. Although our squad was not originally set to go to Ecuador, I cannot imagine beginning the Race anywhere else. Our team’s ministry of working with teenage moms and their babies and also doing construction was amazing! Spending time with those little ones filled my heart with so much joy. I am so thankful I had the chance to hold them, sing to them and pray over them as they fell asleep in my arms. Yet, our hosts are what impacted me the most and quickly became family to me. Mabe and Fabi adopted me as their Baileycita; and Andrea and Gustavo became my Ecuadorian brother and sister. Through them the Lord showed me what it looks like to love Him so much that it overflows onto everyone else around me. Through my new family I learned how essential it is to abide in the Holy Spirit each and everyday. But most of all, Ecuador was a month of transformation for me. God used these beautiful people to walk me through past hurts and dark places in my heart and find forgiveness, acceptance and redemption. I will never forget many prayer sessions that lasted until the middle of the night. Or walking into the warm kitchen after a day of ministry and being welcomed into open arms and feeling at home. Or sitting at the kitchen table as I am being poured into spiritually as a student would sit at the rabbi’s feet. Mabe, Fabi, Andrea and Gustavo I will always love you. I pray that you are blessed and poured into by His Spirit as you blessed and poured into me.
Peru was all squad month! All 57 of us stayed at a Christian academy that is run by the wonderful people of Savage Ministries in the city of Trujillo. There we worked a lot with the local kids and youth of the church. We had the opportunity to help run a vbs, teach English classes and do sports ministry. Several of us even had the chance to serve the kingdom by speaking at church services. As I reflect on Peru I think of the day that I braided the hair of three little girls and how it filled my heart with such joy, because I was missing my sisters a lot that morning. I also think of the moment I stood at the top of sand dunes to see as far as the ocean and being in complete awe at His creation. I am reminded of nights spent looking at the stars. I think of joining my beautiful teammates Chelsea, Stacie and Hilary to pray over a sweet old Peruvian lady as we walked around the neighborhood. I think of how loved I felt on Valentine’s Day because of how the incredible men on our squad served us women by washing our feet, painting our toenails, writing us letters and handing out roses. When I think of Peru, I am reminded of the Father’s love for me.
He has been so faithful to comfort and love on me in so many ways. The way that He loved on me the most was through my dear squad mates. When I was unsure if I could be vulnerable – they created a safe place for me to be open. When I needed to be reminded of how I am accepted, loved and redeemed – they spoke it over me. If I ever needed a hug – I know that I could walk up to any of them and be greeted by open arms.
P Squad, I don’t know if you realize this yet, but you are full of people who are chasing after God at full sprint. You all shine His love so beautifully. God is going to use every single one of you in such a special way to further His kingdom, and I am so beyond thankful that I get to be apart of that this year.
