Expectations blown out the window….
Here’s how this story goes. My team and I arrive in Portoviejo and are immediately taken to our respective homes where we all assumed we would stay at for the duration of this month. Where we would essentially be living in luxury. Portoviejo is also located 30 minutes from one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Ecuador…God has a sense of humor though.
Last week I prayed with my teammate, William. I asked that God would not make it easy for me or my team this month. I said to God that I wanted to grow and that having it easy would not allow said change to take place. Not even a minute later our pastor for this month, Percy, comes in his apartment and tells me and William to pack our things, that we would in fact being spending our first week in a city nearby called Calderon. I’m writing this after spending a week living in my tent at the church in Calderon. The best way I can relate my experience to you is by referencing the movie Garden State. If you haven’t seen it, go to redbox and rent it for the night. So in the movie, the main character and his love interest are being taken to all these random places by his old high school friend. Nothing is making sense to him and he eventually gets mad with his friend for wasting his time. Right after his blow up…the main characters friend reveals the big picture and he has to eat his words. That was pretty much me after this week. I never have a clue where i’m going or when or how to prepare. This is causing me to rely more heavily on God for every small detail. Which involves me surrendering my desires, motives, and plans. Not the easiest task to accomplish, but I intend to allow God to work in me.
There’s so much that I’ve done this week, it’s unbelievable that i’ve fit it all into one week. We’ve had prayer meetings, house churches, door to door evagelism, random days at the river, singing, giving testimonies, picking mangoes, picking guava, great conversations in spanglish, providing fresh water and clothes to people living in the garbage dump, and so much more that escapes me at the moment. God has just been continuing to reveal so much to me…mainly he has been showing me how to praise him in all circumstances. Not as easy as it sounds either…but it’s something i’m working on with God as well.
And now the rest of the ministry this month I know very little about either, but I was told that after being in Calderon for a week we would be heading to a different city called Higuerones. Little did I know that this place involves a 4 hour bus ride, 3 hour mule ride, and a 2 hour hike. Did you read that?? I am completely stoked to get to go on such an extreme adventure with my God. I thought that I’d be in an apartment all month getting chauffeured around from place to place. Then with one little dangerous prayer it all changed in an instant. I can’t wait to tell you what happens there in Higeranous, but I know that God is already there working ahead of us preparing the way.
Thanks for keeping up with me and my adventure….much love
