Last night my team and I got back from doing earthquake relief work on the coast of Ecuador. We were able to go in October as well which was great but this trip was even better. Even though I felt like God was telling me too, at first I didn’t want to work with the children because I knew they would be super crazy. I was so nervous that I almost told my team “forget it I’m not doing it” but then, because I hurt my shoulder a few days prior and the pain was getting worse, my ministry host said you are not allowed to lift anything and I thought well, now all I can do is work with the kids. But you know what? It turned out that getting injured was one of the best things that could have happened because I think while working with these children, I saw God in an amazing way that I usually only experience through my 5 year old niece whom I haven’t seen in several months. I saw God through the wonder filled eyes of a child. To be a child, so innocent, so full of hope, and so precious only to have everything they know, their home and possibly their family, destroyed in an earthquake and to see them still have so much hope for a better tomorrow and so much love for laughter and life, that was such an amazing feeling. I saw God in their creativity when I allowed them to paint my face all silly. I saw God in their laughs. I saw God in their smiles, and I saw God in their in their eyes. I realized that each child really was made so uniquely and wonderfully and I think that is what God had to teach me and remind me, that every single one of those children were his and were not forgotten. I wouldn’t trade my conversations with them for anything.
During this trip, God amazed me in so many ways but mostly by the people who had so much love and hope. It was crazy because The first group expecting us to come made us breakfast on Friday morning and it was so much food I have a feeling they went hungry for a few days just to feed us and welcome us. The second stop Was one that we weren’t supposed to go to but it worked out that we were able to go and I almost cried at what I saw. This community was gathered in the town square and they were all living under tarps exposed to all of the elements. The community was praying extra hard because the rainy season is coming here in Ecuador soon and their makeshift homes just aren’t going to do it. During our time there I gave food to this one woman and prayed for her. She told me in Spanish “thank you for remembering my existence. My house was destroyed but I still trust that God will continue to provide for me.” Her words made me realize that we weren’t just there to give out food to families and Christmas candy to kids that would soon be gone. We were to love on people who felt like they were forgotten and to talk to them about the only thing in this world that would never leave them, Jesus Christ. Every day, Ecuador continues to steal pieces of my heart and to be honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. 5Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3-5 ESV)
