This past month in Conocoto, Ecuador was such an eye opening experience. Our team developed an amazing relationship with the people and it was such an honor to be a part of the building of the new church. We saw God bringing new found hope to the people and restoration to the town of Conocoto. God also did a great work in me; He revealed many things to me as I faced challenges, re-opened scars and experienced victories. Ecuador was a truly amazing place; it and our church family will always have a place in my heart.
We were immediately welcomed and loved by our host family; Pastor Raphael, his wife, and their children (especially) Milton, Mayra and Paol, and Vanessa and her two daughters (Vanessa attends the church and sometimes sings in the band, and cooked us our 3 meals a day). We shared many laughs trying to teach each other the other's language, making music and playing with the children. God absolutely placed us there for a reason and I believe our loving on them and constant prayer for them and the church was our biggest blessing. These people will most definitely continue to remain close in my prayers.
We saw God beginning works of reconciliation in the Pastors family. All but one of the his children is a Christian. Miguel's heart was hardened toward God after his mother suffered from a car accident. Though she is okay, he turned away from God. We would always see him working in the junkyard, but he would never join us in the fun times we shared with the family, or attend church on Thursday or Sunday. After service one day, Kaitlyn and I saw him standing out in the cold all by himself. Doing the best with the spanish we know, we went out and talked with him for awhile, trying to explain that even though bad things happen sometimes, God is still Good, and His will is what's best. We encouraged to him to pray to God, and told him how as a team we would pray for him every single night. That night he joined us at the dinner table, which was HUGE! He slowly started to make more and more appearances throughout our time there and even watched our skit at church last Sunday, which was just so awesome to see.
Though the new church has a long way to go, and money ran out about 2 and half weeks in ($2,500 donation is still in midst of being processed) it was an honor to be able to complete all four walls. It was extremely rewarding to see the fruits of our labor, and know that one day (hopefully in the near future) many people will stand in that very spot, worshipping and singing praise to our Heavenly Father. Since Ecuador is 95% Catholic, and such a dark presence was so perceptible, one day we went down and prayed over each wall; that the new church would be a safe place where people could come, and that the Holy Spirit would be the tangible presence felt there. I can't wait for the new church to be packed with people from all over town, and a strong Christian community to be formed.
With about a week and a half left in Conocoto, our ministry focus changed to evangelism. Having the opportunity to go to houses and pray over people, especially for Chicaizo was a highlight for me. It's just such an honor to pray blessings over people, and in their pain and brokenness and hopelessness, speak truth and life into them. I have no doubt in my mind Chicaizo will walk, and their family will become even more united through the amazing works of the Lord.
Like I mentioned before, every single church service there were more and more people. Though a dark presence over Conocoto was tangibly felt, freedom and hope is taking it's place. New light is shining through the clouds of darkness and guardian angels are surely in that place.
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During this trip, I became SO much more confident in praying over people. I learned how to invite the Holy Spirit and have Him speak through me, to speak life and truth and build people up. I started to truly understand the works of the Holy Spirit, and experienced Him more than EVER before (and it's not going to stop there!).
God blessed me with the gift of tongues. I spoke in tongues on multiple occasions, and through God others were able to interpret via words and/or visions. One time God even enabled me to interpret my own tongue. On this occasion He revealed to me how hard I am on myself, and that I was the only person I hadn't yet forgiven. In order for Him to start healing my heart, I needed to forgive myself.
Beliefs concerning girls based on a painful past were challenged and reshaped. Okay…so not all girls are mean, catty and dramatic. He surrounded me with 5 amazing women of God, who loved me like nobody has loved me before. There ARE more women like this.
I'm still learning how to bring the Lord into every situation, but I know that when I do it's better. I can't rely on my own feelings or make decisions based on "what I want," or "what I feel like." I can do nothing through my own strength, and "all things through Christ who strengthens me." I realized that I need to die to myself about a million and twenty times a day.
Not only these things but can I just say how incredibly appreciative I am for hot and cold water to come out of the tap…and to be able to DRINK that water! That hot water for showers had a mind of its own! Trust me it is not fun when you're half way through washing your hair and the water turns freezing cold (can you say brain freeze!). But honestly we were lucky to even have hot water sometimes. I'm appreciate to not have to go get 3 buckets of water every time to do the dishes back home dishwasher I LOVE YOU!). Laundry was quite the ordeal. Being able to put toilet paper IN the toilet, to be able to SIT DOWN on an actual toilet seat (though gained strong squatting muscles). Thankfully we had a plumbing system in our outhouse bathroom but a lot of places we went we would have to take the bucket beside the toilet, fill it with water and chuck it (with force) into the toilet bowl in order to flush it. Thus that big tub of water needing to be filled up on the regular. Just little things like this that we take so forgranted.
I'm thankful for our accessibility (though expensive) to nutritional foods to fuel our bodies. Even just our knowledge of what nutritious food is. White rice every day for lunch and dinner was not ideal, having zero nutritional value. Fruit and vegetables were actually not that prominent on the table. It was a lot of instant oatmeal, bread, pastries, potatoes, cheese: CARBS. But that was a part of losing our sense of entitlement, and eating, and being grateful, for whatever food was given you.
I'm thankful for the cleansliness of our streets and paved roads. These people had nothing yet they would give in an instant. It was truly humbling.
I am taking all these things with me as I move forward with the next step of my life. Due to certain circumstances, the AIM staff have decided that this is not the time for me to be on The World Race, and feel that it is in my best interest to be sent home, with the option of returning to The World Race at a future date. Though I was at first sorrowful and shocked about this decision, God has revealed to me that this was in His plan all along. That I needed to purge my home, my job, everything, in order fulfill His will. I was called to the Race, as it turns out, only for this first month, but now He has something better for me.
Of course I am aware of all the donations that have been made, which I sincerely appreciate so much. Unfortunately, after speaking with head office and calculating the money spent for my time on the field and flights etc, there is not very much money left in my account, but what is left will go into their main account, and help to further there mission aim. I apologize to to everyone who donated, but want to thank you, I couldn't have had this life changing experience without you.
I take comfort in knowing that this is God's will. Even though it is deeply saddening to know I will not be doing amazing things all over the world, God can do amazing things through me here. God knows what is best and I am excited and optimistic for what the future holds.
If anyone has any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at [email protected]
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