1. Blame it on the… altitude
So Quito, Ecuador is at a crazy altitude. It was so hard to do anything or go anywhere without huffing and puffing by the time you were done. In the morning we would go from the main house up the hill (within the compound) to our host and by the end of it, I couldn’t breath. One of the babies at Casa Elizabeth was just learning to walk and he was great at going down the stairs. He was not so great at going up them… But the best
part was that whenever I did lose my breath and it probably was more because I’m out of shape I had the best excuse ever. Altitude.
2. I lived in the White House. Kind of.
This month we lived at Casa Blanca, which translate to white house. We had comfortable beds, hot showers, and three meals a day. We were blessed beyond what any of us could have imagined. There were two or three uninvited guests (a.k.a. spiders…) along the way but the great thing about living in community is that you always have someone to kill your spiders. But really, it was the most beautiful home run by two of the most generous and caring individuals I have ever had the privilege of meeting.
3. You take it, you eat it.
Speaking of the two most generous and caring individuals I’ve ever met, our ministry hosts in Ecuador taught me so much about being good stewards of what God has provided for me. Nothing went waste at this place. At theend of the month, our hostsexplained to us we are so very fortunate just to be blessed with by having three healthy meals a day and that we show our thankfulness by using these gifts well. Not only that but as Christians we have a responsibility to share with those around us because this is the example we have been given. For some reason, maybe it was the sickness in month one, food was a big deal for me this month. I’m thankful that at a time that when I could have spent the month gorging myself, God placed in an environment that focused on self-control and stewardship.
4. The girls (and their babies) of Casa Elizabeth
Casa Elizabeth is a home for pregnant teens, teen moms, and their babies. Often the girls here have complicated histories. These girls taught me so much about love, about what my own walls were, about using your were you are. God used their babies to fill up my love tank and show me true hurt and true joy. I also learned that building relationships doesn’t just come from deep conversations but just playing phase 10 or UNO for hours at a time.
5. I want to be amazing our ministry contact at COVi.
COVi was a ministry in Quito’s biggest public park. Its aim was to support at-risk youth with before/after school programs such as homework help, biblical devotions, and group games, and meals. This marvelous woman named Tamarita ran it. This woman was the perfect balance of discipline and love. The way she commanded respect was amazing but so was the way she knew each child by his or her first name. She knew the children’s stories and their struggles. I was amazed by what God did in that ministry through and because of her.
6. Changes galore: We’re going to Greece, new team, and ALL SQUAD MONTH
This month brought with it a route change, team change, and housing change. We found out that we are going to Greece to aid in the Syrian refugee crisis relief in Baños, Ecuador during debrief. Debrief also brought the news that Team Starling was being disbanded so that we could better serve our ministry hosts with more volunteers. My Starling teammate, Nicole, and I were transferred to Team Willing Wanders. The transition was as smooth as I could have imagined and the Willing Wanderers welcomed us warming with love and grace. This month was also all squad month. All 37 (33 racers, 3 squad leaders, and 1 squad mentor) lived in Casa Blanca. We worshipped together, ate meals together, and encouraged each other. It was so amazing to always have someone to talk to, make weekend plans with, or just play a card game.
7. Some how I always minimizing my fear of heights in my own head
Off weekends were so much fun especially since it was all squad month. One of my last off weekend in Ecuador I explored the national basilica of Ecuador (twice that weekend) with Joanna, an intern working with Inca Link, and a couple other squad mates. As we climbed to the top levels, I soon remembered that I don’t like heights. I also remembered this while jumping off a cliff in Baños, Ecuador. I hope (but don’t count on remembering this in the future).
8. “The sick girl” NO MORE… to celebrate I jumped off a cliff!
While in Peru, I was sick for about a two and half weeks (in the hospital for 6 days). I got a reputation of being “the sick girl” to those not on my team. It was an amazing and humbling experience to receive so much prayer from literally around the world but in Ecuador I just enjoyed being healthy. Found out very quickly that I no longer have an appetite for broth-based soups… but other than that Ecuador was a very healthy month for me.
9. I get by with a little help from my friends.
One of the best lessons I learned in Ecuador is that it’s okay to accept help. I never want to forget coming in to the main room of Casa Blanca, frustrated to the point of tears, and having someone ask me if I needed help and not let me refuse that help I clearly needed. I love the way the men of my squad came together for the simple reason of helping get a video posted for my church. That’s what I love about this community of people the fact that this experience was completely normal.
10. God wants all of you.
God did big things in my life this month. He moved in clear ways, helped me see things in new lights. Something that God really taught me this month is that you can’t give something to God then you need to figure out why. For me this meant stepping away from some things that I really like having in my life. Here’s the lesson though: When God asks you to remove something or step away from it, he will fill it.
