1st off I am fully funded! Whoop!
2nd God is moving in my life!!!!!
3rd I’ve got a story for you Ags! (And non Aggies)
Before committing to going on the Race I had a few conditions that had to be met. The first was I could go back and watch my sister get married. CHECK! That happened in April. The second was that I would not have a problem with funding CHECK! The third was that I would be able to see my parents in person while gone. ERROR!!!! ERROR 404 NOT FOUND!!!! In a weird turn of events, neither of my parents could come to the Parent Vision Trip. This meant that I would not be able to spend time with them while out in the field. Womp womp. So, when everyone else’s parents came in, they went to Quito and I went to the jungle to Shell. If this were the end I would be extremely blessed.
The Zuniga Family is amazing! They treat us like royalty by providing Wi-Fi and HOT showers! They also cook US food and amazing meals! This is more than enough of a blessing to be where I am at.
God had other plans though. I was truly disappointed, sad, and a little depressed that my parents couldn’t come. I had so many expectations of what we would do together and they all came crashing down as I left for Shell. My plans and my wants were not good enough for God. This past week he took me out of my comfort zone and put me to work!
This is the awe inspiring part of my story and it gets kind of tricky to follow….
One night while eating dinner, the Zunigas received a call from a friend who had received a call from a friend. Chris and Mandy were told about a family whose house had burned down and were asked if there was anything that they could do to help. Chris asked for more information about the situation, but none could be provided. So, the friend of the friend called the radio station that he had heard tell the story to get the family’s number so Chris could contact them for more information. About 15 minutes after the first call, Karissa was calling the mother of the family (Marisol) and asking if there was anything that we could come do to help.
She unknowingly gave the Christian answer of “pray for me.” Karissa asked when we could come by and visit and Chris and Marisol agreed that Friday (7/24) as a good date.
We waited until Friday and went out to Puyo, about 20 minutes away. We met Marisol at a bus stop, shared a taxi, and she lead us to what used to be her house. As we walked up to the charred remains we asked what had happened. Marisol replied with, “I do not know.” She later told us there was no reason that her house should have burned down. They only use candles at night, but her house burned down during the day. Nothing should have been on fire. The propane can was closed, the candles unlit, and yet her house was reduced to charred boards and beams.
Chris talked to Marisol about her faith.
As Karissa translated for Chris, we found out that Marisol believed in God, but did not know Jesus. Every time she left the house, she left her small Bible open to Psalms 92. She claimed it protected her house from evil. Chris and Marisol continues to talk through Karissa. The more Chris spoke, the more and more Marisol was moved. As we sat in an unfinished house for Marosol’s sister, 30 feet from her burned down house, she accepted Christ! She prayed and BOOM, Christ was apparent and moving in her life (like he had been before).
We then gave her 2 bags of food containing rice and noodles, just what a single mother of 4 needs to help provide for her family. We talked about when we could come back and help tear down the remains, pile it, burn it and move the metal remains. We agreed on Monday (7/28).
We came back that Monday and diligently worked breaking boards, pulling up sunken posts, piling it up to be burned as well as removing all of the tin and other metal that used to be part of the house. It took us about 2.5-3 hours. No one fell (except me) and no one was hurt as we did all this work.
God deserves all the glory and honor on this one because it took a lot for this all to happen. First off my parents couldn’t come which meant I wouldn’t stay in Quito. Secondly Shell had to be picked by AIM for a place for non PVT racers to go.
Next, the friend of the friend had to call, twice; once to see if the Zunigas could help and again to provide Marisol’s phone number. Marisol then had to be willing to allow complete strangers onto her property and see what was left of her house. She then had to be willing to allow us to talk to her about our faith and lastly willing to accept help, both from us and from God. This wouldn’t have happened if my parents had come. This wouldn’t have happened if Shell wasn’t where we were told to go. This only happened because God wanted it to! Amen!!!!
Even better this was just Friday and Monday. Sunday was an even bigger blessing! Sunday we were asked to go to Puyo and street preach in a park. This is way out of my comfort zone. So naturally I volunteered. This would not have happened month 1 or even month 5, possibly not even month 6, but since this is month 7 I didn’t feel like I could have an excuse not to go. Especially so because Karissa is fluent in Spanish and I’m getting there. Since I could come up with no valid reason nor any excuse to not attend I went. We arrived and I helped set up equipment.
By that, I mean I stood there, looked busy and did nothing. I was not ready to go be a Christian and share my faith. I was not ready to go hand out tracks, talk about my faith, nor even hand out Gideon Bibles. I was staying as close to my comfort zones as possible; which was right next to Andy (missionary), Dave (preacher from the US) and Chris (missionary). These 3 men offered comfort and stability. They also offered no room for excuses nor fear.
Andy and Dave played guitars and sang while Chris handed out tracks in Spanish. I stood quietly in the wings with little Bibles. As time passed I felt more and more calm. Praise God because I sure looked goofy holding 10 Bibles in my pockets and hands along with 50+ tracks. Little by little, I handed out tracks and asked people if they had a relationship with Christ. Most accepted the track and made polite conversation. Some were shocked that a Gringo was speaking Spanish to them while other flat out told me that they knew Christ and were church going members. These last few beamed with pride yet were surprised that I asked if they had had a relationship with Christ.
As time passed, we handed out 200+ tracks (pampers and fliers) and 30 Gideon Bibles. I shared a part of my testimony and handed out more Bibles as Andy and Chris gave sermons and shared the Word. As Chris was preaching, he asked those around us if they were saved. A few people in the crowd raised their hands. Missy and I went up to one of the women and began talking to her. I asked her if she knew Jesus and had a relationship with Him, she replied with “Yes.”
I was astounded that she would say this, but I then learned that what she meant was that she knew who Jesus was, but didn’t KNOW Him. So I lead her in a prayer, in Spanish (check 8 years of studies and 2 years of practice) and helped her accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior. It was awesome to see how moved by the Spirit she was. Missy and I prayed for her and with her and I got up and left. Missy stayed and continued to talk with her.
As this spiritual high came upon me, I saw others being prayed with, over, and for. God was present where we were. He was working with us, through us, and in us. He moved where we were and worked alongside us. A man of faith was waiting and I walked over and asked if there was something I could pray about for him. He responded with, “my intestines.” WHAT?!?!? Apparently intestinal problems are a huge issue here in Ecuador.
So, I prayed with him and for him, while nothing miraculous happened, many miracles were happening around us. I could feel God presence moving in the air. This man was not healed of his problem, but he was strengthened by what we were doing in the park. He waited as I talked, prayed, and shared with others. I looked up and he was gone. We assume he got tired of waiting and left. I hope where ever he goes, he finds God is with Him.
It was amazing to feel comfortable speaking and explaining my faith in Spanish. It’s not something I have done much on this Race. I should do it more and now it’s a lot easier to do. Many people in the park were encouraged by what we shared, but I was encouraged even more because of what happened to get me there. Remember my parents didn’t come, I was told to go to Shell, etc…
God had this planned from the beginning. He was moving, planning, changing my heart, and leading me into the uncomfortable. He took one of my expectations, dashed it upon the rocks, and blessed me beyond belief. Praise and Glory be to God!!!!!
I hope you are encouraged as much as I was by this story. God is moving in each of our lives, we need only look around and see what good is happening around us!
Thanks again for reading. I love and miss y’all! I should be back around Thanksgiving. Until next time, ciao!
