Thanks everyone for all the support; it’s so surreal being in Ecuador now! I feel God wants me to share of how even before this journey started in Ecuador, he was with me every step of the way. So here it goes.
In the season of preparation God has taken me through for the World Race, God has shown me his sovereignty in my life.
When I absolutely could not responsibly force myself to apply for scholarships and college, God had a plan. He gave me eyes to see that college was not the only way to a ‘fulfilling’ or ‘purposeful’ life, and he knew I would rebel in impatience against him in pursuit of my own desire to travel, explore, and go on adventures in foreign places. He knew I would fall on my knees in surrender to his will and his plans for me when he convicted me of the wastefulness of the backpacking trip I so selfishly and frivolously desired, especially in comparison to the all-satisfying, infinitely better plan he had in store for me.
Fast forward a bit, and suddenly I began preparing for the World Race – for nine months of missional living in Ecuador, India, and Zambia.
All I can say about that time of preparation is Jehovah Jireh (God provides). He provided countless partners in prayer, new friendships, financial partners, strength and joy despite rising temptations and struggle-filled circumstances, and precious, promise-filled words of comfort and peace.
My mind continues to be blown away by the fact that God provided more than $13,805 for this mission trip. Incredibly, I became fully funded in less than two weeks after weeks of being stagnant at around $6,000. To be honest, those weeks of stagnation were unbelievably trying, and for my second (out of three) financial deadlines, the funding literally came in the last day. God tested my faith in him throughout the fundraising, and I am so thankful to have experienced the incredible answer to my prayers because he does answer when we believe.
The most precious gift God has given me pre-World Race is his precious words for me in response to my prayers. Jesus had compassion on me regarding the surmounting fear I felt before and at Training Camp. I felt so afraid I would fail him despite knowing that I am going to fail him.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. . . For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
He reassured me that I had nothing to fear because it is the Holy Spirit who works through me to speak into hearts and portray the unconditional love of the Father: there is nothing that I can do to change hearts; I don’t have enough love for every person I encounter on my own; and I certainly didn’t do anything to bring salvation – that was Jesus.
Through others, He spoke to me these things: “You are my precious child, beautiful and made perfect in my love. I have a specific purpose for you in your team. All you have to do is jump off the edge of the diving board and trust that I will catch you.”
To me personally, He gave me reassurance and peace with this verse, “For those who living according to his purpose, all things work together for good, for those who love him.” (Romans 8:28)
God was with me through this season of preparation, just as it says in Deuteronomy 31:8: “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Yup, the Lord keeps his promises.
Fast forward again, I am in Quito, Ecuador. My team, the Frontline, have been serving at a Christian organization named Remar. I will reveal more about Remar in my next blog.
I started off struggling with my expectations of God doing big things through me, but God helped me realize I was starting off this journey chasing after what he could do instead of chasing after God for who he is. He wants me to be patient, to remember the power of the little things.
To see the power in the little things, like: picking up broken shards of glass where the dogs and kids play, cleaning the dog poop that wonderfully reappears in the corridor, sweeping corridors and rooms that get dirty again in the blink of an eye, painting the children’s bedrooms and playground, playing games with the children, and loving on the children who receive little love from their parents who have struggled with poverty, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, or imprisonment.
A team shot with two ladies who work hard to feed the children, clean the kitchen, and help keep Remar running in many ways.
Cleaning windows at Remar where the women and children live.
PC: Trey Summers
God sent me at Remar to serve and do monotonous tasks or love on children with the love that only comes from Jesus because “whether you eat, drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Jesus came with humility to serve, not to be served (Matthew 20:28). I seek to follow his example, and I will do my best in the, at times, monotomous tasks and while playing with the children; I trust that when I do everything for God, then he will “establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17).
Prayer Request:
Please pray that I and my entire squad of 52 people may live missionally: to actively seek opportunities to minister to the people of Quito, Ecuador beyond serving alongside the churches or ministries we partner with, for “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). Three teams will be staying in Quito, Ecuador for the next 2 and 1/2 months, but my team, The Frontline, will be partnering with a new ministry in Cuenca, Ecuador in 2 weeks.
