Welcome to Month 2 – Quito, Ecuador. To change things up a bit, this month is an All Squad month. What does that mean, you ask? Simply put, it means that instead of separating all eight of our teams into different parts of the country, we are all together this month… all 57 (or close to it) of us. We are staying in a mission compound in Quito called IncaLink, a nonprofit organization that has bases all throughout Latin America. Each team is working on a different project here in Quito, but we all live together, eat together, sleep together, have sessions together, etc. – a very different vibe than just chilled with small team of 7 last month.
Truth be told, I’m enjoying it this way. I have been able to make some great connections with several of the other squad mates. I’ve been able to hear stories firsthand about what The Lord is doing through them, instead of waiting all month to hear something on travel day, or praying they will post a story on Facebook. It has truly been a great encouragement for me, personally.
At the same time, I’m definitely beginning to miss the comforts of home. Although we are in a very nice compound with actual beds this month, the elevation has been difficult for many of our bodies to adjust to. Headaches and quick exhaustion are a common theme we keep seeing among the squad. Several have become sick. The weather is cold even though the Equator is just moments away. This is the rainy season, so it has literally rained every day we have been here (adding to the cold). And the most American thing of all – we do not have internet in our compound. Yeah, I feel ashamed to even admit that one, but it’s the truth. I miss being able to connect with home any time I want.
However, in spite of my ridiculous claims of being uncomfortable, I honestly feel God stronger here than I have in… well, in the last several years of my life. He is teaching me something new every day. When we first arrived in Ecuador, a little over a week ago, my team had a meeting where we were challenged to make goals for ourselves in the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of our life. Admittedly, last month it was extremely hard for me to find or just create time to spend with God alone. Heck, I barely even prayed. This month, I chose to challenge myself to make time every day to spend with The Lord – even if it was just 5 minutes. Proudly, I have been faithful with it. I’ve never been into journaling, but I felt like the Lord said I needed to challenge myself to write down my conversations with Him every day this month, as well – which I have also been faithful in doing. By doing this I am challenging myself everyday to hear from Him, and even more so – to listen when He is asking me to do something, and I have the evidence in my journal.
My desire this month is to be faithful with the little so that He can teach me to be faithful with the big. Yesterday I became a bit frustrated at The Lord because I asked Him during our morning time together to open my eyes and ears to see someone He wanted to speak to, and to hear His words that may need to be shared with them. My expectation was that I would meet random strangers on the bus or on the streets while we were traveling to/from our ministry site. But as we went throughout our day, I never felt led to speak to a single stranger. I came back upset that I had no story to share with my brothers and sisters when I returned home, and started to blame God since I had clearly asked Him to give me an opportunity to let Him show up. Then, this morning during my quiet time He revealed something amazing that I somehow missed – that He gave me several opportunities to minister within our squad yesterday, and I was actually faithful with them:
1 – Immediately after my morning quiet time I felt led to pray for one of the squad mates in my room. She told me she thought she had been pick pocketed and someone stole her ID and debit card. I prayed that the Lord would show her favor and that even if He had to transport it as He did Philip, that she would find it. Later that evening after we all returned from ministry, she said the pastor she is working with found her belongings and they were returned to her.
2 – After ministry, our team had to go grocery shopping for some of our meals this weekend. Two of my teammates went to handle that business, while one member and myself waited in a restaurant nearby. During our time together, she proceeded to ask for my advice about a dream she had. The Lord began to speak through me, and this morning she revealed that it was confirmation. By my obedience, as well as a couple of other events that happened with her specifically yesterday evening, she found the courage to give up something she has been struggling with.
3 – I have been praying for God to give me an opportunity to lead worship for our squad. Patience – that’s all I’ve heard from Him. Many of you know that worship is a passion of mine. I don’t like to seek out opportunities in this area, though. Although I’ve led for years, I still freak out, get butterflies, feel sick and all kinds of unsavory things beforehand, so truthfully I still avoid even though I desire to do it – if that makes sense. Anyway, after returning from our grocery shopping excursion, the coordinator for our worship session found me and asked me to lead during our squad session last night. The songs He gave me played right into the message and activities we did and it was amazing.
4 – Late yesterday evening I felt led to pray with another squad mate, but began to feel afraid and honestly almost missed the opportunity. I hesitated and missed the initial opening He gave me. Thanks to His grace, He opened up another door for me to speak into this person a little later, and she confirmed that what He said was exactly what she needed to hear and related to what she was struggling with.
5 – Shortly after #4, God opened a door for me to revisit a word He had me speak over another teammate last month. She admitted when I gave the word to her that she was uncertain if it was relevant or not. But twice this week, a similar word has been given to her, and she was seriously struggling with finding the relevance. I felt like the relevance of it was revealed to me several weeks ago, but the opportunity to speak it to her had not presented itself. Now – I had the opportunity. I’m still not positive as to whether it was received, but I could clearly see her mind working when I spoke this and then I asked her to take it to the Lord in prayer so He can reveal the truth.
All of this and more happened in one day. And I was frustrated? Yep. I didn’t realize what He had accomplished through me until this morning during my quiet time as we were conversing. You see, I had my own plans and ideas for what I wanted Him to do, but the thing is His plans are better than mine. My only job was/is to be obedient.
Please join me in prayer about my funding for this trip. I have another financial deadline that has to be met by the end of this month, and if it is not met I could potentially be sent home. I believe that God has me here for a reason, and that He wants me to remain. Please pray that my trust will remain unwavering, and that He will show Himself faithful (as He always does).
In Love,
Denea
