It has been almost one month since we left Lima, Peru. In that time, we spent ten days in Quito, Ecuador working with a college organization called CRU. CRU has teams on campuses all over the world and their vision is to create groups of like-minded people on campus with the ultimate goal of creating Christ-centered movements among young people around the world. It was great for the team to work with the people who are in Quito long term and to experience different types of evangelism.
Left to Right: Brandon, Rob, Rachel, Me, Morgan, Catie Collins, Paige
That was also the last full week I spent with the team. It was bittersweet saying goodbye, but I am so thankful to have gotten to spend the last two months walking alongside these amazing people. They are truly doing some great things for the kingdom of God, and I am proud to know them.
Another team was also in Quito during this ten day period, and they were living farther north, close to the bus station. My friends, Shea and Emily, were both with this team and they came across a tent camp of Venezuelan refugees. After spending a few days visiting and talking with the people there, they contacted me and asked if my team had any clothes that we would like to donate to the refugees. I would say that everyone on my team had over-packed, and was happy to drop some weight out of their packs! I took the clothes up to the other team, who said that the gifts were very gladly accepted. It is pretty cold in Quito, surprisingly since it is 45 minutes from the equator, but most of the Venezuelans had little more than a tank top and shorts, and maybe a small blanket to keep them warm.
If you are not aware of what is going on in Venezuela, here is a quick look:
- Venezuela has been named one of the 20 most corrupt countries in the world
- In one year, there were 27,865 murders in Venezuela. That is 90 per 100,000 citizens. (Compare that to a rate of 5 per 100,000 in the US for perspective.)
- Venezuela has the highest inflation rate in the world. In 2016 = 800%, 2017 = 4,000%, 2018 to date = 488,865% (some estimates predict 1,000,000% inflation by year’s end)
- 75% of the population reported a loss of at least 19.4 lbs. due to lack of proper nutrition.
- Emigration is at an all-time high, with 5,000 people per day fleeing Venezuela in search of a better life, or a hope for life at all.
One of the refugees that the team met was an 18 year old girl who, while pregnant, had hitchhiked for a week alone through Columbia. When Emily and Shea spoke with her she just kept saying, “I don’t have any food.”
It is important for us to recognize that while we live in different countries, different conditions, different climates (Physical and political) that we are all created by God and loved by Him. If we, as Christians, are the physical representation of the body of Christ on earth, then that means loving, embracing, and helping those in need throughout the world. It is also important to recognize that “throughout the world” includes our own back yard, our country, our neighborhoods, and our families. There are people in every corner of the earth that can be impacted by simple acts of kindness and generosity.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” -Galatians 5:22-23
So, if you are not taking opportunities to help improve the lives of those around you, take a second to ask yourself why not. What is stopping you?
Side note: Shea Hendry is an incredible person and very close friends of mine who is still fundraising for her time serving and teaching others in the mission field. I have been fully funded for this trip, but if you feel called to continue to support the work that I have been a part of, donating to her is a great way to do that!
Personal update:
I have spent the last two weeks traveling around Columbia, seeing Medellin, Guatape, and Cartegena, and God has provided in incredible ways. As we are limited on funds, through couch surfing we have found two places that let us stay for free, and one beautiful hostel on the lake that let us camp out for $2 per night. Most recently we were welcomed into an YWAM (youth with a mission) base in Cartegena that gave free beds and 3 meals a day! Their vision is to share the gospel with couch surfers through their actions and hospitality, they also said we were the first Christians that they had met through couch surfing. Take notes, this is exactly what Christ looks like!
I have received secondary application requests from 3 medical schools: East Tennessee State University, University of Colorado, and Lincoln Memorial University. I have submitted my secondary applications to ETSU and CU, but I need about $250 more to submit my application to LMU. I am very optimistic about this round of applications and feel that God is lining things up for next fall.
I am also looking for opportunities to make a little bit of money in the mean-time, and I am open to suggestions! I return to the United States tomorrow, October 30th, and will be spending a few days in Florida visiting Emily Spencer and my sister, Bethany Kane before heading back to Knoxville on Sunday, November 4th! I should be home for a little longer this time, and I am excited to spend time with friends and family over the holidays!
