Following Jesus – It’s crazy. It’s uncomfortable. It’s fun. It’s full of surprises. Just like life, on the WR there are moments of adventure, there are moments of ministry, there are moments of grocery shopping, and there are moments of boredom. Just last week I was jogging along the Pacific coast in Lima every morning with a ridiculous grin on my face from how much I was feeling the joy, love, and presence of the LoRd. Yesterday I was in tears after talking to a friend, as the reality sunk in again that the big life moments don’t wait to happen till I get home; life goes on whether I’m there or 3,982 miles away. A few days ago, my team and I were cramped on a bus for 25 hours to get from Lima to Cusco, Peru. I’ll spare you the nasty details of the vomit and spilled wine on the floor, the bathroom utterly destroyed (in hour two!), the smells abounding right behind my back of the bus seat, and the temperatures fluctuating between frustratingly hot and numbingly cold. It’s safe to say we saved money, but we lost more dignity. We won’t make that mistake again!
Of course there are highs and lows, good days and bad. But it’s so sweet to continue developing my relationship with the ever-consistent LoRd throughout each moment, no matter where I’m physically at. As I’ve been reflecting on ministry, I’m learning that it looks different in different places with different people. Sometimes it’s sharing your testimony with people you’ve met the day before. Sometimes it’s going to the worst part of town and prayer-walking your way through it. Sometimes it’s ripping out walls of a church and sanding cupboards. Sometimes it’s praying over strangers in the street or teammates you sleep next to every night. Someone even reminded me that on a 17-hour bus ride from Mancora to Lima, Peru, ministry is smiling and not hitting the 7 year old in front of us that just couldn’t sit in his seat, quit touching all our stuff, or stop talking for more than 30 seconds. Ministry. I’ve learned that the best way to do ministry is to have open hands and an open heart to the people and opportunities the LoRd brings right in front of your face.
Throughout all of my time in Canoa, Ecuador, I don’t think I properly introduced any of you Mama and Papa Hanna from Alabama. As we were walking along the street one night trying to find something to eat other than fried chicken and fries (again), we stopped at the sound of trivia in English! We looked over at the Surf Shak that our friend Alan owns, and paused just long enough for a couple sitting down outside to invite us over for a drink. While we were getting situated, before we got sat down or learned the names of the friendly folks, without hesitating they offered to buy all four of us dinner. From the moment we met Mama and Papa, they showed us more generosity and hospitality than I thought possible from complete strangers. You can imagine what a blessing it was to order pizza without thinking of our $4/day budget and have company without worrying about a language barrier! Before the night was over, they offered to personally take us into the next town for groceries and to see the existing effects of the earthquake two years prior.
We hopped in their truck the next day and headed to a real grocery store! They drove us around town, told us their personal experience with the earthquake, and showed us the piece of property they just bought in a valley between mountains close to Canoa. We were blessed again and again. They called us “sweet loves”, invited us to their home, bought ingredients to make us dinner, and asked if we’d like to come over a little early to enjoy their private little beach area. We took them up on every part of it. We prayed about how to repay them for every pinch of generosity, and Jordan felt the LoRd nudging her to offer doing a little photoshoot for them. Mama and Papa were up for it and we jumped on the opportunity to help in every way that we could. We were all blessed to see Jordan walk in her gift and the results that followed.
Below are a bunch of pictures from our time with the people who blessed us so much:)
Ministry was saying yes. Spending time. Laughing and sharing stories. Being blessed with the beach and some good ole’ southern food. Receiving generosity and hospitality with thankful hearts. Being vessels of Jesus to the best of our abilities. And loving the people in front of us with the gifts we have.
It was out of the box, unexpected, and wonderful. Shouldn’t it always be?
Papa on the left, Mama in the middle, and their friend, Charley in the back. Moments after we attempted surfing and before devouring dinner!
Downtown where the earthquake hit…
Pampering Mama:)
Jordan in her element
Her reactions to the pictures:)))
