The word the Lord gave me this month is “Follow.” We have the month to go where we want to. God is speaking to the squad and we are all over the country of Ecuador. Going where ever he leads. Me and three of my friends were led to go do hiking ministry. We left on the 1st and just got back to Quito, Ecuador today. Our plan was to find other hikers and talk to them get to know them, spend time with them. The adventure God took us on was a spectacular one! The views of the mountains and rivers where breathe taking. We hiked for two days, and around 15 miles. Carrying our packs and talking to the people we met at the hostels we where staying at.
I told my group before we left what God had told me about just “follow” and they planned the route and I tagged along! After a few days, I asked the Lord why? Why follow? As we were driving into the middle of nowhere with Cotapaxi National Forest surrounding us on all sides he answered my question. “See where I take you when you just trust me.” There is no picture in the world that I could show you that would do this place justice. For days I was enjoying magnificent views of the world God created so long ago. There where several moments while on our hike I just teared up. Looking at the beauty before me taking in all the smells sights and sounds.
The hike was hard and of course, we chose to do the trail marked extreme instead of moderate. We climbed around 3,000 – 4,000 feet in elevation, and every step was worth it. There where times looking up at these giant cliffs I was thinking “just one more step.” There where times that the 30ish pounds I was carrying felt like 100. One step at the time we ascended making our way to the top. It was hard, I have blisters on my feet. Bruises on my hips from my pack. Chapped skin from the wind. Sore muscles from my back to my feet. But guess what I DID IT!! I listened to the words God gave me “Follow” and this is where he led me. To one of the hardest things I think I have voluntarily done. I learned a lot about myself. I am a lot stronger than I give myself credit for.
I also learned that I am not leaning on God had much as I am supposed to. I still want to be in control of something, but when I let God lead he takes me to places like this. To do things I never even dreamed of. To do things, I never thought I could! To climb mountains and conquer them! I thought after this trip I could take back over my control and lead instead of following. Then this morning I opened my Bible to Acts 1:7 it reads “ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” I took that is a sign. So I am doing the same thing following until further instructed. I can’t wait to see where I end up and what God is going to do for the rest of this month!
