The approximate date of our reunion with Kathryn was long in coming and greatly anticipated. I really had no idea what to expect of Ecuador, it’s people, it’s food, it’s accommodations. I was almost centrally focused on seeing my daughter.
Fortunately for me God was looking past my expectations, as he had His own. Imagine that, God had a plan – who knew?
As many saw on Facebook, Kathryn gave us a beautiful reception at the airport. I was wise enough to get a full and warm hug, and then I got out of the way for Debbie!
It was amazing to get to meet Kathryn’s team in person and many of their parents. Each were amazing Godly men and women, and I was humbled to be in their presence. Most nights we spent in worship of Jesus, along with testimonies of the days events. I can attest that our Lord is very active in Ecuador. One ministry reaches out to the many Venezuelans that have fled their home country. Pan de Vida feeds, clothes, job trains, and ministers to these displaced people. Debbie and me will definitely be supporting them financially.
One of the things that Racers (that is how Kathryn’s team of missionaries are known) learn is that they are witnesses for Christ no matter where they are: on a bus, at a restaurant or simply walking the streets. Our 1st ministry experience was on Saturday with an after school program where we got to play soccer with a lot of kids. Laughter and competition are universal languages and so are Flashy Jelly Rings! My brother Mark donated 3 boxes (about 150) of these magical rings. These rings are universally received by any child and woman, no matter the age, without fail. Thanks Bub.
While we were playing soccer (I was just a cheerleader) one of our dads on the trip took it upon himself to purchase food for the center. His name was Michael and has a very powerful testimony of drugs and prison. Michael had a chance to share with a young man who had just gotten out of prison and was having a hard time finding a job. Without going into all the details, this young man got a call for a job and also made a decision for Christ. All of this occurred without our knowledge. To Michael’s credit, he was able to wait about 100 yards after we left the center to share the story. We were listening to him in the middle of the sidewalk as he shared how God had answered this young man’s prayer and needs.
Let me digress and share our bus ride to the ministry that day. For a mere .25 cents (Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as their national currency) you can become a sardine, literally. We stood for at least 30 minutes. It was so fun and amazing to see Kathryn converse in Spanish with an older gentleman, a younger 25 year old man and the sweet lady who would take our .25 cents. Debbie developed, quite quickly, a crush on the young man and wanted to bring him home for Kathryn. I explained that a male souvenir would not pass customs.
After our ministry of playing soccer with the kids and Michael sharing his divine encounter we all split up to go our separate ways. In our case we went exploring for coffee. Now I hate coffee. Of course that fact is moot – Debbie and Kathryn were on a mission. As we walked, Kat stopped for what I thought was for a snack so Debbie and I walked ahead and told her we would be up the street a block or two and wait for her. After about 10-15 minutes I was getting a little worried even though there were people everywhere and it was daylight. So like a good dad and husband I left Debbie alone on the street corner in search of Kathryn. I backtracked to where I last saw her and after a short while I spotted Kat purchasing food for an old indigenous lady. She was, I believe, homeless and living on the streets. Kathryn had spotted her and her need.
My takeaways from this experience are numerous and are in no particular order except the last couple:
1. I really do like hot showers.
2. Zip Lines are fun – but one time is plenty.
3. Crossing a bridge over water that has a sign “No Buses” doesn’t apply to buses.
4. Rice and potatoes can be served together, over and over.
5. Buses for public transportation can always hold 1 more passenger 30 times over.
6. Flashy Jelly Rings have no borders or age limit.
7. The cocoa bean needs lots of help from sugar.
8. Our God is crazy in love with people – All People.
9. Cultural Christianity is unbelievably dangerous. Revelation 3:16 “So because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
My desire for myself after this trip is to see people as God sees them and not get sucked into being a “cultural Christian.” That is my prayer for anyone who reads this blog.
