In the past few weeks, life has fell into a bit of a routine. Wednesday through Friday, we go to ministry in the city. Saturday and Sunday, we stay at Casa Blanca with our ministry hosts taking care of the property. Monday and Tuesday we have adventure day and sabbath. Life in the U.S. revolves around routine. It’s rude to show up late to an event. Schedules are set and predictable. This week, all of that has seemed to be turned upside down.
I could have predicted cultural differences. What I didn’t predict is how much Covid would affect plans. Contact with people outside is, of course, very limited and safe, but I didn’t anticipate never knowing what the next day holds. There can be cancellations and rescheduling within an hour of that activity and we have to be flexible for that. We have also welcomed a gap year squad into Casa Blanca with for a week, tripling the number of people living together.
Needless to say, the chaos has been growing exponentially and it felt like it was at a boiling point yesterday when our sabbath plans changed. I was feeling overwhelmed and overtired. But something that one of my leaders said to me stuck throughout the day: “this is an opportunity to find rest amidst chaos.” Since then, I have been learning that there is rest in the kingdom and God has given us rest that comes from within us. I read Psalm 92, which is a psalm for the sabbath. What struck me was that it said nothing about rest. It was a celebration of the great works of God. The sabbath isn’t just a break day, it is a day of growth. So even writing this, with 43 very loud people all around me, I feel an immense amount of peace. I know where my rest comes from. I can see God turning the chaos into beauty. All I have to do is look in the right places.
Please be praying for continued peace and growth in my heart. Your prayers have been felt deeply.
I have many stories about my adventures thus far in my drafts, and I plan on getting them out soon. I also encourage everyone to check out my beautiful squad mates’ blogs to hear more stories about how God is working and showing his glory in Quito.
Blessings!
*Everyone pictured was tested for Covid-19 prior to arrival and undergoes daily health checks.
