During the first month on the race my team was given Unsung Heroes (UH) as our ministry. Rather than staying in one place and working with a particular ministry partner in Ecuador, the seven of us travelled throughout the country in search of unsung heroes, people that are currently furthering the Kingdom who could be served by us or a future world race team. Everyday we are listening to the Lord and asking Him to lead us to the contacts He has prepared for us. It is a month of leaning into prayer and into one another as a team.
In Quito, we started out doing just that – one afternoon we went to one of the city parks for team time and prayer walking. During this time we crossed paths with a local Baptist church that was out evangelizing. After quick introductions we were able to partner up with them and spend our afternoon telling others about the love Jesus has for them. Even though most of the conversation was in Spanish, I was able to understand enough about each person we met so that I could pray over the conversation and the seed that was being planted within their hearts. Ministry in the park was exactly what our team needed to prepare us for the journey ahead. Other cities we traveled to included Cuenca, Banos, and Shell. In each location we learned more and more about the culture of Ecuador and got to see the diverse ministries that exist to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the community. We visited an orphanage, learned about ministry being carried out amongst indigenous people, and also got a glimpse of what Young Life looks like in South America.
UH ministry required us to set our own agendas aside in order to clearly see the work that God is doing here in Ecuador. While it has its challenges, this month is helping our team grow closer to one another and closer to God. We were blessed to meet some incredible missionaries and hear about their calling to Ecuador. Week after week we were welcomed into homes and immediately accepted as family – it was amazing to see the ways God provided for our team. Not to mention that I was extremely grateful to have a few American luxuries such as hot showers, ice cream, and even a little Wii dancing along the way.
It was a great transition to life in the mission field and my favorite part was the relationships we built with each of our host families. I can’t wait to see the fruit that each of their ministries will bear and am excited for the future World Race squads that will come alongside them to further the Kingdom. It wasn’t a typical month of ministry but it is one that I believe is important. Thank you for supporting me in the search for Unsung Heroes here in Ecuador.
I am not sure what next month holds, but I do know that P Squad will have an all squad month and our ministry host is located along the coast of Peru in Trujillo. Stay tuned for more updates and please keep us in your prayers.
