I haven’t done the best job sharing stories of the people I’ve met on the race but yesterday’s encounter I couldn’t pass up writing about! I’m going to cherish this memory forever! I hope this blog brings encouragement to you!
My team this month is focusing on serving Venezuelan refugees and other immigrants here in Ecuador. We’ve decided to host a festival at the end of the month. We will have free healthcare, information about visas and passports, where they can live for a discounted rate, where they can send their kids to school, etc… We will hopefully have some fun stuff too, like live music and stuff to entertain kids. We’ve got a pastor lined up to speak at the event and rooms set aside specifically to pray for people.
Yesterday after our meeting at the school where the event is taking place, our team went to a local place where Colombian immigrants are living. When we first got there, my friend Sydney and I talked to one of the younger ladies about why they fled to Ecuador. They said they lived in a dangerous area with a lot of drugs and drug trafficking and they didn’t want to raise their kids there. After talking with them, we went into the building where they all sleep. It was a decent size room (if you’re from Community of Grace imagine the size of the youth room or a little more than half of the fellowship hall.) Beds on the floor lined the walls of the room. When we walked in, I immediately saw an older woman reading her bible.
My friend and squadmate Hannah was telling everyone in the room about the event, so I didn’t go over to the women although I wanted to go and ask her what she was reading. A few minutes later, we all gathered outside to pray. I found myself standing in the circle next to the women I saw moments earlier (thanks, God) As my squadmate Jacob started to pray I heard the women next to me whisper over and over “Gracias Senor” which translates into Thank you, God. I was so caught off guard.
This year has been draining and challenging in ways I never expected. And I find myself not giving God nearly enough thanks. I thank him for the beautiful and rewarding stuff but not for the challenging stuff. I was so encouraged and moved that this woman kept saying “Thank you God” over and over.
After we prayed, I turned to the women and asked her name. “Isabel,” she replied. I hugged her, and she squeezed me back. I told her that her faith encouraged me. I didn’t get to ask her a lot about her story, but I can only imagine the things she walked through in life. Before we left, I asked if I could take a picture with her and share this encounter with my friends and family back home.
If I learned anything from my interactions with the Venezuelans I’ve met or other immigrants over the past few months, it’s that their trust and faith in God is what sustains them every day. They’ve genuinely found joy in the hard circumstances of life just by putting their strength in God.
Are there areas in your life that you haven’t found complete joy in God? Are there things in your life that you should thank God for even if it’s hard? Even if you haven’t seen promises fulfilled in your life? I want to join with you in prayer for those things. Please, send me a message so that I can partner with you.
I hope Isabel’s story reminds us all where to find our joy. I know she has encouraged me to look past my current circumstances to the everlasting promises I have in my Savior.
Here is a picture with Isabel and me (she is the one standing directly next to me) with some of the other Colombian women we met yesterday.
Scripture of the day: “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (MSG)
Song of the day: I’ll Give Thanks by Housefires
Please be praying for our festival on Saturday, August 17th. Love you all!
