Friday was what I would define as an amazing day. However, it wasn’t due to anything completely extreme, and there was no jaw dropping experience. Well, not completely.
Half of my team spent the majority of the day painting the church’s kitchen. While taking a break, we sat outside on the curb, trying to warm up, (Who would’ve thought we’d be chilly at times, in Quito Ecuador?) we decided to pray for the city as well as our team, squad, and the other ministry sites. Although it was the last thing we wanted, we prayed for rain. Quito has had very little rain since December, and this is the rainy season. Bye the time we arrived back to Casa Blanca, lighting was flashing and thunder was quietly rumbling in the distance. Next thing we knew, it was pouring! God is so good. We got back mid-afternoon/early evening. Some of the girls and I found ourselves sitting around the kitchen table, sipping hot apple spice tea, while chatting with our squad leader. Cue the vulnerability. This is something Team Awakened Warriors has listed as our goals/accountability for the month.
In previous blogs, I have briefly mentioned the loss of my Dad. It’s been just over a year, and at times telling the full story can be emotionally draining. Well, this particular day, I found myself re-telling my tale. It was bittersweet. I felt some of the anger rise again, as I explained my frustration with the events leading up to my Dad’s death. Tears were spilt and even shared, as I released a large amount pent up grief onto the table. I wasn’t sad, but in a daze. Later that night, after dinner our squad had a time of worship. We are blessed to have 4 teams in Quito this month, staying in community at Casa Blanca. After worshipping in song, we took time in prayer. Gustavo (our contact host for Inca Link), came over to me, grabbed my hand and told me to stand and raise my hands. As he began praying over me, every emotion I had been holding in over the past year, suddenly released. It’s almost like shaking up a bottle of pop, and then slowly twisting the cap off. You hear the fizz, that impending explosion but it doesn’t come. When finally…it happens. All I remember is praying, “Alright, I’m ready. I want to be free. I want to have joy again. I forgive that doctor. I forgive that doctor. I FORGIVE THAT DOCTOR”. And then I lost it. I never realized how big that stronghold had become. But something was changing. At some point, more people surrounded me as I continued to cry out. There was no more holding it in. My squad leader, who I had shared with earlier just held me. The introvert in me was thinking, “oh no, I’m one of those people who wail!” But let me tell you something: I have never felt so much joy, even more than at training camp. That forgiveness for the first time seems genuine. Praise the Lord!
Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
WHAT DOES MINISTRY LOOK LIKE? (Below, my view from Casa Elisabeth).
We have been in Ecuador for one week, and I can’t believe how blessed we are. We are spoiled in a sense. We are fed well, we have beds to sleep in, and there’s even showers which are somewhat warm, if timed right. This month my team is ministering in multiple sites.
In Casa Elisabeth we have moved roof tiles, weeded to start a garden, taken care of dead lice, held and loved on beautiful babies, as well as encouraged their mothers. What do I see in these young mothers? I see potential. As I sat in the grass outside, watching these young ladies painting, I see talent. I hear joy in their laughter. But I also sense it is somewhat strained at times.
I never imagined the amount of dishes I’ve washed, would add up to hours of work all within the first week. A few of us spent one day doing this, and also painted columns on the front of a building at the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Quito.
One incredible moment occurred after working in the church of one of our contacts, Pastor Roberto. We spent the day painting the church’s kitchen. As the day ended, Pastor Roberto graciously gave us a ride back to our neighborhood. On the way, he asked what our church backgrounds. At one point I mentioned, “Yo fui a una Universidad nazareno”. (I went to a Nazarene university). Pastor Roberto’s church is Nazarene. He replied, “Si? Cual?” (Yes, which one?) So I proceeded to tell him I went to Olivet Nazarene University. His face lit up as soon as I mentioned it. He told me that he has a friend who teaches at Olivet. As soon as he told me who it was, I knew exactly whom he was talking about. Profe Canales, my advanced conversation prof. Who would have thought in a city the size of Quito, that I could find someone who knows a professor from tiny Olivet in northern Illinois? What a small world!
Once again, muchas gracias por sus oraciones. (Thank you very much for your prayers).
SOME IMPORTANT INFO FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS:
At the top of my blog you may notice my support is 99%. Praise God! For those who have been giving monthly donations, once I have reached my goal, your donations will go to a general fund for World Race. Also, if you only want funds to go towards me, you will need to contact Adventures in Missions to stop transactions once I’ve reached my goal. (I will do my best to keep you informed when that is!) However, I would also encourage you to prayerfully consider supporting one of my teammates or squad-mates who have yet to meet their goals.
Gracias, y bendiciones a ustedes!
