My first journey traveling cross country started with a seven hour bus ride amidst beautiful, breath-taking mountains towering tall and proud against the bright blue skies full of the deepest and brightest shades of green. The views of waterfalls running freely throughout the mountains were refreshing and the rushing rivers a seasoned whitewater kayaker’s dream. I found myself in awe of the natural beauty that I was surrounded by and reflecting on how majestic and extravagant my God must be. This was my first experience traveling alone overseas and the Lord gave me such peace. I enjoyed soaking in the Lord’s presence, listening to Jason Upton and praying over team Collision on the way to my destination.
Before I left for Lago Agrio, a small town just a few miles from the Colombian border, I spoke with some local missionaries to find out some details about the location and ministry. They told me that it would be so good for our teams to be there, because few teams are willing to travel to that area due to safety concerns and lack of accommodations. He went on to tell me that the local Pastors were in desperate need of encouragement. Solamente encouragement. This reminded me of Paul’s journeys and how he traveled to different locations to encourage the church.
With things back to normal, Paul called the disciples together and encouraged them to keep up the good work in Ephesus. Then, saying his good-byes, he left for Macedonia. Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope. Acts 20:1
I spent about five days in Lago Agrio encouraging the team, praying over them, and speaking life. While I was there, the team helped prepare for a youth worship concert, painted at the church and shared their testimonies and hearts in church services and small group meetings. We even got to visit families and house churches and encourage them in the Word and through prayer. As I sat there, I reflected on how blessed I am to be a daughter of the Most High. Blessed to be surrounded by other believers on another continent, sharing their God stories in a different tongue. God is stirring something up within me about worship and prayer in different tongues, languages, and cultures. There is such a beauty in diversity. I find myself saying yes to it not being the way I always thought it had to be.
On the way back to Quito, I traveled with an adorable missionary couple from Mexico and Nicaragua. I was so thankful to have traveling companions. We made it about an hour out of Lago Agrio and one of the missionaries, Ignacio, tells me to grab my bags and my passport. Passport?? I didn’t bring my passport because we had a previous robbery incident on the same bus route and I was told a copy would be sufficient. He continued to ask me if it was notarized, a color copy, or if I had another form of ID. Of course, all of my answers were no! We were stopped at a military checkpoint where we were going to be searched. Lago Agrio is along the Colombian border so it’s not uncommon to be searched for drugs, small weapons, and explosives. I asked what I should do and he said, “Now is a good time to pray.” “Oh man,” I thought “what am I getting myself into?” And so, I started praying…fervently!!
The locals went through one line while we had to go through another. Ignacio and his wife, Meline went ahead of me. I was up next with only my crumbled up black and white passport copy and suddenly our bus started to drive away!! Meline and I made eye contact and started yelling after the bus. The man checking my “passport” started yelling at the other military personnel to try to stop the bus and waved us through to catch up with our bus. We ran after the bus, jumped on, and Ignacio said that God was definitely looking after me. I made it through!!!
He continued to tell me that the government started cracking down on passports and had even questioned their actual passports on previous trips. Let me remind you, I ONLY HAD A COPY! He said they knew of people who were sent to jail because they did not provide their passport and spent a few days there until the issue was resolved! I was praising God at this point that my life was spared from being imprisoned overseas! Our God is faithful!! I was so blessed that night with a warm bed and homey place to stay. The Lord loved on me that night and reassured me that no weapon formed against me would prosper! He’s got me under His wings. Gloria a Dios!!
