Today marks one week of living in Ecuador. Seven days of living in a foreign country. Seven days of speaking broken Spanish in hopes to get around. Seven days of growth and change. Seven days seeing how the Lord is good all the time and everywhere.
This week has been filled with learning opportunities.
I have learned how to use the public bus system to get to ministry. Bus rides only cost 25 cents and you can get practically anywhere.
I have learned how to take four minute showers and how to wash dishes effectively with one bucket of water for cleaning.
I have learned that after 3 years of Spanish classes, I still don’t know enough and that little kids WILL laugh when I say something wrong.
I have learned that when they say you get sunburnt easily near the equator, they are not lying. Sunscreen is a must.
I have learned a whole lot about myself and God as well.
Here’s what the Lord has shown me about HIM during my first week in Ecuador:
- I thought that I am not good enough to be serving and that I will never live up to the expectation I THINK God has of me.
God is teaching me that I am MORE than enough. He has constantly equipped me and has shown me that even if I don’t know the way, HE will guide me through because He has chosen me for such a time as this.
- I thought that I couldn’t hear Gods voice like everyone else. I thought everyone around me was progressing in their walk and understanding of Him and that I would never reach that level.
God is teaching me that His voice isn’t the same for everyone. He says that His voice isn’t always an “AHA” moment. He is teaching me that when I ask, He will listen. His sound is sweet and soft and will always reach me, even when I don’t recognize His voice.
- I thought the language barrier would be too rough and that I would never be able to serve His Kingdom in the right way because of miscommunication.
God is showing me that love truly knows no language. Kids will laugh, and adults will give confused faces, but acts of love and service are always recognized the same. No language barrier could keep God’s love from reaching His people.
- I thought that I would constantly feel alone and not know how to interact with the people on my squad.
God is showing me His truth about community. He has surrounded me with the best people to learn with and grow relationships with. He is teaching me that my loneliness isn’t a result of His absence, but my failure to recognize Him through the community he has given me.
- I thought that He wouldn’t change me. That I would still be stagnant in my walk with Him, not knowing how to take the next step forward.
God is teaching me that relationships with Him don’t always move at sprint speed. Regardless if I feel it or not, He is still changing me. He is still making me new. Walking is okay, as long as we are still moving forward.
- I thought that I would want to go home.
God is teaching me that home isn’t necessarily just a place of residing. He is teaching me that I have a home and a family here in His love. Home is whenever I’m with Him.
Thanks God for constantly declaring Your truths over my life when I get in the space of my own head.
Thanks for showing me that You are working in my life, always.
God, I choose to be new.
I choose for You to make me new.
