We last left off on the sandy shores of Miami, Florida. Well, goodbye heat. Goodbye sunshine. Hello Quito, Ecuador!
Leaving the storm over Miami, Florida on our way to Quito, Ecuador.
As our plane took off from American soil on Wednesday evening, a big storm was brewing. We entered into the storm cloud and hit a fair bit of turbulence. After a bit, we emerged from the rainy darkness to see sunshine. Here is where I should insert a deep spiritual connection about bringing light to a dark place…but all I could think of at this moment was, “Wow, how did someone figure out how to make this big hunk of metal stay in the air?”
I’m thankful that they did. Unlike missionaries of the past who came to Ecuador by boat, we were standing on Ecuadorian soil in 4 ½ hours. As we weaved our way through customs and baggage claim, I wasn’t super giddy with excitement nor having thoughts of What did I just do?!? I just got my bags and saddled up (meaning I strapped my pack on my back and put my backpack on the front).
On a coolness scale ranging from 1-10, I was probably like a 12 with my greasy travel face, Bermuda shorts and double backpack (keep in mind it’s winter here, so about 40 degrees. To Ecuadorians this is cold. I’m a Wisconsin girl, 40 degrees is shorts weather. Needless to say, I didn’t fit in).
I walked out the doors and whispered to myself “Bienvenidos a Ecuador…you’re really here!” There were hundreds of Ecuadorians there to welcome me- so many that they were lined up on both sides of me. Actually, they were there to greet their loved ones but it was kind of fun to pretend they were really excited to welcome a large crowd of cool gringos.
“Hey there hey…nice to meet you…mucho gusto…oh, igualmente…si, si…”
Alright, enough being goofy. But this is really how my brain thinks. There will be more to come out in the next 11 months…
In the next 12 hours, we were reunited with the rest of the W squad. I love these people! They are my family for the next year. Team Fireproof was back together again after a month apart.
Team Fireproof: Ashley, Glenn, Sam, Steven, me, Jamie
Thursday and Friday have been a time of reconnecting and refocusing. We’ve come back together as a squad and reexamined where we are- spiritually, emotionally, physically. One way we do that is through a thing called feedback. Sounds fun, right?
Though it will be tough, I’m so excited to grow through my teammates feedback this year. It’s looking at a someone, seeing the Jesus in them and calling it out. It’s 99% positive, it’s to show love for the person and to encourage them that you see more in them.
After our morning session consisting of worship and some teaching, my squad leader Cristie gave me some feedback. “Emily, I see so much potential in you but I think you’re holding back. You’re not all in…yet. I saw this in worship. It was like your feet were cemented to the floor…like you want to dance but you’re too consumed with something else- peoples approval, perhaps? Let it go. You can choose to do it now and go deeper with God for 11 months or wait for month 3 or 6 or 11. I encourage you to do it now.”
Yeah. Welcome to the World Race. I’m thankful there are people around me that love me enough to not allow me to stay where I am. They want more for me. Cristie was right on. I’m still in process but I’m letting go of my desire for control and for people’s approval.
The next time we had worship, you better believe I was back in the groove. I was dancing (If you want to know more about what dancing has meant to me, read my previous blog from Training Camp http://emilybouche.theworldrace.org/?filename=so-you-think-you-can-dance).
A teammate came up to me during worship, gave me a big hug, a said, “Emily, I’ve been watching you and laughing to myself, saying ‘She’s free. She’s free.’” Mike, a spiritual mentor on staff with AIM, came up to me after worship and tenderly took my face in his hands and said, “He likes your dancin’…”
So, there’s the past three days of my life. The deep stuff anyway. I hesitate to post it. Mostly because I want you to like me and think I’m cool, that I'm perfect and don't sin- but that’s what I’m working on, not finding my approval from what others think of me. So I posted it.
Now, a fun connection:
Over the past few years, I’ve gotten to know Rick and Nancy Simpson from my church in Wisconsin. We’ve done Bible studies together, ran fun runs at their house and Rick even taught me to flip turn in the pool! When I told them about the Race and that our route included Ecuador, they insisted I meet up with their eldest daughter Carley who lives in Quito.
Of course I would make every effort to meet up but schedules and timing don’t always match up, especially overseas. I’m so pleased to tell you that schedules and timing did work out. I just spent a lovely afternoon at Carley and Pablo’s house. I traveled by taxi with my teammate Sam to enjoy lunch and conversation, followed by a trip to the market. What a blessing! Thanks again Carley and Pablo!
I was able to meet up with Pablo and Carley Davila for lunch.
So, I’m back in the groove and enjoying connecting with God’s family all over the world. Tomorrow, I’m off to middle Earth…uh, I mean the equator. Until then-
