Hello from Quito, Ecuador!!!!!!!! (below is a picture with a statue I know not the reason or meaning of) Photo creds: Bradley Newton (you should check his Instagram out)
Forgive me for the ridiculous period ofnot writing to anyone for so long, as it has been a hectic time trying to get things written, finding wifi, and having the time to write what I want to.
I did indeed write a blog about Malawi and I plan to post a few (as they are already written but I have not direct access to them at the moment …for reasons) But alas, I am in Ecuador, and so I will write about my time so far and what the Lord has shown me thus far. Also my laptop is wrecked, so writing has been a bit difficult.
I have been in Quito for about two weeks now, and this after having a hectic flight plan from Malawi… We had a domestic flight in Malawi, then flew to J-burg, South Africa and had a day of fun there, and soon off to Brazil for a couple hours, and then to Lima, Peru for a small time, and then finally into Quito…so lots of flights and waitings… Oh and I had Starbucks for the first time in awhile in South Africa, so that’s a plus.
So then we got to Ecuador and had three days of this thing called The Awakening, where my squad, the gap L squad, and the 11 in 11 Fusion squad, met together and spent time in fellowship, discipleship, worship, and fun times. During that time I had the pleasure of enjoying the company of different people other than my own, and comparing the trips we have been on in the past seven months. The 11 in 11 was actually only on month 3 for that time, so it was interesting to talk to racers so early on the race as we are almost to our finish…unfortunately.
What I will say about The Awakening: it was a spiritual roundhouse kick to the heart and mind. Only then did I realize how I have been struggling to keep God as my center, my comforter in things, my joy, and my mission, for whence on the field it is so easy to get lost in the ministry of things, adventures, banter and community living that God can be just one of the things we have to do on the race. I’ll pray, read my bible, do the World Race things, but did I actually have any heart in it? Does my prayer actually come to a point where I know fully that I am before The Lord, the same Lord who created all, brought his chosen people through trials and centuries, the same Lord who sent fire down from heavens in the testing of his legitimacy. (I have been going through the Old Testament for a while now haha)
The Awakening showed me why I was on the race to begin with. To give all glory to my God, to love his people, to proclaim the gospel, and to love, trust, and obey him truly. Why, when was the last time I actually listened to The Lord for his command, for his ways, and when was the last time I solely relied on the Rock, for so often have I been grappling for sand, that, which is my own devices. I spent the days of Awakening reestablishing my connection with The Lord, as I have been making it a goal to sit in his presence as much as I can, mornings and nights, and over the course of time, it is clear to me that my intimacy with Him has increased more than I’d imagine.
My encouragement to you: The Lord wants you, and desires to have such a beautiful relationship, for we are his bride. When we seek obedience in Him, not because we have to for salvation, but because we love him, then truly beautiful things will happen in the forthcoming of righteousness.
Now…Ministry!
I am currently serving the Inca Link organization here in Quito, and living with the whole squad, but not working altogether. My team, the all guys team, had the privilege of house flipping one of the houses on the Inca Link land, as I truly felt like we should’ve been on HGTV or something. The house we worked on was a house for new mothers who had no where to stay at the time, sorta a haven for them, and it was our mission to fix it up before they came to move in. Hard work pays off, and it was neat to work with the Lord behind our strength, for there were some unwanted moments while in construction and digging and cleaning, but the Lord got us through it, and truly we saw the blessing it was as the mothers moved in to their clean and nicely furnished home. Thanks mother, your all-day cleaning days finally served a purpose for me (:
And then for the next week, we spent the whole week digging a 10 foot trench at Inca Link, and lemme tell you that has been a back breaker with shoveling and carrying and all. I suppose I understand why my dad always demanded a back massage after a day or so of yard work! I still have another week of that before PVT.
My ministry hosts names are Mabe and Fabi, and they really are a blessing to our squad. Mabe has been like a mother to me since arrival, telling me how to clean, wash dishes, why I shouldn’t get married quickly, what a good wife wants from a man…classic mother things. Comical, yes, but she has an abundance of wisdom, and I am blessed. Fabi on the other hand has been working us like dogs, but also has created such a pleasant atmosphere for his home, as he talks much about the importance of stewardship in a Christian’s life, and how that honors God. Along with wisdom and love of God, he also is a good laugh, as he has a strange personality one might say, but it is so enchanting and I look forward to getting to know him better. They are wonderful ministry hosts and I am so so thankful for their love and hospitality.
PVT (parent vision trip) is on the way in a week or something, and I am so excited to see my mom and dad again, as it has been a whopping long seven or so months since I’ve seen them in person. I hope to have a grand time with them and share with them in person what the Lord has been doing thus far, though it will be so hard to say goodbye to them once again, as I really hate goodbyes, and I can’t say its been getting easier with the missing of home as the time goes on.
Some other things: right now I am reading through the Old Testament and currently on the book of Joshua (what a guy!) so if anyone wants to read through that with me feel free to, as I make it my goal to finish the Bible before arrival at home (I read fast!) If you could pray for my trust in the Lord in my life and my intimacy with Him, that too would be awesome. Also pray for my team, their dynamic and love for one another, as we are doing fantastic now, but still, prayers are so so good. Pray for our ministry, as we are all so so tired, and need strength aside from our own. Pray for Bradly and I as we are about to hike Pichincha mountain tomorrow, and just that nothing bad happens. Prayers for my squad as a whole and their ministries. Pray that I remain, or strive, to be frugal with funds, as they are dwindling at a pace I don’t love. Pray for my humility and pride, as that’s a real issue always, though I have grown in it much since arrival. I think that’s about it, and I hope to post my Malawi blogs when I can!!!
Oh, and of course, pray for the city of Quito, that they will have listening hearts to the message and love we bring. It is dark here, but the Lord is a light in the shadow. It’s a great city, but the people need the Lord!
Thank you so much for reading, and I pray to talk once again when I get time an wifi!….and a laptop whenever that comes.
Much love, and grace and peace to you from our Lord,
Garrett Stoecker
