One month ago, I was sitting in a hostel in Colombia and the Lord put it on my heart one morning to pray for my next home. I know this was Him because it was a far greater idea than I could come up with on my own. Ha, isn’t it funny how that’s how it usually works. We credit ourselves with the grand ideas when it simply isn’t us at all? Anyways, I took the morning to pray into the next month of my life and all that it would hold. After spending time in the word, and chit chatting with the Father about Ecuador, I wrote my soon-to-be home a letter. this is what I wrote-
Dear Ecuador, 10.5.17
Here’s my prayer for you. That the Lord would go before us, into you. That you would be light, totally lacking the feeling of weight or heaviness. That you would bear fruit- big or small. That you would be a place we love so well, and so deep, that it breaks our hearts to go. That you would be filed to the brim with discipleship and growth. That we would pour out all that we have for the glory of our creator. And that you would leave us in awe, and ready for so much more.
See you soon.
xoxo,
gven.
After calling this place home for a month, I can say for certain all of my prayers have been heard and met. My dreams and hopes for this country have been surpassed. He is good like that. He always gives us more than we deserve doesn’t he? It has been so evident that the Lord truly did breathe life into this country before we even stepped foot on the soil. That He prepped the ministry’s and hearts we would encounter to crave knowledge and a deeper understanding of who He is. The feeling of heaviness is nonexistent here. It’s pure joy, and pure light. Even in the tough stuff, He speaks so much peace and contentment into it, that we can’t help but feel like we’re walking on clouds. It’s truly dreamy here. Oh and don’t even get me started on how much fruit has been produced this month. Our team has grown to have this deep deep love and appreciation for one another. The staff at Camp Hope has been so receptive to our bold prayers of healing that one of the teachers asked to do it as a normality in the morning. We as humble servants are finally starting to walk confidently in the prophecies that were spoken over us at the start of this wild journey. That we would be able to preform healing and miracles. And even if we don’t see the immediate fruit of those big bold prayers, that the Lord hears them and will allow them to come to pass in His perfect timing. In the answered prayers, and the ones that are currently unanswered, He is good. So unimaginable good. The Lord has heard our prayers of restoration over the minds and bodies of our sweet new friends at Camp Hope, and has answered quite a few.
One of our smaller friends named Irene has smiths syndrome and a semi-severe case of bi-polar disorder. She was not a student I had in my class, and subconsciously I think I was okay with that. While I do work with the kids who have the most serve disabilities, there was something unsettling about not being able to control or comfort this little one. So, I avoided it. And when you avoid moments of growth, the Lord often thrusts you head first into said moments. And so, He did just that with me and little Irene. I walked into her class just to grab something and leave. And before I got 4 steps into the class, Martha (the teacher) handed me Irene and sent me on my way to the park with her. I was way out of my comfort zone, so I simply asked Jesus for smooth sailing. For her to have a spirit of gentleness and peace. And that for just 15 minutes she would get to be an 5 year old kid. And man did He come through in full force. For 30 minutes, me and Irene played and laughed and smiled without one flare up of any disabilities she currently lives with. While she isn’t fully healed, or free completely of her bi-polar disorder, she got to be a kid. And I got to see Jesus give us both the sweetest gift- of joy. Thank you Jesus and Irene for giving me the happiest 30 minutes of my life.
I have loved with every ounce of my being here. And while it is absolutely heart shattering to say goodbye, He has blessed my love. He has told me that I’m not saying goodbye to Camp Home, But a small see you later. He has swung the door in my heart for special needs wide open. Words simply are not an efficient enough tool to convey to you the abounding admiration and compassion I have for my special new friends. I see Jesus all over them. I see Jesus all over Quito, Ecuador. I may be saying goodbye to this sweet home of mine sooner than I wish, But I am ready for more. And the Lord has so much in store for Thailand. I feel it in my bones. I am leaving in complete awe of this month and who our creator is. And now I’m ready for so much more.
Ecuador, you were a dream.
Thailand, See you soon.
p.s.- please keep my team + squad in constant prayer over the next week as we have a grueling 6 days of travel to make it to Asia.
p.s.s- I am still not fully funded and have a little over $3,000. And would love for you to be a part of what the Lord is so evidently doing through me and my team the following 7 months. He is going to do wildly big things through us to advance the kingdom. And I simply cannot do this without your help. Thank you in Advance for all you will give. And all of you who have given. Your generosity blows me away and I truly can’t explain to you the love I feel knowing you all support me and the call the Lord has placed on my life. I don’t deserve you all but man am I thankful.
