Just wanted to share with you the just SOME of the kids who have since STOLEN our hearts here in Ecuador! Enjoy the pictures and remember that God loves the little children of the world and so do we!
Above: This is Jacob, he is our host mom's son, who is 10 months old.
Seriously, if these smiles don't make you happy, I don't know what will!
We are doing really well in El Carmen! It is fun to have friends in the neighborhood as we walk places for ministry! I love the feeling of community we have felt since being here. It is sad to think we only have three days left here before we head to Peru for our MONTH 2 of ministry! I currently do not know where we will be in Peru or if we will have internet access, but as soon as I know, I will tell you.
On a random note, I want to thank everyone for all their encouraging comments on this blog and on facebook. Encouragement from home keeps us going when we are hot, tired, and missing our families. Please feel free to continue to comment and share your life with us. We want to pray for you. We want to encourage you. We want to keep you as close to our hearts as we can on this journey!
If you are looking for a great devotional, check out "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. This morning as a team we read about weakness. We are all weak and yet we cannot compare ourselves to those we think are strong.
I know as we have gone about this journey, so many have said that this is something they could never do…but I am here to tell you, I thought those SAME THINGS about myself as we felt the call to do this mission trip. I want to encourage you to live your life, to follow the opportunities, to hear the whisper of God in your lives as you discover the path and the adventure that the Lord wants to bless you with. I know it looks different for everyone, but be encouraged by the words from Jesus Calling. Read them as Christ is speaking to you….
"Come to Me when you are weak and weary. Rest snugly in My everlasting arms. I do not despise your weakness, my child. Actually it draws me closer to you, because weakness stirs up My compassions- My yearning to help. Accept yourself in your weariness, knowing that I understand how difficult your journey has been. Do not compare yourself with others, who seem to skip along their life-paths with ease. Their journeys have been different from yours, and I have gifted you with fragility, providing opportunities for your spirit to blossom in My Presence. Accept this gift as a sacred treasure; delicate, yet glowing with brilliant Light. Rather than struggling to disguise or deny your weakness, allow me to bless you richly through it."
