After a night sleeping in the airport, 2 plane rides, and a 7 hour car ride through the mountains (should have been 5 hours, but due to car issues we were delayed) we arrived in Lago Agrio, Ecuador. I groggily stepped out of the car, and immediately felt the stickiness of humidity on my skin and smelled a freshness mixed with some delicious spices left over from the evening meals. As I threw my stocking cap and fleece aside, I thought to myself, “We’re really here!”
In Lago Agrio (often just called Lago or the 2 words slurred together), we live with Pastor Sixtos, his wife Sara, and their son John (pronounced Joh-an). We arrived Saturday night, and Pastor immediately asked us to participate in the Sunday morning church services. Emily spoke during one of the Sunday school classes, Nancy and Emily played games with the children during Sunday school, Pastor introduced Alicia and me to the church on stage with a few get-to-know-you questions, and Rose and Alyssa became our official team translators. That was just day one!
In just a week, I’ve already experienced so many firsts.
- Played basketball in the park and actually had fun
- Shared my first teaching in front of a small community church
- Ate so many plantains I thought I might get sick
- Joined our hosts on home visits to share the Word, and watched as God softened hearts and brought hope to the lives of those we met
- Swam in 3 different Amazon rivers (some of the team got eaten up by bugs, so please pray for quick healing and soothing for their itchy skin)
- Let 2 monkey’s fight for territory on top of my head
- Used hand gestures and broken Spanish to communicate, and actually made sense
In the last week, Pastor’s taught us the importance of building relationships. I’ve learned that I don’t need to speak the same language because it’s enough to see Christ in the people I’ve met. Heart to heart and smile to smile, God’s showing His love for me through the people here in Ecuador.
Pastor’s taught us that our stories matter, and we’re called to share what God is doing in our lives so we can encourage other believers. In the next week, we’ll travel around the Amazon region of Ecuador and visit many of the small churches that Pastor helped develop. Each place, several of us will share a teaching or Word of encouragement. Also, Alyssa and I will also teach a few English classes at John’s school. We’re really excited to be in the classroom again, and experience the rhythm of an Ecuadorian school!
Please pray with me that God inspires each of us as we speak in church. That He speaks through us and His Word falls on fertile soil. That we’re bold, yet meek. That we’re courageous, yet gentle. That we’re enthusiastic, yet approachable. That in all we do, we walk in love.
Love, Love, Love
Kate
