Sometimes when you are going through life, a person is going to have mountain top experience and times where you may be in a slump. At this point in my life, I feel like I am at the top of my climb. Going to Lake Quilotoa, the view over looking the turquoise lake at the peak of mountain is amazing and instantly there is no question of taking the steep walk down to see its beauty. Once you are down there you are now looking back up and  questioning if you could have just enjoyed its beauty from the top because the walk up is steep and difficult. I feel like that is life many times. Questioning what I should do and how things will benefit me. God is teaching me that it is not about me and that doing the journey with Him and others is what makes you stronger. Physically you been stretched, but spiritually, mentally, and emotionally is where the Lord and the encouragement of others pushed you back up that mountain.
I know this picture has been my story. Ecuador has taken me on a spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional journey. Whether it is ministry, team, relationships with others, or the relationship Jesus….I have been stretched to love and get personal with people.
Spiritually everything has been high because God has been stretching me to be  fall at His feet in times of needs.  I think that is when you are becoming close to the Lord, He allows Himself to get real personal and get down to things that no person wants others to see. I tend to want to do things on my own, take care of me because I feel like I am strong enough to do it. But God has been teaching me that I am not strong enough and that it takes Him and community to push further. Many times I can say that I am dealing with a situation and take it to the Lord. Allowing God to do work but having people know what you are going through and praying for you is awesome. I feel like with much work, team favoured has become one that seeks to build each other and allow for each one of us to get out of the comfort zone and get stretched. God showed me some verses in Ephesians that speak about being children of light and how to be that can better the community if you are seeking to better the people around you, even if it is tough and annoying. (Ephesians 4:17-5:21)
Mentally, God has been making just not think too much and just live. Know that I am walking as a daughter of Him and that I am seeking after His heart so do not second myself. I know there are times you may to take it to the Lord, but living in the moment and knowing that this is where I am supposed to be and what I am doing. Being in Ecuador at Hogar para Sus Ninos, nothing has been more exciting then hanging out with these kids and having the chance to love on children that do not have a family. They run such an amazing program here that knowing these kids get the best is unquestionable, but being able to just love on these kids and hear their stories has changed my heart and my outlook to the impact and opportunity we are given to change lives!
Emotionally, I have cried, laughed, and experienced great annoyance with being in a new community. I think God test the waters many times and just wants to see how you will react to others. The greatest commandment of Jesus is love. Many times I have to remember that I have to love others and that will overcome everything else. I have cried due to life changing moments for the kingdom but also just listening to stories and having a heart of compassion to others. Laughter is just a reoccurring thing with team favoured. I live with the funniest people who are full of life and live in the moment. They put a smile on my face and the constant laughter is always there. Also, the kids and me have story after story of how they make me laugh! They are so funny and put a smile on your face instantaneously.Â
Physically, well, I am at about 10,000 feet above sea level so learning how to breathe would be the first thing. The sun is hot here…even if the temperature is in the 50s. Long days with the kids and then long team debriefs causes us to just be tired. I know I was not loving the whole idea of taking sabbath and not doing anything, but I am starting to enjoy the peacefulness and allowing myself to just breathe and think of things that the Lord is doing in my life. I have been sick about 5 days of the time being here. I am not sure what my body is telling me, but I was at the point of bed rest and God told me no more. Kind of weird because I do not get sick that often in US!
So as you can see, God has been showing up. I feel like I am so high in life and thankful for this opportunity to do life with Jesus, my team, and the ministries He has set before us. In a ll aspects, I have such love and peace moving forward. Though goodbyes tonight will be sad, friendships were made and lives have been touched! Thankful to the Lord that our first stop we were treated so favoured. We practically lived in a mansion and my expectations were not high for this trip when it comes to living conditions! 🙂 I believe that I have had this mountain top experience because I seek Jesus and now He is pursuing me….Ecuador was just the beginning and I cannot wait to see where the Lord takes me and my team this next year!
