Don’t stop.

 

Month 2 in Cuenca , Ecuador taught me that my life is my ministry. 

 

I don’t have to suffer for Christ. I just have to be willing. I don’t have to save everyone , in fact I can’t – I just have to love them. 

 

But I also have to be willing to keep an open heart and keep loving, even if that means I know that saying goodbye will come later. 

 

I have to keep moving forward.  

 

This month was truly beautiful. I felt so at home. My host family loved us so well. The Ecuadorian culture is truly beautiful. It feels like you never meet a stranger , the love is overwhelming in best way of course . 

 

Our host father and mother (Bob and Lori Leek) loved our team as if we were their own. In fact we even called them mom and dad . They truly saw us , respected us with where we were at in our relationship with the Lord and loved us- so abundantly. Their love for our team reflected the Father’s love. 

 

When I think about Ecuador – I think about Love. 

I think about Lori making meals for us, taking us grocery shopping , letting us wear her dresses to dress up for a wedding , and pouring truth into us, speaking to us with grace and love. 

 

I think about Bob and how he thoroughly enjoyed getting to know his “daughters” even if it was only for one month. How he stayed up to speak to us about the word and how he challenged us in our faith- because he loves us. 

 

I think about Carol and Javi. How they opened their home to us and had us over. How they spent time with us, getting to know us. I mean from the beginning we formed an instant connection with them. Truly something special. They loved us so well- because that’s just who they are. 

 

I think about our Ecuadorian church family we had for one month while we were there. How everyone welcomed us the first Sunday with hugs and kisses. (In fact it is a part of their culture to greet everyone with a hug and a kiss , when they walk into a room). 

 

I think about the youth we got to build relationships with. The friends I made there. How each and everyone one of them impacted my life. How they desired to be seen , to be heard . How they desired relationship with our team. How they love the Lord. How they were so open with us and loved us and even invited us into their home. 

 

Man, Jesus I am just swooned. These people. Their heart . Their love not only for You but for us . Wow. 

 

Our last night there the church family we got to know prayed over our team. Our sweet host mama prayed over our team and she said “don’t stop.” That has stuck with me so much over the last 2 months. 

 

Even when this race seems like one of the hardest things I’ve ever done – don’t stop. 

 

Even when I want to throw my hands up and say “I give up God,” – don’t stop. 

 

Even when God is silent – don’t stop. 

 

Even when it hurts to love people you know you are going to say goodbye to in a few weeks – don’t stop. 

 

Don’t stop giving yourself away in ministry. 

 

Don’t stop living out what you believe. 

 

And don’t stop loving people. 

 

This month was special to me in so many more ways – just see it for yourself . 

 

Click on the link below .