The first few days here in Ecuador have been long, sweet and a little on the colder side. We flew out of Atlanta last Wednesday and jumped right into ministry on Thursday! For the next three months my team and I will be working with an organization called COVI in Quito, Ecuador. COVI is basically an after and before school program for at risk kids. They can come hangout, eat a meal and get help with homework. Ecuadorian school is a little different in that half the kids go to school in the morning, and the other half in the afternoon. Mornings are slow and mainly spent in the kitchen helping prepare lunch for the children. Afternoons are spent playing and attempting to help the kids with their homework. This first month is all squad month so I am currently living with around 55 other people in Casa Blanca. After this first month most of the teams will leave and it will only be about 20 other people for the rest of my time in Ecuador.
Not being able to communicate with the kids (or really anyone) is super discouraging at times. I don’t even have that basic Spanish down where I can kind of have a conversation. It is really easy to feel useless and helpless a majority of my day. It is frustrating to not be able to communicate for not only me, but also the people around me. God is showing me how many different ways we can show and receive love that has nothing to do with our voices. It can be helping chop carrots, moping the floor or just dancing like a fool. This is not my first time learning this lesson, and it probably won’t be the last. Love is not bound by the human voice my friends.
God has been so good and so present, but distant all at the same time. Before we left for the race someone said that you can go the entire world race and miss God. I did not believe that, but after only a week I know it is very very possible. You still have to decide to follow, trust and pursue a relationship with Jesus. Being away from home and responsibility does in a way force vulnerability but it doesn’t give you this automatic relationship. I still have to be intentional about reading my bible and seeking Jesus in every situation.
Being away from home is HARD. I doubt I’ll ever stop missing home and my family, but I am praying against homesickness consuming me. It’s a little miserable to know I won’t be there for my sisters graduation or my first Christmas with three brothers. But hey, I’ll survive.
I am still in need of around $3,000 by January so if you feel called, please consider donating to my trip!
So much love to everyone!!!!!
Linds
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