Be imitators of God, therefore, as
dearly loved children and live a life of LOVE just as Christ loved us and gave
himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1
dearly loved children and live a life of LOVE just as Christ loved us and gave
himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1
On our recent four night trip to a small village called
Valle del Sade (VDS) I met two people who are great examples of “imitators of
God, living a life of love for God.”
Valle del Sade (VDS) I met two people who are great examples of “imitators of
God, living a life of love for God.”
Ricardo, or Richard, drove to El Carmen with another WorldRace team of seven, the Lamplighters, who’ve been assigned to Portoviejo,
Ecuador this month. Richard works for the church in Portoviejo and joined us on
our trip to VDS to help with the construction project there.
Although a 40-something tough, hardworking
man,
his carefree demeanor is like that of a child. Not jaded by the “world”, he joyfully lives
off the peace and hope of God’s love for His people.
As the leader of the construction project,
Richard was determined to finish the roof for the
church in the four days we were
there.
He woke up early, worked all day,
and skipped meals to get as much done as possible.
Even after each long day of work in the heat,
humidity and sometimes rain, he was the most excited, energetic and engaged at
our evening church services. The world
needs more people like Richard.
Pastor Christhina, was our tireless hostess. 
She certainly had the gift of hospitality, housing
and feeding 18 of us for four nights. Which is not an easy task, given the
limited resources in VDS. Along with a
couple other women in the community, Christhina would come over early to make
us breakfast in the extremely simple kitchen at the church.
As soon as we finished eating she and the hermanas
(sisters) would begin cooking the next meal.
And I’m not talking Easy Mac, although I’m sure many would have
preferred that over the mounds of white rice we got with every, yes every,
meal.
I’m talking complex meals that required going into the jungle to find yucca, coconut and banana’s (platinos),
and then shredding or pureeing them by hand. Like Richard, she was always working joyfully with a smile and a
positive attitude, excited each night to lead the church service and pour love
into the people of her community.
She certainly had the gift of hospitality, housingand feeding 18 of us for four nights. Which is not an easy task, given the
limited resources in VDS. Along with a
couple other women in the community, Christhina would come over early to make
us breakfast in the extremely simple kitchen at the church.
As soon as we finished eating she and the hermanas(sisters) would begin cooking the next meal.
And I’m not talking Easy Mac, although I’m sure many would have
preferred that over the mounds of white rice we got with every, yes every,
meal.
I’m talking complex meals that required going into the jungle to find yucca, coconut and banana’s (platinos),and then shredding or pureeing them by hand. Like Richard, she was always working joyfully with a smile and a
positive attitude, excited each night to lead the church service and pour love
into the people of her community.
In reflecting on my time here in Ecuador, I’m able to look
past the frustration at times of having to many people and not enough work,
especially in VDS and be grateful for the opportunity to be an observer of how
God is working to redeem the lives of the people throughout Ecuador. It is only month one and God is already revealing
through those that “know” Him, a hope for the future; that even with all the
atrocities (hunger, disease, poverty, abuse, and pain) occurring around the
globe there is good being cultivated by a tremendous amount of helping hands
harvesting HOPE for our world. I choose
joy, choose hope and will not be overwhelmed by the pain. I am willing to be an instrument and
to trust in God for He is definitely working!!
past the frustration at times of having to many people and not enough work,
especially in VDS and be grateful for the opportunity to be an observer of how
God is working to redeem the lives of the people throughout Ecuador. It is only month one and God is already revealing
through those that “know” Him, a hope for the future; that even with all the
atrocities (hunger, disease, poverty, abuse, and pain) occurring around the
globe there is good being cultivated by a tremendous amount of helping hands
harvesting HOPE for our world. I choose
joy, choose hope and will not be overwhelmed by the pain. I am willing to be an instrument and
to trust in God for He is definitely working!!
Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable, -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about
such things. Philippians 4:8
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable, -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about
such things. Philippians 4:8
