home.

nap after nap on plane after plane, i remember landing in ecuador all disconcerted from a 24 hour travel day. standing in line for customs, i stared outside and was met by night’s dark veil. i had no idea what to expect really but i did know that whatever that darkness hid from my view would soon be my new home. 

 

sometime after midnight a man came to the airport and as we loaded all fifty of ourselves and our packs onto a bus, the man introduced himself as Fabi. as He explained more about himself and the city, i watched as dim street lights casted shadows over the run-down houses and stray dogs that lined the sidewalks of this foreign place.

 

as i stepped out of the bus, fumbled for my pack, and entered the gates of Casa Blanca for the first time, the newness of my surroundings made the reality of the race all the more real:

this random house, on some random street, in some random part of ecuador was where i would live, rest, eat, fellowship, and sleep for the next two months of my life. 

 

as time went on all the “first times” slowly started turning into everyday things as i adjusted to the pace of life and a set routine- 

 

as i learned all of these little intricacies and the “newness” started to wear off, i realized that this city and house was no longer just some random place, it was home. i didn’t recognize that fact for a while until after a couple weeks of ministry when i said, “hey, what time are we going home?” 

 

we: these people aren’t just randos anymore. they’re my friends. they’re the people i wake up to. they’re the people i cram onto packed buses with, work with, watch movies with, cry with, and worship with. they’re the people i do laundry for, buy food for, pray for, and go the extra mile for. because they’re not just my friends, they’re my family and that’s what families do with one another and for one another. 

 

home: a beacon of comfort and rest. a place that is run so deeply by and for love that peace and laughter fill the halls. a place where vulnerability is not only welcomed but encouraged. a place where the sound of praise bounces off the walls. a place physically, emotionally, and spiritually nourished. all for these reasons, this place? this place is home- a reminder of God’s best.

 

there is no place safer or sweeter than His good and perfect will-

no better place to call home than where He has planted my feet.

one thing God has really taught me since arriving in ecuador is that 

home isn’t necessarily a single place;

rather, home is wherever He has called me and right now, 

in this season, 

i’m in ecuador:

home.

because this is where He has led me.

 

–

 

i have one more week here in ecuador before heading to peru! time has flown so quickly and it’ll be hard leaving the culture and the people i have fallen so in love with here. prayers for my squad to finish up our last week of ministry with strength, joy, and perseverance are much appreciated! 

 

love y’all!

-shek