Its been two weeks here in Quito, Ecuador. I’ve already seen and experienced so much. I’ve gotten lost, I’ve ate weird food, I’ve fell in the mud, played in puddles, made new friends, gotten a lot of weird looks, found some puppies, fell off a waterfall, jumped off cliffs, swam in a jungle river figured some truths out about myself and seen God work in some crazy ways. And this is only the beginning.
My team and I were assigned to a ministry called Remar. Remar is a Christian organization that helps families get back on their feet. They house families that are struggling and provide jobs for them as well as feed them physically and spiritually. Our job at Remar is simple. Do what needs done. This past week we did a lot of cleaning, sweeping, mopping, and scrubbing amongst other things. At times it was boring and mundane but we found joy in the little things like quick dance parties and attempting to speak Spanish. They also had us paint a couple rooms that so desperately needed it as well as part of the kids play ground. When we were letting paint dry or done cleaning we would occupy anywhere from 15-25 of the kids staying at Remar. Oh man… I really thought I was going to die of cuteness overload a couple times.
One of the biggest things I have learned thus far is that ministry doesn’t stop. At times it feels like I am working a job from 10-5. But then I realize where I’m at and everything it took to get here. God placed me right here right now in this moment. I am meant to be right here. Ministry is not something I am doing from 10-5, five days a week. Ministry is a way to live. We as Christians are called to do three basic things, love God, love people and make disciples. It sounds easy. That is our Mission. Yet living missionaly is not easy, you are never off the clock. You are constantly looking for opportunities to further the kingdom. With that being said, after a full day of painting or cleaning it is very hard to look for these opportunities and I am guilty of simply shutting down when I feel the day is over and I’m exhausted. Though God doesn’t care if I’m tired. He still works through me and uses me whether I’m on the clock or not.
So many exciting things have happened to me and around me I can’t fit them all in one blog. This is only a broad summary of my time here in Quito so far and I’m glad I can share a little bit of with you. Please be praying for me as well as the people I encounter along the way. Thank you for all the support!
