So, here I am. One month into this Journey. Already seeing and experiencing so much. As I write this I find myself at a loss for words so often. I could explain every detail of everyday to you or I could be very vague and broad, finding the right balance is difficult. So, ill just start typing and see where it goes.
My first month at ministry consisted of painting just about everyday. A lot of the time it seemed slow and mundane, the rest of the time it was a lot of fun. We had a language barrier the entire month so building relationships with the beautiful people who lived and worked there didn’t exactly happen the way we wanted. Though relationships were still formed. We couldn’t pour into the people through our words but instead our actions. By painting. To them we were strangers that came into their home to help however we possibly could and to them that meant so much. Sure, we couldn’t speak a lick of Spanish but we could speak to them through our actions. We can show our love and most of all God’s love to people not through words but through actions, and a lot of times it means so much more. This didn’t hit me till the end of the month. Most of the time I was tired and bored of painting but guess what I am showing these people the love of my Heavenly father through this, I am furthering the Kingdom through this and that is what matters.
So, here I am. I’m sitting in my hostel in Banós, Ecuador writing this blog. I am surrounded by breath taking mountains and waterfalls. I already promised myself I’d come back here at some point in my life because I have completely fallen in love with it. My entire squad of 50 some odd people are here for a 7 day debrief. We have sessions and time for worship where our squad leaders, mentors and coaches pour into us before we head out to our different ministries all over Ecuador. My team was assigned a ministry in Cuenca which is the third largest city in the country. Our ministry is Kingdom Life Ministries. A couple originally from New Jersey will host us and from my understanding we will be doing a very large variety of ministries. Church planting, English teaching, discipleship and a lot of relationship building. Words can’t explain how excited I am for these next two months. I know I’ll be challenged and outside my comfort zone so very often and I’m pumped.
So, here I am. I’m ready for this… at least I think I am. I am ready and willing for whatever the Lord has for me. Even if it happens to be painting, I’m ready to go at it with a full and whole heart. I’m all in.
Thank you to all who continue to pray for me and support me! You guys are the bomb. I hope all is well back home and I’m not missing out on too much. I love you guys.
