I am the queen of putting God in a box. In my small human brain I think “The only way to be the Lord’s hands and feet is to evangelize”. In an Ecuador shut down because of Covid this is easier said than done. In response the Lord has taught me that the only way to be His hands and feet is to trust Him day in and day out.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make paths straight.”
In His word the Lord tells us to trust Him, and in response He will make our paths straight. Therefore- life walking alongside the Lord is kingdom and kingdom is life.
My squad and I ask this woman if we can use her restroom near the park we visited on adventure day, raiding her mini table of snacks sold outside her home. She was as kind as can be, patiently listening to our requests despite the language barrier. 25 of us standing there with smiling faces thanking her. I left with a pack of amos vanilla wafer cookies, not giving it a second thought. We got into the bus heading back to El Refugio and it struck me that this could have been her first sales in weeks. A masked up Ecuador’s economy isn’t doing the greatest. People have been out of work for months. By just sharing a smile with this woman and buying out her table of snacks was kingdom living.
The reality of a Covid World Race is worn jeans and working books. Its sun burns and cramped sore legs from working on a blistering hot roof for 8 hours a day. It is faces coated in dirt and all sorts of general ailments from dehydration to parasites, accompanied by many, many trips to the bathroom.
It is also building a roof that would take 4 men months- but us 13 women 3 weeks, encouraging the local hard workers we work alongside everyday, writing the cooks encouraging notes, praying for the staff here. It is praying for the man who herds llamas at the park on adventure day. It is living out the kingdom in our day to day lives through exhaustion.
I watched a sermon recently that a pastor quoted “don’t let your suffering for doing good impede God’s faithfulness”. This hit home- being a follower of Jesus may not always sunshine and rainbows. Suffering is intended to bring us close to the Lord’s heart, clinging to Him as our strength.
Although the world seems to stop due to Covid, we serve a God who is eternal, who’s kingdom never stops. It is an honor to be a part of the kingdom of a God who prevails through a global pandemic.
PHOTO DUMP
A literal fever dream of 30 llamas wandering around the park.
Roofing in the rain. LOL.
Hand making beautiful ponchos and quilts.
The roof 3 weeks ago….
Elina and I painting the finished roof today!
I am SO incredibly humbled and thankful for each and every one of your prayers and support. Please reach out and let me know if I can be praying for any of you individually. JESUS ADORES YOU
Blessings and Love,
Viv
