I’ve been struggling with what to blog about. For someone who enjoys writing, you’d think I’d be better at writing. It’s been a couple days over a week since our squad was together at our first debrief in Baños Ecuador. At debrief we spent more time together as a family, worship together and going on adventures. We went out to a waterfall in the mountains and I got to stand under it. We went up to giant swings that fly out over the side of the mountain. I learned abandonment when crossing a log over a pond… I fell off. But I made it across the second time without trying to use the rope. We went white water rafting and sat in natural spring pools. One of the pools was freezing and another was around 110 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit which felt like I was cooking.
We met an amazing family in Baños who we got to have dinner with. Which was Jambalaya. Yum! And we had worship with them. I pray that God blesses them and he accomplishes all the plans they have in Baños for God glory.
One of the lessons I have learned was something one of my teammates said to me. Come to the River, that is Jesus. Release your stuff into that river and draw out life, draw out who I am in Jesus, draw out rest and peace and all he has for me. I need to go to that river more often to be refreshed. Isaiah 55:1-10 helped confirmed this.
Next our teams split up again. We went Montanita to camp again. It was in the middle of festival before Lent and we were now in the middle of a party city. The saying is what happens in Montanita stays in Montanita. In the midst of the party/surfing town God showed up. While we were praying as a group, this drunk/high 20 year old came up to is. We started talking to him and we prayed for him. You could see God fall on him. He said he doesn’t usually remember what happens at festival but he won’t be able to forget this moment. Because we were different then the rest of the crowd, we attracted this person to us. Lastly, before leaving to Guayaquil we spent a day in the waves. They were about twice as tall or more than me.
In Guayaquil, we had a hard time finding lodging. After praying together and asking God for provision and free lodging, we found a place to stay for 4 days. There, we spent those days asking where God wants us. After a few closed doors, God provided us a place on a small ranch near Riobamba for 6 days FOR FREE. Now we are at an amazing location provided for free from God.
Now we will spend the next few days growing as a team, hiking to town, and meeting people.
Please pray for the Purdy family
Please pray for health in all our squad teams.
Please pray for ministry opportunities and people of peace for us to come into contact.
Please pray for our team as we continue to work together to impact people of Ecuador.
Pray for the people of Ecuador for them to see the Fullness of Jesus Christ.
