Several times I've tried to write about my Ecuador trip - I even have a rough draft (that may never get posted) on my "posts" page. And yet each time I cannot seem to write precisely what I want to say about my time there. So last night the Lord gave me an idea. To write what He taught me there. Not an easy task. To tell the stories, that I can do. But to convey all the warmth that flooded my heart when He showed Himself strong - showed Himself real. Much harder.
After our return to Florida (We met there as a team and flew out together, then returned there once we were done.) one of my team leaders asked me what God had taught me while in Ecuador. My reply? Not one big thing, but so many small things all along the way. Yesterday a friend posted this verse "He maketh my
feet like hinds' feet
, and setteth me upon my high places." Psalms 18:33. That is what the Lord did for me in Ecuador - and so I want to recount those "High Places" for you because our God is faithful - He loves us ALL the time and He will never leave us or forsake us.
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To say that I was excited about this trip would be an understatement. I didn't know what to expect, and was so happy to be going. Whatever happened would be great! These feelings were running high when I had my ticket in hand (along with my teammates) at the airport. We were finally on our way!
And then we hit a little snag. One of our Team Leaders was not allowed to accompany us because of passport issues. (He recounts his side of things
here) While understandably frustrating for him, the Lord definitely used it to build team unity and trust in Him as we prayed for Micah to join us and watched God work. All day Monday as we worked with the kids we received periodic updates from our team leaders: and amazingly he got his passport that day and joined us in Ecuador late that night. What a privilege to see God working amongst us! It set a great tone for the rest of our stay.
That first week we worked in the capital city of Quito running two children's programs. One in the morning at the largest church in Quito, and one in the afternoon at a sister church in Conocoto - on the outskirts of Quito. I loved both places. Here the Lord used my lack of Spanish to teach me to rely on Him to express my heart to the kids. I felt so handicapped that first day when these adorable little kids would come up to me and rattle off a whole paragraph in Spanish. And I SO wanted to understand and talk with them, but that was not going to happen. As the week progressed, I picked up phrases and words to use, but also found the Lord growing me - showing me other ways to express His love to these kids.
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| Monday Morning |
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| Monday Afternoon |
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| Tuesday Morning |
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| Tuesday Afternoon |
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| Wednesday Morning |
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| Thursday Afternoon |
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| Friday Morning |
By Wednesday morning, I knew that I'd come to the end of myself. Only two days and ready to throw in the towel? No, I just knew that I was relying on
my experience,
my knowledge,
my training. And it wasn't working. I needed Him more than anything else. Letting go of me, and holding firmly to Him was my prayer that morning as I knelt in my room and gave up everything I knew and said "You do this, I can't." And He did. That seems so simple, but it's true. He is always there - every time. And Wednesday's lesson went so well - one of my favorites. And it wasn't me - it was Him.
Thursday afternoon was our last day in Conocoto. They had a lot of food for us: pizza, empanadas, ice cream sundays. The pastor spoke to us and thanked us all for coming. Everything in his house was ours - 'take what you want' he said! He told us how he was encouraged by the things we were teaching his young son, by the fact that there were so many of us who could reach so many kids at one time - something he could not accomplish on his own. And how we were like those spoken of in Isaiah 49: those who come from the North and from the West. I fought back tears. What a privilege to come alongside those who labor day-in and day-out among their people, and offer a helping hand. This pastor's words stand out to me as one of the High Places of Ecuador.
On Saturday we truly hit a high place. Literally. We rode the
TeleferiQo to the top of the
Pichincha Volcano where we could see for miles and miles. I love heights - always have, I think I always will. But...... they don't always seem to agree with me. :)
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| Riding the TeleferiQo with Elisabeth and Katie (almost 9 minutes and 4,000 feet to the top) |
As the team photographer, I set up these team pictures. After setting the timer, I jumped up and ran for my place. And wow - everything was spinning! I felt as though I was going to fall over (we were up at about 13, 200 feet). But I didn't and we finished with our shoot. At that point our team leaders were getting us to head back down (we had about a quarter-mile walk down to the cable-car) and I thought I could make it. "It's not that far, I'll be fine." I thought. Not so! Thankfully I did not faint, but I got so dizzy I had to stop and rest. So thankful for my team - they looked out for me and made sure I was OK then, and throughout the rest of the day. (You guys are awesome!)
The next evening we pulled into Esmeraldas after a 6-7 hour bus trip. I was excited for another week of ministry. I'm not sure, but this may have been my favorite week. :) I loved working with these kids - they were so sweet! The first school where we taught was so fun. My small team taught the little bitty kids. Melt my heart! They came right up and helped themselves to a seat on my lap - three or four of them at a time. Made my day.
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| Playing with the kids at Recess |
Tuesday afternoon we went to Roca Fuerte. This place felt like I was stepping into a book. A place I'd always heard about but never experienced. No running water, little electricity, very primitive. But the kids came in droves to hear the word. I LOVED this place. When we got back to our motel, I was walking on cloud nine - definitely a high place.
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| Playing a Game |
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| My small team taught in the chapel |
At another school I made a dear friend in Iris. We never really spoke but we communicated well. We played a clapping game over and over. This game was taught me probably 20 years ago by a lady at our church. I haven't seen her in years. But as I lay in bed that night thinking it over, I realized that her investment in my life was paying dividends that day. I was able to communicate with a little girl - affirming her and investing in her - all because someone took a little time to invest in me years before.
And Friday we went to an Orphanage. Really nothing else needs said. I don't know if there's anything that touches my heart quite so much as orphans.
Our last week was spent in Same for camp week. I've always loved camp, so this was a great week. I think we were all exhausted at this point, but we made it! I only regret that I didn't have a little more energy for that final week in Ecuador. A few highlights were my team (Rojo) winning "The World Cup" and going to the beach every day.
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| My Team: Team Rojo (minus me of course - I'm behind the camera!) |
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| Story Team |
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| Skits |
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| Crafts |
That last day of camp again I found myself having to let go of what I can do and allow God to work for me. It was humbling to see Him work. Because of other activities and responsibilities at camp, two leaders from team Rojo were not there to help teach. That left Elisabeth and I to do it. We met and prepared a little, but we didn't have much time. I began to worry a little - am I going to know what to teach? What can I do? Nothing would come together in my mind. And then I remembered back to Quito and how I prayed - asking God to do it because I couldn't. I let it go again. I asked God to give me the words because I couldn't come up with anything! As time progressed and we got closer to class time I still didn't have anything. I kept waiting on Him to help me. Even as I sat down to teach, I really didn't know what I was going to say. I started out with something small and it was amazing that as I kept talking, He brought more and more to my mind on what to say. It was certainly a first. Teaching a lesson for which I felt totally unprepared and having it be a great lesson! My translator turned to me afterwards and said "That was sooo good" and I answered "I know! But it wasn't me. God gave me that." Honestly I was as impressed as she was. :) And I explained to her the whole story. Truly, watching God work is the Highest Place to be.
