I'm an avid journaler. These next few entries are copies of what I wrote in Ecuador. I hope they allow you to see what I saw, feel what I felt and learn what I learned. At least...a little bit =] It’s long...I wrote a LOT there, but if you're interested, read on! here goes!
This is part of an entry before leaving for Ecuador:
"...how do I repent of fear? because that is my anxiety..less than a week before Ecuador and Satan has me fearful.
I wrote a song that night:
Calm my rush, provide steady hush
So I can be still in You
And know You as Lord
Calm my fears, open my ears
To hear Your words and not the Accuser's
You whisper in the darkness,
"Why have you this fear?
I've given you My promise, I'm always near.
The Evil One that taunts you shall not prevail."
You say these words to me
And calm my fear.
Calm my doubt, within without
Anxiety
Inadequacy
You whisper in the darkness,
"Why have you this doubt?
I've wiped away your sin and called you out.
I'm testing your faith; this discipline is good."
You say these words to me
And calm my doubt.
Calm my spirit, Lord
I know You're near
You wipe away my doubting, rushing fears
Lord take my life and break it like the clay.
You say these words to me,
"I'm here."
I finished it last night and played it for Daddy.
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March 1, 2010 7:50am
so continuing on =]
Friday-still kinda in a weird mood...still woke up fearful. class...and then I only got to stay for about 30 minutes of 'church' and had to leave to pick up Jonathan, take Milo [my car] to the shop and then go shopping for Ecuador.
Saturday=paintball then bowling...the end.
Sunday. wow God. You answered prayers I didn't even know I was praying!
Sunday school was packed! pretty much no extra seats. I asked for prayer for Ecuador...and was prayed for...but not comforted...
The service...wow, here we go.
Allen McWhite (my team leader) was the guest-speaker--to wrap up the 'Living on a Prayer' series. He spoke on "How long should I keep on praying?"
Points:
1. Persistent prayer focuses my attention
--this is why God doesn't answer prayer immediately...because He wants us to focus on Him rather than the answer. whoa.
2. Persistent prayer clarifies my request
--God knows what I need.
3. Persistent prayer tests my faith
--do I really trust Him?
--do I believe God is working around me?
4. Persistent praying prepares my heart for God's answer.
---Pray all the time, all my life, and never stop.
---Wait patiently and expectantly.
---Pray in righteousness.
I felt more at peace after he spoke--like I knew how to pray better for Ecuador.
At the end, we had altar time and I really wanted to ask Allen to pray with me...but I decided to just go to the altar--to leave my fears there...
After that time, Marty called both Allen and I up to the front for prayer for this trip.
Incredible. That is what I needed...prayer... I was shaking afterwards...a lot! Then, after all that everyone was hugging me and telling me to have a good time, that they knew God would work and do great things, Stacie gave me a hug and I ended up crying all over her! haha. Then, Andrew Baker walked up! ahh! big hug! Then Dan Wallace and Tom Jones! haha, they were visiting because of their connection to Ted and the Downtown Impact team... they didn't even know that Allen was preaching! haha--at church last night Marty was like, "I wanna know who those boys were, someone said they came for Allen--to hear him preach and then someone else said, no they came for Hannah and Katie!" Haha!!
So after all that...calm. peace...strength...excitement! God, You are so good to me.
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March 3, 2010 Wed.
2 more days! Thank You Lord for the excitement rising up in me! my passport came in on Monday--Monday night we had a dinner at the McWhites' and prayer time...God thank You for the opportunity to pray! Especially to pray corporately.
Last night me, BB, Kaylin and Analea had a time of worship and prayer and it was so beautiful! Thank You for allowing us to worship You, o God.
"Then I said, 'Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the king, the Lord of Hosts.' Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, 'Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.' Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" --Isaiah 6
"Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.' Then I said, 'Alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth.' But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say 'I am a youth,' because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,' declares the Lord. Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, 'Behold, I have put my words in your mouth...'" --Jeremiah 1
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Friday March 5, 2010 8:00am
I cannot believe it. Today is the day...a little over four hours from now, we'll be on a plane!
This is so surreal-my mind doesn't believe it’s actually happening. We're going to Ecuador...haha--play on words: its foreign to me!
Yesterday, I got kinda burned-out of people asking if I was excited--all week they've been asking! My answer is yes, even though I don't really "feel" the excitedness--I feel like I'm in a daze, really.
I'm gonna go back to where this started this morning--back to Ezekiel 37.
God as I open Your word...
Let it penetrate everything I am
Lord fill me up to be emptied!
Let me not be afraid.
Help me to fall desperately in love with You--with the Gospel and pursue You above all else relentlessly and with discipline.
Help me to identify all the misdirected passion in my life and turn it all to You--my source. Help us to lead in such a way that they see and desire to see only You God. Burn us up.
Lord put your had upon me, bring me out and set me down in the middle of the valley--full of bones--by your awesome spirit. Open my eyes to how many and how dry, how dead they are, flow through me Your compassion.
Lord, only You know people’s hearts and if they truly live--test my heart, test the team, test those who surround us today, this week and in the days to come. You know and search and reveal the heart of man. Thank You, God. You saved me to use me-to make me a little Christ-a representative of You--You speak life through me.
"Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life..."
--breathe in me, breathe through me. So that I may know, so that they may know You are the LORD.
Help me to follow You--no matter what--unconditionally--weather You allow me to see the results or not--let me not be discouraged but to stand strong to the finish.
Help me to encourage my brother, help me to encourage my sister. Lord, speak life into them, breathe life into them that are dead!
O Jesus come!
Raise up Your army, O Lord God of Hosts
You are hope to the hopeless
You are grace, mercy, and love and justice
It is only You who raises us from the dead and brings us into the promised land
"Then you will know that I am the Lord."
--let that consume me!
"I will put my spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord have spoken and done it."
Make us one, God, united for Your purpose—what can stand against? We are in Your hands God. Bend us, shape us, stretch us—all for Your glory.
You are my King.
You deliver me from all my dwelling places where I have sinned and have made me new—You desire this for all Your people!
You are our Shepherd.
We walk in Your law and keep it—for it is good.
“I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.” My dwelling place will also be with them; and I will be their God and they will be my people. And the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.”
You are holy... and You make us holy.
Strong and courageous. =] I love you LORD.
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March 6, 2010 7:01am
Estoy en Ecuador! [I am in Ecuador] and the sunrise over the mountains is absolutely gorgeous—God thank You for getting us here safely and with all our luggage too =]
This city is beautiful—surrounded by mountains...
We go to camp today. =]
We’ll have a 3 ½-hour bus trip for me to catch up =]
I’m amazed!
“If you will return, O Israel,” declares the LORD, “then, you should return to Me. And if you put away your detested things from my presence, and will not waver, and you will swear, ‘As the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice and in righteousness; then the nations will bless themselves in Him and in Him they will glory.
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on the way to CHACAUCO...
I've not wanted to write yet because...looking out the window--I don't want to miss a thing! It is so beautiful! I already feel sadness about being home a week from now. and we haven't even done anything
The mountains...wow. Jill Evans said I would see mountains--I had no idea! These mountains make ours look like land lumps.
So, to catch up. We arrived at GSP, checked in our bags--mine--a whopping 38 pounds! Mama and Daddy showed up =] I kept feeling like I was the one sending someone else off to a foreign country--my mind could not wrap around the fact that if was me flying away! We went through security--I said bye to my parents for the last time--they got to see my legs as I went up the escalator.
We waited in GSP for about 2 hours it was funny because we split up in groups! One group playing poker...one playing Dutch blitz (like Nerts but with official cards) and one group writing! haha it was the beginning of bonding!
As we waited--I saw Dan Merriman! It was so good to see, again, someone from my church! It was encouraging--and I don't even really understand why!
We boarded the plane...it was really small--and made friends with our flight attendant (who reminded me of Phyllis =]) whose name is Gloria Baldwin. It was a fun flight conversationally...but otherwise
(hold up! haha-I just saw a Latino Chris Comstock! haha)
otherwise, I did not enjoy the flight to Atlanta.
It was delayed about 30 minutes...and so... and it was a little plane--had much turbulence--the "seat belts off" signal only lasted about 2 minutes of our 28-minute flight! landing...wow. my head and my stomach felt very strange... like dizzy/nauseous...I could not wait to put my feet on the ground.
The Atlanta airport is HUGE! whoa! I would get so lost! There's 6 concourses and you have to ride a train to get to different ones! The escalators are long and at least 4-wide! We went to our concourse--the last one! and checked out departure gate...and then looked for food...and decided to go back to the first concourse because it had a big food court--so, back on the train for the second time!
I got Arby's...and like Stephanie Nease said, "I think my eyes are bigger than my stomach!" She was all too right! I got a 5 piece--rather than 3 chicken strips--and a medium drink...I couldn't eat it all...I was very full!
There were no seats left--tables, rather--to eat at-so we found a clear spot and settled down under a wine display! haha! O, NGU kids and alcohol...=]
There were so many people there!--many soldiers!--there was even an older "Jody Jennings!" Oh and my favorite part...well--people-watching was fun too--but really cool--they had a piano in the food court! It kinda slowed the "hustle and bustle" of the airport and was a piece of solace there! A lady played songs and there was this big black soldier who sang with her--and he had one of those voices! haha! It was good!
We all came back at 4 and headed back to our concourse--train for the 3rd time =] This time a man asked me "going for spring break?" "Yes, we're actually going to Ecuador!"--to dispel the stereotypical "college kids on spring break" idea. Told him we were from North Greenville...basically no one knows where that is, but we made some connections! He knew some people over that way--I think he said his son is a sophomore at Clemson...or maybe nephew... I dunno=] but when I told him we were headed to Ecuador, he said we were going the wrong way-we needed to go to concourse E-that's the international one...another man eavesdropping said the same thing! I was like--well, I trust A-Mac! [Allen McWhite--our team leader] He knows what he's doing--and concourse T, gate 7 was, indeed, our gate =] We got there and they wanted to check us in- with our passports and all =] and we waited maybe about 45 minutes and it was time to board! I called my 'rents one last time =] When we got on--this was a jet--much larger--much more comfortable--I sat with Stephanie who switched seats with Sarah so she could sit with Drew for the flight.
We met the ladies sitting in front of us--headed to the Galapagos "to see nature at its best"--a mom and two daughters--Miriam (the mom) spoke with an accent--German!! Oh Ulla!
Anna came and joined me and Stephanie because her TV was broken...the announcements were given in both Spanish and English=]
And take off! Again--we were slightly delayed, but I wasn't as anxious this time--it was more comfortable.
We played the "in-flight games" for a little while and then watched movies--I watched "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" and it’s probably my new favorite movie! It was so funny!! I found myself laughing out loud even!-haha- I talked to Nathan-he said the same thing-he had watched it too!
Our on-flight-meal was surprisingly delicious!
It was pasta o pollo [pasta or chicken]--I chose pasta--Anna said the chicken was messed up...plus I like pasta a lot anyways! and it was a very good choice!
After the movie ended, I read a little and tried to sleep--but it was more just eye resting!
landed...and it took forever to get off the plane! haha. Anna was very excited.
Went through immigration--our bags made it here =] Everything was in Spanish!
Took our first steps in Ecuador about 11:30 anoche! [at night]
Got on the "party bus" and headed to the hotel--looking in amazement at all the city lights!--I roomed with Courtney and Marley--that hotel was nice! And the beds were so comfortable!...there was a small cockroach...eh...
...We're here!!
...so I'll catch up more later =]
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We went to bed pretty quickly and then morning came too soon! Breakfast--I had french toast =] and pineapple. mm. My stomach still wasn't quite settled from the day before...I guess I ate a lot? No se! [I don't know!]
I sent Mama and Daddy an email from the hotel--just letting them know we arrived...and that it is absolutely, indescribably beautiful here--and I didn't even know the half of it...the 1/10,000,000th of it!
Wow! We boarded the bus--Allen prayed with us and left to finish up some research. Then Steve [the missionaries who ran the camp--Steve and Carol Thompson] gave us a quick rundown of things--what we would be doing, culture...sights to see...and otherwise! It was picture and awe time basically the whole way down from Quito [the capital of Ecuador, where we landed and spent the night in a hotel] to Ambato [where the camp was]!--about a 3.5 hour trip!
I was amazed...at so much! The roads...crazy! haha-but surprisingly, in all the chaos, there are no accidents! There are people everywhere! And dogs on rooftops and cows right by the road, houses upon houses up the mountain sides!
The roads are so windy--curvy, narrow--I was amazed that our bus could make it! And I think the painted lines on the roads are more like suggestions than actual rules!
It was amazing!
God, you have stolen my heart! haha! good!
Gahlee, I didn't want to sleep at all! But I dozed a little bit...and afterwards was refreshed! Thank You, Lord!
And then...we arrived--beautiful camp! Very nice--we can't flush toilet paper (which, btw, no public restroom in Ecuador has!), but that's okay! (also, they have trashcans set up everywhere along the streets with clown faces--you throw your trash into their mouths!--this is to encourage people to throw their trash away!)
Anyways... We arrived. Put our stuff in the cabins--wow! Colorful mattresses--comfortable too! Just beautiful!--and then when to meet some of the people on the soccer field. We found them in the middle of a scavenger hunt, and the prize was pizza! =] haha! We met Roberto (and wife, Ester) and Jonathan, aka "Paparazzi" (always taking pictures!) Roberto said most of the kids are Christians, or at least say they are--but need still to hear the message of Christ--wow =]
Then it was lunchtime =] It started to rain as we waited for the cafeteria doors to open. We were shown where the volcano is--though we couldn't see it--covered by clouds! =[ There are many youth here! I felt really intimidated by the language barrier...not wanting to start a conversation I couldn't carry on... but I guess that doesn't really matter.
I talked with Josie [girl on our team] about it later and she felt the same way.
While we were still waiting, one kid that I had happened to make eye contact with several times just jumped out and said, "What is your name?"
=] =] YAY! -I've realized, though, my name is hard to say in Spanish with its hard "a" sound...and a "k" and a "t"...owell--this guy's name is Jordan! He is 13 (I later came to find out=]) but he helped break the ice for me! Lunch consisted of rice, beans, some kind of meat?, soup with a piece of chicken in it, jello =], and a really delicious fruit drink--someone said blackberry, but I don't know if I believe them!
After lunch, we met at the "coloseum"--gym/worship center for our field trip to the zoo! Wow! and all the way there, one of the guys had brought a guitar and the whole bus was singing! clapping! ... It broke through my conversational fears...=] wow! They wanted to talk to us! It’s nothing like a bus full of students in America...in America we keep to ourselves and maybe say one or two sentences to our neighbor. In Ecuador...you turn around in your seat and ask questions, get to know people...bring a guitar and have worship on the bus! [granted, it was a youth camp]--most of their songs were the same as ours, but in Spanish...and! They sang Todo Poderoso!! ['All powerful'--a song I learned in my Spanish class my first semester in college] hooray! I was so glad to be able to sing along with them and in their language! It was really neat!
My seat buddies in front of me were Estephania and Maria Jose! Maria Jose and I hung out the majority of the day! She and I are teaching each other our languages.
The city...walking right beside cars...oh--and that’s another thing about the roads--you don't honk at someone bc they're in your way--you honk at them to let them know you're there and you're coming! (--because with the "suggestion" of lanes, you might want other drivers to know if you're in their blind...bc blinkers aren't used either!)
The zoo...wow! It wasn’t a walk through--it was a walk down and climb back up! There were 3 parts too--animals, birds, and reptiles...we didn't get to the reptiles in time...=[.
O but the wonder of Your creation, God!
We came back to the bus late...oops!
And then, on to Baños...to have just some chill/shop/hang out time!
In the center of Baños, there are huge palm trees. HUGE.
We all got a free ice cream cone--I got Oreo...like a lot of other Americans--I told Nathan, "maybe bc it’s the only one we know how to say!" and he said "chocolate!" [in Spanish, of course!]
I walked with Maria Jose and she bought me a bracelet! and then she bought all the Americans a bracelet--so I now have 2 bracelets! from Ecuador!
I also bought a rockin' purse and headband! Everything is so colorful here! Even the plants are greener!
It's compact...crowded, cluttered...disorganized--but at the same time, so beautiful!
The ride home was a little less musical! and more conversational =] I talked with Jordan and one of the staff members a lot =]
It's funny--they ask, "do you like it here?"
ME ENCANTA!!! [I LOVE IT!!!]
got back to Chacauco and cleaned up and went to dinner =] I really enjoyed dinner tonight. I think the meat was chicken and gravy, of course there was rice, and then...mashed potatoes! For dessert--strawberry whip...something...the drink this time I was not a fan of...but everything else was muy delicioso! [very delicious!]
--been practicing Spanish a lot...there's a huge difference between classroom and real world and I'm so glad I'm getting the opportunity to connect them!
After eating, we went to wash dishes--oh camp memories...except that...here, there is no Hobart--we wash all the dishes by hand!
but it still reminded me of camp [Marietta]!
After dinner was worship...I've had much anticipation for this...and it was amazing!
They have a band and they played songs we know in English...but it was such a delight to sing them in Spanish! and to hear everyone else praise God in a different language! All the clapping was a bit off beat and most people were off key...but it was so beautiful! Praises to You, God!
Te alabaré! [I will praise You]
We [as in, the team] left after worship-to the prayer chapel-where Steve talked to us a bit about his testimony and the camp's story--just how God provided every need. When He called Carol and him to Ecuador...the land, camp, water, electricity... amazing God! You work in marvelous ways!
We started our time in the prayer chapel just saying why we love God...to God.
"God, I love you because You reveal Yourself to me"...
This whole trip I've been aesthetically romanced by You God-but so much more! You have...haha, I don't even have words for it...but my heart flourishes!
It's late. I love You, LORD!
Thank You for bringing me here!
<>< Katie
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3/7/10 anoche [at night]
Who am I that I should see stars like this?
Who am I to gaze upon these mountains?
It's absolutely breathtaking!
Who am I that You should use me?
Today...breakfast at 7...wow...woke up at 6:45 and still made it on time =]
We had coffee...scrambled eggs, and a roll-like thing. I put guayaba [a fruit jelly, I think!] on it and it was delicious.
I had the bread...that’s all =]
We cleaned up and went to our groups =]
Go azules! --blue team! =] [the youth were divided into 4 teams, all labeled by different colors--I and a few other of my team members were on the blue team--these teams were what we split up in for games and also for devotions and bible study]
We played a game with them--everyone went out of the room and we went [back] in one at a time. When I went in, the few people who were in front of me [in line to go in] were all huddled in the back corner...it was weird--we were told to introduce ourselves and say where we're from and why we're here...
So I interrupted them and said, "uh, my name is Katie..." and they "let me in"--That was the whole point of the "joke"--to ignore new people and talk amongst ourselves...kinda like unwelcoming churches...but in this conversation we got to know each other--about our families and pets (masquitas)
Our group was me, Jordan, Anna, Marley, Cristina, Leonardo...that’s it...others were in and out...
So--funny story-we were talking about families and Cristina was asking Marley if she was Japanese-so Marley was trying to explain that she's South Korean and adopted...but we didn't know the word for adopted... so in comes Anna to the rescue! She explained, "her padres [parents] went to Korea and brought her back to America" [all in a Spanish accent and with extravagant hand motions, of course!] and Cristina--"Ohh!" and pulled the corners of her eyes out to look Asian! haha! Then Anna said "sí! [yes] but her padres are like me" and pushed the corners of her eyes in! It was so funny...guess you had to be there! =]
We left after this icebreaker to go to church--ir al iglesia con Steve y Carol, un iglesia bautista en Patate. [to go to church with Steve and Carol, a baptist church in Patate (it was Sunday, after all)] The roads, again, were windy and narrow but somehow the bus made it!
First, we had Sunday school--there were probably about 20ish people plus us=] Mike [Mike Landrum, one of our team's fearless leaders] taught about Psalm 119:9-16 about knowing God through His word and not straying from it--Steve translated.
It must have been real cool to have people laugh at your joke twice! [once for those who heard it in english, and once for those who heard it in spanish] haha, jk, Mike! He did a really good job and was a good example for us--for when we may need to speak through a translator.
I met a man named Iban--he came up to me, welcomed me, asked me something...I don't remember our whole conversation now...but he was very sweet and I really wanted to be able to communicate with him better--though language hasn't been as debilitating as I thought it would be, it still limits us =[ stinkin' tower of Babel. What were they thinking?!
The whole church was so welcoming! It felt genuine. We went to big service--attendance, about 50-55 people, according to Steve--they were missing about 3 normally present families. At the beginning of the service, they welcomed all visitors--made us stand, made others stand (who Steve said they had been working with in their home and this was just their first time coming to worship service) and everyone "uno, dos, tres, Bienvenidos!" [one, two, three, Welcome!]
They had a greeting time and instead of a cold handshake, people were giving warm embraces! wow =] Welcomed and genuinely cared about. Then, they asked if there were any birthdays in March-Lindsey's! March 19th!--So she went up to the front and they sang a birthday song for her in Spanish. After, someone from the congregation volunteered to pray for her! How amazing!
--oh! Something I forgot, before church, we (as in Stephanie, Mark, and I) played baloncesto [basketball] with a little boy--Santiago. Just shooting... He was at church with his family--a little sister and sus padres [his parents]! and his dad was the guest pastor!
The worship was amazing--its really cool to think that no matter the language, the place, the circumstances...you can lift praise to God!
After the service, we had communion =] with Ritz and grape drink--which was in glass cups! not plastic!
How cool to participate in that...in another country!
but I have to say...I had a bad attitude...I wish I could understand Spanish! Not understanding put me in a blah mood...I was not aware of the Holy Spirit's presence because I placed on him, bounds. muy estupido! [very stupid!] I pray, God, that I will not lose the wonder I had at first! Let me not get so easily wearied! or bored! But always to remember who You are and rejoice in You!
For now, that is all
muy cansada [very tired]
y un día grande está enfrente de mi! [and a big day is in front of me!]
=]
I love You LORD
grácias [thank you]
<>< Katie
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March 8, 2010 anoche [at night]
Wow...So little time has passed and so much to catch up on!
We got back in time for lunch yesterday...no recuerdo [I don't remember] what we had. =[. After lunch were more competitions--soccer--fútbol--I didn't have to play =] So I took pictures and talked with Maria Jose and Leonardo! We practiced English and Spanish =], listened to some American songs--Skillet (which Leo pronounced "sky-let" =]) and we talked about other bands--Thousand Foot Krutch--gahlee English is so much more complicado! [complicated]
Somehow Maria Jose and I started talking about devotionals--or-something, a verse she had read in her devotionals--and she expressed how she thought it would be easier in the States to follow God...I tried to explain to her that sometimes...it’s too easy and people get bored...and then I tried to explain how, where we live there are iglesias [churches] everywhere and many people say they are Christians--they claim Christ...but don't act it out--she said "no seguir?" [don't follow?] "sí." [yes]. She said it was hard here because there are many bad people...I guess assuming that people are better in America.
I wonder how much of a letdown America is to people--or rather how much of a letdown the American church is to Christians from other countries. It makes me sad that they put us on that pedestal...God help us to be the people You have called us to be!
Our conversation was cut short--so many questions--haha!--from Leo, from Jordan, from others, haha, all about what I like or what it’s like in America or what something is in English--such interest in us white people! I pray to have that kind of interest in others--that shows genuine care and wanting to know them--intentional interest in others and what's going on in their lives.
Maria Jose wanted me to sing a song with her for the camp! ahh! what? In English? en español? [in Spanish?]--Jardin de Rosas--Garden of Roses. Leo had it on his phone (which, by the way, they all had the same phone! haha) and we listened to it and Ester helped translate it.
The first part was basically this: I can do nothing without God.
I learned it with her but tried to convince her to sing it! She really wanted me to sing it with her... which later I realized, why not? But I don't know... I didn't know how she would have the opportunity, but owell...
After that time, all the kids went to pool time and we could go or stay behind and rest--well, all but 3 of us stayed to "nap"--and well, we all (well, our room--Anna, Elyse, Sarah [who was one of the 3 that went to the pool], Josie, Marley, and Sarah Beth) ended up talking for a little while...and then power napping!! then woke up late...and ended up a little late for setting up for dinner--the banquet--amazing--we got it all set up in 30 minutes! Streamers, pictures, candles...stars...good stuff. It was nice! We served all the kids and then sat down...afterwards, everyone was taking pictures of each other...
Maria Jose came up to me...started crying..."I'm sad" "Why? What's wrong?" long pauses..."I don't know how to say in English..." "Well, say it in Spanish..."
And basically she said that she had prayed for a friend at the camp...and I was that friend...
I didn't really know how to respond except to try and soak that in...later I thought about it and it made me cry.
Who am I? God...what in the world! You truly blessed me--I think back to my uncertainties about Ecuador...and wonder why...wow! Such affirmation! Such beautiful affirmation!
We had worship after that and the americanos [Americans] left to go to the prayer chapel.
I wanted to share about Maria Jose...but didn't. But that's okay. Steve talked to us again...It was so good=] and then we went to the bonfire--la fogata!!
It was awesome! Everyone singing and dancing! haha =] It was fun! They like when we sing in English =] Then bed time =]
We woke up this morning...
Well, let me back up...I had really strange, scary-like dreams last night, and they-legit-freaked me out. The first one there was this burned up woman--Hannah and Olivia were in these dreams with me--in the back of a truck and somehow, I had something to do with her death...and I wanted to come clean but I was running too...and then there was King Kong and we all thought it was just a movie--just funny...joke...but then people were running and he was angrily chasing them...and then he started throwing fireballs at people...I woke up and realized "I'm in Ecuador...why did I just dream that here? What does that mean?" [note: Hannah and Olivia were not on this trip, I've never seen King Kong, except for the really old black and white version when I was little, the burned up woman? what in the world. it was graphic too...these dreams were out of nowhere!]
Then Sarah Beth read out loud a verse from her devotional, "Don't be afraid of the terrors of the night..." whoa...what encouragement for me! Thank You God. And crazy thing--she didn't understand why that particular verse was her devotional...but I did!
Then off to breakfast...cereal, hard boiled eggs, bread w/ blackberry/raspberry mix, coffee--yes, I drank very...not-tasting-like-coffee coffee =] I was very full.
my mind is racing...I cannot focus...I miss the youth...they left today...I want to cry...
I miss them.
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So I tried to go to sleep but my heart, my mind is restless...so I have relocated...sitting alone in the prayer chapel, listening to the wind, crickets...and Lecrae "You're faithful to me even when I make mistakes..." and the river.
God, you are so faithful! And there is none like You God. Tonight I asked the girls in our room if any of them had thought about home and how in the world they would ever understand...how would I ever explain to its fullness what has happened here...it makes me cry to know that they will never really understand.
Sarah Beth made some sense of it--the fact that, for these 9 days, this is my ministry...for these 9 days elsewhere, it is someone else's ministry...God, you have called us to different things...and You are working in huge ways!!
Oh that they could see You like this!!
I'm so broken about this God.
Lord, when I go home--give me words to speak. Let my spirit sleep 'cause I can't think of anything worth saying... You will speak--You will teach...You are not limited by language..by experience...You are not limited.
I just...I'm mourning...I miss the faces so much already. I miss the love, the personalities...the spirit.
LORD, I pray for them...selfishly, I want them to stay here until we leave...not them leaving us...selfishly, I want to get to know them more...but God...You've finished with today. so I pray right now for them, let what they've learned this weekend remain written on their hearts. Help them to follow hard after You. Let them not be distracted. Let them know You are with them so that they never become afraid or discouraged or comfortable. Help them to pursue You with all of who they are. LORD remain in them as they remain in You.
Thank You for teaching me so much through them.
Ok...now that that's out...at least I can move forward...in recording other events...after breakfast, we went to small groups. Esteban was leading ours today. We started with an icebreaker and another game...a 3-legged race...but this one had a point--one person closed their eyes while the other had to lead them--much like our faith--we attach ourselves to Christ like he attached himself to us first and follow his lead...even blindly. Faith, not sight. Esteban continued with the devotion--I had my Spanish Bible with me so I was able to follow along much better. I understood what was going on--what was being said--and this, not by anything I did, but by the Holy Spirit.
We also played Simon Says...and the white people were really good because we listened for "Simón dice" and watched the action--if "Simón dice" wasn't said we didn't pay attention to the action...because we weren't supposed to do this anyways...and we couldn't understand what was being said--which made it easier to follow the action after "Simón dice" was verbalized! application:
Listen to the instructions of God only and immediately act upon them in obedience. whoa...Simon says to a whole new level! ¡Seguir a Cristo! [follow Christ!]
After this was worship time--again, that is always amazing to hear--voices lifted up to the same God in different languages!
Then Steve got up to preach--and he talked a lot about what we had talked about in prayer chapel the night before, but with more emphasis on the challenge to them before they leave and go back home [and in Spanish of course!] For the first part, I wrote my letter to Maria Jose (the night before, at the banquet, after she told me I was the friend she had prayed for, I went to Carol and asked her to help me write a letter in Spanish to Maria Jose, so I decided to write it in English and have her help me translate it to Spanish) until Steve had verses for all of them to look up. The girl I was sitting beside didn't have a Bible..and I had 2 in 1!! So we shared--she and a girl sitting behind us, looking over my shoulder shared with me--read out of the same book--the Holy Bible...Biblico Santo. Your word on paper spoke to all three of us simultaneously! Whoa! I thought that was really cool, and there were a lot of verses =]
After this was the last tournament--of soccer =] I got to watch with Leo and Maria Jose joined us too, and most of us gringos. [white people] =]
When MJ came to sit with us, she asked that I write her a letter...haha! I told her I already had, but it was in English--that I was going to get someone to help me translate it...and that someone ended up being Maria Jose! It was such a special time--helping both of us learn one another's languages and grow more as sisters in Christ!
We finished but the soccer game was still going on--so we taught them dances, and they taught us real dances =] Fantastico! Leo and I were partners for one part and I thought it would be awkward...and it kinda was, but neither of us were good dancers anyways! haha!
gosh...that was earlier today? what?
Then, lunchtime...me and Nathan sat with a group of boys I had never sat with before...the one sitting in front of me had a hat that said "Silly Transquad Thing" and I asked him, "¿Qué significa?" [What does that mean?] and he didn't know and neither did we! haha!
After lunch it was basically time to say goodbye =[
We helped some of them get their stuff to bring to the buses and again...many pictures taken. many.
very many.
Also a lot of hugs and "sacred kisses" =] after a while I warmed up to it--because everyone was doing it in my ear so I "kissed" back =] one guy looked real excited after I did it with him--and he happened to be the first one I tried it with so I was nervous after that, haha! But it worked out!
Maria Jose said, "I hate goodbye"...now I have to agree...I really miss those guys. I'd rather have them here then us have a "day off"...but ha, it will be good, refreshing, and good to get to know each other better.
After the campers left...I really wanted to cry. =[
We cleaned up...this campus is really nice! wow. really nice. God, You have given this place...how awesome!
After clean up, a few of us hung outside--I threw a football with Mark and Nathan, then we all played basketball--all, as in (team 1): Sarah, Mauricio, Drew and Sarah Beth vs. (team 2): me, Nathan, Marley, Jordan, and Mark.
It was fun--we lost big time! Even though we had more people! And another thing--we all got burned. My arms are like lobsters! haha--owell--all for fun.
We all rode over the Thompson's house across the river in the back of 2 trucks...amazing! cramped and kinda scary with the hill and the bridge and the turns...but fun!
They have a beautiful house! with a gorgeous view of the mountains and the volcano...wow, absolutely beautiful-and You provided that house for them too. Amazing!
We chose between hot peach tea or coffee y entonces [and then], all gathered in their living room to talk--share about what God's been doing--it was then that I shared about my major and God's total orchestration of this trip and Maria Jose and all that this has meant to me...wow...so I cried...but owell!
Anna shared too and then it was time for dinner--mmm! spaghetti! muy delicioso! for realsies (about that, all the lame idioms, sayings...I haven't said any of them here! haha--they would confuse too much...but really I haven't thought about any of our little sayings--which is another thing- language has not been as much of a barrier as I thought it would be! Yesterday I was talking to a girl with MJ and she said "I want to learn English!" and I said "Yo quiero aprender español!" [I want to learn Spanish!] It's really cool how we've taught each other! It’s almost boring for me to carry on a conversation in English now...not interested at all! haha)
After dinner we finished chatting as a group--telling what God is doing! It is so good to hear all these stories! All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose! wow...even here so far that verse has come up twice! (also--Elyse--she's been on my heart through the trip--homesick, attached to home...but last night she expressed how she didn't know why, but knew God had her here for a reason! yay!)
We talked about VBS and the plans until then! Tomorrow we're going to shop...and Nate Saint's house...End of the Spear/Through the gates of Splendor...wow. Excited about that!
After that we all went separate ways--Stephanie and I played a little bit of guitar and Esteban wanted to join us with his drum (a cajón!)...but we weren't really playing anything...=[ sad day...
--I ended up going with everyone else to Mike's room to play games--Spades or Spoons...but I ended up journaling...and now it’s now--I've finally finished about today and yesterday =]
and it's early (after 12:30 am) and Marley, Sarah Beth and Elyse just came looking for me--so I’m gonna go now...but LORD I thank You!
there is none like You.
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[can you believe all this writing was only about Friday through Monday? 4 days of the 9 day trip? thanks for reading this far and I hope God is teaching you as much as He is reminding me of as I type this up!]
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March 9, 2010--mañana [morning]
I feel like my journaling is never done! We're on the way to Baños and Nate Saint's house! and a waterfall! Just us today...it's just chill.
This morning we had breakfast--pancakes! and bacon!--not an Ecuadorian thing-pero muy delicioso! [but very delicious]
God again-Your faithfulness astounds.
Last night, before I went to the prayer chapel, I had asked the other girls if any of them had thought about home and how in the world they would explain all this to their family...it makes me sad to think about it--I don't wanna go home because I won't be able to fully explain...they won't fully understand...
Lord, please give me a peace about going home...
anyways--esta mañana [this morning] we went on a tour of the camp. Steve told us about all that they are doing and all that God is doing =] It is amazing--they want to be able to have facilities to allow 3 or 4 camps to be going on at the same time...wow...and they are well on the way, they're working on staff lodges, roads (cobblestone roads around the camp), a fish pond/pool,
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okay-anoche [at night]..it seems night is the only time I have that I can focus to write!
So back to the plans for the camp: they're continuing a University and building it beside the camp-prayer that God will provide--and so far, You are faithful, o God! You have given the heart, the opportunity, the vision, the land, the funds, the labor, the roads, the water..and so much more--You've given life!
Camp Chacauco is right next to a chicken farm...and Steve and Carol want to buy that property for the University. Steve said it would be about a 2.5 million$ piece of property...and he has 2 thousand in his account and 4 thousand with Global Outreach [their mission organization]...but he has so much faith! And I love hearing his stories of Your faithfulness, Father. He said, if it is God's will that we have that land, He will provide, and if not, He'll point us in a new direction. He asked that we pray for him at noon, as he had a meeting with the owner of the property about buying. He told us tonight that the meeting was interesting. The owner got kinda mad and said crazy things...but after he calmed down he said that he had no intention of selling the property....that's what he was thinking in the morning, but he didn't know what his words would be in the afternoon--there is a seed of thought =]
=] LORD I thank You for giving me this amazing opportunity...to partake in what You are doing, to see Your hand at work in Ecuador! It is amazing!
I am so blessed God!
He shared with us the heritage--the history of Baptist Ministries in Ecuador--but more than that--what God has done.
Baptist missionaries first came here in 1949--right when there was a big earthquake in Chacauco--killed 10,000+ people. One missionary had come right before the quake and on the bus to Ambato, the driver convinced him not to get off at Ambato--the people aren't ready to listen--but to come back later. After much convincing, he stayed on the bus and stayed in the next town--the hotel he was supposed to stay in was one that collapsed in the earthquake and he would have been killed. whoa.
He saw the devastation of the quake and sent for help. (this was also right when the events of "through the gates of splendor" were beginning to happen in 1948) and the first missionary couple came to Ecuador--Steve and Carol's first year here was their 27th year--so they were "brought up under their wing" =]
--there was so much more to this whole story that is just absolutely beautiful!! wow. and he passed that heritage on to us!! too many stories!--I think he said they were writing them down though...which is good because I would love to read and be able to share with others.
I seriously wanna hit up the books on Ecuador and about "Through the gates of Splendor"...I want to know so much! I want to know what You've done God-because it gives me boldness for tomorrow! wow! Such encouragement!
Seeing the camp and hearing stories...wow it's real. It's amazing that--Mi Dios es todo poderoso! [My God is all-powerful]
After the tour of the camp, it was off to tour everywhere else! (on our way, Elyse and I split our first mandarin orange from the street!) First stop--Nate Saint's house...we were told that we were probably some of the last to visit it because of its condition--termites have eaten it, gotten in it... =[ and it's also a storage house, but the hangar is still beside it and the 3rd largest airport in Ecuador is right across the street--mainly small planes--they carry missionaries/supplies to and from the jungle...how incredible!
It was so cool to be there--the story just came alive! I was in a missionary's house!
There's a group that wants to restore the house...but I really feel like ...those families would rather that money go to Ecuador missions...than rebuilding an old house...the house is temporary--the mission has eternal impact!
Back on the bus and next stop--waterfall--El Pailon del Diablo-the Devil's Cauldron! It was breathtaking. We stopped at one place to eat and just enjoy the view of it. It made me think of creation--how God made everything for our pleasure first, then our need...wow! --aesthetics...
I asked Nathan what he was thinking--and he pointed out how the rock looked like a fingerprint! whoa! =]
We talked some. I told him how I felt about going home and what Sarah Beth had said about ministry...we talked for a little while--which also reminds me:
--the morning during our tour, when Steve was telling us stories upon stories, her interjected that when we go home we're gonna have about a 30 second window of opportunity to share what God has done--which obviously isn't long enough--he said, "Don't let this discourage you!" whoa. "Find those who will listen and share the heritage with them!"--afterwards me and Sarah Beth just made eye-contact and smiled. enough said.
We loaded back up on the bus and drove a little ways over to take our hike to the waterfall--all downhill hike. "It was 1/2 a mile down, 10 miles up!" haha
It was beautiful! It made sound like thunder...and it shook me to the core! Rushing water...we all got to where you can see the whole thing and a few of us crawled through to where we could be right behind it. --there have been so many things I was scared of doing, or, on a normal basis, would not have done, that I have done just because I was in Ecuador! haha! So, I crawled through the 'claustrophobic's worst nightmare' tunnel...and was behind the waterfall--sort of. Nathan, Stephanie and Mauricio ("Smiles") encouraged me to go to the top--right underneath the falls--I was a little apprehensive...but "what the heck! I’m in Ecuador!" So I ran up the steps and was directly behind the waterfall. It was breathtaking--literally. Breathing was something I had to remember to do...breathtaking. I cried and was in so much awe. I raised my hands there--even in front of them...wow! amazing!
"my heart turns violently inside of my chest" doesn't even come close! My whole body was shaking!
I was breathing so hard! God, You are beautiful! and so good to us! Who are we to deserve to gaze upon Your creation? Who are we that You made this for us? For Your glory? Who am I that I should get to reflect the King?
I am in awe! All too soon, we had to leave. Another thing I forgot to mention--in the claustrophobic tunnel, you could see a rainbow in the mist--but only in the tunnel. It was gorgeous. Your promise to us God!
All the way back up the mountain and at the top...we got cold drinks!!! yay! (haha, and funny story--tonight, at Mike's house, Mauricio warmed up his bottled water because it was cold!...what? wow--culture--they like it warm!)
I walked up with Jordan =] I'm so proud of him--my first friend in Ecuador! He wants to learn English so badly! =]
Next stop, the swinging basket...we go over a ravine in a metal "basket" suspended by 3 cords...wow! I thought about HB...how she definitely would not have done it! I might have done it just because I didn't see it first--I just went--and also because...I am in Ecuador! And of course I'm gonna take advantage of these once in a lifetime opportunities! As we got back to the beginning--to the rest of everyone waiting to board the swing, Anna says "Quick! Everyone! Pretend to be really scared and freak out!" haha! twas fun!
Today has been a really good bonding day =]
Next stop...Baños, to see the Cathedral and shop! Catedrál was supposed to be first, but there was a funeral happening...so we went shopping first--which, in hindsight, I am so glad for. We all dispersed into Baños--shopping spree. I got stuff for people =]
and then... we came up to the cathedral and the funeral procession was outside...and now the sadness of all that really hits...
We came into the cathedral... and I would say it was beautiful... architecturally it was... and the designs and tile... arches and woodwork...
I'm looking at pictures... and I don't want to even look at this one again... it makes me sick to my stomach.
In the left side of the cathedral were figures--3 women with hands in the air--mourning over the Jesus--bloodied and bruised... on the cross... all this over a box with another figure--a dead Jesus. pale. bruised. scrawny. weak.
not my Jesus.
It made me sick. We walked around the cathedral and there are many huge pictures. none with a glorified Savior--of strength and power... a glorified Christ... --all of Mary.
Elyse put it well, "She was just a catalyst."
There were confessionals. There were places to put money... to buy salvation... under a picture of Mary rescuing people from Hell...
the place was rought with legalism. Christ is nothing. Mary is sacred. Works. Religion. Uncertainty. HOPELESSNESS.
It broke my heart. All the sudden... the mountains are suddenly... so much bigger... all the beauty of this country seemed to fade with the fact that its life cannot awaken its dead people.
The spiritual deadness far outweighs the beauty of the mountains... the rivers... the volcano.
God, You show me that Ecuador is not beautiful in Your eyes--the dead Jesus figure makes You sick as well...
Josie and I talked about it--both of us broken hearted that these people are consumed by the wrong thing--and scared or stubborn to accept the truth--this country, 95% Roman Catholic... very Catholic--You shame your family if you don't go to church. People really believe if they do a lot of good things or pay a lot of money to the church, they are going to heaven... or purgatory... or they can buy someone else out of Hell... they have no idea who Jesus is.
and that truly broke my heart today.
thank You for breaking me...
but there are no words...
LORD. I pray.
You are mighty to save.
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March 10, 2010 5:50ish
So, I'm pretty sure I have a new favorite song... It’s one that I have thought got old... but this afternoon, on the way back from the school, You let me see it in a new way.
Everyone needs compassion
A hope that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The HOPE OF NATIONS
Savior, HE CAN MOVE THE MOUNTAINS
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of salvation
He ROSE AND CONQUERED THE GRAVE
Jesus conquered the grave!
So take me as you find me
All of my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender! I surrender...
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the RISEN KING!
wow. that carries so much more meaning to me ahora! [now]
Savior--can move the mountains! not only these-> we saw the tallest mountain in the world today [tallest dormant volcano in Ecuador-Chimborazo-also its peak is the farthest away from the earth's center bc of its proximity to the equator, it is the highest peak in the Andes mountains]--He made that thing--He can move it! But also, the mountain of Roman Catholicism. The one that no one can climb, no matter how good their religion is... He has moved it! If only they would stop trying to climb it!--"Why are you striving? Why are you trying to earn grace?"
and then--we're singing for the GLORY of the RISEN KING! not that weak, frail, bruised, sad eyed...dead Jesus in the Cathedral. My God conquered the grave! Jesus conquered death! It is defeated.
for His namesake... for my soul...
Becca Buckley gave me the advice of "you're going to encounter people and you may not be given much of a chance to talk to them... think about it--this may be your only chance to share the gospel with them... I will probably never again see them in my life! ...so figure out one thing you would say to those people."
That one thing I want to tell someone is this:
"¡Jesucristo es convida!"--Jesús vive!
Jesus is alive! He lives!
and He is more powerful than Mary. She was but a catalyst. A means for God to come in human form... they have made her an idol...
anyway... getting off... Jesus is alive!
Él es todo poderoso! [He is all-powerful!]
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later, God I am in love with Ecuador. with the people. with the mountains. with what You are doing here... and I want to join it for a longer time. I want to come back. I don't want to leave! I've been crying about it since Sunday.
I don't know what You have in store at all... but I would be sad to think that this place is not in that picture--if that is the case... make it well with my soul.
I just... I feel so at home here. I feel life here. I want so badly for these people to know my Jesus on a personal level.
I want to come back here and join Your work.
I never saw myself falling in love with another country... I mean--I fell out of "love" for America a long time ago... but I've always thought, inner city in the states was where I was supposed to be... and it will be while I'm at home... along with wherever You send me...
But I never thought You would ...or I would feel this way about being in another country... for more than just a mission trip.
But God... You say, "greater things are yet to come..." =] haha... here, I say "how? how can things get better?" but You always respond with something I could never imagine!
I don't know where I'm gonna be tomorrow...=] but this trip has really opened my eyes. stolen/broken my heart. I cannot... I cannot thank You enough God! I don't have sufficient words.
Today we had toast for breakfast--and cereal and it’s amazing, the conversations we get into here... just amazing--that’s all I have to say about that... well, just about every meal or travel time, we just start talking with someone and asking questions--genuinely interested... I've found myself bolder than ever in conversation... haha, ironic bc of the sometimes-present language barrier. But really, I have initiated conversations... had questions to continue conversations... it’s awesome! None of this, 'hi, how are you'-'fine,'-'how are you'-'good' crap! Like tonight, Stephanie, Sarah and I were washing dishes and just talking and talking... it was so good! You really learn a lot from and about people by conversing with them!
A little later, we got on the bus to San Jorge, to the little school there for our VBS. It was at the top of a mountain... the view was incredible... well... on the way up the first time, it was foggy, but anyway! We got there and the kids are so cute--they were all excited we were there and they greeted us all with hugs/ handshakes/ "hola's"/ smiles =]
We had song time first with all the kids =]
Ester is such a good teacher--she is very good with kids =] I love watching her in front of them!
Freddie played guitar, Esteban, the ...drum and we all did motions and sang.
We split up our groups--1st and 2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade and 6th and 7th. Sarah and I stayed with the 3-5ers the whole time =]--games... crafts... Bible story...
more about that in the morning... I’ll try to write more then! or on the bus back to the school! I will =]
I love You LORD...
gahlee those words are not sufficient.
<>< Katie
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March 11--waiting on the bus at the school.
"When I made up my mind and my heart along with that, to live not for myself, but yet for God, somebody said, 'Do you know what you are getting yourself into?'
I'm getting into You because You got to me
in a way words can't describe!
I'm getting into You because I've got to be,
You're essential to survive
I'm gonna love You with my life...
You said, "I love you and that's what you are getting yourself into!"
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en la noche [in the night]
the stars are out for the first time since the beginning of the week tonight. Our last night here... Thank You, Father =]
So... to continue about yesterday.
games--we played a number game--each kid had a number--Sarah counted them off, "uno, dos, tres, cuatro, quince..." haha= 1, 2, 3, 4, 15! Oh Sarah! It was funny! After that, we all counted with her! One kid, when he ended up beside me, hugged me and didn't let go until the game ended. I didn't exactly know what to think... but talking to Mauricio today--he said it’s because where these kids come from, they don't get any love, so they come here and get some and want more and more. Wow-time to put myself aside and just love on people no matter what the "cost" to me.
We went last to the story--told by Marley and translated by Mauricio! Then we sang the song we'd been practicing for two days almost!
Zaqueo muy pequeño fue y ha causa de la multitud
Subióse a un sicómoro él porque quizo ver a Jesús
Y cuando El Salvador pasó en el árbol le miró
Y le dijo, "Zaqueo, bajate de allí!"
//Porque hoy a tú casa iré// [Zaccheus Was A Wee Little Man song...in Spanish!]
amazing! =]
We left for lunch--hamburgers...haha! everyone else loved it--I gave Mark my patty.
We came back to the school yesterday afternoon for VBS again-mostly the same kids. Maybe few of them. We divided them up differently.
We had song time first again and then our group went to crafts first-they put stickers on a bag and put band-aids and cotton balls and a sucker in them... it makes more sense when you know what the story is... and that was what we went to next! The rooms we had used earlier that day were all closed except for one and we used it for the crafts--so, story time was on the far basketball court. The story was 'the good Samaritan' =] We got to act it out for them. Erica told it--Roberto translated and we acted... I was the Jew who got beat up by Kayla and Marley and then looked over by Josie and Kayla... and then Sarah--the Good Samaritan--helped me and brought me to the inn that Marley kept! It was fun!
Roberto and Ester continued teaching them--teaching them and asking them questions that they answered boldly =] wow--what encouragement!
We had games next! What did we play yesterday? We had them split in teams and gave them numbers-when their number was called they had to run to the middle, get the frisbee and bring it back to their sides. Freddie played on our team and lost every time! Haha--the kids were mad at him--he was big! he should be able to win! haha! Its funny how a lot of the things are cross cultural...=]
We all came together at the end for big group time--just to wrap up and remind them what they had learned and some of their parents were there too so we got the opportunity to share with them and they saw how we loved on their kids =]
On the way back to camp, Freddie and Esteban made music for us! We all sang and ...it was just an awesome time of worship! That was when I realized... or saw the song "Mighty to Save" in a new light. Thank You God! Also, on the way home, Carol got a phone call "from headquarters: the kids from Macas had just arrived at the camp... wow! More youth here already! They came early! but... I later found out... they came about 4 hours early--not a whole day, like I thought! I was excited about meeting them! I really enjoyed the youth last weekend... and... was just excited--I guess part of me thought that these youth would be like the previous youth--I also felt more comfortable because 'we are knowing what we are doing'--sort of--now! and I guess because, we were there before they were, rather than us being the new kids on the block, like it was with the other camp, I felt more 'authority'... like a staffer I guess.
Getting ready to serve dinner, I asked Carol how to say "alive" in español and we got into a conversation about, "what's the one thing I would say." I asked how people would receive that. Steve was there too at this point, and he answered that many might have heard that before, but don't exactly accept it... or are afraid to because of being Catholic or being related to Catholics.
--when I was talking to Josie on the way back from Baños and seeing the Cathedral, she shared the same brokenness about it as me. (I really want to get to know her more) She was telling me about what Carol said about the Catholicism and family structure and politics--how invasive it really is--in politics even.
The persecution Steve had told us about started to "make sense." No wonder they don't want any evangelicals... wow...
Back to before dinner and talking with Steve and Carol. Can you believe it... I asked about politics here!! And it kinda sounds like the direction our country is going in, except a couple steps ahead--their president just canceled the constitution and let the congress go... whoa. Things are about to "change" drastically for Ecuador. LORD, I pray!
Then dinner was served--a traditional Ecuadorian meal of potato cakes, veggies, beef stuff..., rice, juice and ...the dessert look like a gigantic egg yoke...but it was half of the most delicious peach I've ever had!! It puts to shame the ones I love to eat at NGU for breakfast! for real!
Alex sat with us and we got to hear her story--actually... gahlee... everything is running together... that dinner I described was... I don't know! yo no sé!
never mind!
On Tuesday night at dinner, we sang happy birthday to Lindsey and they shared with us an Ecuadorian tradition! The birthday person has to take a bite out of the cake... and then they get their face smashed into it!! hahaha! It was hilarious and unexpected! Anyways...just thought I'd share since all my days are running together anyway!
So again...last night, we ate and served and took trays. Then, Sarah came and asked for help with the dishes--me and Stephanie joined her in dishwashing and we had really interesting conversation the whole time! I love this! We got to know each other even more and... It was just a good time! =] We came out when we were finally done and ran into Josie and Jordan who were headed to Mike's to play some games and then Adi came up too--trying to find someone to drive the girls to go get food! haha, Sarah and Adi and I talked for a while outside! Again, another conversation out of nowhere! Then we headed to Mike's as well--and just missed the downpour of rain!! Sarah and I joined Mark, Jordan and Mauricio and Josie in phase 10--we heard the rain... and the realization hit me--they're all in the back of that truck! The driver... the girls who wanted food and a truck... all out in the rain=] they came in and were soaking wet! But they brought food! =]
Mauricio quit playing phase 10 because he couldn't get past phase 1 and he was really sleepy! haha- I love that guy! So sweet and honest and real! I love everyone here!
So... a little bit later we all ended up heading back "home." in the rain... what a blast!
It was hard for me to sleep last night... but I woke up again this morning before the alarms went off. =] and got ready and was the first girl at breakfast!
Uncle Steve greeted me with a kiss--made me feel loved! =] I love this place. these people...=] I don't was to leave. No quiero salir.
I can't think about that now or I'll cry and never get this done... anyways.
We served breakfast-bread and cheese and egg... yay!
I went to go help wash dishes... and I was the only americana in there...I was content to dry plates and hum to myself until Mauricio said, "Katie, talk to them! You know Spanish--It's good practice!"
-that part “You know Spanish"...and wow...I don't know
It was very encouraging =] I kinda felt bad that someone had to tell me to do it... but that's okay--so I asked them what their names were and such...and they asked me if I liked it here... wow! I can't even explain!
The lady (I think her name was Luciana?) was talking to me a lot and it took a little bit for me to understand... but Mauricio was just smiling and wow--just telling them to ask more questions. I love that guy! Luciana (?) asked if I would like to work here--3 americanos came last summer apparently...
but God... well, I know if this is what You want me to do, You will abre las puertas! [open the doors!] =]
--oh and another story about last night! When we were taking trays from the campers after they ate, two boys came up and I took a tray from one of them and he said, "gracias!" and the other one just looked at him and in scolding fashion said, "Thank you." haha! basically telling the other kid that 'gracias' was the wrong thing to say =] It made my night!
so--again this morning--after dish drying, somehow, Adi and I ended up together and we snuck in the coloseum to have worship with all the kids =]
my favorite!
We left shortly into the sermon--even Adi said he talked too fast! haha!
We got ready to go to VBS for the last time =]
I sat near the front this time because I wanted to be close to the music =] and then, Carol sat next to me! yay!
We talked the whole way up! About culture... how it’s difficult when the world says, "there is no absolute truth"--I told her about my debate last semester. We talked about communities and how--when Christ comes in, the community changes. she said, even here, people are distant and don't want to get in each other's business... but when Christ comes into the life of one villager... everything changes--people are more open and joyful =] wow!
I told her, in America, we're really good at 'faking it' and she said something to the effect of 'evidently not' and that's when we started talking about the effects of not having absolute truths and immorality. It was awesome conversation time =] I love her!
We got to the school, but couldn't come out of the bus yet because the kids needed to eat lunch and if we got out, they'd get too excited and forget about lunch! haha, so we all sat back down on the bus for a little while! Carol spoke words of encouragement to us and then it was about time =]
We got out and the kids basically attacked us with hugs! =]
We had song time first--Freddie and Yonid were there today, to play, to sing, and Esteban to drum =]
Ester, Luis, and Esteban put on clown costumes and did--basically the "sin bench" skit for the kids =] it was cute! and funny!--I got to talk to Yonid before all that--in mostly Spanish! He is from Peru and apparently, from his hometown to Lima it takes 24 hours and to get here, 4 days!! Cuatros días! Wow! He has 5 brothers--Freddie is one of them =] It was really cool to have a conversation with him--I first asked him if "Te gusta jugar fútbol?" [do you like to play soccer?] because he was playing soccer with the kids =] and he asked me if I played guitar =] and was excited when I said yes--that's how our conversation started!
At the beginning of the week, when we met the staff, I had no idea I'd have personal conversations or connections with almost every one of them!--especially not Fredi or Yonid--their introduction was "They are from Peru and they don't speak English." So I thought I'd never get to know them--but by Your grace, God! =] I have many friends! Tengo muchos amigos--tengo muchos hermanos en Cristo! yay! [I have many friends! I have many brothers and sisters in Christ!]
We split into groups again and Sarah and I traveled with our group to game first--we played the 'over-under' game with the ball and the blob-tag game =] was fun! Esteban got really excited because he gave instructions and we [as in the americanos!] followed and then he realized that he only gave instructions in Spanish... yet we understood--he was so excited about that!
Next was crafts =] The kids got to color today =] and we helped them make salvation bracelets and Carol explained what it meant.
Then we went to Bible story =] This time, the story was Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I got to be the 4th man in the furnace =] in the skit. We sang a really fun song
"Pero tanto tanto, pero tanto tanto..." [but more and more...(to be thankful for)]
--and Mauricio had amazing motions --shoulder action and all! =]
Everyone joined us in the room for the 'debriefing time' to go over all we learned! =]
As we were saying goodbye, some were crying... It was a lot to keep composure... as it has been most of today.
--another story--before VBS started, when we were all just playing with the kids, Mauricio and I started talking--that's when he told me about how these kids need to feel loved because they don't get it elsewhere. I brought up Patricia from Marietta--her clinginess was just like the boy that wouldn't let go of me the first time we were there.
Some how... I might have said I'm going to miss Ecuador--or something--but I was talking about how I didn't want to go home and 'Smiles' was like, "Did you hear the lady this morning?" (Luciana)--when she was talking about the men from the States who came for the summer... Me gustaría....mucho! [I would like... a lot!]
I said, "but I don't know if that's my feelings about this place or God's call for my life." And Smiles said, "That's hard--you have to seek God and sometimes you don't know the answer, but it will work out!" or something to that effect... but it was very encouraging to hear.
Then we saw Nathan climbing over the brick wall--the wall enforced with broken glass at the top-- so we went to investigate... apparently, a stray kick ball--and Nathan--miraculously made it back over the fence! =]
After VBS, on the way home, Fredi, Yonid and Esteban... make music! Yay! It was beautiful! They played Mighty to Save again, I think--if I remember correctly =] and I got to explain how that song was made so new to me--to Carol =]
As soon as we got back we ate lunch--which... I don't remember =] and ...well, before we got lunch I picked up a guitar and started playing 'Todo Poderoso'! and before I knew it, everyone had flocked around me! haha =] Marley played some too!
After lunch, I picked it up again and people joined again--Adi, Marley, Lindsey, Nathan and Esteban with his drum... box--caja! and Fredi and Joni--we let them play the instruments!
When they did Mighty to Save I lost it. I lost it. Adi wrapped her arm around me and others comforted as well... I just love it so much here! I don't want to go home... LORD prepare me still. Help me to realize I'm not supposed to be here all the time... yet... ;] wink=]
But really--others are talking about coming back and working... it’s not just me God! There is so much evidence of You here it is drawing us in! We want to serve You--to join in Your handiwork here in Ambato, Ecuador!
I also want to pray for Anna...I know she's taking it even harder than I am! She's a senior so this could be her last year. LORD I pray peace over her.
We played guitar--it dwindled down to me, Adi, and Marley--until game time =] It was a blast--I got my guitar fix for the week=]
games... interesting...
Then, realized that tonight was the night that Kayla, Stephanie and I were to give the devotion... and I still had not even read through the passage... and on top of that... my stomach was not feeling all too great.
I soon realized it was a flaming arrow... and I put the guard up. I barely had enough time to work on the Bible study before it was time! but I... You God. It was all You--You put the words in my brain and in my hand and in my mouth!
I finished up writing my notes a couple songs into worship... but worship was awesome!
"if my God is with me, whom then shall I fear?"
I didn't feel afraid--for once in mi vida! [my life]
I knew I had nothing to fear because it wasn't even up to me--it was up to God and I trusted Him to pull through! and He did!
Also, before worship, Mauricio gathered a few of us and initiated prayer for Kayla, Stephanie and me. That really meant a lot.
The group was divided into 3 and K, S, and I all just picked one. I got the one in the middle and was surprised at my own demeanor... I skipped into the room and... wasn't really nervous at all! I had given it to You and I felt so free to just let You speak! Yay!
Esteban was my translator =] I was glad for that =] really glad! I just like him a lot too! He reminds me of Aladdin! and he runs everywhere and just has a nice smile! I love all the people here!! Elyse walked in with me and asked if it was okay that she record it... and yes... it’s okay =] I am actually really glad she recorded it because I almost don’t remember it! =] Thank You Spirit! Everyone was getting settled--a lot of our team was there.
I introduced myself "Hola! Me llamo Katie (I almost waited for Esteban to translate that!) [hello! my name is Katie]...and I'm really glad y'all are here!" and Esteban translated =] It was so neat!
I told Stephanie, I felt blessed by it! I can't really explain how... just... that's how I feel.
--also, before I started, Sarah Beth sat down beside me and let me know she was praying for me =] again--such encouragement! And, I dunno, but I must have a timid looking face or something, bc sometimes people think I’m nervous when I'm not... haha! owell!
Afterwards, we still had a couple minutes and I asked Esteban if we could pray with them--so he explained that to them, and I had to ask, "Me, in English, or just you in Spanish? both?-I pray, you translate?" and I was so glad for his response! "You first in English and then I'll pray in Spanish!"
--that's one thing I've learned here--prayers should never be translated... they are not for the people... but for God... to God, rather. So what does it matter who around understands? Unless maybe if you're interceding for someone with them... but prayer is between me and Jesus =]
We played the human knot after that =]
That whole time was such a blessing!
Sarah Beth asked to talk to me later... and well... its late now but I look forward to that conversation.
Esteban said, "a seed has already been planted and we're watering" =] how exciting to be invited into that process, LORD! I thank You!
I felt bad bc Adi wanted to make more music tonight--with her electric violin! and ...well, I came to journal right after... oh! right! the skits--the campers did skits about Bible stories and the Americans were the judges =] haha... hope they don't hate us now!
I hope Adi gets to come with us tomorrow =] I feel like she's going to be a special friend! We spent a lot of time together yesterday and more today... =] I love all these people!! Can I say it enough!? Nope! I love them so dearly.
Tomorrow is our last day. We leave the camp at 930 and go off to the equator =] but... I'd almost rather spend the day here, at Camp Chacauco.
But Lord, I give tomorrow to You.
May it be a joyous day--a time for us to go still and share with even more what You have done in our lives!
I love You so much God!
I cannot thank You enough!
en el nombre de Jesús, amen. [in the name of Jesus, amen]
-----------------
Friday night...on the way to the airport.
I've been putting this off all day... I think... maybe because I know as I look back, I realize this has been our last day in Ecuador and it makes me really sad.
We had breakfast at camp--I was surprisingly not tired--I didn't come in the room last night until 1:51 am... and I also took a shower... early night! =]
In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus.
I got up early still =] and had to pack... it wasn't real to me that we're leaving... I still kinda halfway expect to go back to camp tonight.
We were saying our last goodbyes... and such... Jordan was crying all morning. Ester almost made me cry. She told me I am so good for missions and "we're gonna miss you."
While we were eating breakfast, Luis--I got to talk a bit to him--he asked me twice if I had a boyfriend! If I was interested in anyone... nope... espero por Dios. [I wait for God] haha! I think he wants me to send him money for soccer shoes... I don't know!
He had us write our names and emails down and he wrote out something in Spanish next to our names to remember us by--and beside my name, he wrote "la chica que siempre para alegré"--the girl that is always happy
Wow,...I didn't even know... I didn't think anyone noticed something like that =] Luis did.
-----------------
So, we're in the airport now, waiting on our plane... I thought that Steve, Carol, Esteban, and Mauricio would be coming inside with us... or somehow we would be staying with them longer before we had to check in... but no. We got here, brought our stuff in and people started saying goodbye. Mauricio kept saying, "I'm not going to cry."
Right now, I'm numbing myself. I don't want to make a scene... I don't want to cry in front of everyone because it just makes me cry more... and I try to stifle it... and it just builds up like a dammed river. I'm waiting till I get in my car at NGU in the morning and can drive and just let it all out.
Anyways... about today. Composure is a word I really hate right now... anyway. We drove up to la Cienega--"the swamp" but it was a beautiful estate--with gardens and birds and eucalyptus trees! We got to walk around and explore it =] hear some history. We ate lunch there and it was delicious! It was muy rico--very rich... expensive seeming... but it was delicious. They had bread (rolls) and beautiful butter swirls! I had pollo sin... mushrooms. Chicken w/o mushrooms... and papas fritas. muy delicioso. [and french fries. very delicious] and piña—pine apple juice. It was so good.
A band came out--Cotopaxi--and played 18 instruments! I bought a cd =] We left from there to go to the equator... which wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be... haha--me and Mauricio listened to "letting Go" by Tobymac.
and we got to go shopping =]
Then from there, we went back to Quito and the market for more shopping and then to the mall, for food=] I didn't really enjoy the mall... it reminded me too much of America, I guess... I like it out in the city--with the people, or in the country... in Ecuador. This was too "nice," too "clean cut" ...but owell... it was time with friends.
I felt weird because I was by myself a lot--maybe not physically, but mentally... and I felt like I should be talking more to those who I won't be seeing for a long time... I felt distant already =[
Smiles made me smile though! When we all met up again he almost cried about us leaving... =[ God, I'm going to miss him!
We drove through the older part of Quito and got out at the President's house =] I asked Smiles (Mauricio) about his story--how God worked in his life, how he learned English... =] I wish I could speak Spanish because I feel like he might have expanded more on his answer! =] But then again... he's a guy=] haha--it was good!
We stopped at another cathedral... one with gargoyles and animals and figures from each province built on to it... wow... church and state? Idolatry? anyways...
We arrived at the airport and the rest is history... now we wait... it’s after midnight and our flight is delayed until 1:40ish...
It’s weird to know our friends are still here--waiting to pick up the next group that will help them this week... wow... I’m almost jealous.
Today's journeys were a good buffer between camp and the plane... good in the sense that we didn't have to say goodbye all at once... but part of me would have rather stayed at camp until now... but that would be really hard... well... I'm going to sleep for a little while now...
God, help me. I love You so much and cannot thank You enough... be with me in the grief of leaving, and help me to have joy about coming home and never stopping in joining Your ministry God.
help me. I love You
<>< Katie
-----------------
13 marzo 2010 ~11:15 am
So...we're home. I'm sitting on a bench at North Greenville feeling Your wind, looking upon Your hills, and listening to Your rushing water fountains.
It’s a lot colder here than it is in Ecuador =] I was pretty uncertain about how I would react to being home until about halfway through our flight from ATL to Greenville. I was basically on the verge of tears the whole way.
I had to numb myself to my emotions... in fear that they would take over! It was a mental battle!
We got on our flight from Quito--seeing even the place where we had come in a week before. We took our last steps in Ecuadorian land about 2 in the morning today.
It’s only been a little over 9 hours since we were there. whoa. We boarded the plane and again, Stephanie and I sat together and this time we had a stranger for a seat buddy. But he was soon no stranger to us! Stephanie =] wow--she is so good at talking to people--initiating conversations without writing people off by the way they appear.
I had already labeled our seat buddy and had chosen to remain reserved in conversation when Stephanie asked what he was in Ecuador for. "a mission trip." wow... all the sudden, my prejudgments of him were shattered. His name is Troy and he was in Quiciera (?) this week with 9 people from his church in KY--he mentioned that one of the people who was supposed to go, his dad had died, so he couldn't go--LORD, I pray for his family.
We had dispersed conversation throughout the flight! oh, the people you cross our paths with! --We also saw the ladies who had sat in front of us the last flight, to Quito! What a small world!
The flight... I was so sleepy... but before I realized that, I decided to watch the Blind Side! It was so good... it was strange tho--I realized half way through it that... I was watching a movie... in English... on a plane... away from Ecuador =[ Towards the end of it, I really wanted it to end. I was so sleepy.
When it ended, I got out my ipod to lullaby me to sleep... and turned on "Dame"... [pronounced in Spanish--it’s a Spanish song-- "dah may"]
"dame tus ojos en tiempo de obscuridad..."
[give me Your eyes in times of obscurity/darkness]
Awesome song from what I can understand... but it was a catalyst for my emotions. I started to cry. pero no!! [but no!] I couldn't let myself. I had determined not to cry until driving on the way home...
I got a little bit of sleep. My mouth was so dry and my stomach was bubbly so I wasn't too comfortable... then a really loud song came on my ipod and scared me awake...ish. They began serving breakfast... I didn't eat any--just had water... that wasn't very good... and then I looked up and saw the sunrise! It was absolutely gorgeous! That woke me up for real! It was so beautiful! Flying over FL and seeing that...
Some beauty left over from Ecuador =] jota ka! =] [jk--just kidding] but really! My eyes needed to see the beauty of Your glory again here in the States--en los estados unidos.
Our layover in ATL wasn't very long. I got breakfast and was silent most of the time we were there... just listening to people tell stories to those they loved on the phone =] It gave me a little bit more joy.
On the flight to G-ville... thank You God. Marley and I sat next to each other again and we talked a lot... about being home, about Ecuador, about people, about our experiences... about how we felt. It set my heart more at ease.
I told her, "I don't know how I'll react to my parents. I don't really care to see them... or even be in America..."
In my head, I pictured me hugging them and beginning to cry... and making a scene... I didn't want that... so I didn't want to come home... but somewhere in the middle of our conversation, You prepared my heart to say, "It is well with my soul!" And I knew it would be okay to be home.
We got off the plane and met our parents... I hugged them and actually felt happiness in my heart--peace though... though new and fragile peace... still peace. This, not to say I won't cry on the way home--I still need to grieve for not being with my brothers and sisters in Ecuador. I will miss them dearly... but I take comfort in the fact that You are still there! you are with them there as You are here with us LORD! How mighty You are God!! Thank You!
Lord, I pray they are doing well today =] I pray. I pray with a heavy but... simultaneously joyous heart for them!
Again, You gave more peace on the bus back to campus. We were all talking and remembering =] and sharing! It was like a miniature de-briefing.
Stephanie said one thing to me that I think I will carry with me..."I'm glad you came...You were like a natural Ecuadorian."
O if she only knew what that makes my hear feel! God, I give this desire to You! this longing, loving of Ecuador in my heart...
I pray for clarity. for patience. for peace. and for worship in the waiting!
I don't know what You have in store, but I know it is best!
Thank You so much for this experience God...
Help me to live like..no...IN Christ here. Like an Ecuadorian =]
Yo tengo gozo, gozo, gozo, gozo en mi corazón! Porque Cristo me salvó!
[I have joy, joy, joy, joy in my heart! Because Christ saved me!]
Cristo eres el Salvador de mi ser y por siempre y siempre daré alabanzas a ti!!
[Christ, You are the Savior of my soul and forever and forever I will give my praises to You!!]
ECUADOR~2010
fin.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Long time no post!
I'm so bummed that I haven't updated this thing since Ecuador!
I intend on typing up my entire journal from that week there, so that you can see what i saw--well, at least, through my journal!
Obviously, God provided for me to go--thank you all so much for being faithfully obedient to His call to you--thank you for praying and providing funds for me to make this trip!
I'm sorry i haven't even sent out personal thank you notes either! its been so busy! That's a really dumb excuse, but in all honesty I didn't even have the opportunity to process the trip in my own mind until this September! I wanted to do that before writing thank you notes--and well, i just haven't gotten around to writing thank you notes either. For this I greatly appologize! Know that I really appreciate all the support I recieved for this trip. It trully was an eye-opening and life changing journey!
I intend on typing up my entire journal from that week there, so that you can see what i saw--well, at least, through my journal!
Obviously, God provided for me to go--thank you all so much for being faithfully obedient to His call to you--thank you for praying and providing funds for me to make this trip!
I'm sorry i haven't even sent out personal thank you notes either! its been so busy! That's a really dumb excuse, but in all honesty I didn't even have the opportunity to process the trip in my own mind until this September! I wanted to do that before writing thank you notes--and well, i just haven't gotten around to writing thank you notes either. For this I greatly appologize! Know that I really appreciate all the support I recieved for this trip. It trully was an eye-opening and life changing journey!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
faithfulness
Yesterday was the due date of another chunk of the balance. Thanks to the Body of Christ and to our God and his provision I knew I had 250$ already added to my balance and I also had 320$ in my hands to turn in. I got an email from the day before (january 12th) from Dr. McWhite that said this:
"Hello Ecuador Team!
Just a reminder that you have a payment due for your trip tomorrow, Wednesday,
January 13. If you have made the minimum payments so far (initial $150 deposit
plus a second $500 payment) then what is due tomorrow is ½ the remaining
balance, which would be $575.00. Bottom line, I will have needed to received
(as a minimum) a total of $1225 from you by tomorrow. You will then have a
final $575.00 payment due the middle of February.
...
We will begin meeting as a team next week, and I will give you more
information about that later this week.
Looking forward to seeing you all back on campus!"
After reading that I counted the money I had again--320$ plus the 250$...eqauls 570$...not enough for this payment. 5 $ short. but then I remembered previous payments and that because of God's provision then I was about 50$ ahead. So I thought, "whew! made it again--just enough to make this payment!"
I shot him an email back asking about my balance and just to be sure that the 250$ I was told was going to be in my name for this trip was actually there ...and this was his reply:
"I show that I have received a total of $1252.00 towards your trip. I did
receive the check ... I needed a total of $1225 from you by
today, so you are fine."
I read that and ... just... was overwhelmed! Hannah was with me (my room mate) and I didn't even know what to say! I cried! I was dumbfounded. speechless. overwhelmed. everything else just faded into the ...into nothing in comparison to the faithfulness of my God!!
I did the math and with the 250$ I knew was there plus the 702$ I had turned in before...it left 300$ unaccounted for. I don't know where that money came from. I don't know who God provided for to let that happen, but I praise God and give him all the glory!!
His provision for this trip has taught me so much!! about his timing, his provision, his faithfulness, his character, his love, his calling...HIMSELF! I love it!! He is so unmistakeable! wow! I stand in awe!
Also, just to update. I have not turned in that 320$ yet, I went today to give it to him but he and his wife, Ruth Mcwhite, were out--they are now grandparents!! =] hooray! But when I turn that in all that will be left to pay off this trip is 228$. WOW.
I'm brought back to the verse that this started with-- in Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?"
I praise God.
so far: 1252+ 320= 1572$
"Hello Ecuador Team!
Just a reminder that you have a payment due for your trip tomorrow, Wednesday,
January 13. If you have made the minimum payments so far (initial $150 deposit
plus a second $500 payment) then what is due tomorrow is ½ the remaining
balance, which would be $575.00. Bottom line, I will have needed to received
(as a minimum) a total of $1225 from you by tomorrow. You will then have a
final $575.00 payment due the middle of February.
...
We will begin meeting as a team next week, and I will give you more
information about that later this week.
Looking forward to seeing you all back on campus!"
After reading that I counted the money I had again--320$ plus the 250$...eqauls 570$...not enough for this payment. 5 $ short. but then I remembered previous payments and that because of God's provision then I was about 50$ ahead. So I thought, "whew! made it again--just enough to make this payment!"
I shot him an email back asking about my balance and just to be sure that the 250$ I was told was going to be in my name for this trip was actually there ...and this was his reply:
"I show that I have received a total of $1252.00 towards your trip. I did
receive the check ... I needed a total of $1225 from you by
today, so you are fine."
I read that and ... just... was overwhelmed! Hannah was with me (my room mate) and I didn't even know what to say! I cried! I was dumbfounded. speechless. overwhelmed. everything else just faded into the ...into nothing in comparison to the faithfulness of my God!!
I did the math and with the 250$ I knew was there plus the 702$ I had turned in before...it left 300$ unaccounted for. I don't know where that money came from. I don't know who God provided for to let that happen, but I praise God and give him all the glory!!
His provision for this trip has taught me so much!! about his timing, his provision, his faithfulness, his character, his love, his calling...HIMSELF! I love it!! He is so unmistakeable! wow! I stand in awe!
Also, just to update. I have not turned in that 320$ yet, I went today to give it to him but he and his wife, Ruth Mcwhite, were out--they are now grandparents!! =] hooray! But when I turn that in all that will be left to pay off this trip is 228$. WOW.
I'm brought back to the verse that this started with-- in Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?"
I praise God.
so far: 1252+ 320= 1572$
Monday, December 28, 2009
Witnesses to the Life of Faith
I would just like to take this time to thank all of you! To those who have contributed financially--I thank you for your generosity and your availability to help provide my means for this trip. I thank God for equipping you with the finances! I thank you all for keeping this process in prayer! It is such a blessing to hear those words "I am praying for you!" I cannot express how much they mean to me! I've gotten a few phone calls, letters, words, comforts!! From all over and I thank you all for the support system--for the Body of Christ that we are!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that so easily slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race Goid has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith...." Hebrews 12:1-2a
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that so easily slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race Goid has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith...." Hebrews 12:1-2a
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Meeting the second deadline =]
Yesterday was the deadline for another 500$ deposit.
I started the day with just a little over 100$ in my account. I had just sent out support letters less than a week previously and was wondering if anyone would respond that quickly.
Matthew 6:19-34
"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is.
No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
So don't worry about these things, saying 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."
I started the day with 100$...and ended with more than enough to meet the 500$ deposit.
God provides. He is faithful. He works on His time, not ours--to show us that it truly is Him at work and its by nothing that we can do.
I'd like to thank you all again for supporting me and just being the body of Christ! God is working through you and I am so thankful for your willingness to let him move!
In Christ
Katie
so far: 702$
I started the day with just a little over 100$ in my account. I had just sent out support letters less than a week previously and was wondering if anyone would respond that quickly.
Matthew 6:19-34
"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is.
No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
So don't worry about these things, saying 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."
I started the day with 100$...and ended with more than enough to meet the 500$ deposit.
God provides. He is faithful. He works on His time, not ours--to show us that it truly is Him at work and its by nothing that we can do.
I'd like to thank you all again for supporting me and just being the body of Christ! God is working through you and I am so thankful for your willingness to let him move!
In Christ
Katie
so far: 702$
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