On the 10th of this month we will have been here in Ecuador for three months.  Time is flying by and we pray to make the most of every moment.  One of our favorite ways to make the most of our time here is to walk the streets of Misahualli when we go to town.  We visit with shop keepers and children from the school. We make new friends and practice our Spanish and pray for God to use us.

We were greatly encouraged this week when we stopped to say hello (again) at one of the businesses. The wife offered to make us some juice and stay and let Elijah play with their children.  Madeline and Abigail were able to practice their Quichua on the husband who is fluent, and afterwards Eric and  he compared various sports injuries.  Truly, it is feeling like home here and it is as if the people are accepting us more. Sometimes,  it feels as if the progress is slow and I have to remind myself that we haven’t even been here three months yet!

We were blessed to travel to Ambato this weekend for Eric to attend a conference with local pastors and missionaries.  He had a wonderful time, was encouraged by the fellowship and messages, and had his batteries recharged!  Thank you Thomas and Deborah for the invitation.

The 5 hour ride through the mountains to Ambato allowed us to view a couple of active vocanoes, see several waterfalls and stop in an old lava flow and pick up volcanic rocks.   Although it was great to shop in a big grocery store and have the luxuries of being in a very “American” city… we know that God has called us to the jungle and that is where we belong. <3

I think about the book of Acts.  Paul stayed in Asia two years so that all had heard the Good News.  Then in chapter 20  Paul is talking about finishing his race. It is easy to focus on the “race” terminology and not give proper thought to the rest of the chapters.  The parts where this man Paul was giving and pouring himself out for these people.  Not just finishing the race in first place, but finishing well.

Growing up, many times I heard, ” If you’re going to do it, do it right the first time” I would race throught my chores, doing them nominally in order to be free to serve myself and my desire to go outside and play.   Somehow, my parents would find the clothes under the bed or toys stuffed in the closet and I would be called back in to do the task correctly.  My parents were doing their best to instill in me that it wasn’t about the quantity of time to complete the task, but quality of the completed work .

In elementary school I was able to participate in “Field Day”.  In case you aren’t familiar with the concept, a couple of the elementary schools got together and competed in various events.  I recall being thrilled to compete in one of the long distance events and envisioned myself easily outdistancing the competitors as I ran my second lap around the track.

It was not a prophetic vision.

I failed to pace myself and did not win the coveted first place ribbon.  At the time, I was heart broken.  That’s okay, because I have learned that  often the prize comes by learning from my mistakes.

What about you?  As servants of the Most High, we are all in the race.  Some of us have gotten tired and are sitting down.  Some of us have fallen and need to get back up again. Others are still looking at the route before them and doubting their ability to compete. But our names are on the roll and He expects us to finish well.

To finish we must begin.  Finishing well begins on our knees.  Let us begin again then, striving to compete as He enables us, and not stop until we have finshed, and finshed well.

I am so thankful that we are running this race together.

So All May Know,

Amy

“She wasn’t afraid of swimming in the deep end, way out of her comfort zone.

When you can’t touch bottom, you touch the depths of God.” A Holy Experience

Have you ever read something that just shines a spotlight where you’d prefer it stay dark?

I have a confession.

I am scared of swimming in the ocean. (I almost drowned Eric once because I thought I couldn’t touch the bottom.) This fear? There are many reasons and they all have something to do with lack of control. The waves are unpredictable. The boundaries are undefinable. The depths are unfathomable. It’s altogether uncontrollable. Yet I love to hear it. Dip my toes in it. Get up early and stay up late to watch it.

But I fear getting all the way in it… most definitely.

So this devotion struck a nerve.

Is this the way I want to be in my relationship with God? The way I desire my children to be?

That spotlight?  It shines on questions that beg to be answered.

Am I willing? Willing to not ask what I might have to do, not ask for full disclosure, not imagine the God of the Universe as someone to be negotiated with. Willing to jump in all the way and trust Him?

Am I willing to experience more of this great God I serve than just the ankle deep that I so frequently settle for?

Secure in my Savior’s unpredictable, undefinable and unfathomable depths?

I know that I am, because He IS.

Little faces smiling shyly.  Giggles.  The sound of running feet.  Pencils scratching away at an assignment.  Timid voices trying out a new language. Laughter.

Recognizing familiar faces in town.  Inviting people over for dinner that don’t speak our language.  Having people show up for dinner.    Trying new foods, new recipes.   Having more people than seats.

The smell of breakfast.  The pages falling out of his Bible.  Gathering exoskeletons of locusts.  Chubby hands.   Almost grown up girl hands.  Hands holding a guitar.

Coffee and prayer.  Papers and prayer.  Paint, boots, and prayer.  Walking the streets with prayer.

My family.  Friends.  Strangers.  People.  Who we are, where we’ve been.  More importantly; where we are going and who we are becoming because of who we know.  Or don’t know.

Opportunities to introduce someone to my Savior?  They are everywhere once you begin to look.

We are back in town to use the internet today.  Our first Spanish lesson was great.  Not that I did well, but our instructor is going to move along at a quick pace and we’re going to learn a lot!

Tonight, my first Ecuadorian cooking lesson courtesy of Julio’s wife, Gina!  When I asked she giggled and stared at me.  Once she realized I was serious (through a translator) she agreed.  Then she went around telling the workers that she was going to teach me to cook.  Even if I learn nothing, the relationship building will be priceless!

A great thing happened yesterday as we were leaving the internet cafe.  We met Debra and Thomas Moore from the United States.   They are moving here to Misahualli from Ambato this week to serve the communities along the river.  After driving us home, they stayed and visited with us until 11:30.  Just hearing the people of God  (especially punctuated with a southern accent and hugs) made me feel so comforted.  Amazingly, they are bringing a team from Homerville, Georgia to the jungle very soon.  For those of you unfamiliar with south Georgia, Eric’s family is from Homerville and Fargo. Meeting someone in the jungle of Ecuador who knows people from the swamps of south Georgia is nothing less than a God thing!!

I have a calendar, a meal plan, and Bible Study schedule. So far those things are going smoothly.   The laws here are changing and educational reform is on the way.  We don’t know what the government here is going to allow JKC to do about the school.   No preschool will be  allowed on campus, so schooling Elijah at home is the obvious alternative.   The girls may be homeschooled with supplemental classes on campus because the older children will have to travel to Tena for distance learning.  When and what Eric and I will be teaching at the school is still flexible and God is intent on demonstrating that it is His will that guides our steps.

And so I follow monkeys and learn about the plants and weed a small garden left by a previous intern.  We laugh with the local kids and I practice my Spanish on them and embarass my children.  I try to focus on who God is and what He  has shown  us and that we are here to serve Him in whatever capacity He chooses.  I am reminded that my job is to listen to my Father.