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