Ecuador, Compassion y Yo

Seven days.

That's how much time I spent in the beautiful country of Ecuador. Seven days of wonderful children, learning about Compassion and having my life changed.

I actually started this post not long after I got back and just didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to put into words all that the people of Ecuador had taught me. Now that I've had to tell the story of our trip to several people, I have easily identified a common thread.

The people that we met in Los Bajos (which, by the way, translates to "The Lows") had so very little, but they seemed like they had everything. When we arrived, I was nervous. I thought that maybe they would reject us and think of us as intruders.

Instead, we were welcomed with open arms, open homes and open hearts. The people of Los Bajos were so thankful that we had come "to the end of the world" to spend time with them. They were so touched that we thought them important enough to spend our money to come to Los Bajos. They honestly couldn't believe it. Several times, the question was asked, "What could you gain by coming to us? Why here?"

The answer was so simple to everyone in our group: Why anywhere else? Our churches were invested in Monte Horeb. Our churches help fund the Stadia project to plant this church. We have been praying over them and asking God to bless them in ways we couldn't imagine.

And God did amazing things in Los Bajos. God brought the wonderful Mama Rosa and her husband to plant that church and see to its health. Mama Rosa has helped plant sixty other churches throughout the region and God definitely put her in the right place.

So Mama Rosa and Stadia planted Monte Horeb church, knowing that soon Compassion could come in and start working with the children (Compassion partners with churches in regions that need assistance...no church, no Compassion). When Compassion came in, our churches were on board. Our church members sponsored many kids at the Monte Horeb center.

We are now forever connected to Monte Horeb Family Center and Los Bajos. We love those people and pray for them unceasingly. Our fates are intertwined.

There were many things said and learned during that week that will be with me forever. But, one mother asked something that pulled at my heartstrings. She asked us to please not forget Los Bajos and the children. She asked us to keep praying for them.

How could I forget? They changed my heart. They changed my life.

Now, the only thing I can think to do to prove to them that we are serious is to go back to Ecuador and keep writing our letters to the children.

In the meantime, I have joined the Compassion Advocate Network and will continue to tell my story and the stories of the children I met during my week in Ecuador. I will continue to "sing until the whole world hears."

Sponsor a child today and help release them from poverty in Jesus' name.

It's Almost Time

In only 4 days, I'm leaving for Ecuador. I've got a suitcase already packed - with tons of sporting goods donated by a member of our congregation. It's insane how full this suitcase is!

I hope that the kids can have lots of fun with all of these kick balls, frisbees, soccer balls, footballs, hackey sacks and jump ropes! The art supplies and things on the left there are actually for our sponsored child, Jaleska.

Letters from Ecuador

Speaking of which...I actually received a letter from Jaleska this week. I had been wondering if she even knew I was coming to visit, since our letters have a pretty long delay (the one I received this week was dated July 17th, so a little shy of two months to get here). But, she said she is excited that I'm coming and she can't wait to hug me!

I will be honest - I've been very nervous about meeting her. Since I've only been sponsoring her since November 2011, I was worried that our bond hadn't had enough time to form to give us that "happy tears and hugs" first meeting that I've had in my head. I was worried she would think I'm just a weird lady from the US wanting to hug her. But, it seems those fears are unfounded and we will greatly enjoy the time we get to spend together.

Vacation vs. Mission

Often times, when I tell someone I'm going to be off work for eight days and I'll be going on a mission trip, they seem somewhat taken aback. They mention that it's too bad I won't be able to enjoy my time off and will be going there to "work."

I, however, see this trip very differently. I see it as an amazing opportunity to do God's work and bask in the glory of His creation. I'm looking forward to leaving technology behind (for the most part) and just enjoy the sunset. Our "work" in Ecuador has three main components, as I understand it:

1. Build a playground at the Compassion Center in Manta
2. Paint and help decorate some of the classrooms
3. Host a VBS for 100 kids at the center

I can't think of a better way to spend a vacation! I get to hang out with 100 little kids who are on FIRE for Jesus and who see the Church as a privilege rather than something they "have to" do. I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!

Too Comfortable

I've gotten far too comfortable in my own little world. In case you haven't noticed (and I realize there is no "you" to have noticed), I haven't been writing on this site much (read: at all).

I've gotten comfortable again.

That's all about to change. In 11 days, I'm leaving for Ecuador to have my comfy little world flipped upside down.

No more phone at my fingertips 24/7.

No more checking my email every 2 seconds.

No more Facebook every 15 minutes.

I'm going off the grid. Sure, I'll still have my computer with me and plan to blog about my experience, but I won't have constant access which will actually be kind of nice. I will, thankfully, have Skype to allow me to communicate with my family while I'm there.

So, while I won't have technological comforts, I will have lots of the right kind of comfort. I will have plenty of time with God's splendor (I hear Ecuador is beautiful) and lots of God's people.

I'm most looking forward to the time spent with the people.

My church people.

The group of people from Chattanooga that is a part of our group.

The Compassion team.

The Compassion kids.

My Compassion kid.

I'm still terribly nervous about meeting Jaleska, but at the same time I am so excited to finally see her and squeeze her and (hopefully) hug her mom. That's going to be a very special day.

And then there's the knowledge that I will be experiencing VBS with the kids at the Compassion center in Manta. I haven't been to VBS since my own childhood, so I can't wait.

This is going to be a trip of a lifetime....hopefully not the only one, but definitely the first!