I am excited to share with you what the last two months on the field looked like. We were all surprised to be going to Ecuador, but we knew the Lord’s hand was all over this route change. While we were in Ecuador, our squad was split between three different locations in the area surrounding Quito. We were also divided by ministry instead of staying in the small teams of six that we had been working with for the past six months. All of these changes created a challenging season, but the discomfort created room for God to work in us and through us.
I worked at a ministry called Camp Hope that worked with children and adults with physical and mental disabilities. This ministry was incredibly challenging for me, but it was also very rewarding. We got to work hands-on with the kids doing physical therapy, feeding them, changing them, and most of the time just loving them. Oftentimes I would struggle to understand why God had let these children live in such difficult conditions. However, the longer I worked with the kids the more I got to see the joy they carried when I looked into their eyes or felt the tight grasp of their hands on mine. I realized that these kids carried a special gift that no one else can. They get to live a life without the human instinct to live by works or deeds. They didn’t pressure themselves to do better or do more than live in a place of complete contentment that many of us will never know or understand. The more I got to love them, the more they showed me that I don’t need to strive for perfection. I only need to live in the remembrance that Christ died for me and, because of His sacrifice, I am made perfect. Although I will never completely understand why God has put so many children in these circumstances, I know that there is a lot more I can learn from them.
I am also happy to announce that I am back in America. Please feel free to reach out if you want to hear more about how the Lord moved in my life and through my life over the last nine months.
Blessings
Welcome home! I loved reading your updates and praying for you as you traveled to hard places, to BE the hands & feet of Jesus!
We’re so glad for all God has shown you and done through you this year. I’m sure it’s both good and sad to be back in the States, but we look forward to seeing & hearing all about the trip.
Kristy-So glad you are back home safely. Looks like your year was successful on many levels and God worked miracles that will last a lifetime for you and those He touched through you. God Bless you and yours, Aunt Cissie
Your insights about God’s love in the children you worked with is encouraging and inspiring. You bless me.
I’m so incredibly proud of you. Love you!
We are so grateful to God that you got to minister and be ministered to through your time away. We continue to lift you up in prayer for the next steps! We love you!
Thank you for following the Lord on the World Race! May God direct your next steps in the adventure of life!
What a blessing you have been and have received. Your experiences and growth in the Lord will be with you the rest of your life. I know God smiles down on you. Dick
God has been very faithful this year! Thank you for your love and support Aunt Cissie!
Wow, that’s amazing, thanks Grandpa!! I love you!
Thank you so much Donita! I have appreciated your prayer!
Thank you so much Lyn, I have appreciated your prayers and support this year!
Praising God that you were blessed and I know you were a blessing to those children. I know God is pleased with your service. Your spiritual growth and increase in confidence is amazing. May God continue to bless you as you seek His will for the next step in your education and future endeavors. Diane