Don't Waste Your Life!

Hola amigos y familia!









Well it was an eventful weekend; I was sick Friday evening and night. Thankfully, it was only a bug that went around for about 5 hours; I will spare you the details! I spent Saturday sleeping and recovering, and was back working Sunday morning.
I’ve been reading a book called “Don’t Waste Your Life” by John Piper and read a very interesting part that I wanted to share:

“But suffering with Jesus on the Calvary road of love is not merely the result of magnifying Christ; it is also the means. He is made supreme when we are so satisfied in Him that we can let ‘goods and kindred go, this mortal life also’ and suffer for the sake of love. His love shines most brightly when treasured above health and wealth and life itself. He knew that suffering (whether small discomforts or dreadful torture) would be the path in this age for making Him most visibly supreme. That is why He calls us to this. And love does not mean making much of us or making life easy. It means making us able to enjoy making much of Him forever-no matter what it costs."

I read this before I left on the trip and have reread the chapter since then. I forget so often that the cost of following Christ is sometimes painful, and sometimes calls us to things that we absolutely do not want to do. The point of the book is that Christ is our whole life’s treasure; in Him, no matter what situation, we can be filled and satisfied by our Creator. And at the end of our lives, we can look back and see that we’ve wasted nothing-no moment, opportunity, experience.

Magnifying Christ through our lives many times causes suffering, but in the end it is worth it if He is our everything. This isn't an easy thing I'm learning, and I don't think suffering will become "easier." But through it, I have the chance to run to the ultimate comforter and grow in Him.

I can always use the prayers, thank you and God bless!

Unas Fotos

Here are some pictures from the baptisms in Banos (from the blog before), some members from Street Church, and of the beautiful landscape!

Baptisms

Hello friends and family!

I’m sorry it’s been so long since the last blog! It’s been very busy, and the internet was not working for a while. Last week we went to a town called Baños so that some of the guys from the street ministry could be baptized. We drove way up into the mountain and stopped at a river called Rio Blanco. There, the guys were immersed and baptized! It was very special to be able to be there for this very important commitment in their lives. After that we were able to walk around the town, and on the ride home (in the back of the truck) we heard their testimonies. Many of them grew up in the streets and had very difficult childhoods. But at some point, the Lord sent His Holy Spirit to touch them and transform their lives! The other girls and I have been having a great time getting to know them.

This weekend the other girls and I also got the chance for a “mini-vacation.” We went back to Baños from Saturday to Sunday. We relaxed, ate some good food, walked around a very nice small town, and hiked up the mountain on a trail that leads to a famous statue of the virgin Mary. The view was spectacular, and pictures couldn’t even capture how it truly was! This particular town is in the middle of the Andes, the middle of what seems to be valleys. I always feel so small and powerless when compared to the majesty and power of God through His creation; especially these mountains and volcanoes.

Even though it may not sound like it, we did work as well! One of the baby boys went back with his mother, and another 1-week old baby came in. He had been given away at the hospital, and the person to whom he was given to sent him here. There was also another 7-year old boy who arrived last Thursday night. He had been badly beaten by his brother.

I’m still adjusting to the cold! It gets very chilly here at night, even sometimes during the day. The landscape is breath-taking, everywhere you go you can see patchwork mountains and low clouds. I can always use prayers for strength and against homesickness! So many random things remind me of my family and I think of them a couple times a day. Thank you all for your continued support and for being a part of this journey I’m on!

Pictures

Here are some pictures of some of the children and around The Ark!

Funny Story

I was riding on the bus into town the other day, and an elderly woman came on. She was dressed in authentic Ecuadorian clothing and hat. I was wondering about her life, and wondered what it was like. Where she lived, if she had children and grandchildren or if she believed in God. I was a couple rows behind her so I watched for a while. As I was thinking all these things, she reached into her pocket and pulled out an "iPhone touch" to make a phone call....something I was not expecting!

Evening Meetings

Every evening before all the children go to sleep, there is a "meeting". Some nights there is a lesson from the bible and prayer, and others are just singing and dancing to music done by Isaac on his guitar. This is really a special time, and enjoyed by myself and the kids.

This is when they truly come together as a big family! Here is a video of one of the nights spent singing:

Hello all!

It's been a great week and weekend here. Saturday night we had the opportunity to go to a Christian "hip-hop" concert that was put together by the Iglesia de la Calle (Street Church). There were both Christians and non-Christians, many singers and break dancers. There was prayer and some preaching, and me and the other girls really enjoyed it! Street Church is on Saturday nights, and I haven't been to it yet since we've had concerts, but plan on it for Saturday. I've met some of the youth and young adults that go and they have a passion for bringing the news of Christ out. Me as well as the other two volunteers are ready to get more involved in this ministry.

I've spent much time with the babies and toddlers, and am becoming great at changing cloth diapers! There is one baby in particular that pulls at my heart, her name is Romina. She is blind in one eye and does not have a second. But her condition I believe is the same as Eli's (my brother for those who might not know!) and I think of him often. It makes me wonder what he was like at the age of one, and what his life was like with his foster family.

The babies, as well as all the children and teenagers are beautiful and are anxious to give hugs and just simply sit on your lap. It's easy to get lost in the daily life, and I've still finding myself wondering if what I do is going to be life-changing to them. That's when the Lord quietly reminds me that these are HIS children, and anything I do or have ever done for the kingdom of God is not by me, but by Him working through me. There is an extreme comfort in that and just giving my day and anything I do to Him and have Him do what He will with it.

I hope everyone had a great Easter Sunday, I was able to skype the family and they put me at the end of the table during the meal so I felt like I was there! It was pretty entertaining.....God bless!