Ecuador

Friends,
    I know, I know...It has been forever sense I have updated this. Life has been utter chaos and I apologize.

Over spring break I had the blessing of going to Ecuador on a missions trip with my Church, Matthias Lot. If I could describe it in two words I would say, LIFE CHANGING. I cannot even begin to express how greatly the Lord humbled my heart when I was down there. Instead of writing a novel about the trip and taking up hours of your time I will write about what God hit me in the face with.

Do you limit God?
Over the week I was down in Ecuador, I continually found myself limiting Christ. I would say to myself, "I don't know Spanish, how can I love these people?"  or "What if I mess up, what if I don't pray the right things" But God just broke my heart and illustrated to me that LOVE HAS NO LANGUAGE BARRIER! These children just want someone to listen, (even when they know you don't speak the same language) They ache for someone to just snuggle with. They have no love shown to them, they are left alone all day. These children were anywhere from infancy to 12 years old. The Lord pressed it on my heart to just simply show them Jesus by loving on His children. What greater way to further His Kingdom.

This is Carlitos, his home for the week was on my lap snuggling

This is Emille, she loved to laugh and be tickled

The Lord also illustrated His greatness by showing us that it doesn't matter what language you speak. He is the same God in America that He is in Ecuador, or Antarctica, Africa, Albania, Germany or wherever you go. We had the blessing of worshiping at a Church that gathered in a small apartment with over 40 people just simply praising God. We worshiped in Spanish and English, and listened to Marc and our translator speak about His goodness and how we are called to love. While looking around I was taken back. I had limited God once again. Although we may not have been fluent in Spanish, we serve a God of many names. Messiah, Redeemer, Yahweh, Dios, Creator...but with all of these different names, and languages...He is UNCHANGING!

 And lastly, just the beauty of the country...took my breath away. I have never felt God more present then I had on that trip. I feel humbled and forever changed. I feel like this blog and these pictures do not even give this opportunity justice. If you would like to hear more or the details of the trip I would LOVE to sit and share. For all of the prayers that went out during this trip for our team, thank you so so much! We felt so blessed by all of your support.

Our view every morning

The monkey's loved us

Let me introduce you to my Savior