What is God doing in my life following the trip to Ecuador?  I am struggling with culture shock and shame. Shame that I have all that I do.  Shame that I spend money on the things I have. Shame that I have not given more than I have, that I have not loved deeper than I have, that I have not prayed more than I have.  I am finding it difficult to enjoy my home and family knowing there are children in Ecuador, the United States and all areas of the world who are going hungry tonight, do not have a bed to lay in to rest, blankets to cover themselves with, food to eat, or a hand to hold of someone who loves them.  Returning has been much harder than going was.  My heart has been broken for the friends we've made there.  I am finding it quite difficult to listen to friends and family here talk about discourteous drivers, lack of a favorite food, a spider in the bathroom, etc. etc.  I am humbled by the simplicity of life there. By the acceptance of things as they are.  By happiness in what appears to me as despair.  I find myself in prayer for others almost continually since my return.  Praying for safety, comfort, food and love.  Praying for myself to remain this raw for some time lest I forget the lessons learned.   

Worship in church this past Sunday was a beautiful reminder of the time in the church in Peurto Bolivar.  We sing some of the same songs they do, but in a different language.  Singing "Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord" in Spanish as it was projected onto the screen in front of the church was very encouraging.  "Santos, santos, santos" - "Holy, holy, holy"  What a beautiful experience to worship and love the same God in two languages.  God was with us throughout our trip, but never felt more than when we were worshiping together.  He was in all the small things throughout the trip.  Maintaining our health, safety, strengthening our bodies for the hard physical labor we endured and maintaining our health allowing us to work each day at the site and to minister to those in attendance at the church services, the children's church sessions and to those living near the church.  He opened the eyes of our hearts to see, talk to and work with others though a language barrier existed.  He aided in the necessary communication allowing us to laugh, love and worship together throughout our time there.  

One of the team members asked who was praying for patience, for when praying for patience, God will bring situations where patience is required.  Yes, I did pray for patience and guidance before leaving and throughout the time while there.  I prayed for God to lead me to see any work I might be able to be of help with and for the patience to discover it. I prayed for patience with others as with a team of 25, things can get harried.  God blessed us in our relationships with one another and strengthened each.  My prayers upon our return, other than for those living in Ecuador, are to shine for Him each day in all ways to glorify His name.  I am changed and I want to be this new person, so in love with God. I want to continually develop this relationship with him and to build relationships with others in our church.  All for His glory.

Penny Antell

Before the trip even began God started working in my heart to have a passion and great love for the people in Puerto Bolivar. At the beginning of the year I prayed to God saying “God may I simply love like you love, be broken by the things that break your heart, and have a heart to constantly want to serve.” God truly answered my request. I believe that I loved like he loved, was broken by the things that broke his heart, and served in his matchless name!

The most specific thing that I learned on this trip was to fully trust and rely on God, and to never doubt his abilities. On our first night I got to meet the pastor’s wife Marixsa and we began to discuss how many times we would have our children’s ministry. During our pre-trip planning, I had a feeling we would be working with them more than just two times.  In fact, we ended up doing six different lessons rather than just two. When I found this out when talking to the Pastor's wife, I started to worry about the plans and if we would have enough materials. However, I quickly saw how God is good and I shouldn't doubted his abilities.

On the first day (Saturday, August 6th) we went into a neighborhood to do our first session. The coolest part was that we didn’t wait for the children to come to us; instead, we went out and got the children. What a perfect example for us to follow. We shouldn’t expect the people to just come to our church but we should be going out to get them. In total, thirty three kids came that day. It blew me away to see all of them running down the street eager and excited to sing and hear about the same God we praise. It was very hard to hold back my tears!  After making the salvation bracelets and leaving with an excited heart I then found out that most of the children we worked with had parents that were either drug dealers or prostitutes. I was also told that they were physically and sexually abused on a daily basis. It broke my heart but God reminded me that he put us in their lives to share that there is more to life than what they had to face on a daily basis.  We had a great opportunity to show them love that they may have never received before.

On our first day at the church, (Monday, August 8th), only fifteen kids came. The pastor’s wife approached me and Fanni, our translator, and asked if we should cancel tomorrow and go out and spread the word that on Wednesday we were going to have a big event. But Fanni said, “No, I trust that God will bring the children.” Sure enough within a few minutes twenty plus children walked through the doors. At this point I knew God was going to continue to draw the children in. How silly it was for me to doubt that they wouldn’t come. Within the next two days our number grew from thirty three to seventy eight! To top it all off, we had just enough bibles and bags for all of them. One of the greatest memories I have is when they prayed the salvation prayer and many hands were raised after the question “How many of you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior?” What a beautiful wonderful savior we have.

Even though it was hard to leave such beautiful children and people, I am constantly reminded to trust in God and that He will continue to work in their lives and show them love through Pastor Cesar, Marixsa, and the other members of the church. Our God is truly an awesome God! 

Miriam Miles