Why Ecuador? Why Now?
These two questions bring back a flood of memories. When I hear them, my mind starts scanning over the possible responses. It is difficult to keep my answer to the length most people expect when I think about all that has happened in relation to my decision to minister overseas for six months. In sifting through the stories and plethora of thoughts, it ultimately has to do with calling, timing and God’s hand working in my life.
Since I was ten years old I can remember having the desire to “go all around the world and help people.” I went to a camp where missionaries told about their adventures to foreign lands and about how they saw the lives of other people changed. Hearing the stories stirred up a strong desire in my heart to do the same.
As time passed and the teenage years approached the passion I had grew dormant. I was not sure if my childhood aspirations were a reality or an unattainable dream to which I once held. When I heard about a short term trip that my church was going to take to Ecuador I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to uncover the mystery.
I went for two weeks and I loved it. During my time in Ecuador the passion was reignited, even stronger than it had been before. I was so excited about it that I returned the following summer. As the year after that was approaching I began to question my purpose for going, “Do I want to go to Ecuador because I had an amazing time or because I am called? How do I know if I am really meant to be a missionary?” I wanted to know that I was meant to be there.
It was around that time I heard of an opportunity to go to Bolivia for two weeks. I decided to go there to “test” my true calling. I was excited about it but when I talked to other friends regarding Ecuador, my heart was saddened. I wanted to go there. At that point I had already committed to go to Bolivia and was going to continue in that direction. But I prayed to God, “Lord, if there is any way, please let it be. Let me go to Ecuador.” I asked Him to open and close doors accordingly so that I would be exactly where He wanted me to be.
A few days after I prayed that prayer I received a call from the leader of the Bolivia team. The group would no longer going on the trip. For some reason the plans were falling through. I was astonished but I knew that God was speaking to me- I was meant to go to Ecuador.
A few months later I was headed to Guayaquil, Ecuador ready for God to do something big. Every second there was a gift from God. One night in particular stands out in my memory. It was around 10:00 pm and I slipped out of my room. I headed for the rooftop of La Casa Alianza. The breeze was blowing and the temperature seemed perfect. When I got to the top I looked out upon the houses of the people living there and the grandiose mountains in the distance. I started talking to God and thanking Him for all the things He had done and for bringing me to such an amazing place. As I stood there God spoke to my heart, “You are going to come back here.” A peace settled over me. Here was my calling…
These two questions bring back a flood of memories. When I hear them, my mind starts scanning over the possible responses. It is difficult to keep my answer to the length most people expect when I think about all that has happened in relation to my decision to minister overseas for six months. In sifting through the stories and plethora of thoughts, it ultimately has to do with calling, timing and God’s hand working in my life.
Since I was ten years old I can remember having the desire to “go all around the world and help people.” I went to a camp where missionaries told about their adventures to foreign lands and about how they saw the lives of other people changed. Hearing the stories stirred up a strong desire in my heart to do the same.
As time passed and the teenage years approached the passion I had grew dormant. I was not sure if my childhood aspirations were a reality or an unattainable dream to which I once held. When I heard about a short term trip that my church was going to take to Ecuador I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to uncover the mystery.
I went for two weeks and I loved it. During my time in Ecuador the passion was reignited, even stronger than it had been before. I was so excited about it that I returned the following summer. As the year after that was approaching I began to question my purpose for going, “Do I want to go to Ecuador because I had an amazing time or because I am called? How do I know if I am really meant to be a missionary?” I wanted to know that I was meant to be there.
It was around that time I heard of an opportunity to go to Bolivia for two weeks. I decided to go there to “test” my true calling. I was excited about it but when I talked to other friends regarding Ecuador, my heart was saddened. I wanted to go there. At that point I had already committed to go to Bolivia and was going to continue in that direction. But I prayed to God, “Lord, if there is any way, please let it be. Let me go to Ecuador.” I asked Him to open and close doors accordingly so that I would be exactly where He wanted me to be.
A few days after I prayed that prayer I received a call from the leader of the Bolivia team. The group would no longer going on the trip. For some reason the plans were falling through. I was astonished but I knew that God was speaking to me- I was meant to go to Ecuador.
A few months later I was headed to Guayaquil, Ecuador ready for God to do something big. Every second there was a gift from God. One night in particular stands out in my memory. It was around 10:00 pm and I slipped out of my room. I headed for the rooftop of La Casa Alianza. The breeze was blowing and the temperature seemed perfect. When I got to the top I looked out upon the houses of the people living there and the grandiose mountains in the distance. I started talking to God and thanking Him for all the things He had done and for bringing me to such an amazing place. As I stood there God spoke to my heart, “You are going to come back here.” A peace settled over me. Here was my calling…
No comments:
Post a Comment