So thankful to be able to capture these moments through photography. Pure joy.

Wow.. Day 2 of this mission trip has been incredible. It was our first full day here in Curia. Waking up to the sound of the Pacific and seeing God’s majestic work right outside of my window started off my day knowing that it was fully in God’s divine hands. They had the anniversary celebration at the church last night during our travel here, so they did not have service this morning. I was the first one up as usual, so I took that time in the quiet hours of the early morning while everyone was fast asleep to sit and read my bible and spend quality time with God. What a special experience. I came across Psalm 143:8 while searching for guidance and wisdom for today. I want this to be my prayer and hope every morning. It says “Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for in you do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.” How incredible. Lord, give me hope in the morning and a heart like yours. Let me trust your ways and guide me where you want my feet to go.

We had devotion at 8:30 this morning along with prayer to start our day. Next was our first breakfast in Ecuador. It was pretty delicious consisting of scrambled eggs, fresh bread, fresh papaya and fruit, cheeses, and fresh squeezed orange juice. Now that’s a fresh breakfast! Usually Sunday’s are pretty low key here, but we had the final soccer tournament today at the field right beside Carlos and Janette’s house starting at 1. Time is so relaxed here that when you say a time, that’s just an idea for a number. We decided to take a walk as a group down the beach to San Jose so they could show us a little bit of the town and our area. It was eye-opening to walk the streets and see everything in such a personal state (although the dogs are absolutely killing me). Everyone is so friendly and I got to test out the little bit of Spanish that I know! Devon, who is the intern took us down this dirt road, we had no idea where we were going. We wound up at what would be an experience never to be forgotten. This moment, I felt God stronger than I have in a long time. It overtook everything about me at that moment. The fear disappeared, the anxiousness, the worry, and every negative thought. It was an overlook that looked down over the town of San Jose, with the vast Pacific ocean as the backdrop. The kicker was to see this town that began as nothing, and to look over from such a high point and see how far God has allowed and how he has led the hands of the people to work and build a fortress for him. We did a few minutes of our own quiet time to ponder on our thoughts and to talk to God. My soul was overwhelmed. I felt his presence so strongly with goose bumps down my body trying to fight back the tears from feeling the Holy Spirit so strongly. We then joined in a circle and held hands. Devon started off the prayer time and told us we would go around the circle and pray, and if you didn’t want to then squeeze the hand of the person next to you and pass. I want you to know, that not a single person squeezed the hand of the person next to them to skip. These teens and these leaders and I prayed with our whole hearts. Prayers that were so solid that you couldn’t help but feel his presence holding each one of us. That moment will forever be engrained on my heart.

Our next stop was the soccer field for the grand finale tournament! It was a competition of the towns around us. What an experience. This was the moment of truth to show God’s love and our first test with the people of Ecuador. I will admit, I was a little anxious and worried about the language barrier. How would I talk to the children and communicate with them? But I discovered quickly, they didn’t need nor did they want that. All they wanted was a smile and a hug and you had stolen their heart (well they stole mine immediately too). It’s so simple for them. Their innocence is unlike any other. We took crayons and paper and all they wanted to do was draw in order to give you a gift. They would run through the soccer fields, cackling like you have never heard. Now that’s joy to the ears and to the heart. They just wanted to be close and to feel loved, and Lord did he give me that courage to reach out of my comfort zone to show these children what love is. To God be the glory, not to me. Christian and Hannah asked us tonight during Christ sightings and worship “If we had to go home today, what is the one thing we would take back with us?” Mine would be the courage I felt today that God bestowed on me. He allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and put the barriers and the fears to the side and he gave me his strength. I would take that and carry it with me forever. As we wound down tonight after a good bowl of potato soup and cheese empanadas with God sightings, that Holy Spirit continued to make himself known. It’s funny when you cut out all of the extra noise distractions, what you can feel and hear. Sitting in a room with this group of amazing people, singing praise songs to the sound of a guitar and hearing the sweet voices, you realize that life is about the simple things. and you realize when life is right. and it’s when you are living out his purpose and not our own. It’s that irreplaceable joy that only he can provide. That peace that lasts forever. The lyrics of this song by Hillsong we sang tonight say it all:

Standing here in Your presence
In a grace so relentless
I am won
By perfect love

Wrapped within the arms of heaven
In a peace that lasts forever
Sinking deep
In mercy’s sea

I’m wide awake
Drawing close
Stirred by grace
All my heart is Yours
All fear removed
I breathe You in
I lean into Your love
Your love

When I’m lost You pursue me
Lift my head to see Your glory
Lord of all
So beautiful

Here in You I find shelter
Captivated by the splendour
Of Your face
My secret place

Your love so deep
Is washing over me
Your face is all I seek
You are my everything

Jesus Christ
You are my one desire
Lord hear my only cry
To know You all my life