It expands my faith to know that God is not limited to working in ways that I can understand. –Sandra Byrd

What a precious time it has been here in Ecuador thus far. My mind and soul have fully been in this place, in this moment. Intertwined with deep thoughts and praises. I’m in awe at the magnitude of His love- For us and for the beloved people that we are surrounded by. In awe for His perfect plan that we couldn’t even see. And in awe, that all along, He has been laying out an upright path that we had no idea we were walking. One that would make our hearts sing more than we’ve ever experienced.

Today is the first day I have felt that prompting to write. The first few days, I always seem to find myself in a deep state of observation and reflection- a stillness and a desire to comprehend where God is leading and what He is speaking. Sometimes it’s revealed in grand ways but sometimes, it’s in the gentle whispers. A simple word or look from a human being that sends goosebumps down your spine where you can hear Him say,

“Walk this way child.”

“Hug her a little tighter.”

“Make sure she knows how much her Father loves her.”

 “Make sure he knows that he is worthy of my love.”

“Let her know that I am close to her broken heart.”

We come trusting that God is going to move mountains but it never fails to amaze us how He blows our miniscule expectations out of the water and does things in a mighty way that only He could do. In moments where obedience seems scary, this makes it all worth that leap of faith and a yes.

We had the privilege of having a group of precious people over to the house from a village up the mountain about 30 minutes away. It was mainly women and children and one of the husbands. We prepared coffee, soda, empanadas, and cookies to have that fellowship time with them.

I had been asked to share a little of my testimony and devotion as our friend translated. Sitting in the living room, it’s as if time stopped. I was reminded of a life changing moment that Carlos spoke into me nearly five years ago here- That love has NO language. When I looked into the very eyes of those precious people that God cherished so much, I could feel so much, even without words spoken mouth to mouth. But love was there. It is universal. It is felt. And it is understood no matter what continent or country we are on. Thank goodness that God is love, and a simple smile, a hug, or eye contact that tells all- expresses His love not by words but by the beloved power of silence. Sometimes that feeling leaves more of an impact than any word that could ever be spoken.

1 John 3:18 says “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other, les us show the truth by our actions. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence.”

This trip so far looks nothing like anything we had envisioned as par for the course. That’s the funny thing about God’s plan, it’s always better than ours. It’s more divine and it’s more powerful than anything we could have possibly envisioned. Because it’s perfect.

A lot of joyful tears come with revelation after revelation of what He had been doing all along. Tears from His precious children running up and wrapping their arms around you and not letting go. Tears from watching whales play and feed off the porch in the middle of a deep conversation talking about His goodness and beauty. Tears from waking up day in and day out- watching your husband serve with his whole heart and doing things that one day you only thought could be a dream. Tears from the realization that God does still perform miracles and answer prayers. Tears from building relationships with precious people that you know God placed there. Tears from God giving us scary opportunity then revealing His strength that became ours in the midst of it when we didn’t think we could. Forgive me for ever not trusting you enough.

Being here, and cherishing these precious moments near and far is still strengthening that song that He began so many years ago. His grace in faithfulness is ever so perfect and our hearts right now are ever so willing.