ecuador thoughts
I don't know if I'll ever get around to writing much about our Ecuador trip, so I'll post this for now. I was asked to write a half page article on my experience and this is what I managed to produce (it was quite trying to make it that short -- I always like to include lots of details 'cause it makes it more fun:)
Soon after returning from Ecuador I noticed a sign that read: “When you give to God, he always gives change.” Now, it took me a couple seconds to get this, but when I did, it made me wonder about the trip: how had God changed ME because I had gone to Quito for two weeks? On the trip, I learned a lesson that I least expected (isn’t this always how God works?), for the trip very much reminded me of my need for humility.
Coming off the airplane, I found myself helping a woman with two young children (the same age as mine). With the youngest crying in my arms, I was overcome with emotion (able to relate, missing my children) as well as with pride (isn’t it nice of me to help?). I was so caught up in helping that I ended up being rude, cutting in front of others in line. When I realized this, poof, I felt low (pride goeth before the fall, eh?).
The first few days in Quito were the hardest. There were many reasons for this, but I found that I was again being prideful (aka not spending time in the Word or in prayer). I felt like a basket case of emotions and insecurities, wondering how to fit in and adjust. Having my quiet time wasn’t magic, as it was still challenging to live and work with new people, but my time with God served to ground me and remind me of my security in Him.
The final humbling experience came about because of jokes I heard concerning Ecuadorian farming, traffic, pollution, military etc. These were meant in jest, but to me the comments seemed to imply one thing: the Ecuadorians were doing it wrong. This troubled me (and of course, I didn’t think that I was having these feelings of superiority). I came to realize, however, that I did think I was right (and they were wrong) in regards to driving and pedestrian rights and that having this attitude made me no different than those who joked about such differences.
Thankfully, it isn’t three strikes of pride and I’m out. Our God is full of grace and forgiveness. I am grateful that He gave me the opportunity to spend two weeks with my husband and many other believers, from home and from afar. Thank you to all for your support and interest in the trip! I know that God was at work in all that we did.
Soon after returning from Ecuador I noticed a sign that read: “When you give to God, he always gives change.” Now, it took me a couple seconds to get this, but when I did, it made me wonder about the trip: how had God changed ME because I had gone to Quito for two weeks? On the trip, I learned a lesson that I least expected (isn’t this always how God works?), for the trip very much reminded me of my need for humility.
Coming off the airplane, I found myself helping a woman with two young children (the same age as mine). With the youngest crying in my arms, I was overcome with emotion (able to relate, missing my children) as well as with pride (isn’t it nice of me to help?). I was so caught up in helping that I ended up being rude, cutting in front of others in line. When I realized this, poof, I felt low (pride goeth before the fall, eh?).
The first few days in Quito were the hardest. There were many reasons for this, but I found that I was again being prideful (aka not spending time in the Word or in prayer). I felt like a basket case of emotions and insecurities, wondering how to fit in and adjust. Having my quiet time wasn’t magic, as it was still challenging to live and work with new people, but my time with God served to ground me and remind me of my security in Him.
The final humbling experience came about because of jokes I heard concerning Ecuadorian farming, traffic, pollution, military etc. These were meant in jest, but to me the comments seemed to imply one thing: the Ecuadorians were doing it wrong. This troubled me (and of course, I didn’t think that I was having these feelings of superiority). I came to realize, however, that I did think I was right (and they were wrong) in regards to driving and pedestrian rights and that having this attitude made me no different than those who joked about such differences.
Thankfully, it isn’t three strikes of pride and I’m out. Our God is full of grace and forgiveness. I am grateful that He gave me the opportunity to spend two weeks with my husband and many other believers, from home and from afar. Thank you to all for your support and interest in the trip! I know that God was at work in all that we did.
posted by MSMAR @ 1:41 PM
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