Volkswagon Beetles and other Bugs...

Sorry everyone…I realize it has been almost two weeks since my last update…I don’t know where time goes, but if I did, I would figure out a way to recycle it.

Our activity with the kids from the orphanage was a success. We divided the kids into two groups, the younger ones, along with the three special kids, and the “youth”. I was paired up with my girl, Flor! They loved the pool, though most of them clung to their “friends” because they couldn’t swim in the deep water. I kept Flor in the kiddie pool, which turned out to be a good idea. She loves the water! It was funny to watch her splash and flail about, hollering at the top of her lungs, but I had to stay right with her because she would submerge her face and nearly drown with excitement! It was so rewarding to see the kids laughing and acting like kids – without a care in the world. We brought them back to the apartment, where they all ate at least three sandwiches, listened to the gospel presented in a kid-friendly manner, and then watched a movie. By the time we started the movie, at least half of them were asleep! Once again, it was difficult to send them back, wishing we could fix their situation. The only thing we can do that will really make a difference is to show them the love of Christ which we have for them and let them know that they are valued. Most of us cannot even come close to knowing what they feel like, having been abandoned by their parents, with little to no chance at being adopted.

Mother’s Day with Mercedes was enjoyable and relaxing. We woke up early and headed for the beach for some time alone with the Lord. It is so refreshing to be able to sit in the midst of one of the crowns of His creation. For me, there is no greater pleasure than listening to the sound of the water, feeling the fresh breeze, and basking in the Glory of my God. We took our leisurely time to find a place to eat some breakfast and spend the rest of the morning walking the beaches and swimming. It was overcast, so there was no danger of getting sunburned. We returned to the hotel to shower and catch a nap before leaving to get some fish for lunch and then head for the bus back to Guayaquil. I made it home in time to have supper with the roommates (Sharon and Tabitha), and hang out with my pals. SIGH. I love the Sabbath.
I think I mentioned recently that my head was itching, and everyone thought I was allergic to my shampoo…nope! Turns out I contracted head lice! I am pretty sure it was due to the fact that when I was cutting all the kids hair at the orphanage, one of the girls was combing my hair with the comb she used on all the others. Mom, if you are reading this, please don’t turn me away when I come home, I promise I have treated it several times…just to be safe!

On Monday morning I traveled back to Cuenca. This time, since Seth and Tabitha (OM friends) were heading to Saraguro, so we traveled together. We saw my admirer at the bus station, but managed to avoid any soap opera drama, thanks to the newspaper I kept in front of my face!

The rest of my week was filled with phone calls, emails, skype sessions, meetings, and the like. I have been much more encouraged this week, and have allowed myself to rest in the normal tasks people do every day, such as exercise, clean the house, cook, play music, enjoy people. It is funny how relaxing and de-stressing it can be to have to do the dishes. I mean, it is kind of pain, but it is an easy, mindless chore, that allows me to sing, reflect, pray, or just BE, without feeling pressured. I am beginning to give and gain trust, in order to form some deeper relationships, which seems to have been more difficult here in Cuenca. I drove a classic, orange VW beetle the other day. It was my first time to drive in Ecuador, and, of course, everyone was shocked that I could drive a manual…or that I could even drive! There are many people here (especially women) who just don’t ever get their driver’s license.
There are a few solid leaders rising up who have been connecting with other churches to get more people involved with the vision of Cristo Vive. Saturday I had my last group meeting until I return in August. I made a giant chocolate cake because one of the guys here was complaining that the oatmeal/banana cake is for Grandmas. I think he ate half of it, and I keep telling him he had better not be coming to the meetings just because of the food! They are finally taking the initiative and responsibility for Cristo Vive Cuenca upon themselves. We have adjusted the calendar and there is now a day camp planned for July 10 (please PRAY for them!!!!).
I am working out the details for the August team from the US (anyone interested???), and there are three people interested in coming down for longer short-term volunteer opportunities. Craziness. I have only about two weeks to wrap things up here, then I will head home for a couple months! I am really excited to come back and see everyone. Getting used to being so far away from my family and friends has been more difficult than I had planned on.

This last weekend, my friend Lorena asked me to sing a mother’s day song with her, and to help lead worship at the daughter church here. Singing Spanish music and reading the Bible in Spanish has really helped my language skills. I am starting to think in Spanish instead of having to translate in my head before I can figure out what someone said or what I want to communicate. Sermons are coming easier too, which is encouraging, because, I need as much of the Word as I can get.

Ok, now for the real news! The inevitable has happened, and I have to tell you all about it. Just a few weeks ago I was saying how I was sick if Ecuadorian guys, and then, though I never thought it would happen, I fell hard for one! He is dark and handsome, small, and a bit hairy (very typical Ecuadorian). He is needy, but makes me laugh. He keeps me company when I am lonely. He is very intelligent and has learned he had better take me seriously. I am torn up about leaving him here for two months. He has a lot of energy, is very social, and likes to run with me…on a leash! His name is Incendio (which means “fire”), because he was rescued from a burning building. He is a little orphaned pup, some kind of mixture of German Shephard. Some girls from the church adopted him, but live in a small apartment and were gone most of the time. My friends brought him here, and it was all over! I wish I could bring him to the states, but he doesn’t have a passport. He technically lives with the pastor here, but Freddy’s never home and has no clue how to deal with a puppy. So, I had compassion for him and have been bathing him, feeding him, training him – I even cut his hair, because it was all matted and gross. (I know, I know, he’s just a dog! As I said, I fell hard!) He has been a blessing, since I spend a lot of time at the house by myself. (Sorry I keep toying with you...and if I raised anyone’s hope that I was involved in a real romantic attachment!)

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Happy Mother's Day!

Philippians 3:13-14 “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

*** Happy Mother’s Day…to all you mommy’s out there! You are by far the most important people in the world!! I mean, think about it, every great man or woman, King or Queen, doctor, scientist, writer, teacher, musician, or missionary was nurtured for nine months in the womb of a woman, who then bore excruciating pain in order to give innocent little lives a chance – is that not incredible?!?! In my opinion, motherhood is one of the highest callings a person can fulfill in this brief lifetime. It requires responsibility, total commitment, superhuman love, and inexhaustible patience and energy. I can only hope that one day the Lord bestows upon me such an honor. My very own mother is a woman of great strength, grace and determination, and though she has endured heartache and trial, she has always been able laugh in the midst of it. She has an eye for decorating and has been known to rip out walls and transform a house into a work of art! Her clients and coworkers at the beauty shop get more than they pay for, because she listens to their problems, and openly shares the truth of gospel, more boldly than most. Her fountain of joy and wisdom comes from her morning coffee dates with the Lord and His Word, where I know the whole family gets a good dose of prayer. I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with such an outstanding example. Love you Mom! ***

I have been reading this book called “And I Will be Found by You,” and the Lord has used it to remind me that my works have NOTHING to do with my Salvation or the love the Lord has for me, but that His pleasure is aroused as we seek His presence. Francis Frangipane, the author, was going through a time when he had been asked to leave the church he was pastoring because he had confronted sin in the church. He could barely provide for his family and they were living in Iowa during one of the coldest winters on record. He wrote: “I repeated again my abiding prayer: ‘Lord what do you want of me?’ Speaking directly to my heart, He said, ‘Love me where you’re at.’” The Lord assured him: “‘this is all I will ever require of you.’”
The question is: what does it mean to truly love Him? I have been focusing so much on my ministry tasks, that my identity, and my relationship with the Lord have been wrapped up in the results (or lack thereof) of what I am doing. It is not that He doesn’t want to use to show His glory in the world, but His source of joy comes from those He loves (us) loving him so much that we cannot help but seek His face, and in so doing begin to become more like Him.

Ok...and now for the update:
Since I last wrote you, I went to Saraguro, which is a very much unevangelized, rural, traditionally Catholic area. The OM team did a medical outreach there a couple of weeks ago, and now the goal is to follow up with a discipleship program and help the two struggling churches there to form cell groups in order that these people don’t become like so many who are evangelized, and left to themselves, without a clue of where to go from there. I helped get things started at the end of last week, because only one person was able to go. It’s just good, old-fashioned missionary work. We hiked in the highlands in the rain in order to find the women we were intending to visit. They were grateful for the visit and interested in more Bible study.
We had a Cristo Vive meeting planned for last Saturday in Cuenca, so I hopped on a bus for a three hour ride home. I immediately went to the grocery so I could bake something for the meeting. It was time to begin, and only one person showed up. Another guy came about two hours later, and no one else had heard whether the other folks were going to show up. After a good, honest chat with the guys that did show up, I had a good, honest chat with the Lord about what I should do, and the conclusion: ‘Go with the flow.’ In order for things to happen the way I want them to, I would have to change the culture, and that is not what I am here to do. So, I keep praying and letting go of my frustrated plans. On Monday, I had a meeting with Henry, who is interested in assuming the role of leadership, and we are going to move forward with presenting the ministry to the other churches in the area, and plan on having a team-building event on the 15th instead of an activity for the kids.

On Tuesday I went back to Saraguro. I got a later start than I had planned because I had to wait to receive a package from Quito and I wanted to spend a little time with Jessie, the American girl who lives with us, because she is having to go home unexpectedly next week. I finally got on a bus at 11:30 am, and we weren’t even out of Cuenca, when we encountered a roadblock. A group of people had gathered to protest a water law (apparently the government is trying to take water from the indigenous people who live in the highlands, and they obviously don’t like that idea). In order to communicate their disapproval, they stand in the middle of the road. After sitting for about forty minutes we were able to continue. I finally arrived in Saraguro at about 4:30 pm, and headed straight for my hostel. There was a European couple on the bus and because I they thought I looked like I knew where I was going, they followed me! Come to find out, they have been travelling for 8 months, through Canada, Washington, Mexico, Central and South America. They are from País Basko…technically Spain. We spent the rest of the day together, getting to know each other and Saraguro, since Darren (the guy with whom I am working here), was somewhere high in the mountains visiting people. Darren finally arrived at about 8:30 (he had been waiting for a ride, getting drenched in the meantime). Marcos and Miriam (my Spanish friends) came to Saraguro with the intention of experiencing how the indigenous people live, so they asked if they could join us for our visits. It didn’t quite work out, since we were late getting back from our morning visits. They seem like very “open” people so it will be interesting to see how things progress from here. I’ve made some new friends that I will one day need to visit in Spain, and of course, I am praying that they will come to know that Jesus is the Truth. Friday morning I left Saraguro, stopped off in Cuenca, and boarded another bus bound for Guayaquil. Our bus stopped three times for extended periods (once because we blew a tire and had to change it). I love buses. It is Saturday morning and we are getting ready to go get all of the orphans from the orphanage. We are planning to take them for a swim at a local pool, watch a movie, feed and bathe them. I am so excited to see them, especially Flor. I doubt they have ever been able to do something like this. I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
Tomorrow, Sunday, I am planning on spending the day at the beach with Mercedes, my “Mami Ecuatoriana.” On Monday, I will return to Cuenca to spend one more week building up ministry potential there.

I close with a prayer from the book I mentioned earlier:
“Lord Jesus, The revelation of Your love has swept me off my feet. Lord, You have drawn me and I run after You. Master, even in the mundane things of life, I shall express my love for you. Consume me in Your love.” AMEN

The Grass is always greener...

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have a prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Cor. 13:1-3

I would like to ask you all to pray for Mongolia. They have declared National Disater, and have asked for help from the Red Cross, which is unusual, as they don't like to accept help from other countries. The las summer was very dry, and this winter was very long and cold, there are many people in the oultying areas who are starving, some have died, and the situation there is very grim. Cristo Vive has planned a trip there in July. As of right now there are about 5 people planning on going. This is an opportunity to reach out with the Gospel and see the country changed. Pray for the Christians, as they are all relatively new in the faith, to have boldness and favor.

Here's the Update on Yours Truly:
Cuenca is so different from Guayaquil, that it seems I am in a different country all together. It feels much calmer. It is a much smaller city than Quito and Guayaquil. The climate is similar to what Wisconsin feels like in the spring or fall. It is cold at night (I actually have had a difficult time getting warm, before I can fall asleep – even with a pile of blankets!), and at midday, when the sun is the most direct, it is hot, though there is usually a breeze. I thought I would never feel cold again, and couldn’t imagine donning a sweater after the sweltering heat of Guayaquil, but here I am. On Saturday, I ran for the first time in a few weeks. There is a nice path with a lot of parks along the river, which is also very beautiful, and calming. Although I don’t know the ins and outs of the city yet, because it is smaller and safer, I feel freer to come and go as I need. Also, due to the beautiful climate, mountains, clean air and calm lifestyle, there are lots of foreigners in this city; it is odd for me to see other random Americans or Europeans here. I am living in a house with two other “missionaries” that work for the church here, Calvary Chapel. The pastor lives next door and the church is just next to his house. I have my own room (with beds enough for 5 roommates!) with big windows and my own bathroom, so lack of space is NOT an issue. I wonder at times if I will ever settle in one place long enough to feel at home, though, I guess that is not the idea! It has been a bit difficult this time, I think because I am alone. There are no other Cristo Vive folks here, besides the ones I am building relationships and a team with. I knew it would be a bit of a struggle after Gene, Jordana, and the teams left. However, I have been trying my hardest to focus on the schedule I have made and do the work! All of you know that, though I need my alone time, I thrive just knowing there are people near me that I can converse with if I want to. I feel like such a fickle GIRL, because I was looking forward to some peace and quiet after the craziness of the last couple of months, and now, I am pining away for more interaction – am I weird or what?! So, the challenge has been set before me. We shall see what the Lord has for me to learn through this. There is hope of someone joining me in this work soon, so please be praying for that. I know that I am just being impatient and I need to trust the Lord to work everything out. It has only been a week.
I have been missing the opportunity to go to the orphanage. Tossing and turning at night, I pray, wonder, and wish that I could do more to fix these situations. Flor is constantly on my mind, and I know the Lord is working in her and all the kids there, and even the director. I keep thinking that the best thing is for these kids to get adopted…anyone have a bunch of money to lend me so I can adopt a few of them? My mom would be thrilled!

My focus right now, for the next few weeks, is to get this team in Cuenca off the ground. It is a challenge for several reasons, and I have to keep reminding myself that this is going to take time…but I like to see results! So far, nothing has gone quite like I thought it would. That doesn’t mean I will stop planning, just that I now plan on my plans changing! We have an event on the calendar for May 15, though that may be too soon. This is a new territory for me, and though there are people interested, it has been a challenge to get them all together at the same time. The people involved in this church are busy, so we have to get other churches involved as well.

The good news (Sorry, this seems to be a bit of a depressing update!) is that the people here are very focused on reaching out to their community and surrounding areas that may not be evangelized. They have planted a daughter church in an unreached community, hold classes with the kids whose parents work at the little market down the street, visit a cancer hospital, and much more. They have a Jewish Dinner at least once a month. People come from many different cities, and many have given their lives to the Lord as a result. Pastor Fredy teaches the spiritual significance of every act and every food item from the reference point of the Last Supper. It is a beautiful way to present the love and sacrifice of Christ.

My health has gotten better, probably due to the fact that it is cooler and I have been eating much healthier here. I can buy fresh veggies and fruits just a block away. My head has been itching for about a week, though it is getting better. The first few days, it was driving me crazy!! I was so afraid I had lice or something, but nobody could find anything, so, it was probably a reaction to some shampoo I bought here or something.

I am becoming famous here for my monster cookies and “tortas” (cakes), which are really just glorified banana bread! When I arrived in Cuenca there was a pile of old bananas in the house, and Jessy, a young Arizonian, can’t eat wheat. I happened to buy an overripe pineapple and a coconut. So, I threw something together with oatmeal instead of flour – inspired by Maricelle’s tropical nut bread. Lorena (my Columbian housemate), asked me to make one for a baby shower, and now everyone wants one! The thing is, here, they don’t really bake, so, when someone does, they’re in awe! I could open up a bakery/beauty shop here and become a rich woman!

For your enjoyment:
I have to tell you a quick story about why I am sick of Ecuadorian men!! No offense if you are one! It never ceases to amaze me, but I can’t tell you how many times short, middle-aged Ecuadorian men have stared, made crude comments, whistled, smooched, and waved at me (Imagine if I were a tall blonde!). I always wonder if it ever works for them…I mean, do girls ever respond to them?? Well, last Tuesday, on my way to Cuenca, topped them all. I was, against everyone’s better judgment, alone at the bus terminal. By now I know the ropes, and wasn’t at all concerned about going there by myself. Of course, if I had had a tall, intimidating ex-cop with me, for instance, I wouldn’t be relaying this story, but all of the guys that I would normally call on to help me out, were gone, and the Ecuadorians were all working. As I waited for my bus to arrive, a man wanted to help me take the pack off my back…I told him I was fine, but he didn’t listen. Then, he wanted to know where I was from, what my name was, etc. He told me I had pretty eyes, and then asked if I had a boyfriend. This was the point of no return, and I was starting to get annoyed. I told him I did (Jesus counts, right?), and of course, he wanted to know where he was. When he started asking for my number and if I liked to go dancing I wanted to punch him in the face, but I figured that would just cause more trouble. Finally, my bus came, and he took it upon himself to help me get my things and myself on the bus. He asked me again for my number (kind of whiney like a puppy with sad eyes and his head cocked off to one side). I was so relieved when he got off the bus, but then, a few minutes later, he was standing below the window! He was holding his chest like he was in pain! He said he wanted to see me when I came back and that he would be waiting here for me, and that he was in love with me (Gag!)! I reminded him that I had a boyfriend, to which, he replied, “Yeah, but he’s not here!” And I said: “Pero, estoy fiel (but, I am faithful!)!” To which he responded that that is exactly the kind of woman he is looking for! ARGH! So I said, “Ok, I will keep my eyes open for one for you!!” (Was that cruel?). It was all I could do to keep from laughing out loud. I took out my book and began to “read”, which was a good idea, because twice I saw him coming towards the bus, but when he saw I was reading, didn’t attempt to talk to me again. I arrived in Cuenca, called a taxi, and the driver was chatting about how he worked in New York and likes to travel to Spain etc, and, just as we arrived at the house he asked me “Do you like to go dancing?” I paid him, thanked him, and went inside! So, if you hear that I have eloped with a forty-five year-old taxi-driver or food-stand owner, don’t be surprised…their charm is just so irresistible!

Those who Trust...

*** Psalm 125:1 “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever…”

Hi Everyone!!! Hope you are all well, enjoying your family, making the most of every moment, and trusting your Father to take care of you! This week has not exactly been as restful as I had hoped. Planning the upcoming weeks, writing, calling, meeting, going to the orphanage and shopping for supplies took up quite a bit of time. Did I mention it is infinitely hotter here than it EVER gets in Wisconsin, therefore, all of these activities are bathed in prayer AND sweat!

Last Saturday night, I couldn't sleep...the orphans wouldn't let me. I was feeling very overwhelmed about all the different ideas and needs that were flooding my head. So, I just told the Lord that we would do whatever we could, but that we needed some help. Well...

The next day, I spent time with a friend and her husband. He is an architectural designer and had all kinds of grandiose ideas for CVI. I asked him if he could help me with a few smaller projects first. It was such a relief to be connected with someone who knows a bit about the process of construction. Later that afternoon, we held a reunion with all the counselors who volunteered at the last camp. We shared our experiences, how it changed us, the impact the campers and counselors had on us, and how the Lord helped us to overcome the challenges. Sharing how upsetting it was to see Flor, Julian and José return to the orphanage after receiving so much love, I talked a bit about our desires to help. I was flooded with questions and suggestions, and, before I knew it, the Ecuadorians of Cristo Vive had decided we were going to go this Saturday (which was yesterday!) to work! This was both encouraging and a bit alarming. We didn't have a solid plan at this point, but I knew we needed to move forward and give them the opportunity to act.

We arranged a meeting and made clear that this whole project will remain under the direction of OM, and Cristo Vive and other churches and groups that get involved will all fall under their leadership, so as not to confuse anyone. We hope to form several groups responsible for different activities and events, so that we do not all need to be there at the same time. One of the goals of Cristo Vive is to connect the counselors with the lives of their campers and to get more churches involved on a long-term basis, so, I think this is a positive step in the right direction. Some of the goals of the orphanage project are to get all the kids in school, offer them a responsibility and reward program, teach them the Bible, discipline, being kind to each other, a good work ethic, and hygiene. We would like to continue fixing the place up, possibly teach them to garden, and the list goes on and on. We know that we need people with specific skills, money, tools, and lots of patience in order to maintain the work there, but that will come, as long as we are committed, and the Lord is at the center of it. One thing I don’t want to do is to just hand them everything, thus perpetuating the lack of motivation they seem to be plagued with. I have been reminding the kids to say “please” and “thank you”, instead of the whiny “gimme’s”. They don’t like it! Basically, we are trying to do for these kids what their parents haven’t. It is a big job parenting (Parents: can I get an AMEN!) – let alone for 19 kids – imagine how overwhelmed this director must feel! My main frustration and concern is still for Flor. When we come in at around 10:30 am, the other kids have eaten breakfast, and she is sitting by herself in her room, usually staring at her lap, often, she is wet, because she doesn’t have any form of diaper on and no one has offered to take her to the bathroom. Really, this doesn’t require a whole lot. She only needs someone to give her the wheelchair, push her there, and help her with her pants, OR at the very least, to put a diaper on her in the morning!! She thrives (they all do!!!) with a bit of positive attention and love!

If someone didn’t make lists and get supplies, we wouldn’t have gotten very far. I wish I could make you understand just how completely different the process is here. Also, the communication between me and the Ecuadorians comes with several challenges, but, that's another story!! About 15 of us spent yesterday morning scraping off old paint, scrubbing showers and toilets, cleaning up trash and digging out the canals for the rainwater that were clogged with dirt and refuse. My friends witnessed firsthand the enormity of the task before us, but were undeterred!
*** Anyone interested in helping with this project specifically, let me know! ***

I was able to buy school supplies, and praise the Lord, we found a Christian distributor who gave us schedules with Bible verses for all the kids, and a discount, which allowed me to buy all of the necessities with the money that I had available! (It only took six hours, but, who’s counting!!)

God is so faithful, and He answers our prayers!! I am grateful: I haven't had any more issues with headaches and I am learning a little bit more every day about myself and this culture in which God has placed me. It's funny that apparently no one can find a good hairstylist, and I have been cutting hair almost every day (Coincidence?! Nope.)! I may start taking donations since it can be time-consuming. I blame MOM for this one!!

The Lord has been ministering to me very specifically. One morning, all the emotion and stress that I was stuffing away somewhere bubbled up and resembled an erupted mess of grief, stress, and confusion. During the night, I dreamt of my grandmother, woke up crying, and immediately went outside to spend some time with God. The first thing I do is pray and worship with the guitar, but the tears, like rivers of lava, continued to flow. I told the Lord if ever there was a time that I needed the comfort and counsel of the Holy Spirit it was at that moment, and to please give me some wisdom. I opened the Word and began reading in Psalms. Like a balm to my wounded spirit, the Truth transformed me from a tumultuous volcano into the strong, steadfast mountain He has created me to be, my confidence in His peace. These verses were particularly pertinent: Psalm 120:1-2 “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue…” and, 126:5 “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!”

Today is Sunday…and I plan in treating it as such! Worship, Rest, and Mercedes’ pool!! Tomorrow I plan on heading off to Cuenca. Please pray as we seek to get some activities going in the next weeks and form a team there. Also, as I have mentioned before, I am in the process of forming a big, strong team to come the first two weeks of August to do ministry, construction, and a weekend camp! *** Please pray and pass on the information! We’ll take all the help we can get, so COME TO ECUADOR!! ***

Thank you all for your prayers, they are my lifeline!!! Be Blessed!

*** Cristo Te Ama Mi Flor! ***

Ok everyone, we need to celebrate the goodness of the Lord together!!! It doesn’t matter where you are in the world or what you are doing, as long as you realize that your purpose in life is to glorify your Heavenly Father and to share Him with those around you…and that means so many things!! Some people think that because I am out of my country serving the Lord that I somehow have graduated into a new spiritual category, when in reality, we all have to depend on the Lord every waking moment and ask Him for the wisdom to make the most of the challenges of our days! He meets us where we are at with such sweet gifts; exactly what we need, whether we realize it or not! I actually feel like a kindergartner as I struggle to get a handle on how to manage my spiritual life, work, and personal life while learning the culture, language, and social norms. You can pray that I don’t let frustrations take hold and turn to bitterness, but that I learn to operate wholly within the culture.

I love camp!!

I have now finished both of the weekend camps and sent both of my American teams home. I learned so much during the processes of leading these teams into ministry. Fortunately, after following the advice of a wise Ecuadorian, and eating “soft” food for a few days, my stomach has returned to normalcy. Unfortunately, I have had two migraine headaches this week lasting about two days each. I guess I earned them. Knowing that the last few weeks have been full to overflowing with ministry activities, preparation and execution of camp, traveling, keeping my teams intact, and seeing them off, it is a fair deduction that I have put my body through a bit of stress, and it is reacting. I may try taking an antibiotic next…maybe I have a sinus infection and just didn’t realize it?? So, please pray for my body, as it is the temple of the Lord, and I want Him to be welcome and sickness to flee!

Here’s what has been happening lately:

Last weekend, we had our little beach camp…there were 57 people total. Being outside of the city, spending time near the ocean and with my fellow Cristo Vive friends was so refreshing for my body and spirit! It always amazes me how the Lord puts just the right camper/counselor pairs together, both challenging us and filling us to overflowing with His love. I wish I could share all of the tender moments we saw the Lord ministering to His kids, but it would take pages! José, the boy from the orphanage who cannot hear or speak, enjoyed being taught the motions to all the camp songs, and I recognized early on, that when I would seek him out to say hi, he would smile shyly, but one day, I had him playing my guitar, so he could feel the vibrations, he loved it! After spending those few minutes, I gained his trust and affection. From then on, he would seek me out and offer a giant smile and a hug.
Almost all of our campers were new, which is exciting because some of them heard the Gospel for the first time. The Holy Spirit moved and there were definite moments of decision and change in their live. But, as usual, the counselors received so much joy and encouragement their campers and watching Him work on their hearts. I was so impressed with my two young team members, Dani (15) and Farrah (17). Both of them had never been out of the country before and are a bit timid by nature. Farrah’s camper was a 16 year-old who was the size of a 3 year-old and the mental age of an 8 month-old. She had to be held a lot, fed, changed, and comforted. This was very stretching for Farrah, but she rose to the occasion and allowed the Lord to grow her. And Dani, who did not have a camper, took turns caring for other campers and was not afraid to do whatever we asked of her. She really watched out for everyone on the team, and has such a servant’s heart. They really blessed me (and they took good care of me when I had a giant headache and couldn’t be the leader I wanted to be!!).

I had the great privilege of being assigned to a one on one role with a camper for the first time in at least three years (usually I am in leadership and it would be too much to handle)!! I was sooooo excited to be able to focus my attention fully on Flor and her needs for a few days. We had a wonderful time at camp! I discovered that she has an amazing sense of humor and a beautiful trust in the Lord. The very first afternoon, we were relaxing in our room, playing my guitar, and I made up this song that stuck with us for the rest of the camp. “Cristo te amo mi Flor” which means, Jesus loves my Flor. I sang some other lines and changed it around here and there, but when I made my voice sound silly, she laughed! I hadn’t heard a single sound come out of her mouth until that moment…and what a sweet sound it was; I was overjoyed! So, for the rest of the weekend, I made it my job to make her laugh as often as I could…which was pretty often! Everyone came to know her by her beautiful grin and ready embrace! We talked with her about Jesus and prayed with her, and I know she knows Him. She is confident that He loves her and lives in her heart! We became very intimate friends, and it was extremely difficult to let her go, knowing exactly what she was returning to. Julian, one of the three from the orphanage said “Tia (Aunt), I don’t want to go back to the orphanage, I want to stay here with Fernando (his counselor). As a result of spending so much concentrated time with her, I have a new perspective on her care, her needs and what we can do to help her have a better life. The orphanage folks cannot afford to buy diapers, so they did not send them with her to camp. Therefore, that first morning, she went through three of the four changes of clothes and we spent all of our time changing and washing. That is when I requested that someone go find diapers. The rest of the weekend, she was able to attend all of the activities with the dignity she deserves. So, I have decided to buy her diapers for as long as I can, in the hopes that they will use them. It is so much more sanitary, and so much less work for her caretaker. Wednesday, I went back to the orphanage. Flor was sitting in a chair by herself, sulking; she seemed very sad, with the remnants of tears on her eyelashes. Her caretaker said Flor wouldn’t talk to her for a few days because she was upset she had to come back. After I spent some time praying with her and sang her our song, she was back to her happy self. Everyone agrees that there is a reason that we met her and brought her to camp. The Lord has been working in her life. She is a changed girl and He has begun to use her to impact those around her!! Flor needs our prayers. The environment and situation in which she is living is discouraging, and she needs the presence of the Holy Spirit to remind her that she has a Father who loves her!!

I had a lengthy discussion with the director of the orphanage (Laura) and she is very open and excited about our desires to help them. I asked that she let us know the ways that they could use help, her goals for the kids and how we can help. I was pleased to learn that she used to provide therapy, both physical and speech, but now that she is the only one running the show, she spends much of her time figuring out how to provide them with enough food. From what I understand, the only funding they receive is from an Ecuadorian couple, which is insufficient to run the place properly. She expressed the need for the children to have school supplies (which I plan on buying with the ministry money our team was able to contribute) and the security of a wall or fence of some sort surrounding the facility. She also said that their stove only has one functioning burner (I may have already found an industrial kitchen unit to donate to them). I have been talking with my leaders and some of my other Ecuadorian friends and those who volunteer there with another organization, and we are trying to figure out ways to solve some of these problems. The other kids are asking why they didn’t get to go to camp, and when is it their turn…the OM crew are already planning on having a little camp activity of their own before the end of May! It is exciting to be able to work together with brothers and sisters who are like-minded and motivated. In due time, we shall see the glory of the Lord in that place!!

There are several older teens there that don’t have any hope of ever leaving, because they have no skills and no way to provide for themselves, let alone a family. One of the girls, who watches with shy interest when I play and sing, asked if I would teach her to play the guitar. She would also like to become a beautician. So, on Friday, when we go back to the orphanage, I am planning on giving her a guitar lesson and a haircutting lesson (using Seth, the Georgian, as my example!).

It’s as simple as this: the Lord connects us, and it is our responsibility to find out what His purpose is in connecting us. We must serve each other and give away the love we have received from Him. Keep the orphanage and all the campers in your prayers, and if the Lord gives you any ideas, please share!!!

The camp we were using is not wheelchair accessible, neither is the orphanage, so we are planning on recruiting a team to come down to do some construction, hopefully as soon as August. It was exciting to see Laura, the director, breath a sigh of relief at the hope that there are people out there who want to help. I kept telling her: “all of this is possible; with God nothing is impossible!! He is the God of miracles!”


I am supposed to spend these next few days resting, recovering, and making up my schedule for the next few weeks. I plan on heading to Cuenca early next week. These next seven weeks will be focused on strengthening my teams in Cuenca and Quito, planning trips for August, and mainly develop a more regular schedule so that my life doesn’t feel so chaotic. Please pray that I have wisdom and foresight in my planning. Also lift up Cristo Vive and all the other ministries here that we have been working with, as we strive to mobilize the local Christians to put their faith into action.

***Also, please pray for Gene, Jordana, and Osito. They have returned to Minnesota and are in the midst of making some important decisions regarding schooling for Osito, international trips, and planning camps for the summer! I will miss them!

Where does my help come from?

“He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber.” Ps 121:3


Well folks, it is way past time for an update…forgive me for my silence, I shall try to make it up to you. This might take a while, so brace yourselves!

If you read my last blog, my family and I recently said good bye to my Grams. The Lord was faithful to me during this trying time and gave me a beautiful time with family. I had some unbelievable conversations with my aunts and uncles. We spent hours singing old-timey songs that my Grandma had taught them as kids – I never knew my uncles could play the guitar (they said that I had to have inherited it from somewhere)!
When I was a kid, I always thought it would be great to have a really big family…I often said that I would have fourteen kids, just to “beat” Grandma. I have always loved the unique atmosphere of large families. As I’ve gotten older and realize what a huge responsibility it is to raise children, I have changed my mind to thinking that a modest brood of four or five (maybe a couple of adopted orphans) would be more reasonable. The fact that I am a lot older than Grandma was when she started having kids, I am not married, and that our priorities in life are a bit different also changes things! Regardless, the most beautiful thing about my Grandma’s large family, is the immense admiration that they have for her. She was one blessed woman, surrounded by those that she loved as she stepped into eternity.

As for me…it has been an interesting week:

I arrived in Quito on Sunday night, exhausted, but welcomed with warm arms by my Kentucky team. It was so comfortingly familiar to reminisce about college days and just be able to speak English with them. They were also very encouraging and willing to tackle the challenges before them with gusto. I stayed behind in order to get some rest on Monday as they went to Hope Foundation, which is an institution for children with special needs. Tuesday morning, we ministered at a school for children with disabilities. I recognized one of the children who had attended our camp in 2006, the first time I was here. The school was beautiful; so much of the time we encounter less than desirable facilities for these kids. In the evening, we met with a group of 20-somethings at English Fellowship church. There were exchange students from the states and people from other nationalities. We performed a skit and shared the ministry with them. At the end of the time, there was a girl from the states whose Grandma just passed away. As I listened to her share and felt her pain, I knew the Lord put us there at the same time for a reason. The Lord uses everything to teach us and to reach out to others. We talked for a while and agreed to pray for each other during the process of grieving. The next morning, Wednesday, we went to minister to women in a prison. There is a ministry here called Inca Link that has been teaching the Word in this prison for about 9 years. We went into it unsure of what to expect, and left feeling blessed to have been able to worship the Lord with our sisters there, and to hear the Gospel being presented with conviction. Unfortunately, that morning I woke up with a pretty rotten case of diarrhea, so when the group left to go to Pan de Vida to feed the poor and homeless and share the gospel with them, I stayed behind, which was a good idea, since I vomited a few times. That same evening, the group from Wisconsin arrived…greeted by a rather pale leader. The next day, Thursday, I was able to get a bit more rest, as we spent most of our time training the Americans for camp. I expected to be fully restored to health for camp, but, as it turns out, I still haven’t quite conquered whatever bug is living in my stomach.

We spent Friday as tourists, (Jeff definitely ate an entire “Qui” or guinea pig…head included!) only to be thrust into a flurry of preparations and activity that would not cease until the campers and counselors left Sunday evening.
Camp was wonderful, but challenging, as usual. We were all stretched to our maximum capacity in more ways than one. Since the team here is relatively new and this was their first camp, there were many unknowns and much work to be done, especially for my Ecuadorian friends. The facilities we used (Casa Blanca) were beautiful, but definitely too small for forty-some people we were housing. This brought out the best and worst in all of us, for true character shines through when one is tired, cramped, and has to wait in line for a shower!

“But the children, I love the children...they are my heart!!!”
I am constantly surprised by the fact that, amidst all of that preparation and stress, the peace and joy of the Lord somehow comes to rest on the camp. We, the friends, are always so blessed by the love and smiles the campers are so willing to give away. I find myself envying the parents that are blessed with such unique little packages of joy.

Camp is not always a beautiful experience for everyone. One of our boys has extreme Autism. He was rude, bossy, foul-mouthed, and difficult to manage. We assigned two guys (Jeff and Patricio) to watch over him. They gave him every ounce of love and energy they had, but, in the end, because he refused to be engaged in any of the camp activities, his parents came to take him home. As they carried him, kicking and screaming, to their car, I knew he had experienced real love from his counselors. I remembered a similar experience in the States this last summer. I felt helpless and defeated, because a child who desperately needed the Truth of the Gospel and the transforming love of the Holy Spirit, was instead removed from the situation. As I observed the compassion and love of the counselors who were moved to tears, I knew it was a reflection of the Father’s heart. I thanked them for allowing God to channel His sorrow through them, and asked them to use this deep emotion to draw near to Him and intercede for this child. God really does work all things out for the good of those that love Him!

Monday, we were able to spend a few hours at a daycare center which is built in the middle of a garbage dump. Extreme Response, is a ministry that began in the largest dump in Quito. They provide care for the children whose parents work in the dump, separating out the recyclable material, medical attention, housing construction, education, and Bible studies. Theirs is a very large task, as there is a wide array of physical, emotional, and spiritual needs represented by this “community”. I have connected with many organizations here in Ecuador, but this one struck me as especially important. I told the director that he needs to contact Habitat for Humanity, because at the rate they are going they will only be building one house per year, and there are some three hundred families.

In the midst of our work, whenever we had free time, our new friend, Gustavo, the director of Inca Link Ecuador, took us to all the unique and historical spots Quito is known for. He and Aaron, a missionary from Peru, provided us with some much appreciated laughter and camaraderie, not to mention they took really good care of us. They were such a blessing to us during our camp cycle. Gracias chicos!

Today is Tuesday, and my little team of Wisconsinites are in Guayaquil, resting up and preparing for tomorrow. We are planning on going to the orphanage where Flor lives. Thursday, we will head out to the beach and prepare for the camp, which will begin on Friday and end on Sunday. Please Pray: For all the kids coming to camp, all of whom are new! For me, as I am not the healthiest right now, both emotionally and physically. My goal is to make it through the camp, send my team off, and then rest and process everything that has been going on. I am definitely leaning on the Lord to get through these days, as I feel pretty zapped.

Be blessed as you worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth!

A Tribute

** Thank you all for your prayers. Though this has been an extremely difficult time, the Lord has answered all of my prayers, and I am blessed to be able to share this time with my family. I made it to Grandma's hospital room on Monday at noon, was able to hear her tell me that she loved me, kiss her, hold her hand, pray for her, and to cry. I spent her last night with her, making sure she was comfortable, and was there with her when she breathed her last at around 10 Tuesday morning. God has given my family and I opportunities to minister to the rest of the family, and I have been elected to write out the memories they want to share at the funeral. Thus the tribute. We are a large family: 13 chidren, 41 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren, not to mention all the in-laws and friends. We expect at least 500 people at the service. She was a special lady. **

A Tribute to Marjory Pearl Paullin 10/11/1920-03/16/2010:

As I reflect on my memories from the past 28 years connected with Grandma, they intermingle with images of her life, as she described it, as well as with the stories of other family members. I can picture her as a girl, struggling to raise her brothers and sisters after her parents’ untimely death. My mind’s eye sees her as a young bride, the shy smile of hope and new beginnings on her pale lips. She was a slight woman, small in stature, but great with strength, determination, and generosity. I can see her, the young mother of 13 children, pitching baseballs in a flower-print housedress on a warm summer day, kneading bread-dough until her arms ache in the dead-cold of winter, pinning breezy bedsheets to dry on the line, her hands cracked and bleeding, and plucking out those old-time songs of joy and pain on a beat-up guitar. I can see her on those “fried chicken Sundays” creating savory meals out of what little was available. These were the days when everyone forgot their cares and laughed around the long table of faces, contentedly spooning up Mom’s creamy mashed potatoes and white gravy. I can see the humble smile as she looks on her children with love and concern, trying not to focus on what they didn’t have. I can see her brow furrowed into concentration as she patches a worn-out garment, or dripping with sweat as she lugs ten gallons of water from the spring to the stove, for washing or cooking – her waistline growing with the telltale bulge of motherhood. I can even imagine the look reproof as she chased one of her sons with the broom, scolding him for picking on his defenseless little sister.

I remember her as my vivacious and tender Grams, who always came bearing gifts, whether pears or bubble gum, she was never empty-handed. She cared for us kids when mom and dad had to work, and always took the time to read to us, make popcorn balls, take us to the lake, (though she would never go in further than her ankles because she never learned to swim!), or simply snuggle on the couch while watching Shirley Temple movies. She always made us feel loved and special. Being her granddaughter has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and she will go with me as I walk through life, because of what she has taught me and who she has helped me to become.

We all recognize that she faced insurmountable obstacles, yet, on the verge of brokenness, she smiled, hummed, and prayed her way through life’s challenges. Her legacy of love and service to others has been the fingerprint which sank deep into my heart, and the hearts of all of her family. We are kinder, gentler, more generous human beings because of her. We love each other, not because it is always easy, or because we are exactly the same, but because she taught us that everyone, no matter how hateful they may be, deserves love. We are able to forgive the faults of those close to us, not because it comes easily, but because she had immense grace to forgive, and she loved, even when she was not being loved in return. We are strong (or is it stubborn?), for in her example, we were all shown what one person is capable of overcoming, no matter the storm that is raging within the heart.

Marjory Pearl Hall Paullin did not spend her life acquiring riches or fame, however, she was one of the wealthiest people I know. She was happy, for her priorities were in the correct order: first, her faith, her family, second; all the rest was just details. Let her life be a lesson to us all. We get only one chance. She would want us to cherish every moment and make the most of our difficult situations, spending time learning to love those around us. One day, our family and friends will have to say good-bye. How will will you be remembered?


A Poem I wrote a few years ago:

Meemaw
Kristin Gillingham 2007


I called her
Saturday
to say – “I’m sorry
you’re sick.”

Breathing heavy,
like after-battle fatigue
with wheezy throat gurgles
choking time from us,
her love-sweet voice
is home to me.
It is Lawrence Welk’s dancing bubbles,
neatly peeled apples,
and rummy 500.

“I’m canning tomatoes so, if they put me in the hospital Monday –
they won’t spoil.”

She chuckles like a child
caught in the corner with a cookie
before dinner.
I scold her,
reversing three generation roles,
and laugh nervously at this
cruel joke.

My mind sees
her hands
spotted red with traces of mutilated tomato.
I remember them, know them,
soft and smooth
like favorite bedsheets worn
till the light shines through.

Now they are swollen –
aching arthritic knuckles,
skin stretched with misplaced water –
translucent like the rubber pinkness
of tight-mouthed clam tongues.

“I miss you”
she said, and,
“I need you to cut my toenails.”