Elsa in Ecuador: Final Reflection
I spent a month in Ecuador teaching music over my Christmas break. I booked my flight and had committed to go about 6 months ago. At that time I didn't know what I would be going through or what the people in Ecuador needed. But God did. He knew ahead of time that this trip would be good for my growth way before I did.
There are so many stories that I could share, but I will limit myself to the three main lessons that I learned:
1. The Word of God should be taught the way that God wrote it.
During my time in Ecuador, I was impressed with the way that the missionaries taught the Bible. They teach chronologically through the Bible (from beginning to end) instead of thematically. As I began to attend Bible studies and ask questions regarding this method, I became very convicted that God wrote the Bible the way that He wanted it to be written. He wrote it as one complete story. Many times we launch right in to the story of Jesus and His saving Grace without explaining why it was necessary in the first place. This is not to say that sharing about Jesus' Grace is bad, but it is to say that I think we could avoid many false conversions and confusion if we simply stuck to the order of the Word of God. I would encourage you to practice sharing the gospel from beginning to end (beginning with the perfect relationship of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit [and how Satan rebelled and disobeyed God] all the way up to Jesus sitting at the right hand of God).
2. Make time to read books.
The rhythm of life is much slower in Ecuador than it is in the United States. What I mean by that is that people don't live minute by minute. I would often spend hours on the front porch just watching hummingbirds, drinking coffee, and writing in my journal. It was expected that after lunch there would be time for a siesta. I don't particularly prefer the Hispanic culture, but I did enjoy the time that I had to read. I read many books while I was there, including "Find Yourself Give Yourself" by Dick Wulf, "Relationships: a Mess Worth Making" by Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp, and "A Call to Die" by David Nasser. I didn't just skim their pages, but I really read them. I understood them and took their message to heart. I would encourage you to make time in your day to read books. Who knows? You might realize that the world is bigger than you imagined.
3. To those trusting in Christ: DO NOT BE AFRAID.
I was forced to learn this lesson, and I am so glad that I did. If you are trusting in Christ, believing in His sacrifice for you sins, and walking in the Spirit, you have no reason to be afraid. Romans 8:15 says, "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"
The author seems to know a disturbing fact: there are Christians out there who are living in a spirit of slavery even though they have been given the spirit of adoption. God revealed to me that that was me. It was a culmination of a lot of lessons, but I finally confessed to the Father that I had been living in fear instead of believing in His promises and in His care.
So I want to encourage you, trembling Christian soldier: memorize 2 Timothy 1:7 & Deuteronomy 31:8 and say it every time that you are afraid (and also pray that God would open your eyes to the areas where you are trusting yourself instead of Him).
When I was stranded in the Atlanta airport for three days because of an accident in the airport: God was on time.
When I taught the first music lesson and couldn't remember a word in Spanish: God could communicate.
When I woke up to an earthquake on January 1st, 2018, 9 a.m.: God was all-powerful.
When I was teaching at night at the Center: God kept me safe.
When I had to leave my students who had become dear friends: God was the best friend.
So.
What are you afraid of?
Thank you to all who gave so generously to this trip. The youth can now form a worship group and play together. My heart is now much softer, I think, and much more confident in my Jesus. That's what happens when you allow God to take control.
The following are some final pictures from my trip:
And so, life goes on. I will close with a quote by C.S. Lewis:
Adios, Ecuador! Te voy a extrañar.
There are so many stories that I could share, but I will limit myself to the three main lessons that I learned:
1. The Word of God should be taught the way that God wrote it.
During my time in Ecuador, I was impressed with the way that the missionaries taught the Bible. They teach chronologically through the Bible (from beginning to end) instead of thematically. As I began to attend Bible studies and ask questions regarding this method, I became very convicted that God wrote the Bible the way that He wanted it to be written. He wrote it as one complete story. Many times we launch right in to the story of Jesus and His saving Grace without explaining why it was necessary in the first place. This is not to say that sharing about Jesus' Grace is bad, but it is to say that I think we could avoid many false conversions and confusion if we simply stuck to the order of the Word of God. I would encourage you to practice sharing the gospel from beginning to end (beginning with the perfect relationship of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit [and how Satan rebelled and disobeyed God] all the way up to Jesus sitting at the right hand of God).
2. Make time to read books.
The rhythm of life is much slower in Ecuador than it is in the United States. What I mean by that is that people don't live minute by minute. I would often spend hours on the front porch just watching hummingbirds, drinking coffee, and writing in my journal. It was expected that after lunch there would be time for a siesta. I don't particularly prefer the Hispanic culture, but I did enjoy the time that I had to read. I read many books while I was there, including "Find Yourself Give Yourself" by Dick Wulf, "Relationships: a Mess Worth Making" by Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp, and "A Call to Die" by David Nasser. I didn't just skim their pages, but I really read them. I understood them and took their message to heart. I would encourage you to make time in your day to read books. Who knows? You might realize that the world is bigger than you imagined.
3. To those trusting in Christ: DO NOT BE AFRAID.
I was forced to learn this lesson, and I am so glad that I did. If you are trusting in Christ, believing in His sacrifice for you sins, and walking in the Spirit, you have no reason to be afraid. Romans 8:15 says, "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"
The author seems to know a disturbing fact: there are Christians out there who are living in a spirit of slavery even though they have been given the spirit of adoption. God revealed to me that that was me. It was a culmination of a lot of lessons, but I finally confessed to the Father that I had been living in fear instead of believing in His promises and in His care.
So I want to encourage you, trembling Christian soldier: memorize 2 Timothy 1:7 & Deuteronomy 31:8 and say it every time that you are afraid (and also pray that God would open your eyes to the areas where you are trusting yourself instead of Him).
When I was stranded in the Atlanta airport for three days because of an accident in the airport: God was on time.
When I taught the first music lesson and couldn't remember a word in Spanish: God could communicate.
When I woke up to an earthquake on January 1st, 2018, 9 a.m.: God was all-powerful.
When I was teaching at night at the Center: God kept me safe.
When I had to leave my students who had become dear friends: God was the best friend.
So.
What are you afraid of?
Thank you to all who gave so generously to this trip. The youth can now form a worship group and play together. My heart is now much softer, I think, and much more confident in my Jesus. That's what happens when you allow God to take control.
The following are some final pictures from my trip:
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| Canoeing down the Amazon River with my friend! |
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| The Amazon River |
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| New Year's Eve Party! |
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| My hummingbird friend. |
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| Celebrating Francisco's Birthday on my last day in Ecuador! |
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| My students had a mini Performance on my last day in the country. They all did so well!!! |
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| The group! |
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| Cheese! :) |
"Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different."
Adios, Ecuador! Te voy a extrañar.
Thank you for sharing your time and talents with our little brothers and sisters en Christo and for allowing us to partake of the experience and lessons learned. I will continue to pray for them to grow closer and closer to Our LORD and Savior.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Mrs. Sommers! I hope to go back again some day.
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