The Calling, Chapter III

Rewind, January, 2009

Ecuador in Winter is like Springtime, and we're here. Thank God, because the cold winter months in Upstate New York are pretty tough to bear for a Southern girl like Cecilia.  Before we left, I went in to my Boss' office to tell him we had bought plane tickets to Ecuador and we'd be there for the whole month of January.  Amazingly, my boss was sympathetic, and told me I could come back to work when I got back to the US.  I'm just glad I wasn't fired on the spot.
We spent Christmas with my folks in Massachusetts, and now in January it's Cecilia's turn to be home. She's been away for so long that you can't help but see it on her face. She doesn't always show it, but I can see it. Relaxation.

This time it's only me and Ceci. We don't have any special itinerary, no important things to do, just spend time with the family, travel a little, and really introduce me to Quito.  It is here that I begin to really understand a different way of life.  It is here that I get a chance to loosen my grip on my own life.  Jesus once said "If you want to gain your own life you will lose it, but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it."  That saying resonates with me here in Quito because there's no way to get by without a guide.  As a foreigner who doesn't know the language or the customs, I must constantly put my life in someone else's hands.  Jesus tells us to do just that.  "Lose your life.  Give it to me. Trust me."  Some foreigners who are afraid of getting hurt or dying might not ever leave the house in Quito, and it's a pretty modern city.  Cecilia grew up with a very clear understanding that she had nothing but God to take her through life's difficult struggles, and that she's at His mercy.  That was true when she went to Zamorano University in Honduras with no money.  It was true when she transferred to the University of Arkansas and arrived in the US with $40 in her pocket and spent the first $20 on cab fare.  It remains true even when we got married, we started with no money in the bank, and had to rely on God to help us pay our first month's rent.  God has provided, and given all that was needed.  I believe people who tend to desire security and financial independence, like myself, can learn a few things about faith from our brothers and sisters who grow up in poor countries.  It was not the first step, but a very important one on my road toward missions.  I am continuing to become more able and willing to lose it all for the sake of Christ.

It was a work of faith to even come here to Ecuador for a whole month.  When we came back I was encouraged that it was right.  My boss said after our return, "Nate, we missed you for the month you were away, but you picked the perfect time to go.  We might have had to lay off someone during the Winter if you hadn't taken your trip that month."
Now fastforward to January 2010.
We are looking forward to our next trip to Ecuador from January 4-28.  The tickets are bought, and we are ready to go.  I have been to Ecuador many times now, and it is not as new and dangerous to me anymore.  I believe it is almost a home away from home now.  I look to the horizon though, and prepare for our next big step of faith. We are going to Africa to work with Mercy Ships.  Our faith will grow and we will gain experience working with the poorest of the poor in the World.  I am excited how God will use our willingness to go, and I am excited for you too!  God will use you if you call upon him to take your life and make it His.  He is a truly Awesome God, and believing is seeing.

Please comment on this post if you have a great story of faith to share!