August 1st Already?!?

Can anyone tell me how it got to be August 1st so fast?! Glory be to God for an absolutely incredible summer! The tables have turned for me through the years of coming to Ecuador. Five years ago on August 1st, I arrived in Ecuador for my first long stay of four months. I cried a lot that day and every single day for the next month! Now as my departure date has almost arrived, I am so sad to leave and the tears are for a new reason! This past Saturday night at dinner, the sadness set in. When I got back to my room that night, “I said, Okay God, you’ve got to help me here. I feel so sad and I’ve got to keep moving forward!” Our Heaven Father graciously comforted me with these words, “Katie, I have great things planned for you for your life. Just like I have here. I didn’t write a single pointless, purposeless chapter for your life. The next is rich with purpose just like this one has been. The best news is that I NEVER leave you alone for one chapter. I go with you through all the chapters. I wrote them. Rest in me. You’re sad because I created you to love. If you trust me, your sadness is even precious to me. I’ll hold you and guide you.” Thank you God for speaking to the depths of my heart! The same is true for you. Every facet of our lives as followers of Christ is rich with purpose. So live like it!

As you know (and prayed), I spent this past week in Salasaka working with First Baptist Church Rocky Mount. Let me say- THANK YOU for praying! God worked this week on His watch! The days were full of visits and building relationships with contacts from Rocky Mount’s last two trips in February & May. Let me give you a few highlights and a few beautiful people to pray for!

Daycare- We worked with the children and teacher at a daycare for two days. We

played games and told Bible stories to the children, and my personal favorite, we made friends with the four sweet women who work there. I got to help Anita in the kitchen and see little glimpses of her heart. Anita is not a follower of Christ. Her mother-in-law, who was a evangelical, just passed away. Anita made a clear distinction between her religion and her in-laws. Please pray for Anita’s salvation. Through my time in the kitchen with Anita, I found out about the hidden burden that one of the other teachers, Maricela, carried behind her soft smile and business with the children. Maricela’s mom died eight days before in childbirth. The baby died too. Maricela’s eleven year old sister Johanna has moved in with her, her husband, and their three year old little boy. Thanks be to God for His timing in our visit. One of the women on the team from Rocky Mount and I were able to share the Gospel with Maricela and Johanna in response to their grief. Their sweet hearts are broken and grieving. It is evident that God is working in Maricela’s heart.

Please pray for Maricela and Johanna. Pray that as these families grieve these deaths that the Great Comforter will show himself to them. Pray that they will chose to follow Jesus through this difficult time.

Francisco- A man who is hard and closed to the Gospel. An indigenous man who has worshipped Pachimama (Mother Earth) since he was a child. Worships regularly at a “holy place” on the mountains. He says he has been blessed and he is content with this practice. He sees division among other religions and has no desire to change. His face is solemn. His opinion strong. FBC Rocky Mount is faithful to love him anyway and continue to visit him every trip. Please pray for Francisco and his wife Anna Maria. Pray for the eyes of their hearts to be opened by the Holy Spirit and the consistence of Rocky Mount to soften his heart to true followers of Christ.

House Church- We had the privilege of visiting a house church, one that I visited five years ago. It was a joy to visit and encourage these brothers and sisters in Christ. What an encouragement they were to us! After sitting for two hours of listening to Bible teaching they were eager to continue for another hour or more!
When is the last time you sat in church and didn’t look at your watch when your stomach started growling? When is the last time you were so hungry for God’s Word that you would sit for hours just to hear it taught? I don’t know about you, but that was a convicting afternoon for me! Pray for our hunger for God’s Word to grow to such eagerness. Pray for Angel and this house church to continue on in obedience.

FBC Rocky Mount & Translators- Last thing- Please thank God with me for the incredible relationships developed this week within the team! Thank Him for their obedience and desire to serve Him by serving the people of Ecuador! What a blessing to serve with Wanda, Gretchen, Mike, Allison, James, Jimmy, Cecilia, Diego, and Aunt Ruby! Gracias a Dios por mis hermanos aqui!

I cannot begin to tell you everything. You’d likely grow tired of hearing the details, but be confident in this, God IS working in Ecuador. He is working in the people and He is working in me! I cannot image what my life would be like without having had the privilege of serving here this summer! God is not finished with me! And He’s not finished with you! Obedience prepares us for more obedience! There is more to come! In that there is great JOY!