I'm Back!!!

Well, I’m back in Ecuador and this time I’m staying for a whole year!  I guess I better fill you in on how I ended up back here…

Hiking Chimborazo

As you know last year I decided to go to Ecuador in order to study in a Spanish immersion program called NILI.  When I first arrived in Ecuador it was very clear to me that God had called me to NILI but for what purpose, I was still unsure.  I had a desire to learn Spanish, however, devoting an entire year of my life (between earning the money and the program itself) seemed a little extreme.  

My first few weeks in Ecuador were really difficult.  I knew very little Spanish and could barely communicate with my roommate. I ended most days with a headache and I just couldn’t understand what God was doing. On the way back from one of our first trips, God began talking to me about coming back to Ecuador.  It dawned on me that maybe the issue wasn’t that my circumstances were too difficult but that my expectations about God’s purpose for this trip were too small.   

As the semester went on I fell in love with Ecuador and luckily my Spanish improved.  However, I still couldn't imagine how I would ever end up back in Ecuador.  Over the summer a position opened up with the NILI program and I was asked to come back as a member of the staff. It's crazy how things worked out and when the time came I knew that God had been preparing me to make the decision for months.  What’s funny is that what I’m doing right now with NILI is a dream I’ve had for years but could never fully articulate.  God knows the desires of our hearts even when we don’t and he’s willing to lead us along that path amidst our own protests. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the Israelites and God’s promises. This years’ experience has taught me two things: 1) How easy it is to stand just outside the Promise Land trembling in fear.  2) God is a God of abundance and He always fulfills He’s promises.     

What I’m Doing:

I am the Residential Life Director for NILI.  This semester we have a group of seven girls which has been great.  I’m really enjoying getting to know them. One of my main responsibilities is to coordinate between the NILI program and the seminary were we live.  It’s such a privilege to be a part of this community.  I love sharing life with the seminary students and the NILIs and I'm looking forward to getting involved in ministry in one of the local Nazarene churches as well. 

In my next blog a post some of the highlights so far for this semester.  Even though I lived here for 6 months last year. I’ve already had several “firsts”. 

I’ll be updating soon…