A Pattern I've Noticed
“Is there something the Lord is telling you to do?” “Give myself to Him… but that’s in the future.” This is part of a conversation I had during a discipleship lunch with one of the women we work with. While we were reviewing the passages we’d already studied, Magdalena* said her favorite one was the conversation between Mary, Jesus’s mom, and the angel that told her she would give birth to the Savior of the world. When I asked her why, she responded: “Because Mary did what the Lord told her to do… and He took away her fear of what everyone else would think of her so she could do it.” So I… Read more
“Your prayers are not in vain.”
A few weeks ago, I found myself asking God, “Are my efforts in vain? Are my prayers in vain?” I felt disappointed and discouraged because I wasn’t seeing the progress or the fruit I had hoped to see as a result of my efforts. Although I try to love and serve the women we work with well, their situations are so complicated and the economic reality in Ecuador is so hard that the feeling of helplessness made me doubt whether it was really possible to make a difference. I felt the same way about fundraising for the ministry Despite my efforts, we don’t count on the financial support or… Read more
One Dose Cures All
A plastic shower curtain was hung down the middle of the room, and it fluttered in the breeze of the AC. It divided the area into two rooms; two rooms for doctors to see patients in. I stepped into the room on the right with a Thai woman who had perfect eyeliner and a low-cut black shirt. Her skin was smooth and her hair was glossy, and as she sat down, she had a natural warmth about her that made me feel at ease, even though I was her interpreter and thought I’d be the one making her feel comfortable. “What have you come in for today?” the doctor sitting next to me on the couch asked. I… Read more
The Way Jesus Loves
This month I visited Chimborazo, one of Ecuador’s volcanoes and the highest mountain in the country. Every time I have the privilege of visiting spectacular places like this, I’m amazed by the greatness, creativity, beauty, and power of the Lord who created them. This time, I found myself reflecting on a Bible passage that has recently become one of my favorites: “For in [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things,… Read moreContent with my Weaknesses
“9 But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 I often pray for the Lord to make more out of my language lessons than progress in my understanding of Albanian language. So, why would I be surprised when he answers that prayer with an opportunity to speak truth?… Read moreA Very Merry Christmas & a Happy (but crazy) New Year
Amadas’ Christmas Parties December began with the preparation for and hosting of our annual Christmas parties—by far the largest of the events we hold each year. Over the course of several hours, we had the joy of connecting with 285 women! After registering, each woman was given intentional, one-on-one time with a member of our team. During this time, we listened to them, shared the Christmas story (several hearing it for the very first time), received prayer requests, and prayed with them on the spot. The women were also invited to participate in a simple craft, creating space to slow down… Read more
Would You Walk Through Trash Water for Jesus?
That day, the street flooded up to our knees. It had only been raining for an hour, but the drains couldn’t handle it. Trash floated by in little waves made by the cars, and you got an itchy feeling that you weren’t sure came from being wet or something else that you didn’t want to think about. When it floods like that in Bangok, you can’t see where you’re stepping. You just push your legs through the water and hope there’s flat ground beneath you, not a pothole or a rusty nail. Our street has only flooded like that twice. The first time was at the beginning of rainy season. The… Read more