Ecuador

So... as many of you may know Joe and I have been given the opportunity to go to Ecuador this summer on a 12 day mission.  However, it has been decided that we will not be going this year.  We were very excited to go and be part of a team headed by Nancy and CJ at our church, however the funding is just not there for us this year. 
The trip was (and is still happening, just minus us) going to be a 12 day trip doing a medical clinic, spiritual clinic, and VBS, as well as distributing socks and shoes.
The decision not to go after all the work we had already put in was a hard one.  We both felt very much like God had told us that going to Ecuador this year was part of His plan, and that going on this trip in particular would kick start a lot of things for us as future missionaries.  However, I think partly due to our fault the funding did not come together in time to purchase the plane tickets with the rest of the team.  Though we will never really know what happened.
So, where does this leave us now?  Well, it's given me some sweet times with Jesus to confess messing up an incredible opportunity.  It has also given me (and Joe) a lot of valuable learning experience that we can use in planning future missions.  So, though we are not going this time around, we are still excited knowing that God is not done with us, and uses everything for His glory and our good (just like Romans 8:28 promises) Thank you Jesus!

How I got here...

My story starts a long time ago.  When I was a little girl, I went to private school in Portland, OR.  While I was there I remember one chapel in particular where a missionary to (I think) Africa spoke to us.  I remember that day thinking that, "THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO DO!"  However, as my childhood unfolded, that desire and passion became buried.  Not that it was gone, just dormant I think.

Then I hit high school.  During those years Jesus searched me out and found me, desperately needy and ready for an authentic relationship with Him.  During this time I was blessed to be able to go on several mission trips with my high school youth group.  Each one of them left me a different person, however, one in particular changed me dramatically.  A group of us from my church and several other churches in our conference went on a two week mission to Tijuana, Mexico.  I was there to serve God, build houses and have an adventure.  While all that was good, God had some other things in mind.  While I was there Jesus spoke to me that his plan for my life was missions.  Not stateside, and not short term.  God also put a love for the Spanish language and Hispanic culture in my heart.

So, today... God is still continuing to renew my vision and heart for missions, and He has given my wonderful husband a heart for them as well. Where this will take us in life, only Jesus knows, but I am excited for the adventure.  And I am excited to share it with my friends and family!!