R & R: Rucous and Reflection

Saturday morning I was up, of course, around 7am and couldn't fall back asleep thanks to the group of students congregating outside the cabin. I was pleased to not waste any time during our last few days in Ecuador, though. The shower was an interesting experience. It was electrically heated--as in the shower head was literally plugged into an outlet. Seems safe.

Breakfast was a tortilla dé huevos con queso. The team then gathered in one of the gazebos toward the edge of Finca for a bit of morning worship--the best way to start a day--and a devotional about our future lives in Christ. It's definitely helpful to focus our eyes on the Lord no matter where He leads us. A much needed quiet time followed during which I continued to reflect on the last five weeks we spent doing full-time ministry and look to a future that continues to be centered on Jesus.

For lunch, a few of us girls ordered banana splits due to the heat and...I mean...it's a banana split! They were, of course, delicious with their fresh bananas and banana sauce. The ice cream had a different texture--more icy than creamy. We spent a couple of hours swimming (handstand and breath-holding contests included). Before dinner we met as a team again to "share and celebrate" the last five weeks in Guayaquil. Each of us shared what the Lord taught us along with our favorite memories. Then we celebrated the 300+ people who heard the gospel and 84 who accepted Christ (keep in mind that many people we talked to had already accepted Christ)! We each wrote a brief statement of God's work in our lives on rocks. I learned a lot about faith--daily, in the Holy Spirit, in the plans for my life, and as bigger than my sin struggles. We followed God's instruction to the 12 tribes (Joshua 4) and built a monument to God's work behind our cabins. It was an awesome testament to God's power.

For dinner we enjoyed muchos jugo y menestra, arroz, y carne. That night we had our last bible study about the power for holiness.

After bible study, we discovered that the swan's tail is the grazing llama while star-gazing. Profound, I know. After some rounds of nertz accompanied by creepy animal noises, we called it a night.

Sunday I was up at 7am again but laid in bed for about an hour. Then I went for some scrambled eggs. Our morning session focused on re-entry into the states and methods to alleviate the difficulties we may experience. I'm continually getting more and more excited about ministry back home, so I'm really not expecting much trouble. My heart will always in in Ecuador, but it's clear that the Lord used it to prepare me for ministry in my daily life in the states. I'm ready to meet the challenges ahead.

Then we went on a trail ride!

On real horses!

I love horses immensely despite my allergy to them, so the 30 minute ride through a small pond and around the neighboring village was the highlight of my day--despite the awkward wooden saddles.

That afternoon was pretty chill. I swam some and did more quiet time atop a nearby hill. Everyday I'm thinking more and more about this upcoming year and ways that I can continue to grow closer in my relationship with the Lord. I also want to grow in the ability to challenge those around me--watch out bible study girls :)

The flights home was pretty uneventful. We left Finca in the morning and departed Guayaquil in the afternoon. We stopped shortly in Costa Rica and Guatamala before arriving back in Chicago around 2-3 in the morning on Tuesday. I was exhausted and ready to be home. I can't wait for the next few weeks at home spent reflecting more on all the things God taught me in Ecuador and looking forward to what He has prepared for me back at IU.

This was definitely the best summer of my life.

God be forever praised!

Ashley

Good-bye Guayaquil

I was unable to blog the last few days in Guayaquil due to a lack of internet, so I wrote in my journal and will produce those entries here. I'm dating them as if I wrote them last week just for my own sanity.

The last day on campus was a huge blessing. Hannah and I were sharing together, but it seemed as if everyone at ESPOL lost the ability to speak English that day. Despite not being able to find anyone to share with, we prayed for the campus and spent some time getting to know each other better. I'm going to miss those random conversations with team members about the awesome things God has done in our lives.

At 11:30, we met everyone for the Vida Estudiantil bible study. The highlight of that had to be meeting Ecuadorian Bruno Mars. He doesn't know the real Bruno Mars, which only slightly detracted from my excitement about his doppelganger qualities. We did a study about fellowship vs. relationship with God that was quite interesting before departing for the last time. Our friends Daniel, Carlita, and "Bruno" (Kevin) hung out with us for awhile back home.

We headed to the art market and Tia (grocery store) for last minute purchases. I'm actually really going to miss that place. There's some exhilaration associated with knowing that what you pay for an item is based purely on its worth and your ability to convince the sellers that it's not worth what they're asking. Plus, everything is really bright colored which makes looking around really exciting and sometimes sensorily overwhelming. There's so much stuff packed into that place that every time I looked around there was always some new trinket to find.

The staff surprised us with dinner at LaFondue--a nice Swiss restaurant in Hotel Oro Verde. It was super fancy and delicious with a dessert of chocolate fondu with various fruits.

Back at the hotel some of us played a round of French charades which, as Jenna pointed out, included topics only the Ecuador team would understand ("Vamos a la playa", llama farm, and Jason, to name a few). We were exhausted so our night ended early.

Friday morning we awoke to begin packing and saying final good-byes to Guayaquil. I actually had extra space in my suitcase. Go me. We started our adios-es with Jose, our favorite waiter who serves us breakfast everyday in the hotel, and moved on to 3P, one of our favorite eating establishments. The workers even let our guys hold the shawarma machete. Our last stop was the beloved iguana park. I'm pretty sure I saw one of the iguanas crying.

Alas, 3:30 arrived quickly and we had to depart. Our final Ecuadorian destination was Finca la Gloria  (eng: Glory Farm) for de-briefing. That makes it sound like a military mission, but really it's just a time to reflect on all of summer project and look to re-entry into "normal" life. Anyway, the farm had lots of animals, including cats, dogs, horses, chickens, cockroaches, frogs, dragonflies, iguanas, and even a unicorn. Ecuador's a magical place. There was also a pool and lots of land available to explore.

After a classic Ecuadorian dinner of chicken, rice, beans, and jugo, some of us went for a night swim before heading to bed. I stayed in cabin 704 with Jess, Ann, and Megan. It's merely two beds, a TV that was never used, and a tiny bathroom. I'm incredibly grateful that we had that time to reflect on the ways the Lord used us this summer and then look to our future lives with more mature kingdom perspectives.

Ashley

Loose Ends

Tomorrow is our last day on campus in Guayaquil. Friday afternoon we will leave our beloved hotel and drive to Finca la Gloria, where we will have de-briefing. On Monday night we will board our plane that will take us through Guatemala and Costa Rica to Chicago. Knowing that this week is the last on campus left me wondering how well we've furthered the movement at ESPOL and UG. I can easily believe the lies that every failed conversation or follow-up was unproductive and therefore claim that there's no more time to truly accomplish anything else in the next day. Next week, I can go home and never think about Ecuador again.

That's definitely not in God's plan. Yesterday I was feeling sick on the way to campus and was asked multiple times if I wanted to turn around and go home. In my mind I was screaming, 'yes!' Each time, though, my heart and mouth said, "no." I would have missed the awesome and encouraging conversations I had. The Lord does reward those who trust in Him. He is a God who is gracious.

Today during discipleship with Linsey, we talked about what going home will look like for me. It brought a lot of thoughts of excitement about continuing ministry at home and at school, but I was really convicted when she asked what my relationship with Ecuador looks like in the future. I was initially not sure. I know that I probably will not return to Ecuador, at least definitely not with Cru, and I can't imagine being able to do much more.

However, there's a feeling in my heart that so many loose ends still exist here. I don't know why I thought I would ever feel like the mission is complete. I do believe that we worked in a way that abides with God's plan and, in that way, we have completed our mission, but the work is not done in Ecuador. Just because the gringos are leaving doesn't mean that God is too. We didn't bring God to Ecuador. He was already here working and we merely pointed that out. Just as any other place on earth, the work will continue. The Lord put Ecuador on my heart for a reason. I've realized that even when I'm home, I can continue to pray for the Ecuadorian students and future Cru missionaries. It's awesome to know that the Lord is doing all the work and that just praying for that work is doing as much, if not more, than actually being the physical hands and feet of the Lord in Ecuador.

Just today I met three girls who are thrilled with what we are doing and with the movement growing on campus. Our whole team has been praying for more leaders on campus and in the past week I have witnessed many students who were Christians before we started talking to them embrace the mission we're presenting to them. At the same time that God is connecting His people within the campuses, He's also connecting them with us, Christians from across the Americas. The body of Christ is truly extensive and meant to be united in order to grow a powerful movement that can change the world. Having this kingdom mindset gives me hope and joy about the work I am able to do in my life. I know that all is for a greater purpose that extends far beyond my time. Likewise, the mission in Ecuador does not stop because we are leaving. Our purpose is not to be the driving force behind the movement. God has that position covered.

I'm incredibly encouraged in my own personal growth and seeing others' as well. I recognize hardships and failings in the future, but I have a God by my side who doesn't consider leaving me. I'm satisfied in knowing that nothing is up to me. I don't feel all the pressure that I used to. Hallelujah!

We're about to have extended time with the Lord and then our last full day in Guayaquil. I can't wait to see everyone back home and explain in more detail all the amazing things about summer project and Ecuador.

Hasta luego!

Ashley

Naked Face Mountain

At eight on Friday morning, the team excitedly met in the lobby to await our chariot to Cuenca, which is a city sitting about 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains. The lady organizing our ride called and said they would be a few minutes late, so we waited.

and waited...

and waited...

AND WAITED

until around 10am when they finally sent two 7-passenger vans to drive us the four-hours into the mountains. After the first hour or so, we hit the mountainous region. The winding street did not slow our driver down, but seemed to actually speed him up. Between falling over each other and sliding out of our seats, we attempted to capture our time spent in and above clouds and looking over deep valleys and towering cliffs. Unfortunately, cameras cannot properly capture God's creation. Fortunately, we all got to enjoy it in real life this weekend. 

We stayed at a super hipster hostel with a really chill atmosphere. The cafe had a glass roof and led to our rooms which faced a courtyard. After settling in we walked past various cathedrals reminiscent of 16th-century Europe. Pictures will be up at some point. Our destination was the outdoor art market that sold the one product every person on the team desired above all: a llama sweater. We scoured the stands for the single sweater that spoke to each of us. I had no success on the llama sweater front that day, but made many other purchases for myself and for gifts that I'm quite happy with.

That night, we found out that there would be an "electronic" dance party in the cafe of our hostel. 

"I LOVE DANCE PARTIES," most of us thought.

Eagerly awaiting 9pm, we spent some quality time around the camp fire in the courtyard with each other and other people staying at the hostel. Once the party started, we quickly realized that it would not be the Cru-type dance parties we're used to (lots of random flailing and laughing). Everyone was standing around just kind of swaying to themselves. No matter, two of our guys decided to take over the dance floor with their flailing limbs. Apparently we didn't realize that this party was "slow dancing" only and any obnoxious movement was considered "break dancing" and therefore offensive for this scene. Well. We let them have their night of "slow dancing" to the same song for seven hours. 

The party ended around three in the morning. I seem to be in this disgusting habit of waking up at seven no matter how much sleep I get. My morning consisted of a freezing shower (thank goodness for the hair-flip method), french toast in the cafe, and another trip to the art market. After much more desperate searching for the perfect llama sweater, Helen mentioned that she saw some in a shop around the corner. Approaching the sweaters hanging up, I suddenly felt very warm inside. I knew the one hanging in front of me was meant for me. I imagine it's the same feeling wizards and witches feel when their wands choose them. I haggled it down to $20 from the original $23 and didn't really care that that was still a bit over-priced.

For lunch, six of us went around the corner to find some food when Jason pointed out a place with a picture of nachos on the outside. The lack of name and real kitchen seemed promising so we all ordered.

After determining that we didn't get food poisoning, Jason, CJ, Jeremy, Courtney, Chris, Megan, and I left for a hike up a nearby mountain. Apparently Chris had climbed it last year with some guys, who named it Naked Face, so we had a bit of direction. We walked about a mile or two to get to the mountain and then started the ascent. It wasn't a huge climb--a little over 500 feet (about 50 stories), I think--to the top. The first part was on a road and the rest was through forest and underbrush. It was a strange feeling because even before we were tired, our hearts would beat faster than usual because of the altitude. Anyways, it was a fun climb and the top had an amazing view of all Cuenca and the surrounding Andes. There was even a creepy graveyard at the top with broken caskets and clearly looted graves. Our conclusion was zombies. After many pictures were taken and the view was properly enjoyed, we headed home.

The descent was a lot of fun. At one point we just crouched and slid down a dirt path, keeping hold of what I assumed was a small water pipe. The whole adventure took about four or five hours and we were all very ready for dinner at a pizzeria that evening. Upon arriving back at the hostel, some of us gazed at southern hemisphere stars and played cards.

Instead of a "rave" in the hostel, there was a live show put on by two guys playing guitars and a slide. Thankfully they ended much earlier. We left at around nine on Sunday to arrive home around one. The rest of the day was free until praise and prayer at seven.

Overall the trip was really cool. It was nice to get out of Guayaquil for a few days and experience more culture in Ecuador. This is our last week on campus and already it's continuing to be fruitful. Just today, Jeremy and I had a conversation with a professor at ESPOL who had so many questions that we were able, thanks to the Holy Spirit, to answer and hopefully shed light on. We were actually talking to a student when the professor heard us talking and came over to ask questions. The student was so interested that he missed part of his class to listen.

The professor has clearly been searching for God for a very long time in many different ways, and it's crazy to see God use two 20-year-olds to share truth into a highly-educated man's life. Prayers for him are greatly needed! Jeremy and I didn't even want to continue sharing after such a great conversation, so we had lunch. Of course, God wasn't about to let us rest, so we went up to another group of students, which turned into another fruitful conversation.

God is definitely still at work in Ecuador. I'm still learning and growing everyday as I'm faced with sin struggles and a community that demonstrates moment by moment God's love and grace. Even though it's my last week in Ecuador, I'm excited to go back home and to school and continue doing ministry in "normal" life.  For now, I will enjoy every second I have left.

Ashley

God Bless America

As all my friends from the U.S. are aware, yesterday was our independence day. Although I'm not one to really care all that much about holidays besides Christmas, Easter, and birthdays, this one will most certainly not be forgotten. Jess, CJ, and I went to the Grand hotel for our coop dinner. The hotel staff were probably quite confused when three groups of gringos walked in about five minutes apart and sat at opposite sides of the restaurant. Anyways, I had my favorite meal there--a toasted chicken and avocado sandwich--and we even got free pastries after. Guayaquil celebrates their foundational holiday (whatever that means) during all of June, so that was probably the reason for the free food.

We then had extended time with the Lord, which I spent curled in bed with a devotional and the book of Amos. The Lord used that time to convict me about fasting, for whatever reason. I didn't really have any idea why, but I figured He knew me better than I do so I went for it today. It was much easier than I expected, but deeply instructive. I didn't feel hungry until about five, but even though we went to an apparently amazing restaurant for dinner--Frutabar--I didn't have trouble denying everything except for water (which they brought out in a bottle with a giant goblet). Needless to say, I'm going back there sometime next week. I started thinking about the relationship between needing food to satisfy physical hunger and needing the Holy Spirit to satisfy spiritual thirst. All in all, it has been a great day of self-denial in order to hear God.

Back to yesterday, the leadership mysteriously told us to meet in Linsey's room at nine. We opened the door to a darkened room and a fireworks display thanks to youtube.com. The evening included rousing rounds of "God Bless America," the national anthem, and a U.S.A chant inspired by chocolate cake,. This soon turned into a dance party to very American music; including, but not limited to, "Party in the USA," "Don't Stop Believin'," and " Sweet Home Alabama." Some of us then headed up to the 14th floor--known as the h-core party floor (a wedding ballroom)--to play Nertz. It's basically group solitaire. I have to say it's probably the most stressful game I've ever played as it's a mixture of speed and awareness.

Today on campus was another blessing. Megan and I went out together, which is already scary due to our collective lack of extensive Spanish skills. We ended up having two great conversations with four people and we now have two new sisters in Christ!

This evening we walked to Las Peñas, which is a hill/mountain with lots of colorful houses and a lighthouse at the top with a beautiful view of the city, to take pictures and watch the sun go down. It was more great time bonding with the team. 


Tomorrow morning we're leaving for Cuenca--a village in the highlands. The 60 degree weather is going to be a refreshing break for the daily 80 degrees in the city. Please pray for safe travel, rest, and growth in team fellowship. 

Ashley

God is Greater Than...

EVERYTHING. This past winter's IndyCC's theme could not hold any more true than during the past few days. The ESPOL team was really nervous going back on campus this week because all the students have midterms. There was even discussion about sending the whole team to U.G. this week in the event that ESPOL students proved too busy and stressed to have any conversations. The first group we approached on Monday said they were too busy. I immediately assumed this would quickly become a pattern.

GOD IS GREATER THAN MIDTERM SCHEDULES.

The second group of five people we approached graciously allowed us to spend pretty much the rest of the day with them just talking. Four of them prayed to accept Christ! Can I get a hallelujah?! Even more, we were able to have lunch with them and just get to know them. One of my favorite parts of project are the times we simply get to know the students here and how they view everything from college life to music.

That afternoon we went back to the art market to look around some more. It's the closest thing Guayaquil has to a tourist hotspot. You can find everything from hammocks to llama socks. I've gone a couple of times and have only bought one thing because the place just overwhelms my indecisive shopping. So, if you want anything, please just tell me to save me all the trips spent trying to figure out what to get.

Yesterday was another great day at ESPOL. We had a few great conversations and the weather was great.

GOD IS GREATER THAN STICKY HUMIDITY.

Sometimes it's hard for me to remember that here, so I figured I'd yell it at myself. ALSO, for any of you IU kids reading this, I found the equivalent of limeade here and a bottle only costs 55 cents. Score for Ecuador!

GOD IS GREATER THAN DRINK CRAVINGS.

Last night's bible study was centered around confession and continually establishing good fellowship with God. Confession has been a huge learning point for me this past year as I learned all the things I was keeping between me and God. While I still sin, it's awesome to know that I constantly have the chance to right my fellowship with God by acknowledging my sin, BUT IT GETS BETTER... I don't have to personally deal with that sin!

GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR SIN.

I love that God tells us to give them all to Him. He has already taken the burden of our sins. Woah. So simple, but so astounding. I mean, I don't have to feel guilt or shame? No, sir! Better yet, God provides us with community (in my case, the summer project team) to grow closer to as we grow closer to God through confession with each other. We're called to openly confess to each other and pray for each other not so that we are reminded of the bad things we do and think, but rather to feel grace poured over us. Amen!

After all the confession, we of course needed ice cream so we headed to the hotel restaurant for some helado sencilla (one scoop chocolate, one strawberry, and one something with raisins).

Today we headed back for another fruitful day on campus. Tonight I'm excited for coop dinners--we split into groups of 3-4 and spend two hours getting to know each other better. After that we have extended time with the Lord. I'm planning on continuing a study on the influence of the Holy Spirit in our bible study book called "Thirsty" and hopefully finishing the book of Amos tonight. If you haven't read it, it's basically God giving all the reasons and ways that Israel will be condemned for ignoring Him. It's depressing on the surface, but, upon reflection, a joyful read when I consider all the punishment I deserve that Jesus took upon himself. Praise Him!

Happy July 4th!

Ashley

Hosteria Mandala

This past weekend was the mid-way point of summer project in Ecuador. As is custom, we took a trip to relax and re-group. If I was doubting how well the Lord provides for His workers while in Guayaquil, I no longer have any doubts. He knew exactly what each of us needed to focus our minds on Him again.

We met bright and early on Friday morning to cram ourselves and our book bags into a (questionably) 15-person van. Needless to say, most of us were uncomfortable, but it hardly mattered under the shadow of exhaustion and excitement. The trip took three and a half hours (one less than anticipated) through villages and the countryside. I saw a lot of cows, pigs, dogs, and donkeys and even an ostrich. The last leg of the trip was through the mountains along the coast. This part of Ecuador is so lightly populated that we didn't have any trouble appreciating the natural beauty of the dense forests, rocky cliffs, and sandy (I felt like I need an adjective here...) seashore. Upon seeing the sign pointing us toward our home for the weekend, Hosteria Mandala, we attempted to read the many multilingual signs along the sides of the dusty sand road stating all kinds of interesting facts about whales. Did I mention that it's currently whale-watching season?

None of us were disappointed when we arrived at the wide wooden gates. It was on a private section of the beach that had an amazing view of all the surrounding mountains. Think Lord of the Rings. I'll never be able to fully explain how incredible Hosteria Mandala is, so you'll have to wait for the pictures, but I'll try. It is owned by a couple, the husband being from France and the wife from Switzerland, who have run it for 15 years. They both speak multiple languages and host people from all over the world. The 3-story main lodge houses a restaurant that serves only freshly prepared foods and drinks. Pretty much the entire building, including all the tables and chairs, are made out of smoothly-finished wood. The second story hosts a library, a collection of musical instruments, and all kinds of fun trinkets that leads into a beautiful third story full of diverse plant-life and bright windows.

The living arrangements were even more unbelievable. The compound has many lodges all named after different creatures. Five of the girls, including me, lived in Mariposa/ Butterfly/ Papillon/ Schmetterling. The two best parts were the giant shower with the greatest big shower head I've ever had the privilege to use along with the porch that provided two hammocks and a view of all the surrounding flowers and other plant life.

Immediately upon arrival, I changed into my bathing suit, grabbed lunch with the team (a sandwich made with toasted fresh white bread, cheese, salami, tomato, and basil), and headed to the beach with Jenna to swim. The sand was smooth and the waves were average and full of jellyfish. Almost everyone else on the team suffered stings from the little buggers, but I managed to avoid them. A few hours later we decided to walk down the beach toward a cool-looking cliff. We passed all kinds of dead sea creatures--millions of little jellyfish, puffer fish, a fish I liken to a piranha, eels (they were too decomposed to really tell, but that was the general shape), and unidentifiable skulls. I felt quite adventurous.

We had fish and chips, watermelon jugo, salad, popcorn, and plantain chips for dinner, then discussed how the project is going. I thought it was really sweet and such evidence of God's hand in bringing the team together that we mostly had only good things to say.


I couldn't stand sleeping in when we had so little time there, so I was up at 7 on Saturday and Sunday and in a hammock on the beach doing quiet time ASAP. God has been making me more and more aware of my lack of communication with Him. Many times this past year, I would doubt my salvation because I didn't feel like my prayers and questions were being answered. I've been made aware that I'm not really choosing to listen and communicate with God through extended times in prayer and in the Word. This weekend I felt a lot of growth in that area. Multiple times everyday I desired to have that time alone listening. I've stopped expecting amazing revelations every time I have some quiet time. It has brought a lot more joy into those times. 


The highlight of Saturday was the two or three hours we spent building an entire sand kingdom complete with extravagant castle, complex irrigation system, and a village with a soccer stadium, graveyard, and vineyard. It was marvelous. That was pretty much the whole day. We were so into it that we forgot all about lunch until much later than the standard time. The rest of the day was more much needed relaxation mixed with some not so needed sunburn. WHEN WILL I LEARN?!

Coming back has been actually pretty hard, but in a weird way quite telling about my attitude here. I was getting way too comfortable on campus, and, in turn, too complacent. I haven't been all too intentional about initiating conversations and pursuing students in follow-ups. While I can't put the pressure on myself to win all the students over to Christ--that's a job for the big guns upstairs--I have to let Him work through me and not limit Him by my own inhibitions. This week is going to be difficult at ESPOL, because all the students have mid-terms and are frantically trying to study and finish projects. Prayers for that are needed!

Bonne nuit!

Ashley