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