Changes, Challenges, and Choices

There are always going to be changes when you go to a different country, and the best way to handle it is to accept the differences.  I knew coming to Ecuador that there would be changes that I could accept, but some changes have become more difficult.
My role being in Ecuador has changed; I am not just going on a short-term mission trip to follow my leaders; I am the leader.  This past week in training has been challenging; I am still trying to grasp everything that I need to know, from how to take a taxi, understand the finances, call the bus drivers, translate at ministry sites, and disciple my ream.  I also am learning a lot about who I am as a leader in a different country, and how I will work with my pareja (other leader).    

There are going to be challenges wherever we are, and we can either choose to accept them or run from them.  The language barrier has been a struggle this past week; it worries me that I won’t be able to be the leader I know I can be. I feel like I want to give up sometimes and that I can’t do it.  But, when the Lord calls, we must act and that’s when God comes in and a Choice has to be made.

God wonderfully has granted us the ability to make our own decisions in this life.

Granted, I can’t really pack up and go home, but decide to do my job terribly, but Romans 8:28 says, “And we know all things work together for good to those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  This verse has been a great reminder to me to persevere through training and through any struggle that I will be facing this summer.  God has called me here, and I won’t let hardships bring me down.  I choose to rather embrace them with perseverance.  He is faithful and if we are willing to submit to His word, His Will will be done.

Our teams went on a scavenger hunt around the city! My competitive nature got the best of me, and I face planted on the side walk while running..got some pretty bad bruises. But we kept going, and we arrived over an hour early.

Ended up being 1 point off from first place.