


I want to thank all the people who supported me to make this trip possible. The Lord has removed the scales from my eyes and I realize from all the studies, all the experiences, all the people and most important the word of God that I’ve been blind. Classes have shown me what God is looking for in His people. We need to show love to our fellow man because without love the world is meaningless. So many times we get caught up in the things of this world and we fail to recognize a brother in need of direction or the lost that surround us at our job, school or even our own family that are hurting and are in need of a Savior.
From the “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement” I’ve realized I need to live missionally where ever I am; Instead of hiding my light from those who are lost and are in search of the answer.
Masculinity and Femininity class has taught me I need to be the man of God which He has called me to be and also the future husband and father that he‘s called me to be. We shouldn’t wait till we’re married or engaged to be the man of God that he has called us to be. I’ve realize I’ve made many mistakes in this area and now I’m kicking myself in the face (not literally) but now I realize how blind I was in this subject. Chivalry is definitely important but at the same time I shouldn’t lead girls on and give them the wrong impression. I’m probably not ready to get married at this point in my life so I believe I shouldn’t be looking for a girlfriend until I’m ready to get married. Girls are a distraction anyways and right now I need to focus on the Lord.
The experiences have been intense going from the jungle to the top of Cotopaxi and also the church planting. In the jungle, my home stay family and I went out planting corn for a good nine to ten hours on Saturday. We planted a field the size of two football fields which was exhausting but It showed me when you’re focused on a goal and people who are with you are also focused on the goal, great things can be accomplished. I also took part in a native tradition of drinking chichi. Which for the native people is like Popeye and his can of spinach for energy; which helped with work.
Climbing Cotopaxi was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life (this climb was not a part of PW, but something that four of the guys did with a guide…see video). So many times I felt like giving up and turning back. But through out the climb I kept my focus on the Lord which helped me push through. It was also a time to think of what my greatest fear was. Which I realize it’s failure and the fear that I’m not good enough, but the Word explains we are never good enough. That is why we are always in need of a Savior. Our race in life is not finished until we leave this earth to be with the Lord. After Cotopaxi I realized if I can conquer the mountain with the Lords help there’s nothing I can’t do with him as my main focus and also when it is His will.
The Church planting conference was awesome. The guys from Acts 29 came down to teach the Ecuadorians about what a new church plant essentially needs to be effective. They taught theology and went over a ton of great information. These guys were very sound in their doctrine and awesome to talk to. They made it clear that so many times people get saved and then focus on the things God blesses us with and we tend to forget the Lord and His mission. But really what we should center our lives around is Him because He’s called us to be part of His story and to leave our story behind. So many times our focus is on the redemption of man, but really it’s about God and His Glory.
The people here have encouraged and have kept me accountable which is very important. I can see the love they have for God by the way they interact with people. My Ecuadorian family has shown me what truly being dedicated to the Lord looks like. They as a family are dedicated to the things of God and spend time working hard as well as playing hard and in everything giving glory to God. I have had the privilege of spending time with them and I feel they have become apart of my family just as well as all my brother and sisters in Compassion Connection.
The word of God and the reading material we’ve been given to read, has really challenged me to excel (we are reading through the Bible in these six months). Reading has always been a struggle for me and has been something that has hindered me in the past. Before, the only book I ever read was the Bible and I even struggled with that. With school I would just skim and scan the text because I didn’t have the patience to read. I relied on my previous knowledge or the knowledge of my peers to learn the school material. Reading is great gift that not everybody has and those who do sometimes take it for granted. Reading the Word has given me a more in depth thought of what Gods’ character really is. His love is so great and awesome it’s sometimes hard to even comprehend. Also realizing how big he is and how small we are is mind blowing. He designed man to need Him for a life without him is empty. We need to give God the glory, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!(1Ch 16:34)”
My time here is coming to an end soon and I’m looking forward to going home even though I‘m gonna miss all my brother and sisters here. I’m also looking forward to sharing my experience and all that I’ve learned. Well, LOVE you Mom, Dad, family, and all mis amigos hope to see you soon.


