I remember the evening well. We sat in a circle, pen in hand, bible on our laps with words racing through our minds. We were asked to encourage and share evidence of God’s grace we saw in one another. It was not hard to come up with words to bless with this group of young adults. We were united through our desire to head to Quito, Ecuador on a missions trip to a Christian school and teach for a few months and visit remote villages sharing the love of Jesus. This particular moment was special to me in many ways. I don’t know how long it actually took to complete, but I remember the room was very quiet for a long time. We took time to think through what to say about each person. It was such an unexpected gift. I did not know that I needed encouragement and specific words that elevated my soul. I was able to share how others were growing in their love and knowledge of Jesus and share that I could see the fruit of the spirit evident in theirs lives in tangible ways. We spoke life-giving words.
Up until a few years ago that lined paper filled with words that spoke to my heart was still in an old bible. It’s gone, but that evening is not lost.

In our last year of university we were given the opportunity to apply for this trip and, once accepted had to raise funds. Through God’s amazing grace we all raised the funds required. This was a lesson in faith! Knowing that we all had zero money and debt from our years at school. This is not a problem for the God of the impossible. We prayed, wrote letters to friends and family sharing our heart for missions and waited on the Lord. As it happens many times, the money came in at the last hour. What a time of testing! Our team had not even left Canada yet and we were already connected by a strengthened faith that he provides. Surrounded by some of my best friends and new ones, serving as teachers at the local missionary school, making memories bartering in spanish at the market, canoe trips down a muddy river, tarantulas living outside our rooms, cockroaches everywhere, precious smiles of children, amazing professor and mentor leading us, sweating and sweating more, jungle hotel and crazy cab rides. Hard to sum up what we experienced, but this trip allowed us to see the world and the faithfulness of God in countless ways.

Over the years this sharing of grace continues through family, friends or at church. During a small group at a church we attended not long ago, we were asked to share evidence of grace in one another and again life-giving and life-changing words were shared. These moments are engraved on my heart. I am thankful for leadership over the years that taught me to speak life into others, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” ( Thessalonians 5:11). Your words spoken and written are a gift to others! If you are prompted, act and watch the blessings flow.

2 responses to “God’s grace on the equator”

1. Such a cool story! I love how that experience truly shaped who you are today. Our kids need this!!

   Reply

2. So many memories to recall! It was such a great moment in my life.
   xo

   Reply