As we desire to truly support and raise up local leadership here in Ecuador we are learning that sometimes empowerment looks like not going, or not preaching, or not filling the gap. This is a challenging reality for us at times as not being there, or not sharing, or not filling that gosh-darn gap can be hard!!
Let us tell you a story --
We were invited into a tribal village to serve alongside some of our tribal and foreign friends at an annual Christian conference put on BY the Waorani people FOR the Waorani people.
We were excited about the experience and the opportunity to serve. We were excited to watch tribal people lead a tribal Christian conference for their own people. We were excited to have our girls serve alongside some of their friends who have more experience in this area. The list went on. We were excited.
Then the day came when we were told that there were too many non-tribal people planning to come into the camp and that the presence of too many foreigners would off-set the balance and cause our tribal friends to struggle to balance caring for us and running the conference for their own people. Our presence was going to be more of a hinderance than a help. Naturally, we bowed out and committed to pray.
After processing and praying, we decided that the funds we would have used to fly into the village we would donate to the conference fund to purchase food to feed all the tribal people coming for the conference. Although we were bummed not to be in the mix serving we were pleased that our presence wasn't a hinderance for the tribal to tribal ministry. Sometimes not being seen is the best way we can truly make an impact.
Meet Jessica. Gift of God. This lady has been with us for just under a month and already she's added to our lives here in Shell. Her joy, servant heart and curious spirit is like fresh air.
Jess will be living with us for 6 months to 1 year depending on visa processing. Even this not knowing how long she will stay is a testament to her heart to trust and obey the Lord.
After months of processing and praying we decided Jess would come to live with us and act in an intern-like role. This is loosely defined because much like our own journey to the mission field, Jessica has been given a God-compass in her hand and not a map with an X on it. She's in "God-trust and obey training"; as are we all. We walk together to discover exactly what God has for her during her time with us.
Living abroad is chock full of challenges. Namely, for this pro-active/analytical momma, the fact that Georgia and Reese don't have many godly women speaking into their lives. They have mostly me - mom, homeschool teacher and more. Now, I know God's grace is sufficient and that he is guiding me by the hand as I lead my young but I also know there are gaps; different perspectives, approaches, feedback to be given.
Enter Jessica!! She's comin' to town and just in time for Christmas!! It feels like a present for us all. A love message from the greatest Giver of them all. He's sharing with us His masterpiece - Jessica.
We were excited about the experience and the opportunity to serve. We were excited to watch tribal people lead a tribal Christian conference for their own people. We were excited to have our girls serve alongside some of their friends who have more experience in this area. The list went on. We were excited.
After processing and praying, we decided that the funds we would have used to fly into the village we would donate to the conference fund to purchase food to feed all the tribal people coming for the conference. Although we were bummed not to be in the mix serving we were pleased that our presence wasn't a hinderance for the tribal to tribal ministry. Sometimes not being seen is the best way we can truly make an impact.
