Oh, the many days and nights that I would look up world maps in encyclopedias and admire the shape and area of this place. Before I ever arrived here, but with the call of God already on my life, I was so in love with a land and a people that I had never seen. It consumed me. I’d search for newspaper articles, magazine clippings, go to libraries and explore books there, anything just to get a glimpse of this place that someday would become my home. The encyclopedia with the letter “E” was worn out! Lol I wanted to know everything about this country and its precious people.
I was fascinated by the enormous volcanoes with their snow capped cones, and whose heights seemed to reach the Heavens. I was mesmerized by the beautiful waterfalls around every turn whose waves seemed to roar in thunderous sound praising God Almighty. I was in awe of the natives and their many tribes and languages. I was anxiously awaiting the day I’d be able to greet them with an “Hola, como está?!” And most of all, be able to tell them about Jesus, the very reason that I’d travelled so far to be there. Oh, the yearning that was in my heart. Oh, the restlessness I had in me to be here. I had no idea how I’d get here, but I never doubted that I would. I lived by Habakkuk 2:3 “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
I fell in love a long time ago and that love has only grown so much greater since I stepped on Ecuadorian soil over 14 years ago. I am constantly amazed and still have moments where I stop and breathe in the air, stare at the faces of the people, bask in the beauty of the endless jungle and say, “I’m really here. It came to pass just as the Lord said it would. I’m really here and this is my beautiful life. Thank you Jesus.”
Ecuador, the land that I love; the land of my calling.
