Hi everyone, now that its the last day of the trip I can finally share with you my experience! This was my first year in Ecuador so I did not have too many expections, but the ones I did have were blown out of the water! I stayed with the group here in Quito, we painted.. and painted, but if I do say so myself its looks beautiful now that its finished. We also put on two VBS's where we got to talk with the kids and just love on them, and of course teach them about Jesus! It was a blast the kids here just love to play and laugh! I wish I could share how amazing it is with just words, but that would be impossible!
I have two "God stories" the first one was with the a little girl named Daniela Mera that I met during one of the days of VBS. She knew a little bit of english so I was able to understand what she was telling me and vice versa. She had three little sisters and and older brother. I could see in her that she was like a mini mom to all of her siblings. She was so patient with me when I couldnt understand her, she taught me how to play a little hand game, but most importantly she taught me that sometimes in life you dont need to have deep conversations with someone to love them, you just need them there with you. That night while I was reflecting on the day not knowing if I would see them again, I prayed that God would some how reveal to me that I did make an impact in those kids life. I really wasnt sure what to expect but I was keeping my eyes open to Gods response. The next day of VBS the Mera family was back! I was so happy I ran to give Daniel a hug, then she handed me a little envelope saying to "Mariana Michel from Daniela Mera." I opend it and inside was the most precious drawing of two girls (me and her) and on top it said "Te Quiero Mucho" and on the bottom it read "Love." I knew that God had shown me the answer to my prayers. I told her I would keep it forever and she smiled. I felt like if that was the only thing I got to experience on this trip I would be forever grateful. We played and laughed and ran around like crazies, but I look back and wouldnt want to change anything. My last time to see Daniela and her family was on Sunday at the church service, I gave her a bracelet and I have a matching one. I gave it to her in the hopes that when she sees it she thinks of me. I know that when I see mine I will always remember the little girl who changed my life.
Now my second story is almost imposible to put into words, but I'll do my best to do it justice. We went to the nursing home on Friday before the other teams had come back. I was nervous because I dont speak enough spanish to communicate with them, and I knew unlike kids I couldnt play patty cake or tickle them to make them happy so I was at a loss on how to build relationships there. We walked in I stopped and gave a few people a hug asked them how they were, but it wasnt until Ms. Wafford called me over and said that this man was blind and almost deaf and he needs someone just to love on him. I thought to my self "Hey I could do that!" So I went over to him held is hand and just rubbed his back with my other hand, at first he seemed a little guarded like he wasnt sure if I was safe. But I stayed there and sooner or later he finally relaxed and he stroked my thumb and searched for my other hand so he could hold both. I could tell that he was thinking hard about something and that he was uncomfortable. So I sent up a prayer to God just begging that whatever pain he is in that its just taken away, and that his mind and heart may be calm. I was sitting there with him for about two hours, not one word was spoken, he didnt know my name and I didnt know his but I was in tears knowing that God heard my prayers and just calmed him and eased his pain for at least a little. I cant explain why that moment meant so much to me, I feel as if he was praying for me too. Leaving was so hard for me because who knows if Ill ever see him again, all I know is that God put him in my life for a reason, and I will continue to pray for him because thats the most I can do for him.
There is so much more I could share but these stories are the ones that touched my heart the most. Its hard to believe that its almost over. I ask that if its put on your heart to pray that my life is not changed for a few weeks but that God has changed my life for good. Its going to be hard to adjust back into American Culture without losing everything I have learned here, but Im willing to accept the challenge! Thank you for reading!
~Love Mari
Beautiful, Mari!
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