Weekly Wrap Up from Calacali, Ecuador
March 30, 2007
We’ve had many firsts since we arrived in Ecuador. First meal prepared, first time ordering in Spanish, first time driving. Today, is no exception as this is the first birthday celebrated apart from one of our older kids. Twenty-three years ago today, we welcomed our oldest daughter, Nicole into our lives. Hard to believe how fast the time has flown. Our friends and family have been so generous in providing homes away from home for the older kids. While it is still hard, it is a comfort to know Nicole is celebrating her birthday with family.
Many of you will be happy to learn we received our shipment. Everything was intact and they even delivered on time. The best was unpacking our family pictures and placing them around the house. Along with the pictures and magnets that go on the refrigerator. The Cline’s came out Saturday to help us unpack and as they were leaving Raylin said, “It even smells like the green house (our house in Tehachapi).” I told her that was the best “compliment” I could receive. So little by little it is starting to feel like home.
Our language classes continue, we are completely educated with the ten uses of ser and the three uses of estar. I am happy to announce we can participate in any conversation that requires a question to be asked or answered!
In the midst of our language acquisition, and settling in, the camp continues to be used regularly. There have been groups here on Quito Quest Teams from Canada and a University from Tennessee, a group from HCJB has used the facility as well as a local Ecuadorian church. The groups either spend a day at HER or spend several nights. They are encouraged to hike on the various trails or participate in the different ropes courses available. Our house is located right on the property line, so it is not uncommon to look out the window and see people walking by on their way back down to the team house.
A primary focus of the ministry of HER is to teach and allow people solo time. What does that mean? Through solitude and silence each person is encouraged to hear God’s still small voice. The Bible has many examples where Jesus, during His earthly ministry, stepped away in order to seek God’s guidance. Now if this was an important discipline for the Son of God, it must be important to us, his disciples.
That is my encouragement for each of you this week. In this fast paced time that we live, take time to be still. Cultivate the discipline of solitude and silence before God. A good place to start is to do a word study from the concordance in the back of your Bible on these two words, solitude and silence and then allow God to speak. Especially now, during this Easter season where we remember Christ’s extravagant love demonstrated for us on the cross.
As God is our Refuge, Mary for the Scholl’s
For further information on HER go to http://www.youthworld.org.ec and click on El Refugio
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