On January 10, after we watched the taillights of the car taking Bethany back to college recede into the distance, Mark turned to me and asked if I was ready for my next adventure. I was hoping he would be taking me out to breakfast. Instead, he asked if I’d like to go to Ecuador. On Tuesday.
Of course the answer was, “Yes!” Four days later, I landed in Quito, Ecuador, at midnight, along with Worldwide Challenge photographer Tom Mills.
The next day, we met Javi Guaman and his wife, Andi. Javi is Cru’s city director in Quito. They took us to a newly constructed high school where we watched volunteers in five different classrooms present “How to Get Better Grades and Have More Fun.”
More than 500 middle- and high-school students heard the gospel-based content. The following week when we returned, the volunteers clearly explained the gospel during a second assembly. More than 200 students prayed and received Christ.
Javi works with a team of dedicated volunteers who help him increase his reach to more high school students. One of those volunteers, Jeff, spends 20 hours a week on various campuses helping high school students grow in their faith.
At one school we visited, a group of six-year-olds approached me. The leader of the group squared her shoulders, stepped forward and in her very best English said, “Hello.” She stole my heart. We told each other our names, worked on our colors in both English and Spanish, and played the “What is this?” game. They told me the Spanish name. I told them the English name. The bell rang, and they disappeared. They returned and each handed me a flower picked from the perfectly manicured landscape on the edge of the playground. We traded hugs and they ran to class.
Whenever I travel, I realize just how small the world is. Jesus commanded his disciples to take the gospel to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. What I would consider my ends of the earth will always be someone else’s Jerusalem. It was so encouraging for me to see the gospel advancing in Quito through the work of Javi and Andi and their team.
As you think of us in the next couple weeks, please pray this story as I write it and, then Mark and I edit it. We want God to be glorified as He brings students to Christ and works through Javi and his team of volunteers.
I’m grateful for opportunities to travel to places like Quito so I can tell everyone about God’s marvelous work. Thank you for playing such an important part in this work. Please let us know how we can pray for you.