Ecuador, Here I Come!

This summer, I have been accepted on an international mission trip with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ). I will be going to Quito, Ecuador May 17–June 25, 2018 to partner with local campus ministries, pastors, and students. This post is to help explain what my team and I will be doing, as well as provide an introduction and context for future blog posts. 

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I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.

Jesus, John 12:46

To be honest, I did not ask many questions before agreeing to go to Quito with Cru.

Since returning from Cuba in 2017, my heart has been drawn to Ecuador as a next stop. Coming down from that trip, I was praying about my next steps and the word ‘Ecuador’ came to mind. As a big fan of Elisabeth Elliot, I needed no more convincing. Last summer, I started researching trips, but ultimately determined that it was not the right time to go just yet. In February 2018, I found the right trip, applied, and was accepted.

During this trip, my team will partner with local campus ministries, pastors, and students to share the Good News of Jesus and help grow students in faith in Him. According to Cru, the students of Quito have grown up in a culture familiar with images of the Christian faith, but often lack a personal relationship with God. Our hope is to see lives changed by and for the Gospel, in a way that will last eternally, not just during our trip.

As I prepare for this trip, I have been pondering the phrase “share the Gospel.” While at first glance these words appear to describe a one-and-done action, I think in reality sharing the Gospel is not a single action, but a way of life. For example, when a child is asked to share her toys with another child, she is not being asked to hand over her toys and walk away so that the other child can play alone. Instead, the word “share” prompts the child to play in a way that includes others. This is how the Gospel should be shared as well: we offer others a space to delight in God with us, alongside us. We partake together and fellowship together, like the family of God we are.

I hope to do this in Ecuador. I am not a savior; Jesus is the only Savior. I am not just a detached delivery(wo)man of the Good News; I am a participant. I am just a daughter of God, looking to delight in Him with community outside of my normal sphere of socialization. And too, I am a daughter on mission, praying that the opportunity might arise for God to use me in His plans to bring the lost home.

The Adventure So Far

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Since I closed up shop at Ferris, my life has felt like one drawn-out goodbye. It is challenging to leave my family and friends. However, God is good. I know He will use this time and I can count the things I miss to be a joyful sacrifice for Him.

On Tuesday morning, I said goodbye to my two youngest siblings before they left for school. My mom and brother Trevor brought me to the airport and dad surprised me by meeting us there. My flight left Grand Rapids at 11:05 a.m. and touched down in Atlanta at 12:40 p.m.. I sat next to a gentleman who was on a business trip. When he asked why I was headed to Ecuador, I told him for a mission trip.

“I figured so,” he said.

“Oh really?”

“You have that personality. And you’re pretty outgoing.”

This was funny to me considering I am more of an introvert. In times like these, God often gives me the energy to love people with an outgoing vibrancy. It helps that missions overjoy me in the first place.

Then, flight successfully completed, I shuttled to our hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. I grabbed lunch in the area and waited for my team in the hotel library.

My team consists of six other college-aged girls from Kennesaw State and University of Alabama Birmingham, three Cru staff members, and the two children of the staff. I’m thrilled to get to know them all and to begin building community and unity together.

On Tuesday night we had a team dinner and game night. Unfortunately, I felt sick while at the restaurant and missed the meal to call my doctor. Monica, one of our mission team leaders, so kindly brought me to a pharmacy to pickup a prescription. I took it easy the rest of the evening, but was able to have good conversation with some of my teammates in the hotel room.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

On Wednesday morning, I felt much better aside from some stomach pain and was able to function normally again. I had breakfast with my team and then we started our briefing session. We were given a spiral bound packet with schedules, guidelines, and information about our trip. Like I said, I didn’t not ask too many questions about the specifics before committing to Quito, so it was exciting to have so much information at once.

Aside from a break for an extended lunch together, we spent the whole day in briefing. The team leaders went through scripture with us, gave us tips for evangelism, explained our norms/expectations in country, guided us on how to share our testimonies, and facilitated a reflection-type discussion about how God has worked so far in preparing each of us for the trip. We ended our time by praying. As Wesley, one of our team leaders said, consider us briefed!

The evening consisted of dinner as a group at a local restaruant and a cutthroat card game of Nertz, which is close enough to my favorite card game, Dutch Blitz, for me to get competitive. We played on teams, so it was a fun challenge to learn how to communicate with each partner I had. I think this card game will be a norm for family nights while in Quito.

Back in the hotel room after, it was nice to chat with the girls in my small group again and learn more about them. It is so special to spend these couple days in Georgia preparing for the trip, surrounded by people who love Jesus so deeply and want to talk about Him so frequently.

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Thursday has primarily been a day to rest and prepare to fly. We ate brunch together at Waffle House and have been packing, resting, and spending time with the Lord since. Our flight leaves at 5:55 p.m. and we expect to be in Quito by 10:13 p.m. Central Time.

Tomorrow, we will have an in-country briefing about the specifics of ministry in Ecuador. We are partnering with a STINT team that has spent the last 10-months ministering to the students. Their advice will be valuable and I look forward to meeting them.

Going Forward

Over the next six-weeks, I hope to periodically update the blog with posts about ministry as time allows. While my cell phone will remain on airplane mode, we should have some internet access at our hostel. If you would like to contact me, please do so via email or the comments below. Please be patient in waiting for a response, as my primary focus on this trip is to do ministry.

Check out the “Next Steps” section below to read about how you can pray for us.

Serving Christ with you,

Alysha

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Next Steps

Want to get involved? My team and I invite you to be part of taking the Gospel to a country who is ready to hear the Truth of Jesus in two ways:

1. By praying for us regularly. 1 Corinthians 3:7 says “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” Pray that as we go into the Harvest to labor, God would move in the hearts of the people we meet. Pray also that he would raise up students in Ecuador to be laborers even after our trip is over. More specifically this week:
   • Pray for us to adjust to the elevation without illness. In Quito, we will be at about 10,000 ft, twice as high as Denver, Colorado.
   • Pray for safety in travel and in country. While we shouldn’t be in physical danger, crimes of opportunity are common in the city, so if we forget to be wise with our valuables, we may have them stolen.
   • Pray for our first day on campus, which will be Monday, May 21, 2018.
2. By supporting us financially. I am in charge of covering the cost of my portion of the summer mission budget. While I am nearly fully funded, there is still a chance for you to donate, if you feel led to do so. Any amount is appreciated. This can be done through the end of my trip by visiting my donation portal and clicking “Give a Gift.”

Thank you for being part of God’s provision for us as we take steps of faith to help people find and follow Jesus.

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

1 Corinthians 3:7