Week One

Today marks one week since we got to Ecuador! This time has held a lot of emotions, a lot of adjustments, and a whole lot of grace, but we are thankful to be here- especially in a global pandemic! I remember praying during our time in Gainesville that the Lord would make a way for us to go overseas… and His faithfulness continues to blow me away.

Our squad has been staying at the base here in Quito with our wonderful hosts Mabe and Fabi. They have been beyond incredible. They are so kind and welcoming and they are simply hilarious. We bonded with them very quickly and we are so, so thankful to have spent this time with them. They have an incredible story and I am honored to know them.

This past week we haven’t left the base. The base is on a bigger property, so Mabe and Fabi have had plenty of outside projects for us to work on while we’ve been here. There have been many hours spent weeding the garden, chopping vegetables in the kitchen, and sawing wood. We have also been doing different inside chores, listening to Fabi teach, and playing all kinds of games. During this time here we have not left the property that the base is on, per covid restrictions.

Today our squad will be splitting up and going to our separate ministries. Half of us will be going to a ministry called Dunamis while the other half goes to El Refugio. My team along with two others will be serving in Dunamis until February 20^th. Dunamis is a ministry that works to serve girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking. We are still not 100% sure what we will be doing there, but we are excited to see all that the Lord has in store. We will still be spending time as a whole squad once a week, and the plan right now is for us to switch ministries sometime after February 20^th until the end of March.

One of the things the Lord has been teaching me during this past week is how to be a person who walks by the Spirit. I have been adjusting to being a raised up team leader, and I put a lot of pressure on myself to do it right the first time. I have found that the best way to lead is by fighting my flesh and letting the Spirit speak through me. The Lord has been so kind to show me that when I do walk by the Spirit, Its fruits come naturally and it is not something that I have to strive for.

I have loved spending this time with my sweet team, Team Abandon. Even in the hard things we have been choosing in to one another and it is beautiful. They make me laugh so much and it is simply the greatest honor to be their new team leader. I LOVE doing life with them and I am so often blown away that the Lord was so kind to give me them as friends and sisters.

I still do not know what my blogging situation will look like. Especially with moving to my ministry sight today, my access to a computer/wifi will likely still be sporadic and unsure. (I might be camping on the side of a mountain if that helps you understand.) Thanks for all the grace in that! Also, if you have tried to contact me, please know that I am not ignoring you! I simply have zero service and access to wifi and I have no idea when that will change.

Love and miss you all SO much!

-Abby