We flew into the old Quito airport on February 15. Four or five days later that airport closed for good, so we flew out of the brand new Quito airport on February 22. We had a great trip! Thanks for your prayers!
Our theme for this mission trip was Love One Another. All the skits we created and crafts we prepared centered on this great command from Jesus. We realized early in our team meetings that it would be absolutely counter productive to carry a noble theme but fail to live the message ourselves.
We had a very diverse group of twenty teenagers from all four high school grades. We had five adults of different ages, and in a last minute addition, I was able to bring eight-year-old John. Differences often seem to bring barriers to love, but God intends differences to let his love shine all the more. We were all astounded at the unity and love He gave us.
Two very simple lessons were learned as we prepared and as we traveled.
First, we need to be intentional about loving. Our team made this our number one goal: ‘We must love one another.” Of course there is much more involved than just goal-setting and good intentions, but every single team member knew the importance of love and we knew we had to put love into action.
The second lesson is elementary but often forgotten. We constantly prayed that we would love one another. God is love. He is the Author of love. He pours out love through His Holy Spirit. Surely He smiles when we fervently pray that we love one another.
We got to love children and the elderly and the brothers and sisters we know in Ecuador. We also got to love one another. I think this is what we are to do everyday.
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured his love into
our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5