You are my great adventure.

This is the title of one of the songs we have learned in Spanish and will be singing to lead kids in worship during our Vacation Bible Schools. The theme is adventure, and I cannot help but see the hand of providence in it. I happen to be a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings, and there was a time a while back where I was wishing there would be some great adventure that I could go on beyond heaven. I thought to myself, “Lord you could equip me with great weapons and abilities, being that you will be giving me a new resurrection body in heaven and all, after all.” I imagined heaven might be boring otherwise, if there was no adventure to be had. Then a thought occurred to me. I was living in the one time of my life, which is an eternal life, where I could truly have an adventure akin to the saga in the Lord of the Rings. Now was the time for me to sacrifice all and bear heavy burdens for the sake of my King and the good of mankind. Now was the time to go forward to battle and face foes that are greater than me. Now is the time to fight for the Lord.  There would be no other time except during life on this side of heaven. It would not be till Christ returns, and we sit in His presence that I would  hang my worn sword on the wall, and place my scarred shield next to it, as other Christians and I gathered around the feast of the Lord and to tell stories of glory and battle past.

Esther 4:4b “…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

There is no greater adventure then following Christ in this life, and there will be no such greater adventure in the next life (at least as far as Scripture tells us, which is about as far as I am willing to bank on).

Today I and six others, making seven (perfect!), will go on an adventure of a life time. And without further a due, I would like to introduce to you my fellow warriors and soldiers in the faith, of whom are Zeke Flores, Blanca Flores, Amanda Hudson, Kristina Boenisch, Erika Rene Romero, and Edward. I would ask that you prayer warriors would please keep all of us in prayer as we set out to help bring encouragement and strength to Calvary Chapel Cuenca and the surrounding area. Check back everyday this week and I will be posting a day by day update as well as current requests, possibly with some words from each of the members of the team on something that they learned that day or wanted to share. We will all be in this together, and if you follow along with us you can be in it with us as well. After they leave, ill be staying in Ecuador until my King says otherwise but still posting, so keep coming back if you want to continue to be a part of what God is doing there, even after the team leaves.

Today for me was a day filled with so much emotion. I felt loved, and felt love for others back. I felt saddened at leaving my friends and family, but excited to start this next adventure. Overall though, I was overwhelmed with the feeling of gratitude. Gratitude to God for how much love and grace He has shown me, and how amazing it is that He would call me to this. Gratitude to my family for being there for me for so long and loving me so faithfully. Gratitude to my friends for being better than anyone could ask for. Gratitude to my church for supporting me so abundantly. Gratitude, just so much gratitude.

We will be leaving from Phelan, CA around 7:30 PM (PST) tonight and arriving the next night at about the same time, so its about a 24 hour travel period. It can be pretty draining, but don’t worried I’m all showered up (I even used soap this time!) and have plenty of books for the road.

Copyright 2012, Matt Camphuis.

Getting all packed and ready to go. Good by California, hello Ecuador!!!!