Psalm 139:16-18 “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When [as yet there were] none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! [If] I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.”

I think I am going to get a haircut soon. Granted this idea was suggest by a very drunk Ecuadorian that I met in El Centro, but he had a point, I think my hair would be more clean cut with one. Today was our last day of VBS. I could tell I wasn’t the only one feeling drained, but this is what we came for. I had decided that I was going to give these kids all the energy that I had left. Thinking about doing it as unto the Lord helped a lot to do so. We spent the day much like we spent yesterday, devos at 7, then walking into El Centro to do some shopping, then returning to the church by 12, then heading to Uncovia where we worked the VBS until about 5. Suca was waiting for us when we got back home.

La Suca, mi nueva amiga fiel.

Amanda and Melony at the VBS in Uncovia.

Since Kristina did her devo today, it was her turn to write something for you all to read about back at home, thankfully she is also long winded so I get to take the rest of the night off as far as blogging goes. I do have to say though I am very proud of this little girl. She is the youngest in the group, 18, but she has no problem hanging. In some ways she reminds me of my sisters (she’s sorta a combination of them both really). She has been a trooper though, even if I catch her falling asleep during a lot of the Spanish services (hey I don’t blame her it probably sounds like blah blah blah). Overall though, I think God has done a work in her and I wouldn’t be surprised if I see her again on another mission trip some day.

“Hi I’m Kristina and I am 18, this has been my first mission trip and has been such a blessing. Today I did my devotionals on Psalm 139:16-18. What stuck out to me the most was that even though God knows every one of our thoughts He still will always love us. As said in the end of verse 18, He will never leave us. Coming to Ecuador has opened my eyes to how amazing our God really is. There are so many people, in fact around a few billion on earth, and yet He still loves us on a personal level.

From shopping, to studies, to just hanging out God has opened so many doors for fellowship for me. Whether it is just a one on one conversation with a stranger, or a group study, God has grown me to step out of my comfort zone. Stepping out of my comfort zone has made me more comfortable sharing my testimony. Being down here has really showed me the truth in the verses from my devotionals. After sharing my testimony with the women at a study, I realized that they weren’t judging me. One woman actually talked to me about how well the verses from the Psalms fit, and told me not to mix the light with the dark. God is using her words to penetrate my heart, as most of my friends are not Christians. This is what she meant by not mixing light and dark.

At the VBS in Uncovia this little girl named Nicole stole my heart. Watching her try to keep up with the leaders in our songs really got to me. While she was probably too young to really understand she was still involved in the worship, and that blessed me. Watching all the kids worship and love on God was also a blessing. If I could say one thing to those who are back at home, it would be this. If you ever feel that you have walked too far into the dark for God to love you that is the devil talking. No matter your thoughts, God will always love you.

The adorable Nicole and I.

Well Matt is sitting here looking at me strangely and making jokes so that is all, thank you.

In the words of Zeke, don’t be a little girl.

Peace out,

Kristina.”

Matthew 18:1-4

18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”