Funny how God always meets with me at Coffee Shops. Guess its my modern Gethsemane.

“Behold, I am with you and will keep you where ever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.’

Today I found out that I didn’t have the right document to apply for my residence visa. By the way I am applying for residence here since it is the cheapest option in the long run and gives me a lot more security here, its good for life as long as I don’t leave the country for more then six months.

It is extremely difficult and expensive to get a visa here in Ecuador, thankfully though Calvary Chapel Cuenca just so happens to already have government approval to help missionaries apply for visas. I think we might be one of the only churches that have this. Even still I needed to get a police record from back home and it needs an apostille. I didn’t know what that was so we got the records from the sheriff only to find it isn’t good here. An apostille, for those of you who don’t know, is an official document issued by your state or federal government that allows you to use local documents internationally. Its sort of like a notary but on an international scale. Thankfully my Dad has been helping with all this stuff back home.

Other than that things are going pretty well. The newness of it all is starting to wear off. What was once novel and quaint is now mostly just the place that I live. This happens when you travel a lot, you can only see so many Cathedrals before its all the same. Its something I try to fight though, I want to always appreciate my surroundings. I tried to do the same thing with Wrightwood, the town where I grew up. It is a beautiful place, and it wasn’t until I left and then came back that I appreciated it. Even then I had to fight to appreciate it. Looking at things through the eyes of God helps, or in otherwords thanking Him for the beauty of His creation or the creativity of His creation.

The English services are going pretty well. It is growing and I think we are all growing spiritually as well. The other day I was reflecting and thinking to myself that I wanted to grow, I wanted to be challenged like I was when I was in Bible College. I learned back then (in Bible College) that I could grow as fast as I would allow God to grow me, but it comes from wanting to grow and letting God grow you… and then seeking Him with all that you are.

One of the praise reports is that David and Karen Akins were able to miraculously obtain a visitor visa, which then allows them to pursue a residence visa. This is totally a God thing since they were told to leave the country with no other options. Its a blessing for the church, and me, that they get to stay since the home study has been in their house and they have been helping out a lot. The Lord just had to bring them to the point of having to give up everything, I think they grew a lot from that lesson.

So, today I have been encouraged. The Lord told me the same thing He has been telling me since the start, that He is with me wherever I go. Just this time He encouraged me that He will be with me until He finishes what He promised me He would do. I can trust in that. Thank you Lord, Your Amazing.