First: Praise the Lord, Yarina’s ear is 110% healed! I almost cried. So cool.
Life here in Iluman is becoming more and more normal. It’s normal to sleep in a tent in a cement room. It’s normal to have dogs barking constantly. It’s normal to eat rolls, avocados, and eggs every single day. It’s normal to send someone down the cobblestone road to restock on fruit and vegetables. It’s normal to catch public busses to various Ecuadorian cities. It’s normal to have your clothes blow off the line after hand washing them. It’s normal to find a rat in your bedroom and accidentally kill it, jumping and screaming and accidentally landing on it. It’s normal to be absolutely and constantly covered in dust. It’s normal to have a time of team prayer where we ask the Lord what He wants us to say to each other and He gives us crazy stuff to say that we could never have come up with ourselves that are exactly what a person needed to hear. It’s normal to joke about sitting on a bucket, sweeping out a tent, and carbohydrates. It’s normal to pass a few cows and chickens as I walk to the internet cafe. It’s normal to have daily conversations about our bowel movements (ew.) Life’s just becoming life here in Iluman. Life on the World Race is not all slow motion video clips, backround music, miracles, and worship services. Life is still life. We have the same struggles (perhaps more, or at least more evident as we live in community.) We have the same fears, the same picky eating habits, the same family back home, the same God. We’ve just chosen to follow God where He’s led. Life as a missionary is just a normal life, surrendered to God. It’s a new normal. And I like that new normal. You don’t have to be a world racer or a missionary for that to be your normal. Try it 😉
The view from our ‘bedroom’ window… awesome!
A typical sight, walking through Iluman.
My view on one of our bus rides to Quito… shotgun!
You have to pay to use the bathroom in the bus terminal. Cute.
One of the stores that sells the handmade goods in Otavalo.
Part of our new normal : buying food at the corner market.
My favorite part of our new normal: kiddos.
A couple of my teammates and I in Quito.
And here are a few pictures of our Tetanus adventure I had blogged about:
That’s all for now 🙂 11(ish) more days in Ecuador. So excited for Peru! 🙂
All I can say is AMEN sista!!
Your excitement is shining through your words. It is obvious that you are doing exactly as the Lord is asking! Keep smiling and know that you are touching lives that are not even there.
I agree and your Kiddos are adorable!! You look terrific, like someone in the CENTER of God’s will and she knows it!! We are, and will be till you get home, praying for you!!
Beautiful, beautiful photos. Glad the whole tetanus thing worked out. :). Craziness!!
wow! beautiful and thanks for sharing. love you.
Hi Steph, what wonderful news to hear that Yarina’s ear is healed, praise the Lord for His mercy and your TLC. How is your foot? Better I hope.
We thoroughly enjoy your blogs and all the news telling us just what goes on with you and the team. God bless. Peg
Loving the new normal. Looks great on you
Hey you
So in one of your pictures you are wearing a black world race t shirt. did you get that from my friend Austin? he designed them.
Ok thats not why i am commenting. i am trying to say that i am excited for you on your adventures and hope your really living it up for God.
Caleb d
A year ago today Ann (Carpenter) – dear sweet child of God – went home to be with our Lord. And I just know she would have cherished very blog and photo from your trip, wishing she could be there herself. Steph, thanks SO much for your wonderful way of expressing your heart in serving Him in the most simple of ways. You are showing all of us how to daily know and show His love. And I agree with you- the kiddos ARE the best part. How wonderful for that precious face to have healing with her ear! Those children are SO beautiful. Praying for you and your team. Blessings…..