LIFT 37 Ecuador Mission Blog Post
#2
By
Seth Brown
Have
you ever seen Tarzan, or Swiss Family Robinson? Picture hacking vines and branches
apart to clear your path. Each swing slices clean through your target, yet the
overgrowth of vegetation bears down upon you, until your workmanship has
crafted a tunnel of dark green through which you may pass. As you complete your
latest swipe, your machete reveals a stunning sight- nestled within the valley,
a tiered wooden structure of ropes and ladders, bridges and platforms- an actual
treehouse!
The treehouse is but one of the many incredible features found on El Refugio’s expansive grounds. Over the years, their mission to “facilitate a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through nature and outdoor adventure” has led to the creation of campsites, a high ropes course, fire pits, an outdoor climbing wall, and several buildings, including a newly enclosed dining hall that previous LIFTers have assisted in building. The names of the campsites in particular help convey the intention of the organization- Shechem, Kadesh, and Gilead are all cities of refuge spoken of in the Old Testament, and each campsite, and indeed all of El Refugio, aims to be a sanctuary with purpose.
The treehouse is but one of the many incredible features found on El Refugio’s expansive grounds. Over the years, their mission to “facilitate a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through nature and outdoor adventure” has led to the creation of campsites, a high ropes course, fire pits, an outdoor climbing wall, and several buildings, including a newly enclosed dining hall that previous LIFTers have assisted in building. The names of the campsites in particular help convey the intention of the organization- Shechem, Kadesh, and Gilead are all cities of refuge spoken of in the Old Testament, and each campsite, and indeed all of El Refugio, aims to be a sanctuary with purpose.
We have started each day hiking with headlamps on the trails to acclimatize to the altitude here. This morning we all reached the 11,000 foot summit of the property to have a spectacular view of all the surrounding mountains including the giant, glacier-covered Cayambe glowing with sunrise climbing its ridge. We recited Sermon-on-the-Mount and prayed over the ministry and people here then headed back down for another great breakfast with freshly baked pancitos (small bread rolls), a choice of delicious fruit juices and baked oatmeal.
It has been an incredible blessing to spend the first few days serving here at El Refugio. During the day we split into different groups to serve with the staff on various projects throughout the camp. Although some of the staff members here speak English as their native tongue or have learned it well, others speak mostly Spanish. In the same way, our group encompasses a variety of Spanish-speaking ability. On Tuesday night I joined several LIFTers to assist the kitchen staff in finishing the dishes. It was an excellent chance to practice our Spanish vocabulary, and amusingly we ended up trading with the kitchen staff- we all went over both the Spanish and English words for the different kinds of silverware!
As we prepare to travel to work with the church in El Chaco for the next several days, old fears and doubts assail me. Will I be able to communicate clearly when I need to? Will I remember the Spanish I learned several years ago now, or will I fail? Will I be an effective light to the people I meet, to further God’s kingdom? Two passages of Scripture have been on my mind lately that clearly show God’s purpose and answer to these questions. After Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush, instead of jumping to follow God’s commission, he declares himself unfit in speech to communicate what God has given him to say. And the LORD responds with “Who gave man his mouth? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Ex. 4:11-12). In contrast, when Isaiah was called, he heard a voice asking who would go as God’s prophet. And he immediately replied, “Here am I. Send me!”(Isa. 6:8). Pray that each member of LIFT 37 would look to God for his guidance and strength, and that we would be as receptive to the Spirit’s leading as Isaiah. Here is LIFT God. Send us!
It has been an incredible blessing to spend the first few days serving here at El Refugio. During the day we split into different groups to serve with the staff on various projects throughout the camp. Although some of the staff members here speak English as their native tongue or have learned it well, others speak mostly Spanish. In the same way, our group encompasses a variety of Spanish-speaking ability. On Tuesday night I joined several LIFTers to assist the kitchen staff in finishing the dishes. It was an excellent chance to practice our Spanish vocabulary, and amusingly we ended up trading with the kitchen staff- we all went over both the Spanish and English words for the different kinds of silverware!
As we prepare to travel to work with the church in El Chaco for the next several days, old fears and doubts assail me. Will I be able to communicate clearly when I need to? Will I remember the Spanish I learned several years ago now, or will I fail? Will I be an effective light to the people I meet, to further God’s kingdom? Two passages of Scripture have been on my mind lately that clearly show God’s purpose and answer to these questions. After Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush, instead of jumping to follow God’s commission, he declares himself unfit in speech to communicate what God has given him to say. And the LORD responds with “Who gave man his mouth? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Ex. 4:11-12). In contrast, when Isaiah was called, he heard a voice asking who would go as God’s prophet. And he immediately replied, “Here am I. Send me!”(Isa. 6:8). Pray that each member of LIFT 37 would look to God for his guidance and strength, and that we would be as receptive to the Spirit’s leading as Isaiah. Here is LIFT God. Send us!
Check out our Facebook page: LIFT Discipleship Program. We will be posting pictures in the LIFT 37 photo album.
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