Ahead and Behind

We went to the beach.  We've been anticipating this trip all semester, and we finally made it to Ecuador's fourth world: the Coast.  We rode 6 hours in a bus, ran along the water, walked on the sand, ate fish, laid in the sun, played a little volleyball, had some debrief sections, encouraged each other, journaled, reflected, and started to actually realize that this semester, one that most of us have been anticipating for months - if not years - is coming to a close.  Life is coming in hot, folks.  But the beautiful thing is that just because this semester is nearly done doesn't mean that the way it's affected my heart is over.  There is still more room for growth (I think there always will be), more things to discover, more of God to fall in love with.  There's still a Savior to abide with, and fruit to bear (John 15).  And once again, I'm thankful the God who goes before me and comes behind me.  I'm glad He's present in Ecuador, and present in the States.  I'm thankful for the people He's given me here to walk alongside me in this journey, and I'm thankful for the people that are going to welcome me home and walk alongside me as I transition our of Ecua-culture and back into States-culture.  It won't be easy.  But that doesn't mean it will be bad.  Just different.

 

"Come away with me...

It's not too late, It's never too late, for you...

I have a plan for you...

It's gonna be wild, it's gonna be great, it's gonna be full of me.

Open up your heart and let me in"

-Come Away by United Pursuit

 

Here are some snapshots of our time on the beach:

 

Late night Dutch Blitz: 6 teams of 2

We spent a lot of time journaling and filling out semester evaluation/reflection questions

Beach Campfire

This is the direction I ran every morning.  I LOVE running on the beach.

Me, Ally, Lauren, and Abby

The Mid-West Crew: Lette, Andrew, Abby, and Nick
I'm so thankful for these men of God, the friendships we've formed, and the adventures we're had.

Christy, Ally, Mahala, Abby, Christy, Melissa, Hannah, Lauren, Diana, and Me
Fireworks on the Beach!!

On our way to lunch

This is where we had lunch every day -- SO close to the water!!  We could literally feel the breeze off the ocean.

 ^"Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” -Exodus 33:15-16

Praying that God goes with us as we leave this place, that His presence will go with us, distinguish us, and continue to give us Rest.