Opportunities

It is incredible that I have been in Ecuador for over two weeks now. On one hand, it feels like I've been here forever, and I am really missing my family and friends.. But on the other hand, it is insane that after years of talking about going to Ecuador, I am finally here. It has hit me a couple of times recently that the time is going to fly by, even though right now it feels like it is lasting forever. With this time warp in mind, I have decided that I really want to take advantage of my time and opportunities here. I have so many opportunities to grow in my faith in Christ, because I am being tested and stretched on a daily basis. I also have a lot of opportunities to grow in my Spanish fluency, because I am surrounded by Latin Americans who can help me improve my Spanish if I choose to spend time with them. When I first decided to come here, I thought that I would grow in both of these areas whether or not I made the effort. It seemed inevitable. However, now that I have lived here for two weeks, I have realized that all I have are many opportunities. And the definition of an opportunity is simply this: a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. It is possible to grow in Christ, just as it is possible to grow in my Spanish fluency. But, it is also possible to have a bad attitude and develop bad habits of gossip, irritability, and selfishness, just as it is possible to spend more time speaking English with my American friends than speaking Spanish with the natives. I could easily waste this entire opportunity that God has given me. But I pray that I don't. And I hope you will be praying the same for me while I am here.

I will write more of an update later, but for now, thank you for your prayers! :)

Sincerely, The Girl with Yellow Hair