Life's Recent Stories

I’m back in Shell after a long and beautiful Christmas in Michigan with many friends and family, and I am loving my time in Ecuador more than ever. Christmas break was a breath of fresh air, a time to reunite with friends-to pick up right where we left off, a time of encouragement and encouraging, and a time of sharing in God’s love, spirit and direction in our lives.

For the past week or so I had no idea what to write about…But today I heard God loud and clear…so here are…..

A collection of stories:

Sunday night was slow at the hospital…an 8 hour shift and only 3 patients. It was just me and the other nurse but the nurse I worked with is different from the others…she talks a lot..and to me, even though she and I both know I only understand maybe 50%-75% (on a good night J)  But that doesn’t slow her down and she’s patient and repetitive until I understand her story or explanation or advice. And I thank her for that. Sunday night, during our may hours of nothing do to but organize charts and fold gauze (which I must say-I have become a pro at!) she told me stories of years past in the hospital and of past missionaries who she worked with and dearly loved.  She even pulled out an old photo album that just happened to be in the nurses’ ‘kitchen area.’ We went through the album twice, pausing at each picture, explaining each person, where they are now, and how special they were and are to her. She explained how in years past it was different here and she longed for those days. She retold her memories of a beautiful community of Ecuadorian and missionary women gathering together weekly to share a meal in each other’s homes, and live out and study God’s word together all while sharing life of family, kids, struggles and joys. Her recount was beautiful yet broke my heart as we both wondered why things had changed. But we both knew that God wasn’t finished in Shell. We had hope for the future…and at the end of the conversation with a smile on her face she said she needed my picture in that album. 

________________

I was having a not so pleasant morning. I was at work and could tell I was grumpy/frustrated and 1pm, the beautiful time that meant I could go home, couldn’t come fast enough. I think I was tired from working the past few days, I think I had a cold and I think it was a morning where my Spanish was just not going very well. It was during my first couple of weeks back to Shell after being home in the states and I knew that was probably playing a part as well. After 1pm report I rushed back to the changing room to grab my things and go but before leaving I found a text message from a good friend in Ecuador wishing me a good day. As simple as it was it stopped me dead in my tracks. It felt like a breath of fresh air-as if God was saying…you are not alone-I am and always will be providing for you. But God wasn’t done... I arrived home shortly after to find two random emails in my inbox (and one was sent at the EXACT time as the earlier text!). The first was from an amazing friend and surgeon I work with in Africa. Someone who through the years has become a blessed friend and mentor and has shown me a true example of what it means to really trust in the Lord for EVERYTHING. Her email was short and sweet but exactly what I needed: “I’m praying for you. let me know of specific concerns to bring before Abba.”  The second was from someone at my church back home who recently, with his wife, have become Godly mentors and friends for my sister and I. The first part of the email read: “Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you today, and praying that you are able to be used and withdraw all that God has in store for you in Ecuador.”How amazing is our Lord?! Even writing this now am I utterly amazed by God’s perfect time, grace and love. It was humbling and perfect. To my three friends, thank you. Thank for the Christ-like example you live out and thank you for the impact you have on mine and so many people’s lives. And to my Lord, thank you. Thank you for knowing me better than I know myself; for providing daily for your children, for loving us when we are so undeserving.

_________________

Last night was rich and beautiful. A girls night of pasta, spinach salad, crisp garlic and bruschetta breads, dim lighting, Billie Holiday and 5 beautiful women. We finally found a night where the three of us girls living at Maria’s were free for the night. (Myself, Kristin and Maria-a new friend here for the month!) So we decided to have a full out Italian night. Ibet was free and offered up her place for the event and two of the hospital interns, Cris and Betina, were able to come as well. One of my absolute favorite things is to share meals with others. Just the feeling of preparing food together and sitting around a giant table and enjoying friendships, community, and fellowship is beautiful and Holy. It’s something I really miss from our house in Dearborn Hghts. We spent so many hours in that kitchen and around the table or in the backyard on the tire swing eating, sharing in each other’s lives and just purely living in community with each other. Last night was a reminder of that and hopefully one of many more to come.

 ________________

Much love and many blessing to you all!

-Kim