Stretching

Today was my first time going to church in Sacha Runa since we arrived back in Ecuador. A small part of me did not look forward to going - it is really stepping out of my comfort zone as the church here is not one where you just go and sit and listen (as you will read later) and I spent the last 5 months speaking English and being very unchallenged in the areas that Ecuador challenges me (we were certainly challenged in other areas though). My Spanish is so terrible now. We arrived there at 2pm thinking there was going to be a Baptism today - come to find out, it was last Sunday. I think I have forgotten all verb tenses all together. So much so, that instead of being able to confidently say 'I forgot a lot of my Spanish' I just say 'all of my Spanish is back in the United States'. Notice that one requires that I conjugate a verb into past tense. I think I just became more self conscious while in the US and forgot how to laugh at myself as much as I did before we left. Before, my Spanish was bad too, but I didn't mind failing quite as much. After today (which was a great day) I think I am getting past the fear of failing again:)

Anyway, back to our day, since no one was at the river or at church, we decided to go to Maria's mom's house to visit. Well, nothing like another language barrier to challenge me. We communicated some, but Maria's mom quickly went to Maria's sisters house with us so that we could have a translator (she spoke Quechua to her daughter who spoke Spanish to me). I found it really interesting that the one word Maria's mom told me in Spanish - tres - was one of the handful of words I know in Quechua. So we hung out at Georgina's house until it was time for church. The afternoon service is a time when a visiting pastor comes to teach the people who have been in the church since it was in Alcibar's home. The pastor has an interesting sense of humor which is great for keeping the youth interested (and he has us all laughing throughout the 2-3 hour teaching time).

There have been some big problems with the youth since we left. What I love about this small church is how everyone participates and how the visiting pastor is so honest and really bluntly, but in love, brings up personal issues. He spoke directly to one of the young girls about an issue she had in the past (he had talked to her privately prior) and really applied the teaching to her. Her response was not to shrink back or be embarrassed, but to ask more questions. He spoke directly to everyone there and I believe challenged us all. There is a real boldness and love that is really refreshing - and seems so perfect for what is needed at this small church and this community that is struggling to fight off the temptations of the world.

I try not to speak up too much in church, but am always asked questions - which is nice - it's always nice to be included. The pastor knows some English and enjoys using his English (and sometimes Quechua) to help everyone understand the point and bring some more laughs. There are some Spanish words that the people at church don't seem to fully understand, and the pastor is so patient in finding different ways to explain words. I am so glad that I went - every time I go, I come away wondering why I wasn't so excited to go back. I think it is that little fear the enemy puts in our heads making us think that we will fail in some way. As soon as I enter the houses or church in Sacha Runa, all of that fear washes away and I just see the Love the Lord has for these precious people.

I was asked to share my testimony today, but will be doing that next week (since I need some time to prepare and be able to conjugate those verbs - there will be lots of past tense verbs :)
Mondays are usually fun, as Maria and I spend time talking about the service the day before. I am hoping to get some help with my verbs from her this week. Maybe we will put it all in Quechua :)



Love,
Celeste

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