Commissioning

This weekend at Rose Drive Friends Church, Gregg Prickett (Lay Pastor of Missions), commissioned our team in front of the congregation - praying for our upcoming trip and encouraging us with words of wisdom and affirmation. He read us this passage from the book of 1 Timothy: 

"Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received..."

Each member of our team has special and unique gifts God has given us. Whether it be the gift of empathy, the gift of listening, the gift of encouragement, the gift of including, or the gift of prayer... all of our gifts will certainly be a blessing to the people we will be serving and to each other. Each of us feels called to go to Ecuador and serve the Lord. Because of this calling, we trust that God has equipped us with the gifts we need to be effective in ministry! We just continue to pray that we'd be open to God's leading and trust in the gifts He's given when called to use them. 

We also trust that the way each of our team members live and love each other would be a reflection of God's love living in each of our hearts. May we truly "be an example" for others around us - Ecuadorians, ER staff, and other volunteers - of genuine community and compassion. We are blessed to have such a close team, with deep friendships (and family!) already formed. It is exciting to get to experience this with other people we love and care about! Undoubtedly, too, we will walk away from this knowing even more about ourselves and each other. Thank you, Lord, for uniting this team and for, in advance, growing us closer together and we grow closer to you by serving your people in Quito.