Our week is coming to an end and I am blown away by Gods constant hand on our lives. Every missions trip I have been on has always had an incredible group of people. People that God brought together. People that were more acquaintances than close friends. And at the end of every trip, I am always wondering how can it get any better than this. But it always does. God brought a handful of strangers together for His purpose. And we are no longer acquaintances and strangers but close friends. Something only God could do. He knew what needed to happen this week and who needed to be here to accomplish it.
He knew we needed Meghan, Lindsey, Suzy, and Maureen to greet everyone at the door with a smile and something they probably have never had: a picture of themselves. And in between pictures, He knew how important it would be for them to sit there with the children and color with them. Simply spending time with them while also distracting them from what lies ahead in the clinic.
He knew we needed one medical student named Charlie who helped in every area of our ministry with a joyful spirit. His love is big and his joy contagious. Many were touched by him this week including me.
God also knew that we needed nine green D2s: Laura, Leesa, Amanda, Anne Marie, Ashley, Jessi, Nick, Cory, and myself. Each one willing to work anywhere in order to accomplish the daily needs in the dental clinic. God also knew that this would be a great learning experience for us. Not only for us to learn how to give injections, pull teeth, and fill teeth but for us to learn how we can use our skills and resources to make an impact in peoples lives.
God knew we needed Blain on this trip to not only add a lot in the clinic but to bring much laughter and entertainment to all of us throughout the week.
He also knew that we needed Terrah and Jessie to be here to listen to the people of Ecuador who have experienced a loss of a loved one. For them to sit and listen to them talk about and express things that they have never shared with anyone before. Jessie and Terrah both were valuable to this team but mostly to the people they listened to and were able to minister to.
God knew we needed two dentists that graduated last week to help lead this team in a very unselfish way: Matt and Hunter. Both could have come here and used this trip to gain experience and develop their skill. But instead they chose to use this trip as an opportunity to invest in the 11 dental students that came. This trip would not have happened if it weren't for their leadership and involvement in BCM.
God also knew we needed a leader to lead this team. But He knew it had to be Bryan. Someone who not only is fun to be around but someone who is intentional in everything he does. Someone that would be an encouragement to us but also a true servant.
God also knew we needed both Darren and my dad, Nelson, to make this trip really special. Aside from their constant humour, they provided 13 of us the opportunity to practice dentistry here in Quito. They prepared months in advance by gathering supplies, chose to spend a week away from their wives and children, and to spend the week teaching all of us. They could have gone on other trips but they choose to go with the BCM. We needed them to have not only a successful dental clinic but an unforgettable experience. An experience that taught us all ways we can be intentional with our lives and invest in others. They have been blessed much. But they showed us that it is not so they can accumulate but so they can bless others.
Lastly, God wanted Brent here. He knew he would be an asset in the dental clinic. But mostly, he wanted Brent to share with us something that he has been recently learning. And that is the importance of making disciples. Jesus spent 85% of His time on this earth investing in 12 individuals. And Jesus's last words to them contained only one verb: to make disciples. Not to go. But as we go, we are to make disciples. We, as followers of Jesus Christ, need to invest our lives into others. To be intentional in all we do in order to spread the Gospel.
It is amazing to me how involved God is in our lives. He wanted all 23 of us here for a reason: to meet physical and spiritual needs. But to also change us and the way we view His people. The people here probably believe they received the biggest blessing. But I know that we are leaving the most blessed. Blessed by the people of
Ecuador's love and joy despite their circumstances. More than likely, this group will never be together again. But we will always remember each other and what God did through us and in us during our week in Quito together.
By Rebekah, 2nd year Dental student
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