Tuesday. Today I met the girls. The girls I have been working day after day for. The girls who will be protected from their past by this wall. The girls who have gone through more pain than my entire immediate family may ever experience. The girls, who in spite all this, have joy in their laughter and smile on their faces. I wish I could convey surreal experience into words. We played soccer. A simple game everyone knows. It was extraordinarily ordinary. We just played a game. Yet, even though I got a soccer ball kicked right into my face causing my head to go numb and my nose to bleed, I think this might be the best game of soccer ever. Afterwards we just sat in a circle and talked. It’s amazing how well you find yourself communicating without speaking the same language. When I think of the girls who played on my team: Diana, Chama, Tatiana, and Veronica, I don’t remember what they said exactly, but I remember their faces. Young, excited, free, and loved. The same age as my sister. I remember sitting in the grass when shy Diana ran up to me to tell me, “¡Me voy a casa el 9 de octubre!” She going home on October 9th. Who knows how long she’s been gone. After lunch, the girls left and we were back to work on the wall, building with a new perspective.
Thursday. We’re near the end of the day and there’s nothing for me to do, so I decided to go on a prayer walk around the property and ask God to protect this place. Kaiser, the dog who lives on the grounds, came with me. As I sat on the side of a hill and watched him play, God revealed his majesty. I’m on one mountain facing another. A creek runs in between the two. The clouds are slowly climbing over from afar and descending into the canyon below. “This place is heaven on earth. My kingdom has come, My will will be done. You are the hands that will build my hedge of protection. And not just for the fifteen girls you met Tuesday, but for many more generations.” Even when it may seem hard in the moment, every little thing done in the name of Christ will have an eternal impact. Just one more brick. Just one smile on the bus. Just one small conversation at the market or in your Uber. God can use your willingness to amaze.
P.S. I would love to show you pictures of these girls, but for their own safety I have not.
You are so blessed Phillip!!! This is Kingdom currency!!!
Philip you bring such joy to this grandmas heart hearing about your journey and your growing in our Lord. I pray for you much and ask God to keep His arms around you. I love you.
philip, this is so great.
“Even when it may seem hard in the moment, every little thing done in the name of Christ will have an eternal impact.”
yes it does.
Absolutely amazing to read it was like you painted a picture for us to see and enjoy through your eyes. Love this very much. Such a God hear perspective.
Wow Philip! That touched my heart… ?? Praying for you!
Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners
Thank you for your allowing us to see your work in Ecuador through your blogs! The Lord is using you to do His work! Thank you for your willing heart!
My favorite part from your post – such truth…
“This place is heaven on earth. My kingdom has come, My will will be done. You are the hands that will build my hedge of protection. And not just for the fifteen girls you met Tuesday, but for many more generations.” Even when it may seem hard in the moment, every little thing done in the name of Christ will have an eternal impact. Just one more brick. Just one smile on the bus. Just one small conversation at the market or in your Uber. God can use your willingness to amaze.
We are living in the Kingdom – the time between Eden and the New Earth – this is God’s world and all that we do for Him now is building the forever.
Thank you Philip. I was so excited to see your funding come into fruition. No surprise – God called – God supplies.
In Him and for Him,
Mrs. Petterle
Philip, this post was such a blessing…brought a tear to my eye. So proud of you and all that you are accomplishing on this trip.