The good and the hard

We recently came back from a trip to Ecuador.  So many people have asked, as is a normal question, “how was it?”  If you have ever been on a team with us in Ecuador, I usually give feedback and advice to always have something to say when someone asks that.  I always suggest to give more than just “it was fine” or “great!”  All of that may be true, but a lot of times, people want to know more.  I suggest a story or something of impact so people understand a little more the depth of your answer.  However, the last week as people have asked me, my answer has been “it was great and it was also really hard.”  Probably not the best answer right?  It is honest and it does open the door for people to ask more questions, but I think I have caught a couple of people off guard instead of just raving about how amazing it was.  I think as I myself debrief a little bit more from the trip, it is actually a really good answer and I try to explain it a little bit more if people want to know more.  So, I’ll do that for you all.

Yes, this is the honest answer “it was really great and it was also really hard,”  For some who understand this having your heart and home in two places, you may understand that.

The great parts:

~We spent good time with our staff at the project.

~The kids spent time with their friends.

~We got to spend time with friends.

~We ate amazing Ecuadorian and Venezuelan food.

~We got to stay in our home in Ecuador for 2 nights.

~We spent time with a team from our supporting church in CT and served together with them.

~We got our hair cut and nails done at our old familiar place.

~We got to be at home in the mountains and volcanos.

~We did our end-of-year pictures with our staff.

~Joel got to share devotions with our staff and the team and was able to be open and honest about struggles we have all had which opened up doors for conversations, much needed prayer and people that understand what it is to be in the “trenches” of ministry together.

~Our kids got to visit their old soccer coaches.

~We drank coffee from some of our fav place.

~We shopped in Otavalo.

~We took a family day to spend time doing normal things we used to do, meal out, park walks, fun mountain pictures, and park games.

The hard parts:

~We had to visit multiple doctors for illness and dog bites.

~We had to leave.

~We had debrief conversations about living in the U.S. and why we have to.

~We had to leave our house again.

~We were not able to see all of our friends and spend time with them.

~We had hard ministry conversations.

~I was not able to help all the people tangibly during the medical caravan.

~We weren’t able to visit all of our favorite places.

~We had to fly away.