Soul Care Day! Part 1

 Back in May, Dana asked me to lead a Soul Care Day for the Quito Quest interns on July 20.  I began to pray immediately that God would lead and guide my spirit, thoughts and planning in every way that it would really be HIM leading the day through me, and that I would be his vessel.  The idea of what the day would look like unfolded pretty quickly, and the more I prayed, the more the Spirit of God seemed to confirm and affirm that this was His direction.  There were many ideas about location, and I have a favorite spot, that for many years I have dreamed about taking people on retreat, but at this point in the summer, in order to best care for hosts souls and bodies, it seemed most prudent not to have a lot of bus travel (meaning not any) involved in the day.  So, I took them to my absolute favorite spot in the city that can be reached walking--the Botanical Gardens in the center of Parque Carolina.  So at 9:45 we met on the far corner of the park,  I gave a very brief teaching on the benefits of solitude and silence (drawn from a prayer project that I did in one of my classes, my first semester).  Diana helped me with translating some of the concepts that I was a little tentative about in Spanish--and I gave the benefits in both English and Spanish!  This was a huge risk for me in this group as they are pretty merciless jokers about language with each other, and I am not a huge fan of being laughed at!  But I think it was o.k. and they were very gracious.  Then I had them walk in pairs through the park, sharing a hard eucharisteo and a delightful one, and praying for each other as they walked, that God would open their spirits and hearts to what He had for them on this day.
They arrived at the entrance of the Botanical gardens where Brad Miller, a friend, gifted worship leader, and team leader, was awaiting us with his guitar. 

Here we are with Brad praying for our time, and spending time in worship in Spanish and English.  It was a profound time and I sensed God setting a holy tone for our day despite the busloads of children that unloaded for a field day, right on top of us!  

 Brad and his wife Sandi are some of the most gifted worship leaders I have ever had the privilege of being led by.  They really have been annointed by God in this ministry.  It was incredible of Brad to take time on a day that he usually works from home, to come down to the park with us and help us start our day in this manner. 

 I wear many hats most days, but in this moment, as I looked across the circle my heart was full of gratitude and emotion as a mother seeing her grown son with his head bowed in worship, singing to His maker, and Saviour.  Thank you God for this eucharisteo to a mother's heart. 

                                                     Ruth and Sofia, summer staffers.

 Ashley and Laura, full time Youth World missionaries.  Ashley and her husband are working with Quito Quest this summer.  Laura helped with training at the beginning, but joined us because she wanted to spend extended time with God and take advantage of a guided solo retreat.  It was a joy to have someone come of their own free will!  It blessed me in a particular way.  Another of the many eucharisteos of the day!

 The beauty of this place leaves me with few words.  I will allow some of these pictures to stand on their own.

 Reflections continue to be a theme of my summer (and life).  What still water can reflect is wonderous.  Help my life be still enough to reflect you Lord.  This day was about stilling ourselves before the Lord....so He could expose what He needed to, and cleanse, fill, restore, refresh, and allow a pure reflection of His love to those we serve, and those around us.

 We spent time in Psalm 51 and Ps. 139 and with the Prayer of Intention.  Diana translated the prayer projects from English into Spanish, and we had the Prayer of Intention in Spanish too.  This way people could be doing the prayer project in their heart language.  I was grateful to Diana for her help in this, it would have taken me forever, and I still wouldn't have gotten it right exactly with nuances and all.  She has an incredible gift of speaking English flawlessly and Spanish is her first language.  She has lived in the States as well.  Diana works with Semester Abroad during the year setting up the internships, and homestays, and maintaining these important relationships as well as pouring into students.  It has been a eucharisteo for me to get to know this lovely young woman of God! 

                                              Apparently the birds like this bench as well!

 Chance, another of the summer staff, with his Bible and prayer project.  In and of itself, it was eucharisteos abounding for me to walk through the gardens and see interns tucked away, spending time with God.  I prayed throughout the day for each of them, and it was such a wonderful gift to my soul.

 I also got time to sit on one of the many benches interspersed through this secret-garden-like place.  This is my list of eucharisteos!  My little book that I am filling with the gifts that God is giving, on a hunt to be more aware, asking Him to bring thankfulness to this soul of mine, by making me aware of the many things He has already given, and is giving every day.

 In the jungle you often see people walking along in the rain with one of these leaves being used as their umbrella--true story!  That is how huge they are.

 The rose garden, with Pichincha in background, and a glimpse of high rises.  But you can completely forget that you are in the city in this magical place. 

One of my prayers for many years now has been, Lord, make me a river of living water!  I always picture that river having waterfalls just like this, that allow you to hear the river flowing.  One of my favorite sounds is water, either waves, or water in a fountain, or a river!  Another eucharisteo of the day.