Happy 74th Birthday, Paul! {You didn’t think I’d write this post and not mention how young you are?} I’m renaming today Paul-o-ween.

Nearly three months have passed since our amazing trip to Ecuador and I’m still processing the details. I had intended to go a different route in following up, but I had a change of heart.

Certainly anyone who’s taken a mission trip will agree that returning home a changed person is inevitable. I’m still in awe. The intricate details of this trip weaved together to reveal the plan only possible by our Creator. We anticipated His work in the lives of the children and in us as well. What I didn’t realize is that I would be surprised by love, overwhelmed by the bonds so strongly formed.

Those opposed to social media might be surprised as well to know that because of facebook, I reconnected with Paul, my geometry teacher during my sophomore year in high school. Paul Tyler was far more than just my favorite teacher. He’s the kind of person who leaves a lasting impact on your life. Ultimately, our reuniting resulted in the bonding of relationships that will last a lifetime. When Diane and I met during one of their trips back home here in Louisiana, I knew I was going to love her. But I didn’t realize we’d be such kindred spirits.

So God used facebook to reunite us; He used Paul to open my eyes to Ecuador. Never before had I even considered a mission trip. The pictures and videos from their many trips to this country unknown to me became tangible evidence of the love of God. For the very first time I felt compelled to consider the literal sense of Go Ye.

And then I learned firsthand why Paul and Diane fell in love with those Ecuadorian children. They were the mission, the primary reason that God would use someone like me to share His love. They left a lasting impact. But this story is about two other people.

Two weeks’ time can be a crash course in relationships. When you unite together for one purpose and share space you quickly learn both the strengths and weaknesses of one another. And this is what I learned about Paul and Diane. They are disciplined in their walks with Christ. All too often I’ve forsaken the reading of the Word and intimate prayer time for to-do lists only to find that by day’s end I ultimately fall on my face in desperation for that which my soul had needed. Paul and Diane lived before me their dedication and determination to do the Word.

Woven together like a beautiful tapestry, we went about our mission. It was truly a picture of how the Body of Christ should work. We played off each other’s strengths. But I noticed that when weakness set in, both Diane and Paul would quickly recognize this. They humbled themselves and quickly turned to prayer. I’m still taken by this and wonder why we don’t readily do this in our daily lives. They wear no masks. Who they are before the children of Ecuador is who they are in a casual setting. This is one of the things I love most about them. They know who they are in Christ. But they also know the frailty of man. And they know that all the glory is due Christ alone.

Paul and Diane are givers by nature. It’s no doubt  their primary love language. They give not only of their finances, but their time and energy as well. They listen, really listen. This is a rare gift. They not only love those children as if they were their own, but they have loved me as a daughter.

In Ecuador, I saw God mostly as Abba. He is Daddy God to the fatherless. On our Lan Ecuador flight from Miami to that beautiful Land of Contrast, I was separated from Paul and Diane. My first time overseas and I was unable to sit anywhere near them on that massive plane. Surrounded by Spanish speaking people, I prayed silently. When the older gentlemen seated next to me had arrived, I quickly realized that he, too, spoke Spanish. During that four plus hour flight, this man and I continued to communicate broken Spanglish at best. But the language barrier didn’t stop him. He took on the role of a protective father, interpreting between the flight attendants. He saw fit that my every need and more was met. Not understanding that I had friends traveling with me, he walked me off that plane, keeping arms outstretched as if to protect me from other travelers. I had asked him his name. The Spanish pronunciation was lost on me but I saw on travel papers the name Angel. So fitting. I know this man was carefully selected by my God to sit by my side on that flight to Ecuador.

And during that two week stay, He continued to show Himself in the details as the love of a father through Paul. Paul made sure I was protected and provided for. When he thought they’d lost me while shopping in the market city, I feel certain that he would’ve taken full responsibility though it was none of his fault that I stayed back haggling over t-shirt prices. Poor Paul.

Diane is very much a mirror image of who I am. I saw in her an example of the godly woman and wife I hope to be. How two women can be so very much alike yet enjoy each other’s company is beyond me. Everyone knows the daughter most like the mother usually butts heads with the mother. Yet the two of us are truly kindred spirits.

God used Ecuador to broaden my vision. I see children, people, differently than before. In turn, He gave me two new family members who also see differently; two people who have broadened their own vision to include my children, my people, my family.

Thank you, Paul and Diane, for investing in Ecuador and investing in me. I am forever changed. I love you both.

{Stay tuned for my fourth and final post on Ecuador.}