Abide in God’s Love: Reflections from the Youth Delegation to Ecuador

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit – John 15:1-5

At the end of June, 8 students and 3 chaperones from around our diocese traveled to Ecuador. We went there on a short-term mission experience to meet the people, form relationships, serve side by side, worship together, and grow in our relationship with God and in a deeper understanding of how we bear God’s image. At the end of each day, we took time to reflect on the day using scripture as a guide. The scripture above was the first and the last scripture we read in Ecuador. As we traveled through chapter 15 of the Gospel of John, we considered the many ways we abide in God’s love, and how, dwelling in God’s love and through this experience, we are called to share that love when we return home.

While each member of our delegation experienced the same itinerary and met the same people, we each were shaped in different ways during our time there. With deep gratitude for the love and prayers you sent with us on the journey, below are personal reflections from each member of our delegation. It is our first step in bearing fruit – in sharing God’s love with the world.

(Maggie) When you embark on a mission trip, you have this idea that you are helping them. However, I can confidently say that the incredible community of Misíon El Salvador, the church we visited, helped me immensely. When we arrived, we were warmed with abrazos and besitos, kind and familiar greetings. We were welcomed with warm smiles and blessings. The children shared their cheekiness and giggles. One particular little boy followed me around all day, hugging me, talking to me, playing games with me. I felt the unconditional love of God all around. The two older kids, young adults like us, quickly welcomed us as well. They shared their favorite music, their favorite sports, even their favorite panaderias (bakeries). They even managed to minimize the language barrier, making me feel comfortable in my slightly wonky Spanish, sharing stories, jokes, and laughs beyond our capabilities. El Salvador, thank you. You affirmed the vibrancy of God’s love.

(Jack) Ecuador was absolutely amazing. It really was a mind-opening experience to get to travel to a place so different yet similar to where you’re from. The culture was beautiful and the food… delicious. Everyone there was very kind and hospitable and properly greeted each other. Our guides, Dianny and Esteban were so helpful and we really connected with them during our time in Ecuador. Ambato and Quito were both wonderful to explore and learn about and I hope that we can return to continue our work with Education = Hope!

(Melina) The worship with Misíon El Salvador was a truly transformative experience. Being able to worship with the congregation of El Salvador truly taught me that love is the most universal language that there is, and that language barriers mean nothing when the community means everything. Being able to pray, praise, sing, and dance with the people of Misíon El Salvador taught me how to love without language.

(Cal) My favorite experience from this trip was when EDSD and Misíon El Salvador went up to Misíon San Isidro to help them with things around the church that needed a little bit of work. After working together all of the people went to a restaurant close by. We danced and had a great time with the local community before sitting down to eat. Some of the people helped me with my Spanish. This was my favorite experience because of the fun we had together and the way we worked to understand each other.

(Oumnia) I saw God’s presence in the amazing community. The communities that we had the opportunity to visit were so welcoming and very open. The day I felt God’s presence most was when a priest from Quito came to Ambato to celebrate the Eucharist, and she prayed for us. We were in a circle, and the priest came to us one by one, as she came by, you could feel all of these hands on you, and it is just a wave of energy and love flowing into you as you are prayed for.

(Leighton)  Outside of working alongside our community partners in Ambato, we spent intentional time learning about Ecuador, including a visit to the Equator Museum in Quito. Together we learned about the culture of the indigenous people of Ecuador, explored the 0 00”00” latitude with team and individual challenges, and formed deeper connections within our delegation. We laughed, took fun pictures, and played surrounded by the beauty of the Andes mountains.

(Brayden) I had a really fun time in El Refugio. El Refugio is a Christian camp like Camp Stevens. I’m very glad we got to go. My two favorite experiences there were petting the llama and alpaca, and when we did the Encouragement Staff activity, passing a staff to each other, and saying positive things to each other. Thank you for making this possible for all of us.

(Julia) Almost all of the people on this trip are people I have known for multiple years, but this trip has made me realize that I didn’t really know most of them. The things I have learned about my fellow travelers are not things easily learned during an icebreaker or a team-building activity. They are relationships and a community forged from spending way too much time on a bus together. You make up ridiculous road games, or you accidentally wake everyone up when you and your roommate laugh so hard at bad jokes. Youth trips are a chance to build community, both with the community you migrate to another country with – which helps broaden your view of the world – but also build a strong community within our own parishes.

(Sofia) Having the opportunity to be on this mission experience was so beautifully eye-opening. Connecting with a new and welcoming group will change how I view relationships for the rest of my life. During our time at Misíon San Isidro, and with the indigenous people there, we worked alongside new friends, danced until we were out of breath (we danced for quite a while, despite the altitude literally weighing us down!), and ate as a family. Although only in San Alfonso for one day, the atmosphere was so strongly filled with love and gratitude that I will carry that group and those people with me forever.

(Jacob) I expected to enjoy this trip – that we would see wonderful things, eat great food, and make new friends. What I did not expect was how truly transformative this trip would be. I learned so much on this trip about myself, the youth, the people of Ecuador, and God. What I feel I most treasure, however, the lesson I hope I will carry, is how I (and, indeed, all of us!) am transformed by vulnerability. This has been a lifelong lesson. But this week, to love and to be loved by others, to know and to be known – this is what we are made for, it is the mystery of the life which God has given to us. I was so grateful to meet, to pray with, to experience the joy of living with our new Ecuadorian friends. And I will treasure growing closer with these amazing youth, Charlette, and Leighton. It is a privilege to dwell together in God’s love.

(Charlette) A favorite memory for me was our final morning in Ecuador. Raquel came to the hostel where we were staying and taught us to make Empanadas de Viento–light, pillowy empanadas filled with queso fresco. We learned to make the dough, beating it on the table and rolling it into shape. We learned to portion each empanada by hand. We filled them and practiced gently rolling the edges to keep the filling inside. Oumnia helped Raquel with the frying. Once they were done, we feasted! A feast which was complemented by Ecuadorian fruit–guanábana, marakuya, and taxo. God’s love was so present to me in that moment, the simple act of making and eating a meal together, laughing with friends who came with us on the journey, and those we met while we were there.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing, but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. John 15: 12-17