From a season of waiting, to a season of being

During my first couple weeks here, I was invited to dinner by some of the different missionary families. It was a wonderful way to get to know some of the families here and I enjoyed getting to know everyone over delicious food, but there was one dinner that stuck out to me. Specifically, one question:

"So, Katie, what do you want to do? What's your dream?"

This kind of threw me for a loop.

Didn't he know that this opportunity is exactly what I had been wanting for years? That little, middle schooler Katie was dreaming about the day she would get to do something just like this? That she was so nervous that this opportunity might never come? That she had been pinching herself since she got here, unable to believe that this was finally happening?

So I laughed it off and said that this was my dream and I was so excited to be here.

*end scene*

But later, I started to think. I've always been working toward something. From getting different jobs, different diplomas, even different places to live, I have always had an objective in mind. Another 'step up' to look forward to. But now I am in Ecuador, teaching for a school with a mission I love. I am no longer living in anticipation of something bigger and better. I don't have the slightest clue of what's 'next' or if this is 'it' for the rest of my life. I'm just here.

Cue Finding Nemo:

Now, my life here is not perfect, and it definitely has its own set of difficulties that I must bring to the Lord on a daily basis. But it's been so good. So, so good. I am so excited to see how I'm stretched and how I grow in the next two years. And I am anxious to see what will come at the end of my 2-year commitment.

But, I really can't live in that.

I've lived so long in anticipation of something, waiting for the next season; which I always thought would be better than the previous. Somehow, the promise of a 'fresh start' always falls flat when I realize that I am still me and didn't magically change overnight into a better and more disciplined person. These past few weeks have been a humbling look at how I am still just as broken as I was before I got on the plane, but also a beautiful time of reflection seeing just how much God has grown me over the past few years.

I am so grateful to be in service to a God who redeems and refines:

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I [Katie Hunter] am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me [Katie Hunter], the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience [seriously ridiculous amount of patience, time and time again] as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

As we venture further into the school year, I ask for prayers for our students who are having a hard time transitioning into school, either for the first time as a new student or again from a year and a half of online school. This results in difficulties for the counselors (there are 2 of them for about 250 students), teachers, and administrators. Please pray that we will be filled with His patience and love for us and be able to lavish those on our students so that they may see a picture of Him in this school. Please also pray for rest outside of the school day and Sabbath rest on the weekend.

Visa Update- we have hired a lawyer who is helping us to get all of our paperwork in order. We had all the paperwork we needed to apply for an Ecuadorian visa from the US, Unfortunately for us, the requirements for an in-country visa application are a bit different. Please pray that the process continues to move forward and ultimately results in us getting our visas soon!

Thank you for your prayers as I continue to be refined by fire. Or humidity, rather :)

Bendiciones!

-Katie