Breathless

"I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth."This morning we stood breathless at the top of a mountain overlooking Quito.  I say "breathless" partly because the scenery was so amazing and partly because we couldn't breathe due to the altitude (somewhere around 13,000 ft).  Below us, the city stretched for miles to our right and left.  It seemed like an endless maze of streets and houses enclosed in an equally endless range of mountains.  My first thought was "wow!" which was soon followed by "I can't breathe!" and ended up in "I'll just rest here for a photo-op."  :-) But once the initial shock wore off, the grandeur of God's creation was overwhelming and how small we were in comparison.  This was one of the many reminders of how big and powerful our God is.Shortly after coming down from the mountain, we were back to work.  Tonight's lesson was "initiative" and everyone had their share of demonstrating it.  Soon we were cutting out paper temples on the bus, and using the scraps as confetti for the large group skit.  All too soon, our bus was parked in front of the church and we all rushed to our stations to meet our very excited group of kids.  In every group they learned a little more about initiative, from their special initiative glasses, to the story of the four men bringing their crippled friend to Jesus.  It was all about seeing a need and meeting it without being asked.  All in all, it was a good night and went really smoothly.  To use Spanglish - it was mucho fun!As the week goes on, God's hand becomes increasingly more evident and I am taught again and again that it is His work first and foremost.  I get to get in on the action.  It is His strength I am learning to rely on completely, and it is amazing to see what HE is doing, both in those we are ministering to, and in us.  I can't wait to see what's next!!!"And the evening and the morning were the fourth day."-- Amanda #2, i.e. Gayle, also known as Amanda MartinAmanda teaching at the kids' program.Drew and Lorianne's team creating "initiative glasses."The initiative glasses were a big hit.A team on top of the world!The view from the top.