April 13, 2012 Trinity and I are preparing for our trip to Ecuador this summer: 3 months in Manglaralto, a tiny coastal town of 2,000 (or 20,000) people about 2.5 hours from Guayaquil (pronounced "gwhy-a-keel"). It's apparently mosquito central there and the little critters apparently harbor dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever. Unfortunately, one side effect of malarial pills is "night terrors," so I suppose you have to pick your poison. I'm trusting that bed nets, long clothes, and bug spray will keep my virgin blood pure, for the Red Cross's sake, at least.
I'm trying to learn Spanish before we go, but it can be quite disconcerting when I tune in to the Spanish radio in Atlanta and cannot distinguish one single word. I'm praying for some kind souls to take me under their wing and help me get adjusted to the culture and language. Trinity will be at work all day, and I'll have some work to do for my tutoring company, but the rest of the time I hope to wander the streets, visit farmer's markets, take up surfing, and practice my Spanish.
Nevertheless, I can't focus all of my attention on Ecuador. Three seminary papers beckon, students demand tutoring, house demands cleaning, and my taxes are due in a couple of days. Life is crazy, but I'm trusting that the Lord is working His will. I was encouraged by a Phil Johnson sermon in which he reminded me that God never withholds His mercy from those who trust Him. He was preaching on Acts 27 and the shipwreck that Paul experienced on his way to Rome. I'd never read that passage with God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in mind before. We're called to trust and obey the Lord, yet we can have absolute confidence in His power to work all things for good.
So the lesson is: trust the Lord and as you trust, He will not withhold His mercy and grace and loving-kindness.
