El Panecillo, Quito

You may have seen some pictures or heard some rumors about a trip to the Galapagos Islands via Young Life Expeditions.  If you want to know the full story you should go back and check out my post about our very first meeting with this guy named Tom (July, 2015).  What I didn't share in that blog post was how Tom came up with this CRAZY BIG IDEA after our meeting.  You see, he got this idea to raise money for YL Ecuador by bringing a group down to the Galapagos Islands.  Tom has been working with a company that does tourism in the islands for several years and often helps bring teams/groups from the USA.  So, over a table in Quito, he presented to us this idea to somehow bring together YL Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands and we said, "Sounds good!  Let's do it!"  From there, the pieces just came together!  Tom was able to work with the YL Expeditions team to advertise and invite YL Alumni and Friends to this once-in-a-lifetime trip.  Less than a year later, June 4th, a group arrived from all over the USA to embark on the journey!  We spent the first two days in Quito, getting to meet with local YL leaders and kids.  Ivan and I enjoyed sharing with them about ministry and seeing Quito through their eyes.  Then, the part that still blows me away, Ivan and I went with the group to the Galapagos Islands!  Part of Tom's BIG CRAZY idea was to bring us along and let us share candidly with the group about ministry as we hung out with them on the islands.  I think I am still in shock.  Many times, I would turn to Ivan and say, "Can you believe this is happening?  Is this real life?"  It felt like we were living in a dream.  Well, we kind of were.  Tom's dream to do something with YL in Ecuador. 
And that my friends is how I ended up at the Galapagos Islands. 

Sea lions in San Cristobal

When somebody invites you to go for an all-paid trip like that, you say "yes". 
The trip itself was absolutely incredible.  We were with a fabulous group of people which made the experience so much fun and full of rich conversations.  I was just filled with awe at God's creation and the beauty surrounding me.  Ivan and I got to celebrate our 2nd anniversary and I was overwhelmed by the blessings.  It's really hard to find the right words because nothing seems like it's enough.  Part of a song comes to mind which says, "Indescribable, uncontainable, you placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name.  You are amazing God...".  What a creative God we serve!  Birds with blue feet and fish of every size and color.  The water was crystal clear and it was surreal as we swam alongside sea turtles and penguins.  Certainly, an experience I shall never forget. 
Even though I've seen God do it time and time again, where He just completely loves on me, this was such a sweet time of rest and fellowship.  Being reminded that His love extends farther than I know and deeper than I can fathom.  I heard it in the calming sound of the waves.  I saw it in the group who joined us.  I felt it in the service provided to us through tour guides.  What a wonderful time to soak in His love for me. 

Ephesians 3:17-19

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Chillin' with some iguanas on the beach

Ivan and Brent checking out the sharks!  Eeek!

Blue-footed boobies

Tom, repping YL on the islands!

P.S. If you know Ivan, then you know he's always talking about YL.  It was no different on the islands.  Tom presented us to several contacts of his and we were able to talk about the ministry and share our hearts.  In San Cristobal, Ivan met with the local government to present a project he's written up about YL and how it works and how it impacts lives.  The woman in charge of the area of children and teenagers comes from a Catholic background and was very excited about the possibility of bringing YL to her community!  She wanted to organize a meeting with other adults that she thought would be potential players in moving forward.  Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time on the island to make that happen but praying that we can continue to build relationship with those we did meet and see how the Lord leads! 

The way I prefer to see sharks...from the safety of land.