Tuesday, July 23, 2013

The place that God calls you...


I'm moving back to Shell, Ecuador in the Amazon basin to work at Casa de Fe (House of Faith) orphan- age which provides 24- hour care for abandoned children, most with special needs.What sparked as a desire to do missions when I was 16, mixed with growing up learning and falling in love with the Spanish language and culture, turned into a 10-day trip to work at Casa de Fe orphanage which soon turned into spending one year there and along the way it became “home”. And the kids, caretakers and volunteers became my family.
Last July, I moved home to Chugiak, Alaska and it was one of the hardest years of my life. A fellow missionary once told me, “when you claim another culture in your heart, you will never again feel 100 percent normal in your own culture.” I was surrounded by people and places I grew up with but felt like I didn’t com- pletely be- long. My body was in Alaska but my heart was in Ecuador. I longed to see the children at Casa de Fe have a chance at life and love. In February, I went to visit the kids at Casa de Fe that had captured my heart. I felt like a mother being reunited with her children. During that trip God began to share His plan for me to return to Casa de Fe, long-term.


One morning before heading to the orphanage for the day, I was reading the story in Matthew 7:9-11

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

I couldn’t help but think that the kids at CdF had no one to ask for bread and fish. They come to us abused, abandoned or orphaned and have a hard time putting much trust in anyone. If a child can’t even begin to fathom reliable, sincere human love, how much more inconceivable is Gods love and sacrifice to them?

So, I am moving back to Ecuador, the place and the people that God has asked me to serve and love. I will work with the child sponsorship program, teach English, disciple the older girls, play with babies and toddlers and assist with mission teams. BUT my most important job will be wiping tears, holding hands and lots of hugs. That is not the end of my job description and I’m sure it will change and grow everyday. I am being called to a fully -engaged, hands-dirtying life. Why would God call me to anything less than a hands-on faith like the one He modeled?

I’m not Mother Theresa. I’m not even close. I’m just an ordinary Alaskan girl trying to love God, love people, and live with purpose.


I am now a long-term missionary with CornerStone International! They will be receiving my mission support. All donations are tax-dedubtible. Please make donations to:
CornerStone International, PO Box 192, Wilmore, KY 40390 with “InterMission” (my project name) in the memo.

You may donate by Paypal or credit card from the CornerStone Website:
www.cornerstoneinternational.org/staff-short-term-gallagher/ 

If you question my sanity, these faces should explain it all. I just love them A LOT!