Update and What Could Be Next!

 I am very happy to have plenty of time to write a blog update today. The team recently received a team from Christ Church in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. This was a crazy time due to the protests going on in Ecuador. The team arrived around 9:30 pm, but we were unable to get to the airport until around 4 am due to so many impassable roads. The protestors blocked roads with fires and by throwing flammable objects from a bridge onto the road below to keep cars from passing! Ecuadorian law enforcement were everywhere that night and used teargas as a way to deter the protestors. Some of the tear gas did get into our bus through the air vents but not enough to cause any serious harm - just enough to make our eyes water and us cough. More than anything, the usual 45-minute trip to the airport was just very long. We would try to go one way only to find the road blocked, then go another way and it would be blocked as well. In the end, the best strategy was just to wait it out. By 3:30 the protestors were either too tired or too drunk to keep protesting and the fires were put out for the night and we were able to cross.

 

We interns were not the only ones that had a long night; the team from Elizabeth City basically spent the whole night in the airport. They were definitely troopers through that night and displayed great perseverance. Their team had a great sense of humor and adventure, and I really enjoyed being around them. There were only three high schoolers on the team which was much different from the first team I received that was basically all high schoolers. I was able to bond with these guys through playing basketball, encouraging them, and being someone they could relate to while they were in a foreign place. This proved to be a very good thing! At the end of the trip, Daniel Cenci, the team leader and priest of Christ Church, offered me a job as a youth intern. I was ecstatic at the offer and have been praying and considering it as a next step.

 

The protests had some pretty big effects on the team’s ministry and activities schedule.  Many events previously arranged to be held in South Quito required alternative plans since the protests were worse in that area.  The team ended up going to Casa Gabriel, a boys home for males over the age of 18 designed to help them get off the streets and develop a sense of discipline, mature them as men, and disciple them. I was thrilled to be able to work with Casa Gabriel because the guys in the program are very fun and easy to get along with. I also enjoy the company of the house dad, Angel and the director, Jorge Estevez.

 

The team at Casa Gabriel completed projects such as cleaning out the garage, painting, and deep cleaning the kitchen, but we eventually got so invested in Casa Gabriel that we began coming up with new ideas to help. After cutting the grass with machetes, we decided to buy Casa G a weed eater and also had the idea to fill in some holes in the garage with quick concrete. It was beautiful to see the team get so invested in Casa G so quickly and to see the way that God works.

 

After serving at Casa G, we were eventually able to go to a church in South Quito and lead a  Vacation Bible School and complete several work projects! This team was a lot of fun and they also taught me a lot. One thing that I will take away from the time I spent with this team is I learned how to see past the outer appearance of people and love a person for their heart. The funny thing is, I often notice things about people that make me feel better than them and overlook their incredible inner qualities - like their compassion for others, their heart, their intentions, and their efforts. I hope that I never forget this lesson.

 

Thank you for reading and please be in prayer for me going forward as I consider my options such as interning at Christ Church Elizabeth City as a youth pastor or continuing in missions. Who knows where God could lead me! Only He knows!

 

Thank you for reading,

 

Isaac 

Teams Are Arriving!

 I know it has been a couple of weeks since the last update. Good thing is, I have lots to share! Haha! 

 

A group from Advent church  arrived Tuesday, June 7th and departed Sunday, June 12th. Their group was made up of mostly high school students with the exception of their leaders. Because I have not hung out with high school students in a while, I had forgotten what high school students are like. I have to say it was a ton of fun hanging out with this group from Spartanburg, SC. They were a lively bunch that loved to joke and laugh. Another awesome thing I noticed was how eager and ready they were to serve. When we needed volunteers to serve food, it took less than 10 seconds for 5 of them to volunteer. No one had to tell them, they just volunteered. Their attitudes were so positive and fun that they did not even seem to mind that they were the last ones eating. 

 

These high schoolers were also very encouraging to me as they embraced me as a leader and even had many positive things to say to me about my leadership. This was very encouraging to me since they were my first group and I have not done this before. There leader, Zac Blankenship, is one of my long time friends and  one of the craziest people I know. While Zac is very funny, he was also serious about them learning and growing from this mission trip. I really appreciated that. 

 

The students were able to work at a ministry site called Second Chances that serves as a safe place for students after school for them to do their homework, make friendships, and learn about Jesus. Second Chances is located in a low income and dangerous neighborhood that is full of cultural opportunities.  Vendors along the street sell meat, fruits, veggies, and other necessities. In this neighborhood people do not go to the supermarket but stop at small shops and vendors to get what they need. On one occasion, Zac and I were walking together through the neighborhood and a woman came running up out of nowhere, tapped me on the shoulder and told us that it was too dangerous for us to walk any further and that we needed to return where we came from. When I asked her if she had heard someone talking about robbing us she didn’t say anything and just insisted that we return and that we could not walk any further. I did not know this woman and she came out of nowhere. Whether she was an angel or just a kind woman watching out for us, I don’t know, but I am thankful that she helped keep us safe. 

 

The students sanded and painted the inside and outside of the Second Chances building. In the end, they had finished a beautiful mural that you can see here on the outside of the building. What I reaped from this experience and what I am still learning with the new team that is currently here are my strengths and weaknesses as a leader. What I saw in myself is the ability to connect with others regardless of age and how to be a friend to them in foreign places. What I am also seeing in myself is impatience and lack of understanding for others who have not had the same experiences as me or who do not see the world the same way I do. 

 

What I really need prayer for is that I will be able to see purpose in what I am doing and that I will stay fully motivated. In all honesty, since the Advent Team returned to SC, I have felt tired, unmotivated, and lacking purpose. There are some huge protests going on in Ecuador right now. These protests caused a 45 minute drive to go pick up a team this past Sunday to last 9 hours. From what I understand of the situation, people are protesting unfair prices. People are hungry and without food and unable to feed their children. For this reason the people want to kick the president out as he has not followed through with any of his promises. I hope that both parties can reach a place that benefits both sides. Please stay in prayer for this situation and for the people of Ecuador. 

 

Until next time, 

 

Isaac

Quito, Ecuador

 Hello fellow sojourners,

I am glad to have the time to give you an update. We have been in Quito, Ecuador for over a week now and I feel like I have a million things to share. I say we because my girlfriend, Mae Thomas was also accepted into this missions internship and is also in Quito. There are a total of 9 interns here from the US and Ecuador. I have had the privilege to hear most of their life stories and am still in awe of what I have heard. Each intern has a unique story with God's fingerprints written all over it. We are all around the same age with the oldest intern being 28 and the youngest being 18. I am very excited to be working with such a diverse group of people who complement each other so well. 

We have been extremely busy from the moment we arrived. Our travel day to Quito on May 23rd lasted almost 24 hours roughly from 4:30 am to 2 am the next day. We had long layovers and the immigration line in Ecuador was quite long despite it being almost midnight. We were up the next morning at 7 and started training right away. Our leaders names are Jorge Luis and Caroline. Caroline is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Jorge Luis is from Quito, Ecuador. They have been amazing to say the least. They are firm when they need to be but also relate to us so well and like having fun. 

Trying to describe what Quito and the surrounding area looks like is impossible unless you have ever seen the Andes mountains yourself. The Andes are undoubtedly the largest mountains I have ever seen. They stretch through the highlands region of Ecuador down through South America. Most of the time, clouds cover the peaks of these magnificent mountains showcasing God's majesty and power. 

Over the last 2 weeks we have gone through a training period. The training has consisted of visiting ministry sites where we will be taking teams, learning about Ecuadorian culture and history, reviewing manual pages, learning how to manage finances, and getting to know each other better. I have loved the way that Education Equals Hope trains their interns. They are very hands on and always make sure that we are all on the same page. Jorge Luis and Caroline have done an excellent job of making sure that we are prepared to do our job. 

Each night as part of our training, 2 interns lead a debrief time and 2 interns share their life story and how they came to know God and how they have seen Him move in their lives. I have benefitted greatly from these times even though we normally don't get started till around 8:30 at night and do not get done until 10 pm sometimes. Debriefing times keep us in scripture and help us to stay self aware by reflecting on our day and what we experienced. What has affected me more than anything else has been hearing the other intern's testimonies. 

My fellow interns have been through many struggles and hardships yet their life reflects the grace, mercy, and faithfulness of God. Many of them have been through some of the hardest realities of life but have persevered through it all and these circumstances have increased their faith. It is so amazing to hear from their stories that God is moving in our lives even when we think that He has forgotten about us or abandoned us. Their stories have been speaking to my heart, and I am so thankful for this season and what I am learning. 

I would like to share the story of my friend Marvin soon who is one of my fellow interns. I will work on getting it detailed and written down so that you too can be inspired of his story of perserverance. Our first team, Advent Church out of Spartanburg, South Carolina will be arriving this coming Tuesday. I will look forward to giving an update after they have returned to the states and please keep all of us in your prayers. Thank you for reading!

Anticipation and Preparation

 I love in Isaiah 41:9 how God says that he calls his people from the ends of the earth and from its farthest corners. This verse makes me feel passionate about missions because God loves each nation the same. I ask you to join me in prayer for my upcoming mission to Ecuador on May 23rd. I believe that God wants me in Ecuador and that this new experience will be a time of spiritual growth. I believe that the E=H staff are fully invested in the spiritual growth and maturity of their interns and I look forward to walking alongside them.

 

One of the challenges I have been facing recently as I pursue this mission to Ecuador is fundraising. God is always building and testing our faith in different ways. I feel that this time while fundraising for Ecuador God is asking me to put forth more effort to show him how much I want to go on this mission trip. Lately, I have been thinking about how faith and obedience go hand in hand. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that by faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. When God asks us to do something we respond in obedience to him because we believe him. Stepping out in obedience requires us to rely more on God. God is asking me to step forward in faith in my fundraising by doing the best I can here while also relying on him. God’s ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts higher than our thoughts. He tests us and grows us in ways that we could not have imagined. And even when we fail the test he forgives us! God is so good!

 

Day by day I am preparing mentally and emotionally for this trip. I am glad to have this time to fundraise, prepare, and connect with family. My grandfather, Denley Caughman and I have been doing a discipleship program together during these two months that has been teaching and encouraging me. I will be continuing in prayer and anticipation of this trip as time moves forward.

 

Please join me in prayer for my upcoming trip to Ecuador on May 23rd and consider supporting me through this page.

 

Thank You for Reading,

The Next Step - El Siguiente Paso

Hello Everyone,

 

I would like to start by saying thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement. I am very thrilled to share that this coming May, I will be completing a missions internship through Education Equals Hope in Quito, Ecuador. This internship will be from May 23rd- July 23rd. A fun fact about Quito is that Quito has the 2nd highest elevation of any capital city in the world!  The purpose of Education Equals Hope is to provide education for those living in desperate and difficult situations. E=H partners with local churches in Quito, Ecuador to not only provide for the education of children living in desperate situations but also to walk alongside the communities and build relationships with the whole family. E=H also has ministry sights to shelter girls coming out of human trafficking and boys coming off the streets. If you would like to learn more about E=H please check out their website at https://www.educationequalshope.org/

 

My title will be “Team Host”. This means I will be responsible for the leadership, care, and decision making of incoming E=H mission teams. This includes facilitating the itinerary and ministry, assigning and supervising support staff, facilitating debriefs, and tracking finances.

I am both very thankful and excited to have this opportunity to serve God and others through missions. Each trip I have been on has grown me and taught me more about God’s ways, his kingdom, and obedience. This trip will be yet another experience where I will grow in knowledge and faith of Jesus Christ.

 

To cover my flights, ministry fees, accommodations, and all other expenses I need $5,000. Please consider supporting me as I go to Ecuador to take the next step in God’s calling in my life.

You can give by going to this link https://langston.churchcenter.com/giving/to/tithes and clicking on the tab that reads Isaac McDowell or by visiting https://educationequalshope.giv.sh/9c82.

 

Thank you so much for reading,

 

Isaac

Isaiah 41:9 

I have called you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you; I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and not rejected you.

Feet on the Ground

 

Hello everyone! 

 

I am really excited that I get to share with you all what has been going on here in Puebla, Mexico. I arrived last Sunday, February 13th and have really been enjoying my time here so far. I am currently staying in a Puebla seminary where young men, around my age, study the gospel to build upon their relationship with God and prepare for their future role as a pastor. My friend John whom I spent my outreach with during my discipleship training school, and whose family lives here in Puebla, has close connections to the seminary. Because of this, it was possible for him to set up accommodations for me while I am here on mission.

 

When I first arrived at the seminary, I was a little unsure of the living arrangements John had made for me. The room is very small, comparable to college dorm, and consists of little more than a bunk bed and a desk that I share with my roommate, Gabriel.  However, I now look forward to coming back to my modest space at the end of each day because of everyone’s graciousness and acceptance of my presence in the seminary. Over the past week we have formed a great bond, and have had an incredible time watching movies, going out for tacos, and making jokes with each other. Gabriel even makes my coffee every morning and leaves friendly reminders for me to apply sunscreen. These individuals at the seminary have portrayed a true reflection of Jesus’ love and it has been such a blessing to experience their kindness and support throughout this trip.

 

This past week I have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with John and his family as well. They have generously welcomed me into their home and have treated me as if I am one of their own. His mom often cooks delicious, homemade Mexican dishes for us, and his siblings love spending time with me and John. Because his mom teaches guitar lessons at the local missionary school in the afternoons, it has become John and I’s responsibility to look after his three-year-old sister. During these hours I have been thoroughly entertained by playing basketball with John’s younger brother, Matthew. We both have a passion for the sport, and it has been so rewarding to encourage his love for basketball and offer pointers on how he can become a better player. I believe that this time spent with Matthew has been a blessing for both of us. Since the start of the pandemic, he has not had the opportunity to socialize with many friends and has felt somewhat isolated. I am so thankful that God has provided this opportunity for me to be Matthew’s friend in such a difficult time.

 

Every morning John and I have made the effort to venture to a peaceful, outdoor location to discuss God’s word and study bible verses we feel God is putting on our heart. Several days we biked for miles to find the perfect spot to spread the good news, and it has been so satisfying to do so. This past week I have had the opportunity to share the word of God, as well as my own story, with Grace followers, a ministry that John helped pioneer that consists of young people between the ages of 16-24. I spoke about the challenges I overcame my freshman year of college; where I failed and ultimately what I learned from my mistakes. I am very hopeful that my message was encouraging to these young individuals who may be experiencing similar hardships.

 

Lastly, my friend John is a very talented musician, adventurer, and photographer and he is being called by God to use his talents to further the kingdom and make Jesus known. His next step in this process is to complete a worship school through YWAM and to continue leading Grace Followers in Mexico. Grace Followers is the ministry I am here working with now. He is fundraising and needs financial support to be able to do this. A worship school costs around $3,000 USD and anything helps. 

 

Here is the link to donate to John and what God is calling him to do: https://express.adobe.com/page/H0eYJFE2GUul0/

If you are able to donate through Paypal, there is a link on the page and his bank information is also available.

 

This mission trip has been a rich and rewarding time for me. Please keep me and John in your prayers as we continue our ministry and grow together in Christ.

Me and John

 

Thank you for reading,

 

Isaac

Puebla City

As I leave for Mexico tomorrow, I am doing all the last minute things before embarking on a month long trip to Mexico. I am feeling very excited to see my friend John who I spent 2 ½ months with on my discipleship training school. John is very connected in his hometown of Puebla, Mexico. Thankfully, his connections have made some opportunities for me and him to do ministry together in this time. I am looking forward to being a part of Grace Followers Mexico and meeting new friends through this group. I will also be engaged with cumbre ministries while I am there. I will share more details once I am on the ground. I am sure that I can learn a lot from them and will grow during this time.

 

I will land in the Mexico City airport tomorrow and take a bus to Puebla which is located roughly 2 hours from Mexico City. Puebla is also a large city and home to around 3 million people. There is a local seminary there that is willing to host me and I will be staying there for the duration of my trip. We will also have the opportunity to share in churches that are located in smaller communities outside of Puebla. Mexico is so diverse so I know that being in Puebla will be a whole new experience. I have been so encouraged lately by reading the word and realizing how much God is teaching me. I feel so blessed that God has allowed me these experiences and that he is with me wherever I go.

 

Please be in prayer for this trip!

 

Thank you