Day 7 - God rested and so did we. Sort of.

If you call getting up at 6 for an 800 bus departure, a 3 hour bus ride to Quito to drop Tyler off at the airport and then another 30 minute ride to the Center of the World (the Ecuator-why did you think they called it Ecuador) resting, then yes we rested. I have a feeling the real rest won't come until Sunday afternoon. I will describe the Ecuator visit later but first a recap of the week.
Adjectives can not really describe what we saw, felt and experienced. So please add your own and don't be afraid to exaggerate because you really can't.
Little yellow bus, smokey at times air leaking out of the back left tire and a new nickname, Tortuga, The Turtle. Mountains so steep and roads so narrow and curvy that Tortuga crawled so slow on some of them we thought the burrows were going to pass us. Volcanos everywhere and yes they are active. We passed within a few miles of 4 of them (3 were snow covered). We saw the results of recent eruptions in one village that had more volcanic ash than dirt for the kids to play on. The problem is it gets into the lungs and doesn't come out. The children were dirty as was everything they touched and played with.
The food was wonderful. Either that or the altitude made us very hungry all the time. No one tried the Qui (guinea pig) but the seasoning and spices of the rest of the food was very satisfying and filling.
The missionaries we met, the Codys and the Westers are dedicated to the people of this country and work tirelessly to see the Gospel spread. Their love for the national church planters is like family. They are their nephews and nieces. They cover the country in 4x4 pickups and tell some harrowing travel stories of years gone past. They are here to grow Christian leaders who can take the Word out into the fields where they can not go because of time and language problems. Pray for them as they continue raising leaders who love Jesus and want to see their country won to the Lord.
The national church planters are almost beyond description. They are dedicated believers who worked long hours each day with us. We grew to love and admire them and their work efforts. We were amazed at the maturity and their youth. We found out last night that their leader this week is only 18 and has been a leader for 2 years. Our guys couldn't believe this fact. Victor has been on his own for 5 or 6 years. His income is almost nil as he sleeps on the street sometimes. He has finished high school and is attending a seminary that only meets once a week. He is trying to decide to leave town for a better seminary that would take 5 years. Money will be an issue but the number one prayer request is for his decision because it will be life changing. Other leaders are just as strong and dedicated but a few are young in the Lord and need constant support and encouragement. Pray for this team as their main missionary support are transferring to Quito from Ambato. The goal is to grow leaders who can stand on their own.
The Ecuadorian people are beautiful people who live in a beautiful land. The folks in the countryside farm land that is almost straight up and down. We saw teams of farmers bent over at the waist hoeing up the ground and walking up a hill we only reserve for snow sledding. All by hand. They are able to grow crops almost anywhere. Families are big. The women care for the home while men farm. The children are as children in any 3rd world county. Dirty faces and hands. Clothes that don't fit. Barefooted. And just like children everywhere smiles, hugs and love. You can not see the children of the world and be touched because the chance of them hearing the Gospel and responding is dim. You are touched by their immediate acceptance of you as a person. They want to be with you, touch you and to shake your hand.
This isn't to say there are not problems. Alcoholism is rampant and leads to the usual problems. Average monthly income is usually 200-300 dollars. Some things are less expensive but comforts are out of reach. So our prayer is not for an easier life but for soft hearts to be open to the Word of God.
We said some tearful goodbyes and traveled up to Quito where we visited the Center of the World. We did some science experiments, learned some more of the Indian cultures and bought some souvineers. We had a very good debrief as several youth opened up as to how this trip affected them. Pray for a continued growth with their walk with the Lord and keep their eyes open to the spiritual and physical needs of the world.

Day 6 - Beads, Buses and Bolcanos

From Elizabeth - Today took us to 11,700 feet, remember Ambato is at 8500ft. We only drove about 45 miles but it took about 2 1/2 hours. If you remember, the roads in Ecuador are very different. Try to imagine route 60, 2 lanes but sometimes paved sometimes cobblestone and sometimes dirt. Add to that many cars, trucks, taxis, busses, people and animals and then place that road 11,000 ft above sea level with many hair pin turns, twisting and turning around the mountains. Keep in mind that everyone is trying to pass each other with no passing lanes at many different speeds (ours seldom over 40kph). Throw in many small towns and you have our daily travel.
Today was the first day the altitude bothered me, making me light-headed and dizzy. I pushed throughand continued on and it turned out to be a special day. It started with me sharing Micah 6;6-8 explaining that God wants us to love and to be humble and not to be great. This would be our longest day of ministry. We headed south to Riobamba and then continued past for another 20 minutes. We stopped in San Juan de Chancahuan. We went into their community center and about 50-60 children and adults came out to meet us. The nationals we traveled with explained why we were their. Ben, Guillermo, Katherine, Marcello and Byron performed some drama and then Rob explained the bracelets. The youth then took about 10 to 15 people each and shared Christ by using the bracelets. Zak gave a testimony and then we gave them gifts of soap, vitamins, Jesus tapes and the book of John. Rob led in prayer and we were done. The 2 hours flew by. The people were warm and receptive. They did ask for us to come back and that the visit not be just a one time thing. This is an area where there is no evangelical work and it is so important for the nationals to continue their work in these places. Each area we go to has at least one person with a heart for God and they have asked for groups to come. My prayer is that they are not forgotten.
As a group our job was to meet people and start relationships for the missionaries and the national church planters to follow up on.
The afternoon brought the same but with many more children so there were activities for the children as well.
This is our last day of ministry. Friday we head back to Quito for some sight-seeing and shopping. Please continue to pray for us and our safety as begin our trek back to the States. But please add to your prayers the missionaries we have worked with. Mark and Sherry Cody who will be moving to Quito to be Logistic Coordinators for all of Ecuador and Gary and Charlotte Wester also just moved to Quito from Chile. Gary will be leading Spanish peoples work in much of northern South America.
Also pray for our new national friends we have traveled with, shared meals with and grown to love this week.
Byron and his wife Katherine
Alfredo and his 3yr old daughter, Lieonela.
Victor
Guillermo
Jose Antonia
Marcello
Mario
I wrote this coming back on the bus tonight using a flashlight and now we are back at the hotel exhausted. See everyone soon.

Day 5 - weekly recap

From Rob - I have been amazed at the experience of being in Ecuador; the sights, the sounds, thr immense mountain surroundings and the beauty of the people. Most of all I have been blessed to work with the young (most are age 18 to 21) Ecuadorian church planters.
The first day Lindsay, Zak and I went with Guillermo, our translator and friend, to 2 homes where we had a short Bible study and were able to encourage and pray for these new Christians. They asked us to pray for them because they were without any sort of regular contact with Christians. The past few days have been filled with new experiences. Witnessing with bracelets in the marketplace and leading a lesson for chrildren at a village on the side of a volcano. Tuesday and Wednesday we were in Shell, on the edge of the Amazon. We stayed right down the street from the airstrip that Jim Eliot and his friends took off for their flight into the jungle. I got to see the Eliot house and was amazed at how a few people with faith had such an impact on a culture. I was humbled when we went into the village of Santa Clara to play with the children and give out needed supplies. I was humbled because I was asked to give a short Gospel presentation to the community. When I finished we asked for questions and a man related how he was skeptical because other groups had come through sharing their religion but all they wanted was one of their natural resources. Victor, the church planter, gave a great answer that the only reason we were there to give them supplies was the love of God. He seemed pleased by our presence and many people were glad to hear us and the door is now open for more contact. I will not forget these people and will pray for Mario, the national who led us there and is the only believer in the whole town.
Today (Wed.) We were at the same town and taught English and witnessed with bracelets.
Thanks foe you prayers. We are all in good health and God is working in our midst.

Day 4 - Ducks, Geese and other Fish

Day 4 brought us to Shell, Ecuador, about 3.5 hours on the bus. Shell is famous for many Amazon air companies. We stay in a hostel named Cabanas Germany overlooking a part of the Amazon jungle. Our drive took us from 9000 ft down to about 3500 ft and a big change in temperature and humidity. Our lunch was at an open air roadside restaurant where the specialty was talapia either grilled, fried, or in sauce. Oh yeah, the head was still on also. (We have pictures) It was true Ecuadorian and one of the best meals of the week. Afterwards, we traveled on to Santa Clara to a community center to work with children and their mothers. About 75 children and 15 moms and dads showed up to witness drama by our national partners, bead bracelet distribution and gifts like soap, vitamins, the Jesus tape and the book of Juan. The team then took the kids outside to play while Rob shared with the adults. I know he did a good job because we heard clapping from the windows. Meanwhile, outside, the team taught the kids Duck, Duck, Goose or Pato, Pato, Ganzo. They ate it up. We finished by teaching them how to throw frisbees which was as entertaining for us as educational for them. After a brief bus ride (60 minutes) we arrived back at the hostel where we were treated to a nice group dinner. The younguns' all went up to the shops to try their hand at bargining while the old ones sat around, drank tea and talked missions. It was and early to bed evening since their was no tv. Good thing too. The local German Shephard watch dog barked at everything, the chickens (not roosters) crowed constantly from midnight on and the large trucks made a racket all night. However, most of us thought it was the best night's sleep so far.

Day 3 - A word from one of the young ones.

A word from Claire - This afternoon we traveled up some pretty scary mountain roads to get to the village of Cahuaji Alto. We first met in a house with about 10 kids and their parents. We sang "Jesus Loves Me" in Spanish and English, and then we sang "My God Is So Big". After, we (Claire) told a story and gave them coloring books. One of the coolest parts was teaching the kids "Duck, Duck, Goose". It was really neat to see them so excited about it. We had a fun time with them and hopefully showed them all God's love.

A word from Ben. Today we visited a marketplace and were bombarded by many inquisitive nationals. We shared the Gospel with dozens of locals and all of them were appreciative and the Gospel seemed to have an impact on most of them. After the market we traveled to the mountains on a rather treacherous path. We interacted with the locals by singing, telling Bible stories and playing a game of soccer at 13,000 ft, with some very skilled 8 year olds. The rest of the week seems like it will be interesting. Tomorrow we are off to part of the Amazon jungle.

A word from Zak. The most inspiring part of thr day was seeing the hospitality of the local people of Ecuador (Quichians). As soon as we arrived they invited us into their home. Upon entering their house, we began to teac the children "Jesus Loves Me" in English and Spanish. Even the mothers of the children were filled with joy from the smiles on the kid's faces. We also got to eat our first true Ecuadorian food. The homeowners prepared us habas which is similar to lima beans. On the bus ride home I had a great time laughing and sharing jokes with my new friend Guillermo. I'm looking forward to the rest of the week with him.

From the blogger. This morning saw everyone going to a huge local market to share Christ with shoppers and shop owners using the beads. We spent 2 hours sharing and were sad when our time ran out. We gave away about 20 bracelets each and saw many people accept Jesus into their lives.

Tomorrow is an over night trip to Shell close to the jungle. Another 3 hour bus ride. Stay tuned for more installments.

Day 3 - A word from one of the young ones.

A word from Claire - This afternoon we traveled up some pretty scary mountain roads to get to the village of Cahuaji Alto. We first met in a house with about 10 kids and their parents. We sang "Jesus Loves Me" in Spanish and English, and then we sang "My God Is So Big". After, we (Claire) told a story and gave them coloring books. One of the coolest parts was teaching the kids "Duck, Duck, Goose". It was really neat to see them so excited about it. We had a fun time with them and hopefully showed them all God's love.

From the blogger. This morning saw everyone going to a huge local market to share Christ with shoppers and shop owners using the beads. We spent 2 hours sharing and were sad when our time ran out. We gave away about 20 bracelets each and saw many people accept Jesus into their lives.

Tomorrow is an over night trip to Shell close to the jungle. Another 3 hour bus ride. Stay tuned for another word from a guest blogger.

Day 2 - The bus ride to end all bus rides and God at work in the villages.

Day 2 found the team eating breakfast with the other hotel guests, a local soccer team. We were treated to local reporters running around getting interviews and the police who showed up to escort them. Our missionary hosts arrived and filled us in on the work for the day. We were scheduled to depart at 10 for a village about an hour away. However, as missionaries know, time in other countries has a tendency to stall and it did this morning when our bus died causing a scramble for a replacement. When it finally arrived we had missed the morning sharing time so it was off to the missys house for some fellowship with the national Christians and lunch. Oh yeah, Rob made peanut butter and banana sandwiches for our new friends. They said they were good. We were treated to a special tea that helps with overcoming effects from the altitude.
Lunch ended and we were finally off to Chiquicha. This small farming village is located an hour away but the road to get there is better suited for donkeys and mules. The scenary was awesome and the views several hundred feet straight down proves that only God could create this planet. Maybe I should not report this but there were a few times we met oncoming traffic and they had to back up to let our bus pass. That's how tight the road was.
The plan was to divide into 3 teams with several of our team, teaming with several nationals to go house to house leading Bible studies that would last less than 30 minutes. The nationals would lead it while we participated with prayers and testimonies. We dropped off Rob, Lindsey and Zak at the first house in town and continued to the middle of town where we split into 2 other teams. Our team started off down the dusty road and soon turned onto a path that led past fields of corn, tree tomatos and pigs until we stopped at a house where a woman, 2 kids, 2 loud dogs and a few chickens were outside. Our national friends started their Bible study with the woman and the six of us (Claire, Elizabeth, myself, Katherine, Byron and Marcelo). Soon 5 or 6 others came walking through the fields and took part in our study. After the study, we shared the bead bracelets made for us by Winfree's senior adults. They had some fun questions for us about life in the States and soon we said chou (bye because adios means I'm never coming back). We then turned and walked along one of a drainage/sewer trough and up a hill to the house of a single mother and her teenage son. We again shared the story for today, the Prodigal Son. We were amazed at her understanding and application of the story. I must stop and tell you that many of the people in this village had been ministered to by a missionary they all call Uncle David. The legacy of his work goes deep in this village so the prodigal son might have made a previous visit there.
Our last stop found us sharing with an 18 year old girl who was home alone. We started to share the Bible story with her and then right in the middle our interpreter turned to us and said the Bilma wanted to ask Jesus into her heart. Katherine then ignored us and started into a one on one witness time that ended with Bilma praying for Jesus to come into her heart. We didn't need interpretation during this exchange. It was very plain and moving to us that the Holy Spirit was at work in this village on a dusty part of her front stoop. Claire and Elizabeth surrounded her while I was invited to pray for her decision. This was by far the highlight of the day. Neither the fun bus ride, nor the beautiful mountains, nor the delicious hamburger and chocolate milkshake I had for dinner could match the excitement of that one decision by Bilma. As we said our chous to her, her family walked up and we saw her immediately start telling them what happened and showing them her scriptures we had given her.
After another harrowing bus ride and wonderful dinner and time of sharing with our national friends, we find ourselves back in the hotel exhausted and eager for tomorrow. By the way, we have a change of plans for tomorrow that includes a trip to minister to children in a village at 12,000 feet on the side of an active volcano.
Pray for safe travel on Monday and pray for Bilma and her new faith in Jesus and pray we can find the Holy Spirit already at work in the marketplace and the village tomorrow. Chou!!