Missionary Church

Hey, Ecuador is great and we have had a great time getting to know everyone on the team better. I especially think we bonded in the mud bath. To Victor and Cody - I miss you and wish you were here. I love you and thanks for all your prayers.

Corene

Wow! What an experience. I absolutely love the people and the country of Ecuador. For me it brings a flood of memories of my years in Panama and my love of the various cultures throughout Latin American.

This is actually my first missions trip, although I have participated in tons of church outreach events over the years, but being out here away from home really brings out the true meaning of The Great Commission. There is so much work to be done out here, and so many people with great needs (both physical and financial) that it can be a bit overwhelming for some. I know some on the team have been taken aback by the depths of poverty here in Salinas and in parts of Guayaquil, and it has really affected them. It’s hard not to be moved by the pleas for money or food from some who so obviously need help. So, please pray for those on the team to remain strong and focused on Christ’s love, His grace, and His compassion for those in this part of the world.

Speaking of our team, did I mention what an awesome missions team we have down here. All the way from little Maddie (she’s six…she told me…many times), to our fearless leader, Pastor Rae Bergen. Over these few days we have grown close to each other. I’ve gotten to know people from the church I don’t ordinarily talk to, and I’ve gotten a chance to get to know some of the amazing kids we have at Grace Chapel.

While I have enjoyed every day I’ve been here, today was by far my favorite time in Ecuador. Today we went to Escuela de Santa Rosa (a Foursquare school here in Salinas). What an amazing experience. We were greeted by dozens and dozens of smiling faces who were just genuinely happy to see us. Our kids did an amazing job putting on a puppet show, a mime performance, and playing games with the school children.

Being behind a video camera it is sometimes difficult to feel you are participating in an event. It’s almost like you are standing at a distance, or watching news unfold on TV. But today, it was hard not to feel like I was part of the team as children rushed up to me to smile or wave at my camera.

The funniest thing though was to watch how the kids in Ecuador are just like our kids back home in the U.S. They would fidget, or quietly whisper to their friends while our drama team was performing, only to be caught by their teacher who would dutifully tell them to pay attention. Some would run to the bathroom (probably one too many times) or try to take a peek behind the curtain to make sure those puppets were really just puppets and not real people. Even though we are some 6000 miles away from home moments like those suddenly make home feel not so far away.

Anway, well wishes to all back in the searing heat of Arizona…it has been downright paradise here, slightly overcast in the mid-seventies to low eighties with a nice cool breeze blowing in from the ocean. Oh, and big hugs and kisses to my wife Debbie, and my youngest daughter Kiersten. I love you and miss you both!

Yancy