I’m back in my zip code and life is indeed different. Your prayers worked and no one on our team was sick or injured. Once again, many lives were changed—all of our Ecuador team, the people we visited, the family in the house we built, the families at the churches—God was everywhere.
Once again I was the oldest person on this trip but I was able to build, share, clean, play, sing, pray, visit, sweep, assemble, carry, sort, color, watch, organize, listen, mentor kids, peel potatoes, wash dishes and most importantly, communicate in Spanish. At the end of the trip I realized that it had nothing to do with age, it was all about heart and desire to serve.
Patience and flexibility were key assets for this mission. We were never sure of where we were going or what the day would bring. This taught me to wait on God’s plan, not my carefully plotted agenda for the day.
Our trip began in El Recreo church right after we landed. The rains had flooded most of the slum area where we do home visits and the construction was limited to cement work and available supplies. We only stayed there one night but were able to attend church service and meet with our sponsored children. I’m happy to share that Margarita is almost 9 and a bit taller and so pretty. She’s now into soccer and still loves math.
Most of our time was spent in San Vicente tending to the needs of Iglesia de Christo Iberoamericano Cosecha. This is the same church we helped last year and we were greeted by familiar faces, many of them remembering us by name. Such warm and loving people that graciously fed us our meals everyday. Did I mention they are also good cooks? I’m sure I will experience withdrawals from the freshly baked empanadas.
We built a small house from the ground up, gathered more than 20 baskets of groceries, shared devotionals and visited with families, helped out in the classroom with homework assistance, lessons, singing and games. We helped in the kitchen and even taught them how to make tortillas. We were able to gather team funds onsite to purchase a washer, oven, and microwave.
Our last couple of days were in the company of Kyle Kallenstad (ICI ministries who oversees all the churched in the field), and Pastor Luis and his wife Karen, and their two girls. This was a first-time experience for us to learn more about their personal journey. They are true disciples.
The number of stories I have are endless but I’m happy to share with any of you personally; just send me an email, text or call. I again extend my gratitude to each of you for making this opportunity possible. Your encouragement, prayers and generosity has strengthened me, guided me, and touched my heart.
In our devotional we were asked, will you be different? When you go home, will you look at things the same way? The answer came quickly after we landed, walked through a well-lit airport and the ground was covered in tile, not dirt. We boarded a fairly new van with comfortable seats, enjoyed air conditioning and a ride back to church on paved roads. It continued as I unlocked my front door and walked in. It’s a different life on the surface but what lives inside is the same: Faith, hope and love. Keep that unwavering faith alive, love your brothers and sisters unconditionally, and remember that hope is a choice.
With a grateful heart,
Rebecca
Once again I was the oldest person on this trip but I was able to build, share, clean, play, sing, pray, visit, sweep, assemble, carry, sort, color, watch, organize, listen, mentor kids, peel potatoes, wash dishes and most importantly, communicate in Spanish. At the end of the trip I realized that it had nothing to do with age, it was all about heart and desire to serve.
Patience and flexibility were key assets for this mission. We were never sure of where we were going or what the day would bring. This taught me to wait on God’s plan, not my carefully plotted agenda for the day.
Our trip began in El Recreo church right after we landed. The rains had flooded most of the slum area where we do home visits and the construction was limited to cement work and available supplies. We only stayed there one night but were able to attend church service and meet with our sponsored children. I’m happy to share that Margarita is almost 9 and a bit taller and so pretty. She’s now into soccer and still loves math.
Most of our time was spent in San Vicente tending to the needs of Iglesia de Christo Iberoamericano Cosecha. This is the same church we helped last year and we were greeted by familiar faces, many of them remembering us by name. Such warm and loving people that graciously fed us our meals everyday. Did I mention they are also good cooks? I’m sure I will experience withdrawals from the freshly baked empanadas.
We built a small house from the ground up, gathered more than 20 baskets of groceries, shared devotionals and visited with families, helped out in the classroom with homework assistance, lessons, singing and games. We helped in the kitchen and even taught them how to make tortillas. We were able to gather team funds onsite to purchase a washer, oven, and microwave.
Our last couple of days were in the company of Kyle Kallenstad (ICI ministries who oversees all the churched in the field), and Pastor Luis and his wife Karen, and their two girls. This was a first-time experience for us to learn more about their personal journey. They are true disciples.
The number of stories I have are endless but I’m happy to share with any of you personally; just send me an email, text or call. I again extend my gratitude to each of you for making this opportunity possible. Your encouragement, prayers and generosity has strengthened me, guided me, and touched my heart.
In our devotional we were asked, will you be different? When you go home, will you look at things the same way? The answer came quickly after we landed, walked through a well-lit airport and the ground was covered in tile, not dirt. We boarded a fairly new van with comfortable seats, enjoyed air conditioning and a ride back to church on paved roads. It continued as I unlocked my front door and walked in. It’s a different life on the surface but what lives inside is the same: Faith, hope and love. Keep that unwavering faith alive, love your brothers and sisters unconditionally, and remember that hope is a choice.
With a grateful heart,
Rebecca