Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday 8-6-09
Hello everyone,
Sorry for the delay between updates. Our group has been running nonstop, and has not had a lot of time to blog. Yesterday a group of us went hiking early in the morning to see some natural hot springs. Once again we were awed by the beauty of God’s creation as we sat in the middle of the springs to do our devotions. We spent a relaxing morning in the Otavalo market. Some of our friends from the Otavalo youth group, along with Edi, helped us with our bargaining. It was a wonderful chance for us to experience the Ecuadorian culture. In the afternoon, we hiked back up to the village to finish our last day of the older children’s VBS. We presented the Gospel to the children by way of the wordless book, and between yesterday and today ten children accepted Christ. Please be praying for these children, that they would have adults and mentors in their lives to encourage them in their relationship with Jesus. After hanging out with the children for a while, we headed down for a delicious supper. Our large group worship time was very powerful. We are very blessed to have leaders who are so passionate about God, and so excited about teaching us about Him. We all hit the hay early to be ready for a new day.
VBS went well today; we were so excited to see what God is doing in the village. It is amazing to think that God does not need us, but wants us to be a part of His work. After taking countless numbers of pictures, the leaders of San Luis de Pigulca called us over to present us with some gifts. They presented each of us with a bracelet with our name on it, a handmade doll, and some other braided bracelets. It was a touching moment. Leaving the kids was tough. We were attached to them, and they were attached to us. Several of them followed us all the way down the hill just to spend a little more time with us before we left. After a quick trip to the market, we loaded onto the bus and headed off to Quito. We ate in a rather nice restaurant tonight named “La Choz” where we enjoyed llapingachos, churrascos, and many different types of juice. Some of the boys were tempted to try the pig’s feet, but Edi (who is coming to help with the youth conference) discouraged them. Phase two of our missions trip is about to commence as we head to Mindo tomorrow for the youth conference. Praise God for all of our new brothers and sisters in Christ that are in the village and for our safety thus far.
Sarah
Sorry for the delay between updates. Our group has been running nonstop, and has not had a lot of time to blog. Yesterday a group of us went hiking early in the morning to see some natural hot springs. Once again we were awed by the beauty of God’s creation as we sat in the middle of the springs to do our devotions. We spent a relaxing morning in the Otavalo market. Some of our friends from the Otavalo youth group, along with Edi, helped us with our bargaining. It was a wonderful chance for us to experience the Ecuadorian culture. In the afternoon, we hiked back up to the village to finish our last day of the older children’s VBS. We presented the Gospel to the children by way of the wordless book, and between yesterday and today ten children accepted Christ. Please be praying for these children, that they would have adults and mentors in their lives to encourage them in their relationship with Jesus. After hanging out with the children for a while, we headed down for a delicious supper. Our large group worship time was very powerful. We are very blessed to have leaders who are so passionate about God, and so excited about teaching us about Him. We all hit the hay early to be ready for a new day.
VBS went well today; we were so excited to see what God is doing in the village. It is amazing to think that God does not need us, but wants us to be a part of His work. After taking countless numbers of pictures, the leaders of San Luis de Pigulca called us over to present us with some gifts. They presented each of us with a bracelet with our name on it, a handmade doll, and some other braided bracelets. It was a touching moment. Leaving the kids was tough. We were attached to them, and they were attached to us. Several of them followed us all the way down the hill just to spend a little more time with us before we left. After a quick trip to the market, we loaded onto the bus and headed off to Quito. We ate in a rather nice restaurant tonight named “La Choz” where we enjoyed llapingachos, churrascos, and many different types of juice. Some of the boys were tempted to try the pig’s feet, but Edi (who is coming to help with the youth conference) discouraged them. Phase two of our missions trip is about to commence as we head to Mindo tomorrow for the youth conference. Praise God for all of our new brothers and sisters in Christ that are in the village and for our safety thus far.
Sarah
Tuesday 8-4-09
Hello to our home team,
Yesterday morning was a typical affair, in which we did our devotions, we ate, and we were ready by 8:30. As we were going up the hill, many children were eagerly awaiting at the summit of the mountain. VBS was quite entertaining, gallivanting around with the children, playing pato pato ganzo, and soccer. It is a privilege to be able to spend time with such innocent, loving children. The morning construction crew helped out by making more concrete for the floor of the community house. (Mixing concrete involves getting wheelbarrows of rock, wheelbarrows of sand, and a 120 pound bag of concrete all turned together with a good sampling of water. This is mixed together with shovels, pickaxes, and grubhoes.) During lunch hour, some of us hiked in the mountains. We saw some waterfalls, some rivers, and some sweet cliffs. Afternoon VBS went as well as the day before, and it was encouraging to see that the kids really understood, and really listened to the Bible lesson. We taught them how to play frisbee and elbow tag. The construction crew in the afternoon was amazed to see how great community participation is. Kyle, Gordo, and I (Sarah) felt awful as we watched the Quechua women who had just gotten off work completely take over the concrete making process, and refuse our help. It was a real lesson in humility for us as we examined our hearts to see our motives for serving the San Luis de Pigulca community. After we left the village, we had a reunion with our friends for the past two years. It was great to see the youth group from the Otavalo church. We had a pizza party with them, and afterwards we played soccer and had another jam session at the pavilion. I (Sarah) enjoyed seeing my friend Diana again, and was just as thrilled to practice my Spanish on her, as she was to practice her English on me. I (Matt) really enjoyed seeing Esteban and the other kids, and seeing how much they have grown up. They left with promises of seeing us in the morning.
Matt Heiser y Sarah Henderson
Yesterday morning was a typical affair, in which we did our devotions, we ate, and we were ready by 8:30. As we were going up the hill, many children were eagerly awaiting at the summit of the mountain. VBS was quite entertaining, gallivanting around with the children, playing pato pato ganzo, and soccer. It is a privilege to be able to spend time with such innocent, loving children. The morning construction crew helped out by making more concrete for the floor of the community house. (Mixing concrete involves getting wheelbarrows of rock, wheelbarrows of sand, and a 120 pound bag of concrete all turned together with a good sampling of water. This is mixed together with shovels, pickaxes, and grubhoes.) During lunch hour, some of us hiked in the mountains. We saw some waterfalls, some rivers, and some sweet cliffs. Afternoon VBS went as well as the day before, and it was encouraging to see that the kids really understood, and really listened to the Bible lesson. We taught them how to play frisbee and elbow tag. The construction crew in the afternoon was amazed to see how great community participation is. Kyle, Gordo, and I (Sarah) felt awful as we watched the Quechua women who had just gotten off work completely take over the concrete making process, and refuse our help. It was a real lesson in humility for us as we examined our hearts to see our motives for serving the San Luis de Pigulca community. After we left the village, we had a reunion with our friends for the past two years. It was great to see the youth group from the Otavalo church. We had a pizza party with them, and afterwards we played soccer and had another jam session at the pavilion. I (Sarah) enjoyed seeing my friend Diana again, and was just as thrilled to practice my Spanish on her, as she was to practice her English on me. I (Matt) really enjoyed seeing Esteban and the other kids, and seeing how much they have grown up. They left with promises of seeing us in the morning.
Matt Heiser y Sarah Henderson
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