ECUADOR Blog
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Aaron Bunnell, Amanda Troyer, Ashley Nagy, Ben Buerling, Christine Lile, Cody Freeman, Conner Frank, Hannah Crabbs, Hannah Strong, Janaya Schmidt, Jessica Welsh, Joe Davis, Joell Maisano, Ryan Hughes
TEAM LEADERS: Jon Bucciarelli, Steve Garcia, Kate Garcia, Susan McMahon |
Saturday, June 27th
It is late, we have an early morning, and we’ll see you tomorrow!!! Because of these things tonight’s blog will be shorter.
Highlights of today included an incredible 2nd day of the youth conference. We weren’t sure if anyone would come back but even more showed up today. The kids were much more receptive to our team the second time around. Susan and Cody both had opportunities to share today. They both did great!
We prayed for a breakthrough with the guys and it happened! Ben Buerling shared his story and it really opened the other guys up. This moved into a Q & A time about some pretty raw things related to sexual purity.
Highlights of today included an incredible 2nd day of the youth conference. We weren’t sure if anyone would come back but even more showed up today. The kids were much more receptive to our team the second time around. Susan and Cody both had opportunities to share today. They both did great!
We prayed for a breakthrough with the guys and it happened! Ben Buerling shared his story and it really opened the other guys up. This moved into a Q & A time about some pretty raw things related to sexual purity.
- Be sure to ask our team about some of the questions asked and how the kids responded.
Following this time the guys huddled up and prayed for each other. On the girl’s side they went deeper from the previous day. The girls from our team really had a HUGE impact on the girls here in Ecuador.
We closed the night with one final group time and after many tears, we are now packing up and getting ready to head home.
My desire for you is that you will take all the bullet point questions from this blog, then discuss them with the person you are connected with on this Ecuador team. Maybe you can go out to eat after the airport or set some special time aside. I think it will be worth it!
We will see you at the Cleveland Hopkins airport Sunday night!
Today’s top 15 is located under the Photos link.
We closed the night with one final group time and after many tears, we are now packing up and getting ready to head home.
My desire for you is that you will take all the bullet point questions from this blog, then discuss them with the person you are connected with on this Ecuador team. Maybe you can go out to eat after the airport or set some special time aside. I think it will be worth it!
We will see you at the Cleveland Hopkins airport Sunday night!
Today’s top 15 is located under the Photos link.
Friday, June 26th
Today was the first of 2 youth conference days. It was quite a challenge. We really felt the language barrier today.
We played some games to get things kicked off. We did a skit and then I spoke. Most of these kids did not have bibles and by the looks on their faces, it didn’t seem like many of them heard of Adam and Eve before.
The topic we were given for today was sexual purity. It’s not exactly the easiest thing to jump into with a group of strangers, but this is what we did.
We played some games to get things kicked off. We did a skit and then I spoke. Most of these kids did not have bibles and by the looks on their faces, it didn’t seem like many of them heard of Adam and Eve before.
The topic we were given for today was sexual purity. It’s not exactly the easiest thing to jump into with a group of strangers, but this is what we did.
- Be sure to ask our team about the first lesson taught on…before our team took the stage. It was memorable to say the least.
As the day progressed the students warmed up to us. Joe Davis also had an opportunity to teach and learned quickly that our orderly American worship services are much different than what you experience in a foreign land. We did a great job.
We later broke the guys and girls up for some separate times. Hannah Strong shared her story and it ended up opening the Ecuadorian girls up to talk more. Thie girls had a real breakthrough today.
The guys stuck with David and Bathsheba. None of the boys would volunteer to act out Bathsheba’s role so Ryan Hughes stepped in. The boys whistled at him and said “guapa” which means pretty. Hilarious.
After serving everyone lunch and doing some cleaning, we had a late lunch ourselves. We sat in one of the most beautiful overlooks of Quito. We savored the moment by having some quiet time.
The day was really challenging. Ask our team about what was the hardest for them personally, and how they worked their way through the challenges.
We did another work project in the afternoon – tough manual labor, but even though we were exhausted, we knew it would bless the people.
Thanks for your prayers. We are still battling the health bug. One of our students had to miss today due to a sinus infection. They got some meds (Susan McMahon has been great with this) and they are on the upswing, but please continue to pray for health.
Also, you can pray for…
We later broke the guys and girls up for some separate times. Hannah Strong shared her story and it ended up opening the Ecuadorian girls up to talk more. Thie girls had a real breakthrough today.
The guys stuck with David and Bathsheba. None of the boys would volunteer to act out Bathsheba’s role so Ryan Hughes stepped in. The boys whistled at him and said “guapa” which means pretty. Hilarious.
After serving everyone lunch and doing some cleaning, we had a late lunch ourselves. We sat in one of the most beautiful overlooks of Quito. We savored the moment by having some quiet time.
The day was really challenging. Ask our team about what was the hardest for them personally, and how they worked their way through the challenges.
We did another work project in the afternoon – tough manual labor, but even though we were exhausted, we knew it would bless the people.
Thanks for your prayers. We are still battling the health bug. One of our students had to miss today due to a sinus infection. They got some meds (Susan McMahon has been great with this) and they are on the upswing, but please continue to pray for health.
Also, you can pray for…
- Our final day at the youth conference, for more breakthroughs
- That we would truly run after God with abandoned hearts
Enjoy today’s top 15 photos!
Thursday, June 25th
It is 10:30pm and from my room I hear a variety of sounds. Outside of my window on the deck a group of students are going over skits for tomorrow’s youth conference. In an adjoining room I hear a guitar strumming to some worship songs in Spanish that we plan on singing tomorrow. It is tough to prepare for tomorrow after a day of such rich experiences like today.
Wow. Our day began with prayer at the Extreme Response office with Dan Maloy. After orientation we headed to what has been referred to as the dump. Years ago this place was one massive trash heap, where families lived and dug through all day. Things have changed significantly for the better thanks to committed Christians who couldn’t stand to see this dump remain in its current state.
Wow. Our day began with prayer at the Extreme Response office with Dan Maloy. After orientation we headed to what has been referred to as the dump. Years ago this place was one massive trash heap, where families lived and dug through all day. Things have changed significantly for the better thanks to committed Christians who couldn’t stand to see this dump remain in its current state.
- For the complete story of how the dump works now, anyone on this team will be happy to fill you in. Please ask!
Our morning was filled with playing with the kids of the dump workers. Our students jumped right in and showered these precious children with love. We then served lunch to the 100+ dump workers. It was an incredible opportunity to show humility and dignity to Ecuador’s lowest of the low.
Following lunch we were brought to the trash piles where the people we just served worked. This was a very difficult experience. It affected us all in different ways.
Following lunch we were brought to the trash piles where the people we just served worked. This was a very difficult experience. It affected us all in different ways.
- Ask the person you are the most connected to on this team how it affected them.
I cannot even describe the smell of this place. It was unbearable at times. These scene was burned into our minds. I’ve never witnessed such a dirty job – but for many of these people, this is the best they could do and many honor God with how they do it. Still, it was tough to watch.
Following this moving experience we then had to transition into running a bible program for the kids of the dump. It went extremely well. We sang Spanish songs, did some simple skits and then led them in a craft about their worth in God’s eyes. They responded very well, and we were also able to be a blessing to the workers there. It was tough to say goodbye, and it was a very moving experience.
We closed the night by processing through our experiences and preparing for tomorrow’s youth conference. Here are some things you can pray for:
- A lot of nerves heading into tomorrow, that we would relax and be used by God
- That we would all continue to improve in our health
- Our translator is very nervous and talking about sexual purity is both new and sensitive to the Ecuador teenagers.
We have a top 15 today by way of photos. Enjoy.
Wednesday, June 24
Last night Booch and I discovered if you stand in a certain spot out on our 3rd floor deck you can pick up a faint wireless internet signal. It is just enough to give us access so it looks like we should be able to update the blog regularly. What a blessing from God!
Today was our culture day. We had 3 different orientation sessions: one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one at night.
Today was our culture day. We had 3 different orientation sessions: one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one at night.
- When you interact with the people on this team, ask them what they learned in these sessions about Ecuador, and what the 5 F’s are.
We have also gotten well acquainted with the ministries here in Ecuador and feel very equipped to start our ministry projects.
As part of our cultural experience we had the opportunity to tour around downtown Quito today. It was a fascinating look into the prevalence of Catholicism. Most of our team had some interaction with Catholics, but have never seen it on the national scale like this.
- Be sure to ask someone on this trip what happened to the guy in the senate who suggested separation of church and state. Here’s a hint, it didn’t go over so well.
We had a great conversation tonight about our day’s experiences. We have many prejudices bottled up inside, many fears, and many confusions. As we toured monstering cathedrals (even ascended to the top of one) it really brings to light the Apostle Paul’s words after he finished touring downtown Athens when he said “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.”
So even now as I am writing this blog our team is running through the program we are running for the children at the dump tomorrow. We are making sure our plan is culturally sensitive so tonight could be filled with some adjustments. Please pray for us that we not only present Christ well, but fully take in all that He has for us. From all that we hear, the things we will see and experience tomorrow will be pretty stretching.
As for the other things most parents like to hear ☺ - we are all eating VERY well and staying hydrated. The hostel we are staying in is really nice. The beds are comfortable, and if you’re lucky, hot water comes out of the shower head.
Some health issues have slowed our team down a bit. The climate seems to be affected some of us with sinus issues, but overall everyone is doing well. The main issue at this point is fatigue. We burned the candle at both ends in Tennessee, most of us didn’t sleep well in the plane, and we walked all over the city today. However, we expect to get to bed at a really decent time tonight. (It’s only 9pm as I write this, as opposed to 2am last night).
Please continue to pray for us. Here are a few things to guide you…
So even now as I am writing this blog our team is running through the program we are running for the children at the dump tomorrow. We are making sure our plan is culturally sensitive so tonight could be filled with some adjustments. Please pray for us that we not only present Christ well, but fully take in all that He has for us. From all that we hear, the things we will see and experience tomorrow will be pretty stretching.
As for the other things most parents like to hear ☺ - we are all eating VERY well and staying hydrated. The hostel we are staying in is really nice. The beds are comfortable, and if you’re lucky, hot water comes out of the shower head.
Some health issues have slowed our team down a bit. The climate seems to be affected some of us with sinus issues, but overall everyone is doing well. The main issue at this point is fatigue. We burned the candle at both ends in Tennessee, most of us didn’t sleep well in the plane, and we walked all over the city today. However, we expect to get to bed at a really decent time tonight. (It’s only 9pm as I write this, as opposed to 2am last night).
Please continue to pray for us. Here are a few things to guide you…
- Health for our team
- A good nights rest
- That our hearts would be prepared for tomorrow’s trip to the dump
Enjoy today's top 10 photos...
Tuesday, June 23
Hello from Ecuador!!!
It is 2:22am as I write this blog entry and I’m going off of about 3 hours of sleep so this is going to be a shorter post ☺
It has been a long day of travel – a 90 minute drive to the Knoxville airport, a 90 minute flight to the Houston Airport, a 4 hour layover and a 6 hour flight to Quito.
We are pretty spent but we are SO excited to be here. We all got our luggage, cruised through customs pretty quickly, and are staying in a beautiful hostel.
Tomorrow will be filled with orientation and getting acclimated with the new surroundings.
Please pray for good health, altitude sickness is our biggest obstacle to staying healthy so pray that no one would fall ill.
Internet access here is very sketchy. PLEASE be patient with us regarding updates. We will try our best to keep them coming!
Enjoy the day’s photos.
It is 2:22am as I write this blog entry and I’m going off of about 3 hours of sleep so this is going to be a shorter post ☺
It has been a long day of travel – a 90 minute drive to the Knoxville airport, a 90 minute flight to the Houston Airport, a 4 hour layover and a 6 hour flight to Quito.
We are pretty spent but we are SO excited to be here. We all got our luggage, cruised through customs pretty quickly, and are staying in a beautiful hostel.
Tomorrow will be filled with orientation and getting acclimated with the new surroundings.
Please pray for good health, altitude sickness is our biggest obstacle to staying healthy so pray that no one would fall ill.
Internet access here is very sketchy. PLEASE be patient with us regarding updates. We will try our best to keep them coming!
Enjoy the day’s photos.
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![[the chapel]](/templates/cha02_za_page/images/chapelbug.png)
