Thursday, June 20th

Thursday, June 20:
Yesterday was a long and tiring, but a powerful day for our team here at Ninawachi.
The AM tasks included weeding, fixing the chicken coop wiring, continuing to help with the new construction, and prepping food.
In the afternoon, we split up into teams and were partnered with missions school students and staff to visit children and adults in the local communities. We were humbled to be able to share our testimonies, pray with the people, and play with the students. There were even opportunities to be prayed over by the Ecuadorian Christians. 
Finally we attended and participated in a Worship Service at the local church in Ninawachi. It was another incredible time of worship with our brothers and sisters in South America. 

Today, we have had unique experiences in serving. Amanda, Brian, and Dale harvested cocoa and coffee beans as well as some other vegetables and fruits like yucca and bananas.  They got to taste fresh cocoa pulp and get some experience with a machete!
The cleaning team of Justine and Kristin were put to work washing windows, cleaning  floors, and other miscellaneous duties in the upstairs worship center.
Kelly was the kitchen helper today. She learned how to manually pluck corn kernels! No knife required for this task for the new sous chef.
Somehow Maureen got the bonus task of going grocery shopping with Cheryl. A trip to the nearby town of Loredo was productive and amazingly inexpensive by American standards. Fresh fruit and vegetables, local coffee, rolls and pastries and queso blanco were a few of the grocery items purchased at various market shops. 
Lastly we think Joe can now get employment with Gutter Man as he worked hard with the students to repair the gutters. The construction experience he has had this week will certainly be put to use back home!
We are getting ready to welcome back Angie, Laura and Shawn from their trip into the jungle. We are hoping the intense rain last night will provide high river waters to make their canoe ride home quick and safe!
We are packing our bag one last time with bubbles, crafts, lollipops, songs, jump ropes and other fun items for a VBS tonight. The smiles, hugs and energy from the children are just what we need to fill our souls and give us a last boost of energy for our final night at Ninawachi.