Hola Amigos!
Today we awakened to another beautiful day in Quito! I am writing this with the help of Cameron, Kelly, and Eric, so we are going to start by talking about their most exciting event of the day.
There are two dogs here at Casa Blanca. Roxy is a German Shepherd who is very old and friendly. The kids all love Roxy, and Roxy loves all of them. And then, there is Peggy. Peggy is a Bassett Hound, who is a new mother of 5 puppies, and has not been kind or friendly... Peggy needed Jesus. Peggy has forced all of the kids into trees or onto swingsets multiple times.
At some point last evening, Peggy experienced life change. She awoke loving the kids, and this has brought great joy to the younger contingent of our team. Thanks for praying for life change!
Everyday we have had meaninful times of worship and challenge, and today was no exception. God continues to grow each of us as we learn how to love each other so that the world may know that we are His disciples! We spent the morning working here at Casa Blanca, and finished painting the house with gasoline and wax. Sound crazy... we agree! But apparently, it is Ecuadors best defense against the ferocious Ecuadorian termite.
We also did yard work around the property. It is truly a breathtaking place, and that is not because of the altitude. There is a snow covered mountain peak that is across the valley from us. It is at 18,000 ft, and we just saw it for the first time today. Because it is so high, it has been in the clouds all week!
After lunch, we finished the work, played a bit, took a short siesta, and then went to a home for seriously handicapped children. I dont exactly know how to describe the afternoon we spent with them, other than to say that all of us were humbled and blessed. Youll have to hear more about this one when we return. We returned this evening for a great dinner, and a time of worship and encouragement. I believe everyone is going to sleep well tonight!
On a personal note, I am so proud of all of the kids who are along this week. They are all stretching and taking risks, and God is rewarding them for it. Im proud of the adults for the same reason. God is so good!
And for those of you who are reading this who love and care about BETH and KRISTEN, would you please note that they need to be picked up SUNDAY NIGHT at Daybreak between 7 and 8pm, not Monday night. There seemed to be some sort of miscommunication on this issue, and for some reason they dont want to sleep at the church Sunday night.
Thanks for your prayers! Please continue praying... we all would love to finish well.
I love you Jenny, Julia, Beano and Polo! Your brother and I cant wait to see you. See you Sunday night!
Ric
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Women's Prison and Orphanage Visit
Buenas Tardes, Amigos! Wow! What an amazing journey this week. Yesterday we visited the women's prision in Quito and had the opportunity to join a Bible study with a few of the English speaking women in the prison. Probably one of the most interesting things about the women was that they weren't just from Ecuador. These women are also from Nicaragua, Romania, Lithuania, and in trying to find a better life for their family, turned to drugs or protitution. These women were so open to listen to the Bible and hear about Christ, it was wonderful. We also learned that our intern Gustavo is an amazing singer!
Today we visited the orphanage where the women's children live. Another fantastic day, but we are leaving pieces of our hearts here in Quito. The children loved to sing songs and color. They especially loved playtime! We brought a football and the children had so much fun learning how to kick it and play the game. Sidewalk chalk was also a new found favorite among the children, the amazement of something that actually writes on their sidewalk was simply wonderful to the children. Our students have stepped up on these visits and explained the Eternity bracelets to the children.
This morning we visited the equator. So cool, my new name is Bill Nye the Science Guy because they have science experiments that can only be done at the equator. It is really cool! Their toilets flush the opposite way in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere. Go flush the toilet, ours at home will flush counter-clockwise, down here it's clockwise - that's awesome!!!!
Words can't begin to describe our time here in Quito. Getting past the culture shock and the simplistic sewer system, we are realizing the impact this is having on our lives and the lives of others- and it is fantastic. The students on our trip have amazed us with their grace and compassion while visiting the orphanages. Apparently "playing" is a universal language that children and adults speak.
We'd like to say thank you to Matt for writing our last blog - Thanks Mateo! Sadly enough, we are still not roughing it - except for the fleas, and covering a wood house with gasoline and wax. The food has been exceptional every day and the women are starting to wonder if we will remember how to cook when we get home. We are missing our families and we can't wait to see everyone.
Love you all, Kristen
Today we visited the orphanage where the women's children live. Another fantastic day, but we are leaving pieces of our hearts here in Quito. The children loved to sing songs and color. They especially loved playtime! We brought a football and the children had so much fun learning how to kick it and play the game. Sidewalk chalk was also a new found favorite among the children, the amazement of something that actually writes on their sidewalk was simply wonderful to the children. Our students have stepped up on these visits and explained the Eternity bracelets to the children.
This morning we visited the equator. So cool, my new name is Bill Nye the Science Guy because they have science experiments that can only be done at the equator. It is really cool! Their toilets flush the opposite way in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere. Go flush the toilet, ours at home will flush counter-clockwise, down here it's clockwise - that's awesome!!!!
Words can't begin to describe our time here in Quito. Getting past the culture shock and the simplistic sewer system, we are realizing the impact this is having on our lives and the lives of others- and it is fantastic. The students on our trip have amazed us with their grace and compassion while visiting the orphanages. Apparently "playing" is a universal language that children and adults speak.
We'd like to say thank you to Matt for writing our last blog - Thanks Mateo! Sadly enough, we are still not roughing it - except for the fleas, and covering a wood house with gasoline and wax. The food has been exceptional every day and the women are starting to wonder if we will remember how to cook when we get home. We are missing our families and we can't wait to see everyone.
Love you all, Kristen
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
First Orphanage Visit
Buenos Noches Amigos!
We had another amazing day here in Ecuador. Today we made our first visit to a school for orphans. The children were beautiful and gave our team much love and affection. We were able to sing songs of praise with the kids, perform a drama about Jesus, do crafts, and provide lots of attention and playing outside.
Our entire team was challenged in different ways at the orphanage and God did some amazing things for each of us as we were all able to feel the love of Jesus and stretch ourselves in ways we didn't think we could. The students were exceptionally amazing today. All of them found ways to interact with the children and provide them with so much love and joy.
The service projects continued today as well. The students held a car wash day and cleaned all of the missionaries' cars. You should see the shine on the cars and the nice clean tires! The adults continued our work in the "upper house". We are treating all the wood in the house for termite control. The treatment involves a mixture of wax and gasoline which creates for a very unique work experience. But we are all choosing joy and know that we are providing a valuable service to the wonderful people here at Casa Blanca!
Please continue to pray for our team's health and safety. Our team members have experienced some incredible God moments. Please pray that God will continue to build our team members up in more amazing ways than we could possibly imagine. God is doing some indescribable things for our team members. Please pray that everyone will continue to be vulnerable and open to what God is trying to do in their hearts.
Tomorrow we are headed to a women's prison for a Bible study and praise time.
Thank you for your prayers and support. We feel your love all the way here on the equator!
We had another amazing day here in Ecuador. Today we made our first visit to a school for orphans. The children were beautiful and gave our team much love and affection. We were able to sing songs of praise with the kids, perform a drama about Jesus, do crafts, and provide lots of attention and playing outside.
Our entire team was challenged in different ways at the orphanage and God did some amazing things for each of us as we were all able to feel the love of Jesus and stretch ourselves in ways we didn't think we could. The students were exceptionally amazing today. All of them found ways to interact with the children and provide them with so much love and joy.
The service projects continued today as well. The students held a car wash day and cleaned all of the missionaries' cars. You should see the shine on the cars and the nice clean tires! The adults continued our work in the "upper house". We are treating all the wood in the house for termite control. The treatment involves a mixture of wax and gasoline which creates for a very unique work experience. But we are all choosing joy and know that we are providing a valuable service to the wonderful people here at Casa Blanca!
Please continue to pray for our team's health and safety. Our team members have experienced some incredible God moments. Please pray that God will continue to build our team members up in more amazing ways than we could possibly imagine. God is doing some indescribable things for our team members. Please pray that everyone will continue to be vulnerable and open to what God is trying to do in their hearts.
Tomorrow we are headed to a women's prison for a Bible study and praise time.
Thank you for your prayers and support. We feel your love all the way here on the equator!
Monday, June 22, 2009
WE HAVE ARRIVED!
Hello Friends and Family! We have arrived safe and sound in the beautiful city of Quito, Ecuador. We had a great day of travel to Ecuador with only a 15 minute delay in Miami. All of our first time flyers had a grawesome (great + awesome) experience! We were greeted at the airport by our friends Mark and Cheryl Shafer and taken to Casa Blanca. We are not roughing it here at all! Casa Blanca is a beautiful property with lovely gardens and even a basketball hoop! We are all sleeping well in the cool evening weather in our bunk beds under warm wool blankets. On our first day we were honored to be invited to a wedding at a small village in the mountains. The ride through the mountains was absolutely breath-taking. Words can not describe the countryside. We saw a volcano and snow capped mountains too. We were immediatley greeted by the bride and were given front row seats with her family for the service. The service was an amazing experience for all of us and we will never forget it.
Today we start our first day of construction on Casa Blanca. We will be painting and staining part of the propety walls.
Please continue to pray for our team as we adjust to the altitude. Also pray for us as we seek to hear the voice of the One we love the most. We will try to update you soon. Thanks for all your love, prayers and support!
From the Team by Cameron & Deb
Today we start our first day of construction on Casa Blanca. We will be painting and staining part of the propety walls.
Please continue to pray for our team as we adjust to the altitude. Also pray for us as we seek to hear the voice of the One we love the most. We will try to update you soon. Thanks for all your love, prayers and support!
From the Team by Cameron & Deb
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
We leave on Saturday!
This is Daybreak's first family short-term team, and we leave on Saturday morning! We are 6 adults and 5 students, and we can't wait to partner with the workers in Quito, Ecuador. We'll be gone from June 20-28, 2009, and we hope to be able to update this site as often as possible so that all of you know what is happening and how you can be praying for us.
Thanks for all of your support and prayers. We could never do this without each of you on our team!
The Ecuador Team
P.S. If you would like to come and send us off on Saturday morning, we are meeting at Daybreak at 5:15 AM.
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