Back in Quito

We have arrived back in Quito this afternoon. The trip took us 6 hours through very scenic mountainous country. The team was able to have great conversations during the trip. Even though we were traveling, it was a nice break from the busyness of traveling to Peas and Nunkwi, doing VBS, ministry, and interacting with the students at Ninawatchi.

God has definitely gone before us into every Community we were in. The relationships we developed were instantaneous. The children we ministered to definitely felt loved by our team. Every member of our team jumped into Ministry head first.

Everyone has been healthy, we have been eating extremely well.

We are looking forward to having a good night sleep tonight being prepared for painting a church in Quito tomorrow. Thanks again for all of your prayers and support. Love is sent from each member of the team to those of you who know.

Arrived back at the Missions School!

The team arrived safely back at the Ninawachi Mission School on Tuesday evening.  They were able to invest in and continue to build relationships with two communities, Peas and Nunkwi!  Scott says..." We are doing extremely well!  God is doing wonderful things in and through the team"!  On Wednesday the team divided into two groups and headed out to do VBS in two different communities.
(They are been having trouble logging into the blog to post anything,  but hopefully will be able to send me more information soon to share with you).

In my devotions this morning I came across this verse for the team today...

Psalm 5:11-12
But let all who take refuge in you be glad: let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.  Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Thank you for your continued prayers for the team!  Pray for continued good health and safety and that most importantly God is Glorified!

Posted by Kelly

Baptisms at Nunkwi!

A brief update...The team continues to be doing well!  Thank you to everyone for your continued prayers!  This evening the team was heading into a community called Nunkwi where Mark Shafer and Scott will be doing some baptisms.  Pray for this community as they hear the gospel and witness these baptisms, that many would give their lives to Jesus!  

I will continue to give updates as I hear...  Hopefully they will be able to give their own update soon!

Posted by Kelly:)

Made it to the Jungle!

The Ecuador team made it safely to the Mission School in Huaticocha yesterday where they had a good nights rest.  Today they headed out by boat to serve a community in Peas.  They will be doing VBS and building relationship with the people in that community.  Continue to pray for the team.  Pray for their safety and for the the people in Peas they will be serving for the next couple days.  When they return to Huaticocha they should be able to give an update on the blog.  Thank you for all your support for the team and for keeping them in your prayers!

Posted by Kelly

Arrived In Quito!

The team landed safely in Quito!  Stay tune for more updates from the team as they can...

Posted by Kelly

Ecuador Team Send Off Day!!!

This fabulous team of 9 Daybreakers' are on their way to Ecuador!  Be praying for them as they are traveling today.  They will do their best to update the blog as they can.  Thank you to everyone for your support for this team.  May God be Glorified this week in all that is said and done!

Posted by Kelly

Ecuador Team #2 Getting Ready to Leave on Friday!!

The time has come!  Finally after weeks of team meetings and preparation, this Daybreak team of 9 will be flying to Ecuador on Friday, June 30^th.  Once in Quito, we will travel to Huaticocha to serve alongside our international workers and the students at Ninawachi Missions Institute.  We are excited to have the opportunity to show God’s love to the adults and children in nearby jungle communities and even spend a day or two serving at a church in Quito.  Please, pray for safety and protection for our team during our travels to Ecuador as well as while we are there.  Please, pray that God will provide access to the communities.  We know and trust that God is already there working in the lives of the Ecuadorians.  But pray that God will continue to open doors to the minds and hearts of those we will be serving.  Please, pray for complete peace and good health for our team.   Thank you for joining our team on our journey to Ecuador and for all the support and prayers that you have already provided and will continue to do so.  We will try to update the blog as much as we can so be sure to check back for updates. 

Blog written by Laura Woltz

DSM Ecuador team home safely!

After an early morning and long day of traveling, the DSM Ecuador team made it home safely tonight.  Thanks to everyone who prayed and supported the team!

Posted by Kelly

Tuesday and Wednesday in Portoviejo

On Tuesday morning, we went to a home for senior citizens and spent the morning finding new and creative ways to communicate with residents!  We sang a bunch of songs, danced way more than any gringo should and attempted an unrehearsed dramatic presentation of David and Goliath.  (Not our best work, haha!) But I think the residents appreciated the effort and I was very proud of our students.  They kept trying new things and doing their best to connect and were rewarded with some special moments with the people we met.

Next it was off to see Montecristi, a beautiful mountain that is only a short drive from Portoviejo.   Though we didn't have time to climb to the top, we got to walk through the museum and take a few pictures.  And we left with enough time to go by the market to pick up a free souvenirs and then enjoy coffee and desserts at Dulce y Cremosa! ¡Muy delicioso!

Then Tuesday night, we had the chance to participate in a church service at a local church plant. They provided the worship and we did the rest.  A few of the students shared their testimonies and I had the chance to preach. We even attempted an impromptu performance of 10,000 reasons (there are 10,000 reasons we should never do that again!)  Nonetheless, the effort and attitude of the students couldn't have been better and we had an incredible night! 

Wednesday morning, it was back to the same community where we spent Monday morning and afternoon to continue moving dirt for the foundation of a porch.  After spending most of the morning doing that, we wrapped up our morning with machetes in hand, clearing more brush. It was hard work and we exhausted our water supply but the students served well and we are almost completed! 

After lunch and a brief rest, we headed back to the same community for vbs with the kids and we had a blast!  It was fun seeing the kids light up as they sang with us and watched the skit we put on.  We did crafts with them too!  We finished up by serving them dinner and a sweet treat for each of them.  We learned that kid's are kids all over the world.  They just need someone to love them!

Thanks for keeping up with us!  We appreciate your prayers and are so thankful for your support of our team! 

Monday, June 19 - Day one in Portoviejo!

Greetings friends and family!

We arrived in Portoviejo late last night on our third avianca flight in two days. As we disembarked, we headed to baggage claim and waited for our bags to arrive. As we did, I looked back over my shoulder, and i saw a familiar face smiling back me as he strode across the parking lot - Hunter Fell! (and for those that don't know Hunter, he is a long time daybreaker, former dsm'er and is presently interning with incalink, the organization that is leading our trip.) We were so excited to see him! He is such a blessing to this team and I am so thankful that incalink worked it out for him to be with us this week!

We are having a blast getting to know Pastor Percy and his family as well as some of the other students that are connected to their church.

Today, we went to work with machetes to  clear the bush on the road leading up to one of the communities where we will be doing vbs. We also did a lot of digging and moving dirt and rock in order to prepare for a new porch for a family that allows the church to use their space to do ministry for kids in the community.

We took a break for lunch and a bit of downtime this afternoon and then headed back in the late afternoon to the same community to lead a vacation bible school program for the kids there.

Then tonight, after dinner, Pastor Percy is taking us on a tour of the city.  We'll see the coast as well as a lot of the damage that was caused by the earthquake last year.

Thanks for taking the time to catch up with us.  I hope to update at least 2 or 3 more times this week so keep checking back.

Pastor Matt

Afternoon trip to historic Quito - Sunday, June 18

 Here are a few pics of our afternoon sightseeing trip to the Basilica in historic Quito on Sunday afternoon.

Traveling Day!

This morning a group of 8 DSM students and leaders left for Ecuador to serve for 9 days on the coast!  They arrived safely at the airport and should be boarding the plane as I am writing this blog. Thanks to all of the families and friends who have supported these students.  The team will do their best to keep you posted throughout the week.  Thank you for all your prayers!

Posted by - Kelly Argot (Global Ministries Director)

Update: We have arrived safely in Bogota and made it on to our next flight that will take us to Quito, Ecuador. We will update again when we arrive at Casablanca in Quito, our home away from home for the first night.  -Pastor Matt

Update:  We are now safely on the ground in Quito!!!  Ready to start our week here in Ecuador!

DSM Ecuador Team 2017

Saturday morning, June 17^th, this group of now eight students and leaders will be leaving Daybreak Church to get on a plane to Quito, Ecuador.  From there they will head to the coast to Portoviejo where they will be doing VBS, work projects and serving the community in whatever ways God has planned.  All the preparation with team meetings, writing support letters, team building activities, and prayer has been an important part in preparing the team to go and be the hands and feet of Jesus!  Please keep the team in your prayers.  Pray for safety as they travel; team unity; spiritual growth as they take their next steps in their journeys with Jesus and as they show the love of Jesus to the people of Ecuador!  Pray as well for their families staying home.  Stay tuned for the next blog update when they arrive in Quito, Ecuador…  Thank you for your prayers and support!