Saturday, June 22nd

Farewell Ninawachi (for now!)

Thursday evening after a wonderful dinner we once again met in the choza, this time not only for worship but also to take time to encourage each and every student and staff member at Ninawachi. One by one, a Daybreak team member would kneel before a student or staffer and affirm them, sharing with them what we saw God doing in them during our time together this week. It was a moving and emotional time for each of us as we got to speak into the hearts of our new friends. Following that, we had our final team debrief in the choza - which brought even more tears! - before heading off to bed. 

Friday morning at breakfast, the Ninawachi team surprised us by returning the favor, affirming each of us one by one as we had done for them the night before. Each of us was blessed and encouraged and we truly felt the love of Jesus flowing through them as they spoke to us. It was a magical time that left us all in tears!!

The rest of the morning was spent hurriedly cleaning up and packing, as a heavy downpour was likely to cause road blockages on the way back to Quito. We said our final tearful goodbyes and were on the road by 10:30AM. Sure enough, about 2 hours into the trip we were forced to take a looong detour due to a road closure, and we did not roll into Quito until almost 8PM. Huge thanks to Mark and Shawn, our drivers, for keeping us safe! We had some take-out pizza (which was divine) and then off to bed!!

Saturday morning we had a beautiful time of worship and Brian led a heartfelt devotion before breakfast. Then it was off to Otovala for some shopping in the market there. We all got some goodies for our loved ones back home! Afterwards Mark and Cheryl took us to a lovely restaurant with an amazing view overlooking the city for a late lunch, and we returned back to our hostel for a quick rest. Tonight we’ll be heading out for a little bit more shopping and dinner, and then we’ll have our final team debrief at the hostel. 

We wake up at oh-dark-thirty tomorrow AM for our early flight out. We are all so anxious to reunite with our families back home, but leaving Ecuador - and all the children, families, and Ninawachi students and staff - behind will be bittersweet for sure. Each one of us has had a life-altering experience this week, and we look forward to sharing with our loved ones at home in the days and weeks to come. If all goes as planned, we should be rolling into Daybreak in about 24 hours from the time of this writing! Please pray with us for safe travels!

See you soon!!!

VBS Pics

A couple of pics from VBS yesterday :)  Such a wonderful time with these kids and families.

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.

Tuesday, June 18th

No more bricks!!!

So thankful to God for the many ways he has blessed our team so far on this trip. Not the least of which is the blessing of finishing off the brick moving this morning!!! It was a total team effort! (Wait until you see pics of the enormous stack of cinder blocks we moved from one end of campus to the other BY HAND - ok, and maybe some wheelbarrows - but mostly by hand!) This was just one of many examples of the way in which our group has grown tightly together over the last few days. We watch out for each other, we support one another, and as we reach the midway point of our trip I think it is safe to say that God has established some deep bonds between us that will last far beyond our return to the States. But I think I speak for all of us that we are relieved to not have to carry bricks tomorrow! 

This morning in the choza Kelly led a fantastic devotional to set our minds on chasing after God’s heart today and everyday. After breakfast we hit the bricks, again working alongside the Ninawachi students and staff, who we’re all really starting to love. After lunch we were off to another community for VBS. Today’s VBS experience was a bit more challenging than yesterday's, with God granting each of us opportunities to show His grace, patience, and love to some wonderful little kiddos. 

A fantastic spaghetti dinner hit the spot after a long day, and then it was time for our evening choza session. Just like last night with Dale’s testimony, tonight it was Brian’s turn to use his story to reach into the hearts of both our team as well as those of the students. Our evening debrief was a beautiful time of affirmation and encouragement for all of us, and we head to bed this evening anxious to see what God has in store for us. 

Thankful to report that we are all still doing great, but we definitely earned a good night’s rest tonight! Please continue to pray for us, as well as for our brothers and sisters who are serving deeper in the jungle. We miss them dearly and can’t wait to hear all about their experiences when they rejoin us!!

Monday, June 17th

Monday, June 17:
Today we continued to help with the construction of a building at Ninawachi Missions School. Carrying blocks, dirt, and even peeling yuccas with the students and staff of the missions school helped build our physical and spiritual muscles! To serve in the beautiful environment of the jungle makes our work go quickly. We have experienced all the weather patterns of the jungle: rain, heat, cool/cloudy, and heavy rains. 
Our team is ready to continue our work bright and early tomorrow morning. 

In the afternoon, our multi-talented team members traveled to a nearby church to host a Vacation Bible School. From blowing bubbles to singing songs and making crafts, the smiles of the children crossed any language barriers. 

Our team has enjoyed the experience of gathering with the students and staff at Ninawachi in a prayer hut (the choza) located in an unbelievably, breathtaking part of the jungle. It has been amazing to see how the student testimonies and our team member testimonies have correlated.  In addition, the  worship songs, and prayers have brought us together in a way only God could have orchestrated. 

We are missing our team members that to go serve further in the jungle. But we know that God will be using them in purposeful ways.

Your prayers are valued by our team and the work here at Ninawachi. Please know that we are all doing well. You are lifting us up!

Peace,
Ecuador Missions Team

Sunday, June 16th

Day 3!

After a long day of flying on Friday, we had a good night’s rest at a comfy hostel in Quito, and woke for a lovely breakfast on Saturday. Afterwards we loaded up a van and a pickup truck with all of our gear and headed out for Huaticocha. The ride through the Andes is long but breathtaking, and we arrived safely at Ninawachi by mid-afternoon. For those of us who have been here before, it was sooo good to see Mark and Cheryl (and some other friends) again, and also to see the updates and improvements made to the campus by the students and missionaries here. The rest of Saturday afternoon was spent unpacking and settling in before attending the church service here. Angie and I were blessed to be asked to help lead worship, Amanda shared her testimony, and “Pastor” Shawn delivered a great sermon about preparing our hearts for Jesus. It was the perfect message for the night before the big celebration: the wedding of Santiago and Venita on Sunday!

So, today was wedding day!! After an early breakfast, the team got to work turning the campus - where during this time of year it rains  A LOT - into an outdoor (albeit undercover) wedding venue! Tasks were numerous and time was short, but the team worked incredibly well alongside the students and missionaries, and God held off most of the rain for a lovely ceremony! Afterwards we all got to serve the reception meal to 100+ guests, another daunting task at which our team performed admirably!

A bittersweet moment came when we said our temporary goodbyes to Shawn, Laura, Angie, and Mark as they headed out for the canoe trip deeper into the jungle, to bring the word and love of God to the un-reached villages there. They will reunite with us Friday afternoon. Please join us in praying for their travel and that God would give them each an opportunity to shine the light of Jesus for the people they encounter. We miss them already!

After another hard push to clean up the campus after the reception, the team got some downtime to recharge before dinner. Then it was time for our first time of worship and prayer in the “choza” (prayer hut) along with the Ninawachi students and missionaries. It is so moving to sing familiar worship songs alongside people singing in a different language! Wow! Justine shared her testimony and we heard the testimony of one of the students here as well. From now on we’ll be doing morning and evening sessions in the choza every day, and these times are always among the most meaningful experiences of every trip. (YOU should come see for yourself next year!) 

End of day 3! Tomorrow morning we’ll do some work at the school, where construction is underway on a new building, as well as the reconstruction of a large hut that should be very familiar to the 2016 Ecuador team! In the afternoon we will have our first experience doing ministry in a nearby village. Can’t wait to see what God has in store for us! 

We’re all plenty tired but everyone is doing very well. Please continue to pray for us, we covet your prayer support!!! Back with another update soon!

Joe (on behalf of all of us!) 

Arrival to Huaticocha and Wedding Preparations

Good Morning!
The Ecuador Team made it to Huaticocha last night around 6:00 p.m. and had a good evening together getting settled in.  Everyone is doing well.  They are busy this morning helping to prepare for Santiago & Venita's wedding.  Kelly said she will try to send another update later this evening.  Thank you for continuing to pray for them!

Robin (on behalf of the team)

Ecuador Team has arrived Safely

11:18 p.m.
Hi Everyone,
I received word from Kelly that the team has landed in Quito and everyone is feeling a little tired, but doing well.  Thank you for your prayers for safe travels.  Please pray for them as they now travel to the hostel where they will be staying tonight and pray that they can all get some good rest.  Thank you!!

--Robin (on behalf of the team)

And they're off!

God has provided all the necessary finances, they've got through all the preparations, they've been prayed up and now they're off! Keep this amazing team in your prayers this week as they serve in Ecaudor and stayed tuned for future blog posts. They will post as internet and availability allows. 

~ Jason Fickes

We are Ready to GO!!!

48 hours to go!

As I write our first blog entry we are 48 hours and 10 minutes away from pulling out of the parking lot at Gettysburg Pike, heading for Ecuador!! I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say I'm feeling mostly excited, but with a healthy dose of nervousness mixed in, and a deep awareness of the need to fully rely on God for our confidence as we go. Over the last few months, our team of 11 Daybreakers has shared some beautiful time deepening our relationships with each other and with God, and it's been amazing to watch our group draw into a close-knit team that is focused on Him as we go to serve in Ecuador. I am so excited to see what God has in store for us!

First of all, we want to say THANK YOU to all those who have been praying for us, to all those who supported us financially and in many other ways, and especially to those who will be called to serve sacrificially back here at home while we serve in Ecuador. None of this would be possible without ALL of you, and we will be praying for all of you on our trip! Please continue to pray for us as well!

How can you pray? Our team selected two "team verses" that we'd love to share with you, and ask you to pray over us:

"Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony." (Colossians 3:14 NLT)

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10 NLT)

We go to Ecuador clothed in the love of God, and in the love of the people reading this blog, and we desire above all else to bring that love to the people we meet in Ecuador. Over the last few months we have begun to truly see that each of us is uniquely shaped by God  and each of us has a unique God-given gift to share with the ones we serve. Our team consists of some first-timers, a few second or third timers, all the way up to some seasons Ecuador veterans, but we are all asking God to do a new work IN us as He does work THROUGH us in Ecuador. Pray that!

Practically speaking, it is our goal to keep the blog updated as regularly as time and energy and technology allows! Our days will be full and we might miss an update, so thanks for understanding!

Glory to God, thanks to all of you, the next post will come to you from a bit further south!!

Joe 

(on behalf of the team!)

Final Days in Ecuador

Last night the team all participated in tribal dances with the students at Ninawachi.   Today they will be traveling back to Quito, will get a chance to do some tourism on Saturday and then leave SUPER EARLY on Sunday to fly back home.
From the team..."Your prayers have carried us this week as we've learned more about God, ourselves and the people of Ecuador.  We are so excited to share with you all that God has done in and through us this week .  Please pray for safe travels.  We love you all!"

From the Ecuador Team (posted by Kelly)

Heading back to Ninawachi!

The team had an amazingly powerful time in Peas!  God's spirit was moving in a mighty way and He did some awesome stuff which they can't wait to share stories with you all when they return.  God gave them great favor!  Today they will be traveling back to the Ninawachi Mission School, but on the way back they will be stopping at a zoo for some fun!  From the team... "Thanks so much for all of your prayers for us along the way.  We've definitely felt and been bolstered by them!"

Posted by Kelly

Amazing Day in Peas!

Yesterday the team canoed into a jungle village called Peas to do some work at the church and do some VBS with the kids.  They shared with the kids (and adults watching) stories about how God's power was displayed in, through and around Moses.  Today they will be canoeing again into Peas to continue building relationships and doing VBS.   Be praying for the people in Peas to be open to God's word and that God's love is displayed through our Daybreak Team. 
The team is doing really well and have been safe while traveling to the different villages!

Posted by Kelly from the team!

Serving at Nunkwi!

Sunday afternoon the team had some fun getting to know the students.  The girls enjoyed making cookies with Dora  (one of the teachers at the Missions School) for Fathers Day and the guys played soccer and basketball with the male students.  Yesterday the team traveled to a village called Nunkwi on their way to another village they will be going into later in the week.  The team had another chance at Nunkwi to serve by preaching and sharing testimony at a church service.  Everyone is doing great so far!  The team appreciates all your prayers!

Posted by Kelly (from the team)

Sunday Worship in Ecuador!

The team arrived safely at Huaticocha yesterday and they are doing well!  This morning the team split into 2 separate groups and had the chance to serve at churches in different communities.  At each of the churches, one person on the team preached, one gave  testimony and the others helped to run the Children's Ministry.  It was great for the team to interact with the people and share their stories and lives with the church communities.  This afternoon the team will be spending time getting to know the students at the Mission School.  They are looking forward to serving them and serving alongside them this week.  Thanks for your continued prayers!

Posted by Kelly (on behalf of the team)

Team Arrives Safely!

Our team has arrived safely in Ecuador after a long day of travel. Thanks for your prayer for safe travels. Saturday will be an in country travel day as well as a day of orientation. We’ll be a part of a church service at the Missions school in Huaticocha on Saturday night where one of us will preach and one will share their testimony.

Thanks for your continued prayers!

(Posted by Kelly on behalf of the team)

Ecuador Team 2018 send off....

They are off!!!  This incredible group of 8 people are on their way to Ecuador to serve for 9 days in the communities in Ecuador.  We are so thankful for many of you who are praying for this team! 
Here are some ways to continue praying this week...

• Pray that the team would continue to bond to each other and grow deeper and more intimately connected to each other and to God.
• Pray that God would perfectly prepare the team for the ways he will have them serve in Ecuador.
• Pray that God calms fears and anxieties, and continues to make us flexible and surrendered to Him.
• Safe travels, they fly out today and return on Sunday, 6/24. 
• That Christ love will flow through them as they love the communities and the people of Ecuador well!
• Families back home while they are in Ecuador.  For spouses, parents, siblings, young kids. 
• That God will do an amazing work both IN them and THROUGH them. 

Thanks For Praying!

Kelly

Getting Ready to Depart

Our team is finding it hard to believe that we're only 9 days away from boarding a plane and heading to the jungles of Ecuador. As fast as the time of our preparation has gone, and as fast as our trip is going to get here, we're super excited to go and serve.

You can join us in praying for how God will use us while on the field. We've been praying all along that God, the one who ordained each of us to go, would prepare us in the exact ways He knows He wants to use us.

Our team verse is from Colossians 3:16a and 17. It says, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly... And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

We have a strong desire to let God use both our words and our actions to point to Him. We want the message of Christ and the love of God to permeate everything we do and everything we say.

Please pray for...
1. Safe travels - we fly out on Friday, 6/15 and return on Sunday, 6/24.
2. Team unity - we so desire our love for each other to show those we interact with who Jesus is
3. Families back home while we're there - we all leave different family - spouses, parents, siblings, and for some of us, young kids.
4. God to do an amazing work both IN us and THROUGH us.

Stay tuned to the blog for updates once we're on the field. We can't guarantee that we'll have internet access wherever we go, but when we DO, we'll be sure to post as often as we can.

Thanks for your support. We know full well that there will be moments on the field where God will work in a specific way simply because you were praying that way. So thanks for your faithful prayers on our behalf as we go.

~ Jason Fickes for the 2018 Ecuador Team

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