We have been here in Quito, Ecuador for a week now. The first week we are working with a ministry called Camp Hope. Insert web address here. It is a school for special needs children and adults. Ash, Rach, Linda, and Justin are in classes helping with care, crafts and games. Derek and Sarah are doing yard work and i am in the kitchen helping cook lunch. It is funny how I wanted to get away from cooking into missions and now I am cooking in missions. I am learning so much through my ministry though.
You see, the school, Camp Hope, gets their food for free. They either get it from donations or they go to the supermarket (SuperMaxi) and get the food that they could not sell because it is “spoiled”. Looking at some of the food they get in was a little stomach turning at first. This is because of the mindset that we have as first world citizens. We have so much and can afford to throw something out if it is not perfect. One mushy spot on an apple and the whole thing goes in the trash.
I have spent the past few days sorting potatoes, cutting corn, peeling fruits and vegetables, and some cooking here and there.. Some food does need to be thrown away, but most just needs washing and trimming. It was eye opening to me to see a little lady feed well over forty people with food that would have been thrown out, and feed them well.
The second day in the kitchen, I was peeling and seeding cantaloupe. Most of them were soft and had fuzzy mold on them. I would have never given it a second thought to throw them away, but I had to get the good parts out of them. As I was cutting away the outer skin I began to realize how much of the fruit is still good. Not just good, but excellent, because it is super ripe. It was some of the sweetest melon i have ever had.
After about half of the melons, my mind instantly made the connection to the special needs people we are serving. Most people look at them and see a bruised, broken, and spoiled exterior and throw them away. Some of the stories of how these young men and women ended up at Camp Hope is heartbreaking. One boy was found by the government in a pit chained up with someones pet cats. He was raised for seven years as a cat. He still has some mannerisms like cats. He will clean himself by licking. Another boy was dragged around by his prostitute mother to her jobs. One girl came in pregnant from abuse and was cast aside once she was found to be pregnant. These stories were very upsetting to me.
Many of these people have some of the sweetest personalities. You just need to look past the exterior that turns you away and discover the awesome heart and mind inside. Some of them are very funny and many can communicate needs without words. Each person has a distinct personality. Every one was created for a purpose by an all knowing creator. God has a plan for each one.
One girl in Rachel’s class blew us away. When talking to Rachel about her struggle with why she is the way she is, God told her “you are here to show others what it means to be in need.” Some people never know what it means to be in need and God revealed to her that her special role was to show others what it looks like to need. WHAT?!! Even someone with “limited” mental capacity has such a strong connection to God. What is my excuse for not hearing what my purpose is?
Each person on Earth was created in God’s image. We all have different appearances and abilities, but with the cleansing love of Jesus we all can have our rotten and ugly exterior cut away to reveal a clean heart. Jesus came to earth to allow all of us to have direct access and relationship with God.
It is so amazing to see what He has been doing around the world in my heart and in others. He has changed communities and entire cities. I cannot wait for what the next day will bring.
Thank you to all of my supporters. Keep praying for me and my team. I am doing really well in my fundraising thanks to all of you. With all my monthly supporters, I will be at approximately $14,700. That Still leaves almost $1,500 left to raise by the middle of December. If you want to help me get fully funded, I would love your support. However, I have a couple teammates that need to meet their October deadline. Please visit their blogs and consider helping them. Then after October you can help me meet my final deadline.
Rachel Krause: rachelkrause.theworldrace.org
Linda Sweir: lindasweir.theworldrace.org
They are an awesome and integral part of Team SOZO. Help them keep running the race for God.
