The day we have all been waiting for. We have arrived at our contacts house/church. Fernando is our contact. He and his family have opened their arms to us the minute we had arrived. The first thing they did is show us the place we will be staying so we could drop our heavy packs. Once inside our great accommodations so many people from the family, church, and community came to welcome us. I have never felt so much love in one room before. They gave us hugs, and kisses on the cheek. They had big smiles on their faces. Fernando and his sister in-law Joanna, have been so happy for our arrival, they said they had stomach ache’s because they were so nervous. We said don’t nervous we are here to help you. They just started to smile. They told us to unpack and get situated. The moment they closed the door we were jumping for joy, because we got such great people and a plus we are on top of a mountain, with a great view of Quito! We all couldn’t believe that we have finally made it. We took a tour of the place. The church is below we are staying. We go out our door and Fernando lives upstairs in the building across from us with his family. His sister in-law lives below him with her family and her father in-law. It’s a cute little community.
On the way to church in the morning, with our stuff.
Where we are living for a month.
A wonderful family.
Once we got settled Fernando took us to the site where we will be doing most of our ministry work. It was a little hard getting there because first we climb a very, very steep hill. Then we walked a little on the top, till we reached a road. Then we had to climb down. Let’s just say we took our time going down, because if we went fast we would have rolled down the hillside or fall. Once to the site, Fernando explained what had to be down. He said that they have wanted to build a church for 20 years, and that it wasn’t till 5 years ago that they started to plan it. We looked around and it was a pretty big size land, which was on a slop going down the hillside. We are to clear all the trash, grass, roots, and set down a foundation. They only have enough money to set the foundation. They need $40,000 more to finish. The church will be three floors. The first floor would be the temple/church. The second floor would be for Sunday school. The third floor would be a day care/nursery so parents could drop them off so they could go to work. He also told us we are the first missionary group to help with this project. We told him that we are honored to be the first.
Half way up the hill…really!
We walked back to where we stayed. Some of the young adults and youth were over and where making balonas con queso fried or fried plantains with cheese in the middle, to sell to the community for 50 cents. We went in groups to sell the balonas con quseo fried, with coffee which was very sweet. Kristen and I went with Abby, and her grandmother. We sold everything in two stops and made $8, which was very good. We went back to the house and Fernando and his wife invited us to eat at their house. We had plantains with cheese and pork in the middle. I took the pork one, because I can’t have dairy. It was very good, and tasted on the outside like fried plantains, like I have had before at home. They were very nice; they also gave us tea and coffee. Along with great bread that was hand made at the bakery. The bread is not like bread at home. It is so fresh and you can’t get enough of it. Joanna and Fernando joke that we will all get very fat with all the food we will be eating. They said that every night we will be going to a different family’s house and have dinner. They said we all should start working now with all the bread and rice we will be eating. We all just laughed, and looked at each other and said workout time. We are very blessed to have such kind and loving family to take us in. There are all very grateful for are help. We tell them ever time thank you very much for everything.
Fried green banana's (plaintains), with cheese and pork inside. Very good!
Quito at night. Yes, we are on a big mountain!
Handing out coffee and green banana's with cheese to locals.
Can not wait for more to come!!!
