I can’t say enough good things about the incredible work God is doing here through Pan de Vida. It’s been a blessing to work with them. With the variety of projects they are involved in every day for us has been a little different. When we first arrived we were helping build a house for a family in need. Some days we were serving meals at their food program, assisting their refugee programs, cleaning out and taking inventory of their tool shed or even helping with English at a local school they partner with. Some nights we‘d plan bible lessons and activities for the children’s program. So many different ways to serve and I’ve loved them all but my favorite day was last week when we helped with a christmas party!
A short term missions team came to Ecuador for a few days to put on christmas parties all over. One of those days was spent at with us at Pan de Vida. I know there’s plenty of controversy about short term missions but I just wish you could’ve seen what I saw. The impact it makes when people come for however brief a time. With love and resources to partner with ongoing local ministries is so good!
Together we packed and distributed bags of food, handed out operation christmas child presents, and set up carnival games/face painting/crafts. The smiles on not even just the kids faces but the adults too was indescribable. Laughing and playing games together, hugging and wishing each other merry christmas. Ugh so much love. Wrapping it up was worship and a sermon all about the birth of Jesus. At the end he encouraged people to open their hearts and receive the ultimate christmas gift of Jesus. So many hands raised up in the crowd as he prayed for them to receive Christ in their lives. So. Flippin. Cool.
