Cuenca Ecuador
Hello everyone, Here’s a late Thanksgiving blog about Ecuador. Late but i know it still deserves at least a short update on the month, for you to see how it was spent and things I’ve had to be thankful for. God is so good, when we take a moment to think about what we’re thankful for, the list is endless, right!
Ministry was working with Impacto Iglesia International Church in Cuenca Ecuador. Ill Start with our amazing hosts Bob??Lori Leek. Bob is senior pastor at Impacto. His passion is discipling / mentoring people.
They moved to a new location a few days prior to our arrival. So we got a whole mansion of a house to ourselves. Shared with a Venezuelan couple and their son. Bob’s taken the couple in to disciple them. That was the begining of our ministry to pour into them from day to day. We had fun being a big happy family, cooking and eating together.
A large amount of ministry time was spent at Pastor Bob’s Curbside Cafe. Just recently opened with the motive to employ some Venezuelan refugees and is currently employing the Venezuelan couple Bob has taken in. We spent our first 3 weeks organizing, decorating inside with road signs and car parts, and preparing whatever it would take for the day of Grand Opening. Including the construction of a promotional wheel to win discounts and prizes and will be used for different events in the futrue.
There’s also two other long term missionary familys from the states working with Bob. A young Ecuadorian couple, son in faith is associate pastor and daughter in faith is worship leader.
They we’re all a huge blessing this month. Very intentional with us, poured their knowledge and wisdom into us willingly whenever we got to spend time together.
Ministry also included english classes. Three days each week. Two classes a day with one at 3:00 pm and one at 7:00pm with two different age groups. We led the last couple of Friday night youth groups as well.
Spent two days in different locations in smaller indigenous folks villages, in the mountains. The first trip we painted the roofs, walls inside and out of serveral school buildings.
The second trip we set up a medical clinic for the day. Open to anyone who wanted to come get a check-up. There were vitamins provided, toothbrushes, floss, and many prayers were passed out as well.
Both these days we were accompanied by another missionary group from Oregon.
And both of the long term missionary familys that i mentioned earlier.
I was going to tell you about thanksgiving……ok then, just a little bit…
Thanksgiving just kinda came and went even though it was far from a normal one at home, surrounded by family ive grown up with. I happened to not even spend it with my team- Team Cafe. The people who I spend every waking hour with and have gotten to know very well and love dearly now.
Two days before thanksgiving I traveled with our team leader from Cuenca to Quito to where team Agua served for the month. I spent a good portion of thanksgiving day hanging out with her and her Venezuelan family in the city.
She then flew home from Quito for a friends wedding the night of thanksgiving day.
Im thankful i got to spend a day before, the day of, and a few days after thanksgiving with team Agua.
Im thankful I got to spend thanksgiving dinner surrounded by a community of likeminded young people who are passionate about following and serving Jesus. Team Agua also had amazing hosts for the month Fabi??Mabi.
Fabi is a great cook and did an amazing job with the turkey.The team ladies each made a dish including desserts so we had a complete gorment thanksgiving dinner.
Im thankful I got to talk to my family in the evening and all is well at home. Mom had amazing news announcing that the last fundraiser they did would get me nearly fully funded for this mission trip. What more amazing news could I want to hear on Thanksgiving day?! A few days later when the funds had processed I am within $473. to being fullyfunded!! Praise God!
Im so thankful to everyone who has decided to serve and help me take a part in this mission for Jesus.
At thanksgiving dinner we each shared something we are thankful at the moment, in the future, and the person beside us.
Before leaving Quito, Fabi asked us to share one thing that God has taught each one of us that month. I shared that through a bible study on Acts 5:1-11. I’ve been learning he’s been teaching me that he doesn’t want half hearted attepts in ministry or anything im doing on the mission field. He wants me completely commited, everything I have to give, not just part.
Keep praying for me and my team. Pray for our boldness and intentionality with people.
God Bless All of you.
