Month 2, how did you get here so quick!?
When I am in the moment and at the ministry, time seems to just stop. But when I reflect on what has happened, it seems like time is flying by. It is crazy how that happens.
After a 30+ hour travel experience, which I loved by the way, my team and I have made it to Quito, Ecuador. We have been here for about a week now. We arrived in Quito, had one day of rest, and then jumped right in to ministry.
Ministry this month is with Pan De Vida (Bread of Life). This ministry is all about the mission that they have in place for their organization. They give out both food and the living food to survive on.
Pan De Vida is a non-profit organization that opens their doors to displaced families whom they call beneficiaries. Pan De Vida opens their doors basically every day, but the main days that they open their doors are on Sunday and Wednesday. On Sunday, the doors are opened for beneficiaries to come in for a service and a meal. They get to worship and hear a message and then afterwards they are served a meal to eat together. On Wednesday, the doors are open for beneficiaries to receive another service, and after the service, they are given a meal as they walk out of the door.
How has my team served!?
Our first day of ministry started on Sunday, so we arrived and immediately half of our team started helping in the kitchen and the other half went outside to help set up tables and tents to protect those eating from the sun and/or rain. Through this service, my team had the opportunity to interact with some of the staff and volunteers in the kitchen and outside.
The next day, Monday, we were given a full orientation of Pan De Vida. We arrived at the ministry and we were introduced to most of the staff and then watched a video of the ministry. (SEE THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG FOR MORE INFORMATION)
After the orientation, we were given an itinerary of the next couple of weeks describing what we will be doing for our ministry. (SIDE NOTE: this is a rare occurrence for the World Race, usually we just live on a day to day basis) Through this itinerary, we all were able to understand exactly how we can serve here at Pan De Vida. The main needs that this organization needs is for us to help them on Sundays and Wednesdays with the beneficiaries. But we are also here at this ministry to encourage the staff because they are amazing, and then to help them by organizing and cleaning the organization in whatever ways so that things can continue to run smoothly.
So far I have enjoyed helping and serving at Pan De Vida. I love that they are very task oriented and organized. But more importantly I have loved that this organization is very mission minded. Whether it is sharing the love of Christ with others or coming together to fellowship with each other. It has definitely been a blessing to help and work along-side a Christian organization.
One of my favorite things that I have enjoyed at Pan De Vida so far has been the 10-20 minute devotions every morning before we start working. These devotions are small but mighty. Arriving at a ministry and the first thing we do is worship in song and then worship in his word is so encouraging and definitely sets the tone for the rest of the day.
I can’t wait for the next couple of weeks here in Ecuador and at Pan De Vida. I have already experienced so much, and I know God has more for me to experience.
If you would like to know more about Pan De Vida, just click the link below and/or watch the video. This is an amazing organization, and they would love for you to follow them in any way.
