“if I die, I better ‘die laughing’”
November 12th-17th
The final countdown. Here’s to the last week of ministry. Walking into our first day of ministry at Pan de Vida feels like yesterday. This week of ministry consisted of three main things; rocks, dust, and floor ball.
On Tuesday, we woke up and took the long bus ride back to Ventanilla again. This time we were working with a YWAM ministry called Estación Esperanza. (Hope Station) We arrived, ready to plant trees for the community. However, plans changed a little bit and we moved rocks all day. It was hands down the hardest manual labor we have done on this trip. We had to scoop rocks into bags and move them down a hill, up another hill and into a large pile. That is what we did all day, it was grueling and taxing work. Not to mention, it was hot as heck outside. At the end of the day, one of the ladies in the community bought us jello. I am not the biggest jello fan, however receiving this gift meant so much too me. This lady used her little money to bless us and show us how much she appreciated what we were doing. That humbled me and I appreciated the work we were doing a whole lot more.
On Wednesday, half of us went up and on the side of a sand dune dug holes. We dug holes for the bushes we were planting. The morning consisted of us digging holes and building a barrier at the top. In the afternoon some of us went back up to the hill and planted the bushes. While the rest of us were at the bottom helping sand and paint rocks.
It was not as strenuous as Tuesday, however it was still hot and the sun sure does take a toll on your body. We also had the opportunity to play a game known as floor ball with the kids in the later afternoon. It was fun and the kids sure do get into it.
On Thursday, we arrived with tired bodies ready to serve. Rob informed us that we would be cleaning in the morning. Over the last few days, the community we have been working with was getting hot water heaters installed into their homes. This created a ton of dust, which needed to be cleaned. We began the day cleaning and trying to scrub walls and such. It was a ton of cleaning, which we didn’t even come close to finishing. In the afternoon, we rounded up kids and played games with them. This was a late night for us, we didn’t end up leaving ministry until 6 and getting home at 7:45. Our bus ride home had to be the highlight of the day. We are convinced the bus driver and attendant were both on drugs. This dude was driving like he was in a Fiat, not a large bus. We were laughing so hard at the whole thing, Our fear of death was coming out in laughter.
On Friday, we went right back to cleaning. It was another full morning of cleaning. It was very dusty and took a quite a while to scrub walls and tables. In the afternoon we went and rounded up kids to play a game known as floor ball. It was a game that is a mixture of soccer and hockey. It was really fun and the kids really get into it.
On Saturday, half of our team went to help kids read and help act out stories. While the other half of us stayed back and cleaned. I was on the second floor, we washed and cleaned the entire kitchen. It took us forever, we had to wash and dry every dish. In the afternoon, we had the privilege of helping teach English to the kids of the community, Jules and I were at the Pronoun station. We had pronouns in English and they had to recite it in Spanish. It was awesome and I loved watching the kids learn! They really got into it and were asking us a ton in English. On Saturday night, we had our final team dinners. My Team decided to go out to Chili’s for dinner. We decided we were going to “dress to the nines.” Lets just say, I had my Chacos on. It was a great night full of laughter and a bunch of team fun! The members on my team are:
Emily-our fearless leader and popcorn/french fry lover
Ella-the queen herself and a crackhead
Abby-her full name isn’t Abigail and the most selfless.
Kelsey-tia and horse lover
Hannah- the adventurer and most patient person on our team
Destiny- the proud TexMex and Dr. Pepper lover
Desiree-the musician and pizza lover
Caroline- my favorite person to annoy and the best laugh
Emma Juliet- the biggest cheerleader and passion fruit lover
On Sunday, we woke up and headed toward a local church. Half of our team, went and worked with kids for the children’s service. They played games and did a mini lesson with them. While the rest of us had a worship sesh, in both Spanish and English. The worship sesh transitioned into the worship service. It was an incredible service, one of my favorite services of our time in South America. The worship gave me chills and the pastor preached out of Psalms. After church was over, we had a long lunch. After lunch, we picked up the floor ball gear and headed to a local park. As we began to play floor ball, I realized I was in my Chacos. I took them off and began to play. I thought we were playing kids, oh no, these were grown men. I ran around tearing up my feet being as competitive as possible. It was really fun and the kids and adults had a great time. It was a long day filled with tons of emotions. It was also the busiest week of ministry on the trip. A full week of us being able to serve with our whole hearts. I am super thankful this last week of ministry. I am also beyond thankful that we were able to do it with Team Selah. Team Selah is the 11n11 squad that is living with us for two weeks. I have enjoyed getting to know each one of them and hearing their stories. They have such wisdom and them taking time to pour into us was amazing! It was an incredible week of ministry that opened my eyes to how appreciated the work were doing was.
Thank you for taking the time to read this! I ask for continued prayer for me, as I have to make decisions in the near future. I ask for prayer for both of the churches in Ventanilla. I ask for continued prayer for the country of Ecuador, for God to restore the country. For God to bring his presence to the people! I ask for prayer for Dunamis and the girls they pour into daily. I ask for prayer for Gina, Dan, and Savannah that they continue to minister well to the girls as well as each team that comes to serve! I also ask for prayer for Camp Hope and that they continue to bless each child of God!! I also ask for continued prayer for Pan de Vida and the work they are doing there. Thank you and God Bless.
-Ben
