Hola! As most of you know, I have been in Ecuador for almost 3 weeks now, and this beautiful country already feels like home. I want to give you all a glimpse into what my first month of the World Race has looked like thus far, and would encourage you to also check out the blogs of my teammates Eva, Zach, Nick, Karissa, Laura, and Angela for some different perspectives on Team Awaken’s first month of ministry!
This month my team and I have been working with Centro Opción de Vida (COVi), an organization that provides before-school and after-school care for kids and teenagers that come from low-income and high-risk families. If it weren’t for COVi, many of the kids we work with would be on the streets of Quito or trapped in abusive home situations. You would never know the amount of suffering these kids endure on a daily basis just by looking at them, though. From the moment we step through the gates of COVi to the moment we reluctantly head toward our temporary home here in Quito, the men and women of Team Awaken are greeted by the most beautiful, smiling tan faces you have ever seen. The hot Ecuadorian sunshine glints off of their big, brown pupils as they beg “Vuellllltas. Dáme vueltasss!” with a mischievous twinkle in their eyes. Seriously, how can you say no to faces like these?
COVi does so much more for these kids than bring in a bunch of gringos to play with them, though. In the mornings, we work with a group of younger kids while the older ones are in school, then around 12:30 they switch and we get to hang out with the older group. COVi is first and foremost a safe place for these kids – providing them with the time, space, and resources they need to work on homework, eat a good meal, and just be kids. None of the children of COVi are charged a single penny for the services they receive so everything is donated to this ministry from the food in the kitchen to the soccer ball that is rarely left unattended.
Our work at COVi includes helping Señora Maria in the kitchen as she prepares 75+ meals per day (plus snacks and fresh-squeezed juice!), heading over to the vegetable garden and weeding until are hands are black, entertaining the children with our broken Spanish and laminated pictures of all the gringos, and helping teach Bible lessons two days a week. Although I have never washed so many dishes in my entire LIFE, I am so in love with this ministry and the Ecuadorian staff members that make it possible. Walking out that gate for the last time on Friday afternoon just might have all seven members of Team Awaken in tears. Would you please join me in praying that we would be able to leave a lasting impact on this ministry even as we prepare to say goodbye?
I continue to be overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of spiritual, relational, and financial support that I have received from you all! It is already so apparent that I could not be doing ‘running’ this Race without you, and I want each and every one of my friends and family from back home to know just how important you all are to me and how much the Lord is using your love and support even across continents! From the bottom of my overflowing, Jesus-worshipping, joy-filled heart, THANK YOU.
Sidenote – I have already SURPASSED my third financial deadline of $11,000!!! How great is the Lord’s faithfulness in filling my life with such generous people! Next stop – fully funded!
With love and wanderlust (from the middle of the world),
Cassady
