Sorry for the absence of blogs recently. Lack of WiFi and multiple travel days have been in abundance. But without further a-due, I would like to introduce to you, the Purdy’s.
I recently had the pleasure of staying with an American missionary family in Baños de Santa Agua, Ecuador. There was the top dog Sterling, his lovely wife Donna, followed by Isabella, Hayze, and sassy little Quinley. This family moved from Nashville, Tennessee down to Baños, Ecuador to start up a Hostal/backpacker ministry. While we were there, the Purdy’s blessed us with the comforts of a beautiful home, and delicious Southern cookin’. My taste buds danced with happiness as I ate their fabled smoked pulled pork sandwiches and blackberry cobbler. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. But anyways, back on earth, we were able to extend our blessing to the family while we were there. I was able to put my carpentry knowledge to use and build them a bed out of some beautiful local wood from the jungle. We also got to spend a lot of quality time loving and learning with the family. As they comforted and revived us, I believe we were able to do the same for them. The comforts of having others around who speak English alone is a tremendous blessing. Take that, combine it with some intense rounds of Uno and other fun card games and you got yourself a fruitful 2 weeks and a heck of a good time.
When we weren’t spending time in fellowship with the Purdy’s, we were working with the youth from the church. There would be nights where we would play games, have a time of worship, share testimonies, and have a teaching. On other nights we would spend our time getting whooped playing basketball and soccer. Hockey is my sport, and is very very far from being played down here. As if being the only blonde wasn’t enough, I also hadn’t ever played basketball growing up, so I was a fish out of water. But still, it was so much fun.
It was amazing to experience how this community in Ecuador does life, and to walk along side them in all they do for those two weeks. Someday we may meet again. But until then, stay classy Santa Agua.
