Since my last post my team has continued to preach and teach in different churches surrounding the Lago Agrio area. Some of these churches are deep in the jungle which has provided us with some awesome scenery. What is even more remarkable are the people within these churches. They are on fire for Christ and some even walk miles just to attend service. You can tell that these people are genuinely happy to be there and that they would do anything in order to know God more. We have had so many great experiences with our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Ecuador that it is hard to explain what the last week has been like. All I can say is that I have never been more encouraged and amazed at how God is working and moving in this country.
We have been blessed with the opportunity to live and share with this community. They have been so accepting and we feel as if we have been a part of this group of believers for years. This last week has been filled with visitations, prayer and a full day of celebration as we had baptisms on Sunday. About seven people were baptized in a local river (all of which were young teens). The day was also filled with soccer, volleyball and swimming in the river. It was such an awesome day of fellowship!
Now for a couple of quick stories:
The first comes while we were attending a church a little deeper in the jungle. We were eating lunch when Sixto told us to try some juice. It didn’t look that appetizing and it looked eerily similar to chicha (if you don’t know what this is, please Google it!). Because of that, we hesitated to try it but he kept on encouraging us. So, I took a sip and let’s just say that it wasn’t the best thing I ever had 🙂 We later found out that it was chicha! Now, Sixto enjoys joking around and telling people that we love to drink it and he encourages them to serve us some, lol. In addition to that, at that same meal there was a different looking meat next to the rice. We asked what it was and Sixto said it was “porky” (keep in mind he doesn’t speak any English). Well, I was starving and the “pork” looked awfully good. I ate the entire portion and it was delicious. The only issue was that it didn’t taste like any pork I had ever had. I asked Sixto once again what it was and he simply said it was “porky”. I was like “Okay, it must just be my taste buds”. Then, one of my teammates asked Sixto again what the meat was and this time he answered with “pig of the jungle”. Well, I don’t know about you, but “pig of the jungle” is a little different than “porky”, lol. It ended up being Guanta, which is some sort of jungle rodent. Either way it was really good!
On our off day this week we went to a waterfall but the interesting story is the way we got there. We began by riding on top of a ranchero (a local transportation truck) for about an hour until the end of its route. We then waited for about an hour to take a bus, but all of them were full. So, instead of waiting any longer, Ulysses decided to ask a guy driving a truck if he could take us, lol. We ended up riding in the back of a pick-up for about another 40 minutes until the guy reached the town where he was staying. This meant that we had to find yet another mode of transportation to reach the waterfall. We waited around some more and no buses showed. Finally, a vegetable truck pulled up and Ulysses asked them if we could hitch a ride the rest of the way. Long story short, we spent the rest of the way sitting on packs of vegetables, cold, and enjoying a World Race style transportation day. And oh yeah, the waterfall was awesome!!
Back of the vegetable truck
San Antonio Falls
This week we have been helping Ulysses at the KM-17 church. We have been working on a farm in the jungle clearing away brush so that their cocoa trees are more accessible. We also had church service by candlelight the other night because the power went out right before service began. It was a really cool night and it just shows how dedicated these people are at wanting to praise and worship the Lord.
In the Jungle
Night service at KM-17
Also, please be praying for a young man we have gotten to know at the church we are staying in named Alex. He and his dad were working on a car when the jack slipped and fell on the both of them a couple of days ago. Alex is doing well and out of the local clinic but his dad is in a lot worse shape. He broke both legs, six ribs, his arm, and his spine. They took him to Quito and the last we heard he wasn’t doing that well. I will be sure to keep you updated!!
Well that’s all! Below are some random photos from the last week. God Bless and I miss you all!
Playing with children in San Antonio
Turtle
Walking to get the fish for the baptism service
Riding the motorcycle with Luis
Preaching
Riding in the the back of a pick-up with Ariel
Rainbow
