This month finds me in Quito, Ecuador, which is nestled high in the Andes Mountains, so it’s pretty cold here even though we are on the Equator. And after what we’ve deemed as the “Endless Summer Tour,” the brisk weather is a welcomed change. It’s “All Squad Month” again, so all 34 of us are staying in the same place, but each team is doing separate ministries this time around.
My team is working with two ministries. One is doing manual labor for the Casablanca Guesthouse (where we’re staying.) We’re digging and hauling dirt, so they can redesign their fire pit. We are digging out a triangle plot that is about 22 feet on both sides to the point and about 3 feet deep. We put that dirt into feed bags, haul them down to the van, drive down the road (about 215 paces when walking,) and assembly line toss them up the mountain to dump them out. We have it down to about 10 minutes to fill and 10 to dump, and we average 7 trips a morning. In the afternoon, we work with Cumbre Alta, which is a sports ministry program that has a mens (18-40+) and boys (U-17) soccer team. They’re working on starting a women’s team. We practice with the boys team Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings; the coach has us play 5-on-5 with them. We’re also going to be painting the locker rooms at their field this week. We’ll be going to their games too. On Fridays, I get to go with a different team and work at Camp Hope, which is a facility for individuals with mental and physical disabilities. I’m thankful that my team allows me to go serve here. It’s like the work I did back home, and I really enjoy being able to do this kind of work again.
All Squad Month will end on August 18th because parents are coming in for Parent Vision Trip. The Racers who do not have parents coming are going to do ministry in Banos, a town about 3 hours away that week. Those who have parents coming will stay here in Quito for ministry. I am excited for my mom to come experience a week of life on the Race. Please be in prayer for all of the Racers. PVT affects each one of us a little differently, whether we have parents coming or not. Pray for the parents who are traveling. Pray that all Racers and parents will be open to God working in their lives.
