“There’s no shadow you won’t light up, mountain you won’t climb up, coming after me. There’s no wall you won’t kick down, lie you won’t tear down coming after me” -Reckless Love
I cannot believe that I have only been in Ecuador for one week. It feels as if I have been here much much longer, which is probably because I have been with this group of amazing individuals for 2 weeks.
Ecuador is beautiful. I am so very much in love with the mountains that surround Casa Blanca, the guest house where we are living at this month. The weather is perfection, no humidity, and my favorite temperature range (60-75 degrees F.)
So what does Ministry look like?
We are working with two organizations: Pan De Vida and Camp Hope. Both are full functioning organization, which means that the work we are doing helps to provide a break for the people who work long hours at these wonderful places.
Pan De Vida
Pan De Vida is an organization that provides meals for families, along with providing worship/ God’s word, micromanaging (to help individuals start their own business to provide for their family), and more. We volunteer here twice a week: Sunday around lunch time, and Wednesday for dinner. My job this week consisted of greeting the families as they come in and assisting at the hand washing station. I have met so many beautiful faces and have been challenged in the way of communication. After all the families enter, I assist in the Kitchen in whatever way is needed. A group from Oklahoma Baptist College was also volunteering this week before venturing to their next destination. The families are sweet and so thankful for this organization. I get many hugs and interactions with the adorable children. It warms my heart every time we meet these families outside of ministry, just watching their faces light up. Oh my heart!
Camp Hope
Camp Hope is a home for children with disabilities, serving as an orphanage and a daycare. The age range is (infant – 30ish). This place brings so much joy but also many challenges as we have 2 communication barriers. We Volunteer here Monday-Friday. This week Megan and I was on Kitchen duty. It’s been so much fun, as the cook speaks very little English and we speak very little Spanish, that being said, as we continued throughout the week, our communication has gotten better.
Jobs this week included: Washing/Squeezing Lemón, Washing/Cutting/Mashing Apples, Peeling Carrots, Dishes, Cracking Nuts…so many nuts, Sorting Potatoes…just ask to see the video…it’s was an experience. And helping prepare for an open house show that they will be preforming soon.
Both organizations are beautiful and I love all the interactions. The number of times I have said “no hablo Espaniol.” Or “No Se” has been so numerous that I cannot help but laugh. My ability to decipher what is being said has grown even if I cannot speak it well.
We walk 1.1 miles to Camp Hope everyday, let me tell you about that elevation. Then we take public transportation to Pan De Vida. Both have been quite the experience. I almost got stuck on a bus while my whole team made it off. We get honked at just for being Gringos. I have also had the opportunity to run because some of my awesome squadmates have agreed to venture out with me….as long as I don’t kill them. So many fun things have happened and I cannot wait to share my journey in person with you all!
Overall Quito has been great so far, God has so many wonderful and challenging moments in store for us!
Hope all is well! Much Love <3
