As my time here in Ecuador is coming to a close, I thought it was about time that I shared a little about the people and places I’ve been serving.
IncaLink Casa Blanca
Out of all of the ministries, this is where I have spent the most time. We stayed at Casa Blanca for two months with Fabi and Mabe, helping to maintain and do projects on the property. Fabi and Mabe are my Ecuadorian padres and I love them with all my heart. Here I learned the importance of rest amidst chaos. Peace is something that I must seek out and create in my own life. I will be returning there for a week prior to my return to the states to take care of Covid tests, rest, and say goodbyes. Please be praying that this household would be filled with prosperity and joy for future squads that stay there.
Camp Hope
During our time at Casa Blanca, we went to Camp Hope twice a week and spent the day there. Camp Hope is a facility for kids with disabilities to learn, play, and get the help that they need. There are currently no children there and there hasn’t been since the country shut down over a year ago. The only people there were our friends Durga and Silvia, who were struggling to keep the facility running between the two of them. The most important lesson I learned is that many times I won’t see the fruit of my efforts, but that God is sovereign and anything I do for His glory will not be in vain. Please pray for all of the children and their families who are struggling at home and for those at Camp Hope waiting for their return.
Venezuela in Ecuador
We only spent two days working at Venezuela in Ecuador, but it was kind of a dream come true for me. I am very passionate about the Venezuelan crisis, and it was so humbling to get to be a small part of the solution. We spent those days painting walls for a new clinic so that Venezuelan refugees can get the medical help they need. It is one thing to know about the hardships, but it is another thing to look a person in the eyes as they tell you that if they tried to contact their family in Venezuela, their family would be tortured. I got a little peek into a bigger and more painful world. Please pray for blessings and life to just surround that clinic so the families getting help would know it is God that is the healer.
IncaLink Casa Elizabeth
Casa Elizabeth is a home also on the property with Fabi, Mabe, and Casa Blanca. It is a refuge for pregnant teens who have been turned out of their homes. There, I and a few of my other squadmates grew close with the family and all of the girls and babies. I had to process some loss, but it also came with so much joy and belonging. Please be praying for the girls who need a place to belong more than anyone, that they feel the presence and love of the Lord touching their lives.
Dunamis
Even though I spent only five days at Dunamis, it was probably the most life changing experience of the trip. Dunamis is a property up in the mountains that shelters and provides for girls rescued from sex trafficking. My heart was broken over and over as I spent time with the girls, hearing their stories, and realizing that they were still just little girls who wanted to play and laugh and be loved. Saying goodbye was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Their primary source of income is a greenhouse with 8,000 tomato plants, which is where I spent a good amount of my time working. I ask that you pray for these girls’ hearts, but I also invite you just hear some of these stories yourselves by finding Dunamis foundation on social media.
El Refugio
El Refugio, very true to its name, it a refuge tucked away in the mountains where they host camps and discipleship programs. Their mission is to bring people closer to Christ through being in His creation. I feel so at home here. I spend my weekdays helping the workers do maintenance on the property and I spend the weekends grooming overgrown trails with a hoe and machete. I have made some amazing friends with the interns who live on site. I have also had to push myself past physical and mental limits many times – which I love so much. There is so much serenity and laughter here that I will miss when I leave in a few days. I ask that you pray for wisdom and boldness to keep pursuing relationships here the best I can. I love the people here and I just want to pour into them as much as I can.
Thank you for your continued prayers and love. Blessings!
