Changing Lives With A Changed Life

Today being my fourth day here in Ecuador due to a plane mis-hap I am loving every single second of it! Not only has being in ministry with the sweet children so amazing, but exploring the culture of the Ecuadorian people is so interesting.  What amazes me the most is how thankful and grateful the children are for everything they have.  Simple things like hugs and handing out balloons means so much to these kids because they have so little. In the midst of their poverty they care more about each other and their relationships then they would ever care about money or themselves.  For instance, when we were face painting today all of the older siblings and friends made sure that each other was assisted before themselves. Also, every gift that they received they shared with one another. This trip has really put my life into a new perspective! The preconceived ideas that most Ecuadorians have is that us Americans are rich and arrogant, which we are to a certain extent.  Being in ministry, we are trying to be the hands and feet of Christ, and by doing so not to make our name better, but for the people to know that Christ is ever present in everything.  Something that was amazing to me today was that we met another lady who is going through treatment for cancer and is extremely poor. She started telling me about how God has provided everything necessary for her treatment.  She was in tears expressing how amazing God has been in her life.  There is no doubt in my mind that God has put these two women with cancer in the my life during this trip so that I could share my personal experience with them, but also to learn from them.  We are coming so close as a team and I am incredibly grateful for each and every person that is here.  We are doing incredible work here and the love of Christ is showing through everything we do. Tomorrow we will be doing the church service at Carmen Bajo and then the Santo Domingo team will be departing from Qutio. It is very evident that your prayers for us have been answered in every way because God is doing wonderous things here in Ecuador!  Parents, prepare for many amazing God stories when we get back because there will be tons!!
Much thanks and love in Christ,
-Seneca Atwood