Happy Fathers Day to all the Dad's back home! We have had a fun last few days. Friday all the teams were reunited in Quito and over the weekend we had a chance to share our God stories and praises. The Maderos/Sardines team had amazing dental clinics, finished details of construction, built a drainage system around the house to wick away water from the foundation, and enjoyed time with the children. The El Coca team painted, did youth workshops, and worked on cleaning up Elohim Foundation grounds. One highlight shared from El Coca was playing hide and seek with the children one night with glow stick bracelets. We laughed at the stories of chasing children in the dark as they watched glowing circles of light bounce around the jungle. Santo Domingo laid cement sidewalks, visited 3 public schools, worked on building a reading room at a public school, had 3 night services, and a VBS. The Quito team had a wonderful time with children in VBS, a very special visit to a nursing home, youth group exchanges, and painting the whole complex. All the groups returned joyful, full of praise, and overflowing with all the work God has done. This really is a remarkable group of students and all of us sponsors consider it a great blessing to be here with them.
Saturday we were involved in our last real ministry project as we had a play day and lunch with the children and their families. It is such a privilege to be with open, loving, appreciative people who have so little and offer so much. Many of us received gifts from friends we have made or have had from previous years. We are truly humbled. We finished Saturday with a visit to the market, Pizza Hut dinner, and finally a tour of the Historic District.
Today we shared a beautiful worship service here in the church and went to a very modern, lovely mall to eat lunch and allow the kids to shop. It was a little shocking to see the middle and upper class side of Quito since most people we have encountered are dirt poor. This evening we spent 2.5 hours sharing stories, debriefing, and sharing God's goodness to all of us. It was a wonderful evening of praise. We have only one full day left and it will be spent recuperating at a hot springs resort, high in the Andes.
1 Chronicles 29:14 sums up our time here in Ecuador:
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously
as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."
Full of praise and thanksgiving,
Zoe Schlenker
No comments:
Post a Comment