Seeing, learning, and loving

Saturday, June 9

Today is our fifth day here in Ecuador, and I absolutely love it! Words can not describe what we are seeing and experiencing here. God is doing amazing things in our lives, and also in the lives of the Ecuadorian people. Today we went down to the church in Carmen Bajo, and helped celebrate "Dia de los ninos" (Day of the kids). The church was decorated with balloons and ribbon, which we set up yesterday. We played with the kids, sang songs, performed dramas, painted faces, and just enjoyed each others company. Each child was given lunch, a gift bag, as well as a balloon. (which they loved I might add) It was a blast. The Ecuadorian people are so humble and thankful. The kids soak up every bit of affection and love they can possibly get. This was one experience I will never forget. I have learned so much on this trip that if i tried to tell you everything, you would be here for days. But i can try to give you a glimpse of what God has been teaching me. Going from the United States to Ecuador, I feel like I have been blind my whole life, and now I can finally see. All the time we hear of people being so poor they can barely eat one meal a day, or they live in tiny houses with cement floors. It has become a known fact to all of us, but truly you cannot understand until you see it for yourself. And the sad part about it isn't the fact that they have so little because honestly I envy them. They may be so poor that they don't know when their next meal will be, but they are so happy, thankful, and humble. Their faith is bigger then all of ours, and we thought we were the rich ones? I have never seen God more, or felt closer to God then I do right now. I love these people so much, and I just met them. Since I have been here I have not felt judged once.  I am so thankful for the time God has given me so far here, and I look forward to the time I have left. If you took the time to read all of this, then I only ask one thing. PRAY. Please pray for Allyson Kniffin, because she has an ear infection. Please pray for our team as we are traveling and trying to reach these people. And please pray for the people, that God may open their hearts.
                               
                                                                                           Con mucho amor,  - Kristin Dodd