Home again

3:00 AM...wake up! It was time to head to the airport. The team did a great job packing and preparing for the trip home and getting on the bus on time this morning. Sitting here in Connecticut, I cannot believe that 24 hours ago we were hanging out in the Herrmann's home in Quito reflecting on the week and anticipating saying our goodbyes to Ecuador and all of our new friends. We have been home only a few hours and already have looked through our pictures multiple times, commented on how thick the air feels, swatted at multiple bugs, and agreed that there is much to miss about Ecuador. The bottom line being this...relationship...with our team members, with the Herrmanns and all those we worked alongside this week, and with those beautiful children. We saw first hand this week that even in the bleakest of circumstances, joy and peace can be found in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Thank you for sharing this journey with us. As they say in Ecuador, "Chao"!

The Final Day

Hola,
Today was definately the most bitter-sweet day of the week. This morning we traveled to the equator where we strattled the Northern and Southern hemishperes and did the kick-line while standing on the Equator(with Mr. Murphy directing it all). After our fun jumping hemispheres we went to a little shop that gave us great deals on handmade clothing, jewelry and more. After eating some empandas and 80 cent ice cream, we made our way to the market. I am not much of a shopper but if I lived in Ecuador I think I would turn into a shopaholic. The vendors would give you one price and then after some bartering you could buy whatever the item was for about half the price, it was simply amazing...good thing I do not have a credit card. After spending almost two hours at the market, we headed back to the Herrmanns, however first making a special stop. We picked up twelve kids (10 of whom GBC will sponsor) and brought them back to the house. Before heading out to dinner we played some soccer,taught them how to play pool, made balloons and painted some of the kids faces. Then came the most exciting part of the night, going out to dinner. Katty told us that most of these kids had never been to a real restaurant before (besides the makshift vendors on the street). Almost every kid ate their entire dish, plus the leftovers of those who had not finished theirs. One little 6 year old boy named Jorge ate his entire dish of pollo (chicken) and two slices of pizza. Three kids fell asleep on the ride home and it was very sad to have to let them go back to their families. Yet the two hours we had to spend with them was some of the most fun I had all week. I am sorry to let everybody know that I really do not want to come home and that Quito, Ecuador has a special place in my heart. After spending two weeks away from home (last week spent at FCA camp) I have to say that I would still rather stay here. Yet I know God has a plan and maybe that entails going back to Quito or maybe an even better place is in store for me.

I just ask everybody to pray for us as we travel home tomorrow (our flight leaving Ecuador at 5 55 tomorrow morning), meaning an extremely early wake-up and I believe somebody said Sail Fest was tomorrow...so hopefully we do not hit that traffic.
Hasta luego,
Molly G.

Two Worlds in Contrast.

As we finished the last day of our shoe ministry, I had a hard time coming to grips with the fact that we have already spent 5 days here, and had given away the majority of our complement of shoes. As we wrapped up and put away all of our supplies, I found myself thinking of all the children that we had seen, and had not been able to help. That led to a number of us thinking and talking about the difference between the world we live in, and the world that we, the team, are now seeing around us.

As we compare our homes to the unfinished houses of cinderblock, rebar, and cement, our open lawns to either the cramped quarters of the poor, or the walled off enclosures of the wealthy, we found ourselves thinking about things that we take for granted in the U.S. Things that we viewed as near necessesities, essentials for living, now don't seem so important anymore. Somehow, a tripple mocha frappacino seems like gross excess after seeing people who sometimes have trouble getting enough to eat. I and others wondered how many people could eat well on our extravagances. And worst of all, we wondered how long it would be before we became numb to our experiences here, and continued to live as we always have.

As I wrap up my time here, I am experiencing mingled joy and sorrow. Joy for those that have been touched by this ministry. Sorrow for the many more that we couldn't. Joy for those kids who have come to Christ through this trip. Sorrow for the state they, and so many others, live in.


I pray that God will keep my memories of my experiences here strong in my mind, at that I will be yet more active in caring for those in need, at home and abroad.

Matthew Heyns

Last Shoe Day

It was both another wonderful day and very sad day. It was sad that our shoe ministry had to end today. We had to say goodby to all the people who helped make our jobs easier; the translators, the ladies who provided the water and helped with the sizing of the shoe.

Our whole group wished that we could stay another week and continue with our mission here. I think the saddest thing is that there is so much need and we could not provide for all the children here. After each day; there were still children who were unable to get shoes do to the limited number allowed at each site. It is very heart breaking not be able to help them all.

Each day brings it's own rewards. The smiling faces when a child see their new shoes. Sometimes the look on their face tells you that no matter how the shoe fits; it will be perfect. The children singing and praying in the spiritual clinic. The excitment and noise outside in the face painting and balloon making area. At the end of the day there is satisfactory tireness from knowing that we were doing God's work.

I pray that everyone at GBC could experince the joy of doing a mission trip. When future trip arises; please pray about doing it. Personally I know that I have grown spiritually during this past week. We had to put our trust in God to provide for all our needs each day.

Mateo

Hello everyone.
Today was a good day. I worked doing crafts all day, so making balloon animals, painting faces, and handing out lollipops. I painteds many faces, most of them came out not so good, but the children still loved them. When i was working on painting one boys face i turned around to put more paint on my brush and when i turned back around he was gone. so for the rest of the day there was a little boy going around with half a green circle on his face. Later on in the day Lauren didnt know how to paint a spider so i ofered to paint it. THe boy whose face i was painting was very cute. His name was Mateo. I painted the spider and he left. but later on i wanted a picture of him. and he posed for it. he pointed to his spider and turned his head so i could get a picture. after i took the picture he wanted to see it. so i showed him and it went on like that for about 20 pictures. Then we played for a little bit and he kept wanting his picture taken. and then we had to leave. so i said good bye to him and he said bye and then he hugged me. Then i got my stuff and went onto the bus. and then Mateo comes out side and runs like back and forth shouting "Chao" and it was so funny. then. and adult tried to pass him to me throught the window. but i couldnt take him with me. and then when we drove away he was crying. That was pretty much my whole day. Oh and one boy gave me flowers through the bus window. it was kind of cool. That concludes my day of crafts. Im looking forward to working in the spiritual clinic tomorrow. it should be great. well im all done here. so hasta luego everyone.
from rachel adams
P.S. Mateo is the little boy billy is holding in mrs. bakers blog post. and and hi mom dad cathy sarah john ingrid andres aunt martha kristin and family and aunt barbara and family and the rest of the people reading this.

More Adorable Children

Another day and another barrio of adorable children and I just can´t get enough of them. Children are the same no matter what country or socioeconomic group they come from. They love to be tickled and hugged and have someone play with them. These are the same in every language.

It amazed me that they would wait patiently in line for hours. Then they would cling to their new shoes while they waited some more for their turn to have their feet washed and have their new socks and shoes put on. After that we taught them about the love of God that was shown to them by Jesus´ death on the cross but I constantly felt that we were demonstrating Christ´s love by what we did. When we washed their feet, and rubbed lotion on them, lovingly placed their new shoes on and joined in their joy, gave them hugs, played with them in the courtyard with face painting, balloons and just running around with them, and giving them more hugs.

Some may say that what we are doing for these children isn´t much but I think that God will use it to make a big impression on them and they will remember the tangible example of God´s love. I must add that God has used these children to make a big impression on me, one that I will never forget.

Susan Baker

Free At Last y Pepito

Our ¨Free Mike G¨ campaign ended today with excellent news! Katty and Hermelinda went to the customs office and stayed until they were given Mike´s passport. They met us outside the church at the end of the day with the good news. Thank you for all of your prayers. Here is a picture of Mike with Katty (left) and Hermelinda (right) who went way above and beyond in their determination to solve this issue. Susannah from customs was a wonderful advocate...we are thankful for her.

One little guy we met today is named Pepito. He is about 3 years old and his excitement over getting his new shoes was so evident. He could not sit still in his chair while Mike scrubbed and treated his little feet. Pepito´s smile was bigger than any I saw all day despite coming in such a small package. He about leaped out of his chair to give Mike a hug once his feet were cleaned and his new shoes were on. I think I saw him float on air as he pranced away.

The days come and go and at the end of the day I find it hard to put into words the experience we are having. The depth of relationships here amazes me...people have so little and yet they are so rich in their love for one another. They are quick to give away hugs because that is all they have to give. And they receive what we have to give with such joy. One little girl today gave me the longest hug I´ve ever had and she whispered ¨gracias¨ in my ear. And I am sending that ¨gracias¨to you as well because I am just delivering what you have provided.

shoeshineboys

Salados de Ecuador, Familia y Amigos!

We spent the day in Sangolqui at Benedicion de Dios Church. I had the pleasure of working with the children in the capacity of feet cleaning and fitting the feet into new sneakers and socks. Typically, the children invited to the program are those who are affiliated with the church and invited ahead of time. However, there was a population of children invited today that had no connection to the church, but are well known in the community. These are the shoeshine boys. These are young boys, some appearing as young as eight or nine, who walk the streets with a shoeshine boxes, shining shoes for a few cents. Of course, these boys don´t attend school. Often they are totally alone. They might live with one of the older boys for a fee, or they might live with a parent)s) but are forced to be the ¨bread winner¨ and not allowed home until they´ve earned a pre determined amount of money. Despite this sad scenario, these boys, my first dozen clients of the day, sat down, grinning from ear to ear. They were excited and relaxed, having their filthy feet cleaned, creamed, and powdered. Words can´t express their delight with their new socks and shoes. Has anyone ever attended to them in this capacity before, given them such a special gift, in their short, bleak lives. Fortunately, when they finished with me, proudly walking away in their special gifts, they were able to hear of another VERY special gift...that of salvation. They attended the spiritual clinic, where they heard the story of creation )with a Spanish interpreter),the fall, and the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I was told they listened intently, elbows on knees, and even raised their hands when questions were asked. When the childen were asked to pray along if the wanted to pray to have Jesus take away their sins, many of them bowed their heads, folded their hands, and prayed along! What joy! I ask you to pray for these shoeshine boys, for their salvation, and for people to come into their lives that can love them, care for them, and walk with them.

Do you know when they left us to go back to work, they took off their new shoes and socks, put them in their pack, and put their old shoes back on!

Posotros deseamos sus oraciones, amor, y su apoyo.........Karen

¨´Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.¨¨

Playing With the Kids

We arrived in a neighborhood which we were told was not the safest in Quito. We walked off the bus to the stench of fish and various other interesting foods. The building was a little cramped but with the help of local Christians we got it running somewhat smoothly. My favorite job was playing with the kids on the roof of the building. We would play duck duck goose and other simple games that the kids really loved and would run around screaming and laughing. I could see that they were really enjoying the time playing around with us. I could see God´s love through the innocent children and hopefully the seed we planted through the spiritual clinic and other forms of ministry that did not need words will lead them to go back to the growing church and eventually find the Lord. Please pray for us and the children we hope to touch.

Mike M

''The day where sneaker¨rubber hits the road!

After a full day of washing kids feet, seeing them laugh when we massage their little feet with cream and then powder them up, it´s almost anticlimactic when you tell them that´s it, al fin, in Spanish. However, when they reach up their arms and give you a hug, and sometimes a kiss, there is an exhiliaration beyond compare. And then you turn around and the next child is sitting there smiling at you, clutching those new sneakers, waiting for their feet to be washed and powdered up too!

I asked a few others how they felt after the first day in the field. Karen Krug related how encouraging it was to see through the spiritual clinics that she participated in that many of the children had heard the Gospel before and that the children were actively engaged in the stories. She feels that our mission may have opened their hearts even more.

Matt Heyns says that he felt hurt for the number of children on the street who watched us leave as we filed into the bus. The lines of children wanting sneakers kept growing, but at some point we had to get onto the bus.

Susan Baker made a great point when she told me that you don´t have to speak the same language to make a connection.

Patty Giannattasio did manage to find a common denominator. Patty says that kids have smelly feet all over the world!

Personally, I find great humility in washing the kids´ feet. It´s not unlike the position Christ took when he washed the disciples´feet. Humility is certainly a good foundation for making human connections. The ultimate connection is a relationship with Jesus Christ. If we can help model this connection, like Susan Baker pointed out, where you don´t have to speak the same language, I believe we will have succeeded in our mission to Ecuador. Fred Neff 7-06-09.

FREE MIKE G!

Greetings from Quito!

Thank the Lord, we've arrived safe and secure at the home of our gracious hosts Steve and Micki Herrmann. Following a good night's sleep we began our day with a lovely breakfast featuring sausage gravy. Steve shared an encouraging message and Katty led worship during our at home service this morning. Productivity was at a high level as we prepared for the week's ministry. Shoe sorting, necklace making and practicing the presentation of the gospel to children were all accomplished. God has provided a wonderful time of fellowship and team building. Now to our most pressing concern. Please keep the return of Mike G's passport in your prayers. Katty is going to customs in the morning to complete the paperwork for bringing the shoes into the country. We already have the shoes with us, but we need to finalize the process to avoid paying any duty charges. All should go well, but Patty and Molly are brushing up on their Spanish should a long term stay be in their future. (just kidding) Por favor, libere Miguel! (see blog photos)

You brother and sister in Christ,

Connie and Eddie Murphy

Binnacle

GOOD MORNING all of you GBC fans,

Yesterday , Independance Day in the good old U.S. of A., after a relativly uneventful flight to Miami , except for the multitude of vacationers in either sailing regatta's or fishing party boats we observed from out flight down the N.J. coast, we arrived in Miami only to step off the AAL 737 into the 90% humidity of southern Florida. With nearly 2 hours before our Quito flight , we chatted ,
fellowshiped with each other ,ate,drank and watched for Mike and Ed as they took frequent head counts and hurded us to the right gate.

An on time departure looked promising as we boarded , but the cattle car atmosphere if the fully loaded 757,with a much closer seating arrangement everyone had difficulty stowing their carryon's
in the overhead compartments and in front of their seats, we managed only 20 minutes late on departure.

The flight down from Miami took us over the Caribbean observing the most gorgeous sunset reflected off pink towering cumulus clouds . A great dinner of either chicken or beef (arros con pollo or bisteak) , as the flight announcements were bilingual, was enjoyed by all.

Anticipating an ontime arrival in Quito , I was curious as to whether the cabin pressure would coincide with the 9000' altitude of Quito , but I noticed no difference. Word was passed to adjust our watches to 1 hour earlier , as Ecuador is on eastern staandard time , even though is is the same longitude as our east coast.

I also anticipated noticing the 9000' altitude as we stepped off the plane , but noticed no difference , except the delightfully cool dry mountain air. Sorry Franco
but I didn't faint...

As a group we waited until last to deplane , which was OK , because after sucessfully getting through immigration we had the unfortunate experience of a glitch in clearing our duffel bags of sneakers through customs. After a nearly 2 hour wait , and much prayer , Mike had to leave his passport as hostage. NO WAY Mike and ED would leave the sneaker bags as hostage.

Bt this time it was after midnight , and we gratefully boarded our bus for our 40 minute to our hosts beautiful hacienda. A brief time of fellowship,acknowledging
HIS influence in our brief airport glitch , we joined each other in a mornings snooze in our quiet dorm accomidation.

Anticipate Sunday's time of rest, delicious food, group devotions and reorganizing our precious commodity of footware (tenny's)for Mondays anticipated deliverance to the needy children of Quito.

HIS Kid, Binnacle

P.S. It's a gorgeous 70ish sunny day in Quito basin.

First NIght in Quito, Ecuador

When getting to Ecuador it was all smooth until we tried getting the shoes through customs. The people at the air port were giving us a hard time with getting the shoes in. Please pray that we can get the right papers so that Mike can get his passport back. Also pray for the rest of the trip in that it goes according to plans.

In Him,
Adam Peed

We Have Arrived!

It is 12:45 AM (really 1:45...) and we are in the Herman's lovely home. The day went well and we have much to be thankful for. Because it is late, our night time bloggers for the day have gone to bed. Adam and Binnacle will post their entries tomorrow morning. In the meantime, I will thank you all for praying - the shoes are with us; I will let Adam fill in the details tomorrow but will just say that after two hours, the Customs officials kept Mike's passport until they are satisfied with the paperwork that was provided. Please pray that they will return his passport in a timely fashion or we fear there will be a sequel to the "Left Behind" series. Everyone is doing well and looking forward to a day tomorrow to get our feet under us and rest up a bit. Until next time....

Checking In at LaGuardia

Things seem to be going smoothly for Team Happy Feet! Here's a picture of some of us after checking in with employees from American Airlines:

A big thanks to Donald Pontious with American Airlines, who has been an incredible help with every aspect of flying to and from Quito! First stop, a layover in Miami and then on to destination: Quito!

Almost at the last minute we discovered Ecuador has new restrictions with regards to bringing large amounts of clothing into the country. In order for our team to be able to bring all the shoes and socks we had collected, Mike traveled to Needham, Massachusetts to get approval to do so. Mrs. Beatriz G. Almeida Stein, the Consulate General for Ecuador in Boston, was extremely helpful in this process and we are extremely grateful for her assistance.

Al ultimo minuto descubrimos que Ecuador tiene restricciones nuevas contra la transportación de mucha ropa al país. Para asegurarnos que podríamos traer todos los zapatos y los calcetines que habíamos coleccionado, Mike viajó a Needham, Mass. para obtener aprobación. Senora Beatriz G. Almeida Stein, la Consulada General para Ecuador en Boston, nos ayudó muchisimo en esta proceso y por eso le damos gracias a ella.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR HAPPY FEET T SHIRT ON JULY 4!!!!

Next meeting: GBC on Friday at 6:00 PM. Please bring your carry on suitcase with you. We will pack those into the vans Friday night. TEENS: PLEASE BRING YOUR PASSPORTS ON FRIDAY!!!!

We will meet on Saturday, July 4 at 5:50 AM at GBC. Bring your small carry on (backpack or purse) with you. Senor Eduardo will be taking your bagel orders. :)

If anyone is available to help, Mike will be sorting and repacking shoes/socks/stuffed animals on Sunday (tomorrow) at 6:00 PM.

PRAY that we are able to get the appropriate paperwork that will allow the shoes to enter Ecuador.

A couple of things to remember to bring: extra glasses/contacts; plenty of tissues; hand sanitizer.

Have a great week!

Our next team meeting will be Saturday, June 27, 6:30 pm at the Baker's house: 45 Rhonda Drive, Mystic CT. You can check out the Quito weather on the sidebar. Looks like it is not much different than here lately!

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