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
Monday, July 6, 2009
''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.
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.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
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.
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
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....
Saturday, July 4, 2009
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!
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