Saturday, July 11, 2009
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"!
Friday, July 10, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
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
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
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.
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
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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.
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