An Ecuadorian Mission Experience

Our last day of ministry kind of snuck up on us. I really can't believe that our ministry time is over, and we'll be heading home soon. We started the day out with pancakes! Rob is the best cook you can have on a trip like this! Between Rob's cooking and the local food, we have eaten so good.

The only downer on the day is that about 6-7 in our group got sick. We aren't sure if it is something we ate or a stomach bug, but it appears to pass in 24 hours (everyone seems a lot better Mon morning). We started the day off with Morning Prayer. It was our turn to lead it at Emaus, and we used Morning Prayer from the Australian Prayer book. Beaumont shared her faith story, and then I gave a short lesson on community. In America, even among close communities, the self generally comes first. However, in Ecuador, whether in indigenous cultures or in the city, community is the central focus.

The rest of the day was a work day. We cut rebar, hauled concrete block and more. It wasn't terribly difficult work, but we were helping lay a foundation and prepare for a new roof to be put on. I think the next group will be continuing that process. The concrete blocks are very different than our at home. They are much lighter, and they aren't as strong. Many broke while we carried them, and if you dropped one, it broke into a million pieces. If the concrete block in Haiti is similar (and I would guess that it is), I can see why the whole city fell apart in the earth quake. We ended up moving about 600+ blocks.

Between breaks, lunch, and after the work ended, we got to play volleyball, Ecuavolley, and soccer with the kids and others. It was a blast! They are really joyful, and they had an incredible time. We didn't get to do all of our crafts the day before, so we pulled a couple out and had crafts going on during the day as well. We made wire and bead crosses, and put hand prints, a cross, and the words, "Las Manos de Dios" on a table cloth (The Hands of God).

We closed the day with a thanksgiving service that was really cool. Lourdes, the priest, had a really cool service that she put together that mixed English and Spanish. She was really big into having the same prayer, in English and Spanish, read simultaneously. We were each given a red cloth square, and we were to write a prayer for Emaus on it. During the service, we pinned the squares together to form a cross on the floor. A crucifix icon sat in the middle of the cross. Then at the end, Emaus presented us with gifts (mugs and scarfs), and we were given our prayer back to take with us to remember Emaus and to pray for Emaus.

We were treated to dinner at Cameron's house in the evening. She has a close family friend who fixes the most incredible arroz con pollo! It was so good! Plantains and pineapple were served with it, along with two different fruit juices (passion fruit and mora...a fruit we don't have that is similar to blackberries). Then we closed the evening with debrief that was really cool and emotional. We did an affirmation circle, sharing really cool things about each other. It lasted a really long time and there were many tears!

Today is our last day. We are going to the market, the Equator, and then El Refugio. At El Refugio, we will get to do the most awesome zip line that I have ever seen (between two mountains), eat cuy, and do our final debrief. We will leave El Refugio and go straight to the airport. We will fly overnight, and we will see our families tomorrow!!!!!

Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers. We can't thank you all enough. Hasta luego!

blessings,
dorian