Chapel at Camp Chacauco
I have been a little quiet here on the blog this past month due to my trip to Ecuador. I left on my 11th trip to Ecuador the first of August for 8 days. After several months of preparation and fundraising, 12 of us headed out in anticipation of what God would do during our time there. We had been focusing on Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” I want to share that God really did more than we could have imagined or asked! He blessed in so many ways! God’s presence was so evident even in the smallest details of our trip. From the smoothest travel this year driving, and in and out of the airports, to guiding us through some health issues that some of our team experienced; God’s Hand of mercy and grace just seemed to be upon us in a powerful way. We were blessed to hand out Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes again this year, we led Vacation Bible School in the sweet community of Apatug again this year, and we were able to help some at Camp Chacauco where we stay. We spent time with our missionary Steve Thompson, and the camp staff all of whom we have come to dearly love! We’ve also made great friends from Texas over the past 4 years who we love! The following verse in Ephesians 3 says “to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (vs. 21). I would just like to say “to Him be glory!
Now for the picture overload…
Our first day in Ecuador with the city of Quito behind me.
Ecuador is a beautiful country with beautiful flowers.
beautiful waterfalls
rainbows
and of course, volcanos… This is the Tungurahua Volcano located very close to Camp Chacauco.
lots of farming – here, onions as far as you can see.
and quite possibly the biggest carrots in the world!
The following pictures are related to the different ministry opportunities of our trip.
Sunday morning worship in Ambato
Distribution of Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes in a community with no Christian influence.
Diana presenting the Gospel to the children receiving shoeboxes.
One of my favorite pictures from our trip -the oppportunity to share the Gospel that the
distribution of OCC Shoeboxes provides!
We had the opportunity to visit the seminary at Camp Chacauco. We have seen this seminary grow from the foundation up over the past 11 years. Although there is still some work to be done on the building and grounds, it is now a functioning seminary! Our missionary, Steve Thompson who designed the building, is standing in front in the picture. PESCA stands for Proyecto Evangelistico y Social Cubriendo la Amazonia (Evangelistic and Social Project Covering the Amazon Jungle.)
Steve sharing more about the seminary inside one of the conference rooms.
Sweet Jessica who handles all things administrative at the seminary.
One of the beautiful doors coming into the Seminary from the lower level.
Some of the work at the camp included the girls helping clean and organize the pharmacy, and the boys pouring concrete for a retaining wall. Pictured above is Emma from our group, whose nursing skills helped greatly with organizing of the pharmacy!
Andrea preparing some first aid bags to go to the jungle camp the following week.
Vacation Bible School in Apatug – We love the community of Apatug, and have been going there for several years.
the sweet children of Apatug
Spinners we made from repurposed cd’s! They make wonderful spinners!
We have seen these girls grow up!
Craft time!
Two Betsys – One from our group (left), teaching the Bible lesson, and Betsabe (right) from Ecuador, translating. We had the blessing of working with Betsabe last year and this year both!
The last day of VBS, our lesson was on Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. We were blessed to have around 300 pairs of socks to take with us this year, and following the lesson we washed the children’s feet and placed the new socks on their feet. This was one of the most special and meaningful times I have experienced in 11 years of going on “mission” to Ecuador.
Group picture last day of VBS.
When you have the opportunity and blessing to enter into partnership over several years , special friendships and “family” are the result. Pictured below are a few:
Mauricio- my adopted son!
Mauricio’s Mom – Mariana
Our dear friends – Esteban (not pictured), Diana & son, Pablito
Susana – she has been such a sweet blessing over the years!
A dear friend from Texas, Stacy!
New friends, Iveth & Lissette!
And our dear missionaries Steve & Carol Thompson (Carol was in the states with her mom). Steve sharing Biblical wisdom and encouragement with our group, and just the way He invests in our group during our time in Ecuador is one of the greatest blessings of our partnership!