Wednesday's Blessings

Like yesterday, today has been such a full, adventurous, non-stop, blessing-filled day that I don't really know where to begin or what to say. We have been immersed completely in the culture of Ecuador and the work of the Lord today. I have been filled to tears several times.

Let me start with those that went to the new site for the orphanage (where I was this morning). Our work included machete-ing weeds and shrubs, carrying buckets full of sandy soil to the second floor, using a two-man sifter to sift out rocks and pebbles from the soil (they use this to mix in a cement-type plaster), painting, sanding, stucco/plaster work, and a few other things. As you stand on the second floor of the facility-in-progress, you can look through the windows and see rain forest hills with a cloudy mist floating in and out of the trees. This property looks as if it's plucked down right in the middle of National Geographic.

Our orphanage workers divided themselves up between different age groups. The are so many more children than adult workers that our group mostly spent time simply holding and playing with the children that the regular workers couldn't get to. Remember that most of these children have physical and/or mental handicaps or have been abused. Those that don't get held or played with at the orphanage are many times simply left on the floor to tend to themselves, regardless of age or handicap. That may sound unloving, but they are so blessed to be here sheltered and protected!

Before we left Louisiana, we talked about fitting into their culture instead of trying to make their culture fit into our American expectations. This was a great lesson to learn, especially when working at the orphanage. During the morning one of the Ecuadorian workers told the toddlers to "Come on, we're going to play in the street." Of course, this would be Susie and Pam's group... the school teacher and nurse...used to orderliness and cleanliness! I'm sure their eyes were wide as they planted themselves right in the middle of the street and shooed the kids out of the way when cars drove by.

Both construction and orphanage folks met back at the guesthouse for lunch, practiced several of our concert songs, got our VBS stuff ready, and walked to the church. We had even more kids today for VBS...I'm not sure how many more we can handle. We've depended on the Whitehead family to split up and be our translators for each group...along with Amber and Krisa. It's amazing how many words you can pick up when you're forced to communicate. (Today I learned how to say, "Get in line" and "Marla's crazy" in Spanish.)

After VBS we rehearsed for our concert, came home, went out to eat at an outdoor restaurant, came back to the guest house, rehearsed our music again, and then began the prep for a good night's sleep and VBS tomorrow.

Emma has recovered completely from her sickness (and her shots), and Norma and Teresa have recovered from their respective altitude and motion sickness. Thanks for your prayers.

These words I write seem so empty in comparison to everything we've experienced today, but I pray that God will use them to give you a little glimpse into what we're doing. I wish I could post more pictures but I'm limited to whose camera is available and what cords we have that fit. I thought I would be able to post some video, but this computer is restricted to what can be done.

Tomorrow will hold even more adventure and ministry, as five of us will get to fly deep into the rain forest and meet villagers from the Warauni (sp?) tribe, and then tomorrow night we hold our concert. Please continue to remember us in your prayers!