Goodbye Ecuador

It is now saturday morning and we left El Refgio where we have been for the last 3 days. We are now helping at our last ministry site called La Red. After we finish here we will be going to a local market to purchase a few items and then off to the airport. We will arrive in Los Angeles at midnight tonight and then spend the next 2 days for some R & R and some final debriefing with the team. This has been a trip of a lifetime for us and we are so excited to come home and tell everyone what God has shown us. Thanks again for your prayers and support. We will see you on Monday.

Off to the highlands

Yesterday was our last day in the village of Shandia. It was very hot and rainy, with morning fog covering the jungle floor. We spent the morning interacting with the kids from the village; learning spanish, teaching english and giving piggy back rides. We also built concrete forms out of trees that were cut from the jungle and mixed concrete for a second floor in the pastor´s home. The concrete is mixed on the ground and moved by means of a bucket brigade into the house and up ladders. Others of our team were involved in digging trenches for a septic system as well as helping to paint the outside of the house.
In the afternoon we hosted another day of VBS for about 30 kids. They are so enthusiastic and ready to be a part of anything with the gringos.
After the VBS we walked down the river to the house where Jim Elliot lived while he was in Shandia. A local lady (who was there while Jim Elliot lived there) told us very emotional stories of his ministry while in the village...quite a sobering experience after knowing the story of his love and sacrifice for the people.
Now the dreaded time had come. Time to say goodbye. We all had at least 1 or 2 kids who have adopted us and wait for us when we get of the bus. More pictures were taken in the last 30 minutes than at any news conference in the U.S. Lots of hugs and kisses and sad hearts as we boarded the bus to drive back to Tena.
The people in Shandia have won our hearts, and we will not soon forget them.
When we returned to our hostal (as satan likes to do) we found that some items from our bags had been stolen while we were gone. However, our spirits are still good and we are focusing on people and not things!
Today we will go to El Refugio which is 6 hour bus ride into the highlands (11,000 ft) where we will be for the next few days.
The team has been amazing!! They have worked incredibly hard in whatever they are doing, and have all gotten out of their comfort zones in amazing ways. I can´t say enough about your kids and how proud I am of them. Thank you for letting us embark on this experience together. We have grown closer together and to a new appreciation of how God works.

Until the next post. Goodbye from Brian for the team!!

In the jungle the mighty jungle

Well we made it to the jungle (Tena) on Saturday night after 6 hours on the bus driving through the Andes mountains. Roads that are not for anyone who gets car sick with narrow bridges a few mudslides and views that can only be described as breathtaking! Saturday night we went to Shandia to meet the people and kids who we would be working with for the next few days...an experience we will not soon forget.
Sunday we went to Shandia which is the village where Jim Elliot was based. We were a part of the service on sunday at the church singing in spanish and the indian language of qichua. They sing from their souls in a way that brings a smile to anyone who hears it. After church we drove 2 hours to the Napo river and road in 2 wooden canoes to a wildlife sanctuary where monkeys ran wild and we were introduced to animals of the Ecuadorian jungle. This was truely an amazing experience.
Today (monday) we drove back to Shandia and spent the morning helping the village with a couple of work projects. Part of the team sanded the outside of a building that was to be painted and the other half of us dug sand out of a river with buckets and then used wheel barrows to deliver it to a construction site 1/4 mile away. After lunch we went swimming in the Napo river with the kids from the village which was quite an envigorating experience. Then back to the village for VBS full of songs in spanish (songs about cold frogs in the river), bible stories and crafts that the children loved.
This village is full of welcoming people that mob our bus every time we arrive and depart. Goodbyes take 30 minutes every time.

We are truly having the trip of a lifetime!!! We have seen so much and the team has done so well. We are all learning more and more spanish and some Qichua; we have given more piggie back rides than we can count. We saw a grasshopper today the length of your hand, a spider the size of your hand and held a goliath beatle ( something that can only be described as looking like a small rino).

Everyone is healthy and happy. Thank you for your prayers and support. Addios from Ecuador.

Cultural Day in Quito

We began our day today with an orientation to the ministries of Youth World to learn about all of the ways that they are ministering to the people of Ecuador. After that we had lunch at a local resturant then were off for an amazing day taking in some of the cultural sites of Quito today.
We went to tour the Basilica del Voto Nacional which was began in 1892 and is actually still under construction. This quite the experience, as we were able to climb to the top of the bell towers which were 250 feet above the ground below.
We then walked through old town which has so much old world architecture and streets that make Summit Park seem like a walk in the park. Our walk ended up in a plaza that is surrounded by yet another church, city hall, the palace of the arch bishop and the presidential palace. After some history about the country of Ecuador we walked up to the presidential palace to take a picture with the guards and we were asked if we would like to tour the palace. This was the first time that any group with youth world has ever had this opportunity, and it was incredible. This palace has been in existence for over 400 years and was filled with history and culture.
Tomorrow we will get on the bus with our driver Julio and he will take us 6 hours into the jungle to the town of Tena where we will stay for the next 5 days. We may not have an opportunity to update the blog while in the jungle but will try do so when we get back.

On the right side of this page are a few more pics of the last 2 days. Thanks for praying for us, we are learning a lot and having a blast.

We are here!

We have arrived in Quito. Almost 24 hours, 3 flights, 2 fantastic airline meals, 1 nearly lost bag. Most of us were able to get some sleep on a couple of flights, but are looking forward to a bed tonight. It is very cool and cloudy here which we are told should be the norm. We just finished getting settled in the hostel where we will be for the next two days and will be having dinner at a leadership training center for former street kids. Cell service is not quite working how we had anticipated so posts might be less frequent...but we are here and we are safe. thanks for your prayers.

fun fact of the day: The Quito runway is the shortest international runway in the world, which translates to a very, very fast landing! Fun, Fun.

July 8, 2009 They're off!

The team left this afternoon at 3:45pm after prayer and good byes.

Permission Form

As was included in the letter last week, we just found out that you need a letter from both parents that is notarized stating that you can leave the country with me. Kevin and Debra have the letters - make sure and have that done next week and give it back to Reeses.

Final preparations

Hey guys, time is winding down and we are getting closer to our trip! Some more information to think about this year.

Yesterday was the deadline for your money to be turned in. If you have not turned it in, PLEASE DO SO TODAY! If you have questions about your balance call me and I will help you.

Teresa found a place to buy used scrubs for $4 per pair. These would be a great option to wear in the jungle because they are light and will pack easily.

If you have not finished your vaccines, you need to do that no later than next monday June 15. Also make sure that you have an up-to-date card with all of your shots recorded. You will need to carry that with you while we are on the trip.

When you are packing make sure that you pack all of your medications in your backpack, in case your luggage gets lost.

If you have not brought your passport in for us to make copies, you need to do that this week as well.

These are very important details that cannot be overlooked, so please be diligent about getting these things done.

Thanks,

Brian

Next meeting

Hey guys, the adults just met this afternoon to talk about the trip and cover some details. We are all very excited for the trip! Our next meeting will be next Sunday, May 31 after the second service. We will be using this meeting to prepare some materials that will be used for teaching and serving kids while we are in Ecuador.

We will meet in the loft until 2:30pm and will provide lunch for you.

You need to bring your passport to this meeting so that we can make a copy of it.

We also need your parents to come for 30 minutes so that we can give them some important information about the trip.

Final amount for trip

Hey guys, I just wanted to give you an update on the final amount that you will need for the trip. To cover the airfare, L.A. stopover and youth world fees each person is responsible for $1850.00. This amount is broken down as follows.

support from MLC $500
initial deposit $100
airfare deposit $500
support from letters $??? based on money personally received from letters
servant sale $125
rummage sale $??? based on total amount of money raised
car wash $??? based on total amount of money raised

If these amounts do not add up to $1850.00, then you will be responsible for the balance. This balance will need to be paid in full by June 7.

In addition to this you will need to bring cash for 7 meals while on layovers in airports. Keep in mind that an average meal in an airport costs $7-$10.

If you plan on buying souvenirs while on the trip you will need to bring extra cash for that as well.

You may now bring your money from support letters to me at the church office during the week or on Sunday.

Call me with any questions. Have a great week off of school!!

Reminder

Hey guys, just a reminder of updoming fund raisers. This sunday - please arrive at church at 10:10 am so that you can help run the kiosks for the servant sale and the rummage sale. You will need to be available for the rummage sale May 15 (3-7pm) and May 16 (6:45am - 2pm).

I also still need passport numbers and waivers for a couple of you. Those are now 4 weeks late, please get those in to me ASAP.

You may start turning in your money next week, that you received from your letters. Please do so in one envelope.

Have a great week!!

Next Meeting

Hey guys, just a reminder and clarification about sunday April 26. We do have a meeting tomorrow after the second service. Everyone needs to show up at 10:15 and hang out at the kiosk in the foyer for servant sale sign ups. I will be announcing the servant sale in both services hopefully we will get enough people to sign up to hire us all. Please pass this along - see you tomorrow!!

REMINDER

Just a quick reminder that if you haven't sent your letters out, you are 1 month late. Remember your commitment! :) Also your passport numbers and your International Teams waiver is due this sunday.

Thanks

Hey guys, just wanted to say thanks for a great meeting yesterday. I hope you all have a great week! Looking forward to our trip!

Hey guys here is a little video with some info on Quito which is where we will be for part of our trip. A reminder of our meeting on March 22, 12-2pm.

Just a test

Hey guys, because communication is so important and because I want you to stay up to date on all of this info, here is a challenge. The first person to text me the "operation ecuador july 8-20" will receive a free starbucks card!

New Ministry Info

I just heard from our in country contact and she has given me some new info about what we will be doing while in Ecuador! We will be working at 2 different orphanages, one in Quito and one in the jungle! I am so excited about these opportunities. I have been on other trips and worked in orphanages and it is so fun and so exhausting at the same time. These kids just want to have someone to love them and show them some attention, and that is what we will do. So...practice giving piggie-back rides.

By now you should have sent out your letters. If not please do so this week!

Remember our next meeting is March 22 after church.

Have a great week.

Time to mail support letters

Hey team, just a reminder that you need to finish your support letters and get them in the mail by the end of next week.

There are still a couple of you who have not turned in your $500 deposit. It is very late! Failure to turn in this money will result in forfeiture of your spot on the trip. Let me know if you have extenuating circumstances.

Have a great week!

Deposits, passport, vaccines

If you are not already in motion on your passport and vaccines you are behind schedule and need to make sure that you get those taken care of.

Also if you have not turned in your $500 deposit, it is 2 weeks late!!! Please get this in ASAP.

Flight Schedule confirmed

Hey guys, just wanted to bring you up to speed on our flights to Ecuador this summer. We will leave on July 18 at 6pm and return at 5pm on July 20...and all of this for $800.00!!! THank you God for providing this killer deal!! We will be staying 2 nights in Los Angeles on our way back to debrief and catch our breath.

Airfare reserved

Great news!!! I just reserved our airline tickets and for more than $300 less than we had expected to pay! Praise God. So we will leave on July 8 in the evening and return on July 20 in the afternoon. I will give you exact departure times a little later.

Hey guys, I hope you are all doing good! Just a couple of reminders - memorize Matthew 28:19-20, get you passport or update it, and get your shots.
Our next meeting is February 1 following the second service. We will be writing support letters and creating prayer cards so bring y0ur list of 20 names and addresses of people outside of the church so that we can mail letters to them.

January 11, is our first team meeting. We will meet from 12-2pm after church in the loft and begin our journey! Be there with your calendars and we will feed you.