First Sunday in Ecuador

Sunday, August 3, 2008

The first church service started at 8:00 AM; we arrived on time!The church where we are working has three services on Sundays.During each service we did a small presentation on what we would be doing with the children during the week.After the first and second service, we greeted everyone and encouraged them to join us for the week-long program.We met several of the children we would be working with.One little girl in particular that I met, Maria Victoria, was really excited about working with us, and she understands English!

After lunch we gathered all our materials and supplies for the program, and headed back to the church.We only had a short time to do our planning before the kids arrived.Jessica & I were on the crafts team, and by the 3rd class, we finally understood why the children weren’t molding and building things with pipe cleaners – they didn’t know what they were!My Spanish vocabulary improved with words like mariposa, caracol, and la corona!The snail (caracol) was my favorite one!

When we gathered for large group again, I could feel the energy in them.Jacob asked several of them what they had learned. I can’t stop praying for one little boy, Maher.He told us that he learned that God had a plan for his life.That was one of the most touching stories I’ve heard.When I talked with him today, he was still talking about it and overly exited about what God had taught him.The other children all had similar stories, and I can feel Christ’s love being poured out on all of them with whom we come in contact!We’re praying for many, many more!

April, for the team

One of our church presentations.

April and Maher

Photos courtesy of Christina Dickson, Laura Clawson, and April Luchenbill.