Goodbye, Esmeraldas
Sunday, August 17
Today was our last day in Esmeraldas – the green coastal gem of Ecuador. It is hard to believe that one week has passed and now we are leaving. This morning we went to the iglesia of the pastor who had hosted us during our stay in Esmeraldas. Everyone was involved in the service as each of us gave a little testimony of our favorite part of the week. Pastors Jacob and Salazar tag-team preached and all of us sang our traditional “Blessing Song” for the church. We were totally overwhelmed by the love and hospitality of the church and all they had done for us during the week. It was very difficult to say goodbye to the church and Esmeraldas. The pastor told Jacob that his church has had groups come and do building projects for them but this was the first time any group had come to Esmeraldas to build relationships with his people. He was very moved and challenged both his church and our group to not forget one another. One little girl clung and cried to me and would not let me go. My desire to return to Ecuador grows stronger every day I am here, even if it is just to hug this precious little girl again and to tell her that I did not forget her.
This church became our family.
After being sent off with blessings by the loving people of Esmeraldas we got on the bus to head back to Quito. It was an uneventful ride occupied by snacks, snacks, and more snacks! We also did more than our share of talking and singing, along with more snacking. It was also a good time of reminiscing about the week and what we had learned and would apply to our lives.
April's cute laugh can be heard from anywhere on the bus... even when she's hiding.
After about eight hours of traveling we arrived in Quito and happily put on sweaters for the wonderful cool, dry weather of Quito. It was so nice to not be sticky any more! We then stopped at a hamburger shop owned by a Christian American named Rusty. Have I mentioned that we’ve eaten a lot today?
Arriving back at La Casa del Padre in Quito. Anyone know who the shadow is?
Although there is sorrow in our hearts to be separated from the warmth and joy of the people in Esmeraldas we are again comfortably settled in our home away from home: La Casa del Padre, our lovely hostel here in Quito. May the Lord bless our remaining days here in this nation on the equator.
Kathleen – for the team
Hey, Josiah - check this out. Ben is sharing in front of the whole church! I told you...
Scenes along the way as we traveled back to Quito.
Ecuador is a land of natural color.
Bananas are everywhere! We even had tostadas made from bananas before we left the church. They were delicious!
Next year we're going to save money and just rent a truck. Who needs a bus anyway?
Even our translators were shocked at the poverty we saw from the windows of our bus.
A quick stop at a jungle gas station. You don't even want to know what the bathrooms looked like.
Photos courtesy of Laura Clawson and Christopher Schweickert.