They Look Like Missionaries
Saturday… it was a blur.
We headed to the school early in the morning to start our all-day kids’ program. Game teams, craft teams, and lesson team all kept the kids busy and happy as the whirl of purple, blue, green, yellow, and red groups rotated from one team station to the next.
I am so proud of this team! They have been used by God to show Christ's love to these kids in the midst of heat, dirt, and long hours… and it shows. As we said goodbye at the end of the day, the kids were clinging to us, asking for a hug over and over again, getting our signatures on their bandannas, and in no hurry whatsoever to go home. The pastors told us they’ve never had a mission team that has built relationships with their kids like this team has done.
We wrapped things up with the kids and packed up our supplies, but this was not the end of the day. Off we rushed to the city hall for an evening with the mayor of Esmeraldas. Marimbas, cultural dances, and tapao blended together for an incredible evening of Ecuadorian culture. We were blown away that the mayor would go all out for a group of almost total strangers. It was the warmest welcome Global Encounters has ever received from a city official. The mayor expressed his appreciation for our work with the children and we definitely have an open door to return.
But wait, there was still more in this day that kept going… and going… and going. A family from one of the churches offered to treat the whole team to ice cream, so after we left city hall, we headed downtown. Everything in the ice cream shop was made from special family recipes. Wow! Incredible!
You might think that would be the perfect end to a busy day, but there was a crowded town square right across the street. So many people there! What an opportunity! Within a few minutes the team was scattered in groups all across the square engaging random people in conversations and sharing the Gospel. Once you get started, it’s not difficult to share the Gospel here. People are very open. For many of the team members, this was their first experience of street witnessing. They did such a good job!
By the time we finally climbed back on the bus everyone was tired, hot, sticky, dirty, bug-eaten, grubby, sweaty, disheveled… in a word – missionaries! The team looked beautiful!
Elizabeth, for the team
Ruth saying goodbye to the kids.
A lesson on craft team 1.
Laura and April saying goodbye.
Kids we love.
My little friend Sarita.
Molly with the cheer leading squad.
Early in the week we made friends with a Colombian family. They fixed us an incredible lunch which we enjoyed during a quick break.
One of the traditional dances from the evening's festivities. Everyone got involved at the mayor's insistence!
The musicians played with passion and enthusiasm and a whole lot of volume. The clarinetist was absolutely unbelievable!Photos courtesy of Christina Dickson, Laura Clawson, and Elizabeth Fox.