Unexpected Encounters || Lydia - July 15

Today we said goodbye to the kids in Quito. It was more heart wrenching than I expected. Hugs were exchanged and tears shed.In the afternoon we went up to Teleferico, one of the highest points above the city. It is always a highlight of the trip. It was frigid and cloudy but when the city lights began to appear below, the sight was worth the cold.As we stood in line to get down off the mountain, Micah noticed a group of young men signing to each other behind him. Micah waved Elena, our resident Spanish speaker and ASL expert, over to talk to them. She was able to ride down with them and found out they are believers! At the bottom of the gondola, Elena and Hayden continued to sign back and forth with them as the rest of us huddled around with lights and amazement. What began as a touring adventure ended as an encouragement to brothers in Christ from another country and another language.- Lydia E