La Playa

Hello everyone! Thanks for following the blog and for your words of encouragement. This has been an amazing trip for all of us and while we will be glad to get home and once again see the sun I know it is going to be difficult these next few days as we start to say our goodbyes. Before I share a bunch of photos from today's festivities I thought I would share with you what a normal days schedule looks like. I know it's bit late in the game but I figured some of you might like to hear what our days have been like time wise. I'll be brief.

7:30 a.m. - Devotions: This has been a particularly encouraging time for all of us as we begin each day listening to what God has for us. Each member of the team has taken a turn leading devotions. After that we split off into pairs and spend about 45 minutes just sharing and praying for each other. We are with different pairs every day and, I believe, this has been a crucial element in maintaining team unity and building deep, encouraging relationships.

8:30 a.m. - Breakfast: Jorge, the owner of 'La Cueva' (www.la-cueva.com), and his wife prepare breakfast for us everyday. We have been treated to fresh juice and fruit every morning along with special treats like French Toast with Real Maple Syrup! Soe of the food in the morning has been...interesting...buns with Ecuadorian cheese. You either like it or hate it. Personally I think it is nasty. Jeff's favourite was the scrambled eggs with hot dogs! All in all, however, the food has been great.

9:30 a.m. - Work Projects and Time with the kids: Pretty self explanatory.

12:00 p.m. - Lunch: We eat lunch up at Montanita Verde. We have split up into two groups of five and switch back and forth between the houses. This is a really special time for us as we get to share meals with the kids and the house parents. The funds we provide lunch also goes to help feeding the kids and the families. The food has been really good and has always included rice and plantains!

4:30 p.m. - Home & Dinner: Back to 'La Cueva' for supper. From this point we either stay here and do devotions or we head into San Lorenzo to do the kids club.

(Here are the alternative schedules)

6:00 p.m. - San Lorenzo: The nights we do the club we try and get into town for 6:00 p.m.

9:00 p.m. - Devotions: A crucial time for the group to spend time in God's Word and to talk with each other about the day and debrief.

10:00 p.m. - Bed: Need I say more?

With no San Lorenzo we are usually done around 8:30 p.m. This is just a general schedule. Some days are completely different but that at least gives you an idea of what our days are like.

Today was different. We went to church and then hung out with the kids the beach until around 3:00 p.m. This is an awesome time for us to be able to hang out with these beautiful children and just have fun. Waves, sand and soccer (the sun made a brief appearance although it's affects were felt even through the clouds).

I'm not going to say much about our time there but here are a bunch of pictures of our time there.

Blessings.




Our team leader Paul Fernane keeping a careful watch over the kids, most of whom cannot swim, playing in the ocean. Little Jose is grabbing some much needed warmth. I thought this was a beautiful picture.



We can hardly call this young man little anymore. Many of us were quite shocked at how much Luisito (who now prefers Luis) has grown over the past two years. Here he is enjoying some time on the body board.



The kids being driven back to the orphanage at the end of the day. I would like everyone to know that we have a strict no standing rule in our truck (although there are times when we drive slowly through town to get pictures and only one at a time). Just thought I would inform you all in case some get worried that's how we travel.



Jose enjoying the feeling of being buried. Some of us think his smile looks like the Cheshire cat from 'Alice in Wonderland'.



Hannah playing around with Brenda at the beach. Hannah played with the kids in the ocean for an epic hour and a half...she will sleep well tonight.



Not the beach. This was taken in San Lorenzo on Friday during the kids club. Amanda has grown very close to this little girl, Analise, who now comes running through the streets when we get there to give Amanda a hug. Amanda has shared with us that it will be hard to say good bye. Amazing that you can become so attached in such a short time. We are all so thankful we stepped out in faith and began the San Lorenzo kids club. It has blessed us immeasurably to be involved with the people there.



The ladies enjoying the day (Alicia, Amanda and Hannah).



Alicia keeps careful watch over two girls. These two cannot swim but LOVE the ocean. I think Alicia is part fish because every opportunity we have to be in the ocean she is there playing in the waves with a big smile on her face.



We have some good lifeguards watching over us. Here we see Miller keeping a careful eye on those playing in the surf.



Another pic of the fine group of lifeguards we take with us! ;)



What would a day at a South American beach be without a friendly game of football. Good times.

That's it! I hope you enjoyed the schedule and the photos. Please be praying for us as we finish our time here and wrestle with the emotions of saying goodbye to both the wonderful people here and to the team. We have all grown quite fond of each other and have been so thankful for the unity and friendship that we have enjoyed. Monday is going to be especially challenging as we head into Manta for a work project at the project in the dump. I think it will be difficult for us to see and experience this but also a blessing to bring, even a little, to people who have almost nothing.

Thanks for taking this journey with us. Your thoughts and prayers are a huge reason things have been going so well. We continue to be challenged and are excited to see what the future will hold for the people here and for us as God daily works to transform us into the kind of people that will change this world through His love.

J