Quito Quest 2010

Carmen Bajo

2010-06-30T09:03:00.001-04:00

Yesterday we visited the place where Laura has her ministry and where many of the children we sponsor for school live. It was good to reconnect with the people we know there and see the kids. Plenty of hard construction work, painting and a VBS program left us physically exhausted but spirtually energized by the amazing work that is going on here. We ended the day at Pastor Fabian's house for dinner and a tradional Ecuadorian birthday celebration for Alex. Ask her about it! MF

Nearly the End

2010-06-30T00:43:00.002-04:00

Well for those of you who don't know today is my 16th birthday. Of course it was spent out of the country; far away from home; without my parents, family, friends, etc. Not in any way am I complaining because it was a fabulous experience, just very different from all those birthday's I've known in the past. I think it was the first time I've done manual labor on my birthday. At Carmen Bajo we (or more like the guys) knocked down a small building made of concrete blocks and safety glass, then (the rest of us) proceeded to clean up all of the broken concrete blocks. Hard work. After lunch we did a vacation bible school of sorts. It was much more like organized chaos compared to just chaos at Emaus. Carmen Bajo is more developed and larger and has been around longer than Emaus. It's sad that we'll be leaving tomorrow and won't have time to build relationships at Carmen Bajo like we were able to at Emaus.

Tonight for dinner we went to Pastor Fabian's house (pastor at Carmen Bajo). We had a very delicious meal and I was sung happy birthday too. A surprise was the birthday cake after dinner. It was so unexpected and so nice of everyone. Apparantly there's a tradition in Ecuador that for your birthday you have to take a bite out of the cake. So following tradition so did I. In the end my face was stuffed in the cake, yes even up my nose a little, and I have now followed Ecuadorian tradition for birthday's. It was quite an experience, reminding me of 1 year olds who also stuff their faces in their birthday cakes.

Going back a day we went to the market yesterday. It's about a 2 hour drive through the mountains. Quito is in a valley surrounded by mountains so yesterday we went up in those mountains and saw Quito from a different perspective. The market was great. They have so many interesting things that you won't find back home or you won't find it in a setting like this. The only thing I have to compare it to is the flea market. I got to bargain in spanish so that was new. We ate at an amazing restaurant for lunch called the Pie Shop. I had a fabulous burger which I split with Becca because it was literally the size of the plate. And an even better slice of apple pie with ice cream. Yum.(:

To conclude I will miss Ecuador. I know we still have a little time left but the time has flown by and I have just learned so much. This has been an amazing experience and definitely something that I will never ever forget. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious, the landscape is breathtaking, and it's an experience of a lifetime.

-Alex

Final Thoughts

2010-06-29T23:30:00.003-04:00

These 10 or 9 days have been absolutely incredible. As my mother said all your senses will be completely overwhelmed; this is true, however I believe my emotions have been overwhelmed as well. On Monday we traveled to a open market where I could have bought everything. On Sunday I enjoyed the best church service ever and was given so much love. This is the best experience of my life. Love to All Emily

Sweet tea in Ecuador!

2010-06-29T08:56:00.001-04:00

Last night, our hostel hosts Libby and Jeff made us a delicious dinner of spaghetti, tossed salad, fresh bread and a wonderful dessert, all washed down with sweet iced tea or fresh-squeezed limeade. They are from NC and they have provided us with such wonderful meals it is really like living in a home and eating with 20 or so close friends. MF

A day for recreation

2010-06-28T23:01:00.002-04:00

What a beautiful country! Today was a day off for the team after a weekend of work and worship and more. We had a field trip a couple of hours northeast of Quito to Otavalo. Otavalo has an historic market dating to before the conquistadors. A large square block plaza was filled with largely indigenous people selling local handicrafts and some modern items like Ecuadorian themed t-shirts. I can't leave out our awesome lunch at the "Pie Shop." They sell pies! They also sell enormous sandwiches. After our team finished our meal they had no more hamburgers or chocolate pie (both of which I had -- go figure). After lunch we went to the "Middle of the World" a spot on the equator where we posed for our first group photo. That should be posted soon. While there we had a baño break. The gift shop had some religious art, which I learned some was carved by the husband of the couple who owned the business. I was pointing a piece out to Dianna when the proud wife told us her husband did it and that he was a pastor. I told her that I was a pastor too, and she brought her husband over and we tried to have a conversation about where he ministered, etc. Then on our way out the door she asked me to give her a blessing. As so much of what I have experienced, it has been me who was blessed. Tonight our wonderful hostel hosts fixed us a dinner of spaghetti, meat sauce, salad (our first in Ecuador), garlic bread, and a magnificent custard for dessert. Tomorrow we begin our two days at Carmen Bajo. What a phenomenal experience this has been! HM+

Children of God

2010-06-28T08:44:00.002-04:00

Seeing the people of God through the lenses of Mision Emaus is possibly to see humankind as God sees; exquisite and beloved.

K+

More Dancing at Emaus

2010-06-28T00:10:00.000-04:00

Bittersweet day

2010-06-27T18:51:00.001-04:00

Today was our last this year at Emaus. We carry each other in our hearts at all times, but distance makes us two physically. Imagine there's no country, imagine all the people living together. Someday we will be all together and we will understand each other totally but for now we speak the universal language of love. MF

2010-06-27T08:58:00.002-04:00

Yesterday we visited Casa Gabriel, a home for street kids who have chosen to get an education and become a disciple of Christ. During our visit we were told by the director of the newest need in Quito - creating a safe place for young girls who have become victims of human traffiking. When I learned about the epidemic of 12 - 17 year old girls who are forced into prostitution, my mind's eye immediately went to my daughters as young girls, as well as the 12 year old girls I teach as a middle school teacher. God, please show me how I can make a difference in the lives of these precious children of God.
Forever in awe of the mighty power of God,
Dianna Deaderick

The Kingdom of God. Now. Not Later.

2010-06-27T08:12:00.002-04:00

We are called to establish the Kingdom of God, which to me means to create a "little piece of heaven" for someone who is in need or hurting. In Matthew 25, Jesus calls us to establish the Kingdom of God by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, visiting the prisoner and such. We do have the option of adding other activities to this list, such as a kind word, a smile, an ear to listen.

Often, other things or activities get in the way, keeping me from establishing the Kingdom of God (creating a little piece of Heaven) for someone who is hungry, needs clothes, needs a visit, or for ssomeone who needs something as simple as a kind word, a smile or an ear.

Jesus is calling me. Often, I am too distracted to hear.

Douglas "Dew Gloss" Deaderick

Relationships

2010-06-27T08:09:00.001-04:00

"Life is not about things. Life is about relationships." From The Gift of Years by Sr. Joan Chittister, O.S.B.

Saying Hello

2010-06-26T23:01:00.004-04:00

Hey to my family in West Virginia. Sorry that I have not written until now, but we have been very buisy and honestly this is the first night that I am not tired even though we poured the concrete today. Pouring the concrete was one of the items I was most apprhensive about but it was actually one of the most fun things we have done. I love interacting with the children here even though I know very little of their language. I miss you all but am enjoying every minute of my time here. LOVE TO ALL- Emily

Dancing at Emaus

2010-06-26T19:41:00.003-04:00

Howdy, folks! We're about to head to dinner at the mall here in Quito, but here's a video of some of the dancing that the youth at Emaus did this afternoon. Enjoy!

Concrete

2010-06-26T19:39:00.001-04:00

Today we helped pour concrete for the third floor of Mision Emaus. What a metaphor for solidifying relationships. We made and renewed more friendships today since much more of the community came out. We managed to finish early and had some time for dancing and playing with the children. We also visited Casa Gabriel, a discipleship program for street kids. There is tremendous work of God going on here.

Emaus

2010-06-25T23:37:00.002-04:00

Wow. That's all I can say right now to sum up the trip thus far. Ecuador is absolutely stunning and the people here are the sweetest.

I've learned the real meaning of teamwork. It can accomplish much more than it seems possible sometimes.

The kids here are incredible. It doesn't matter that I, or most of us for that matter, can't speak spanish; we still find ways to communicate. I must say that I have learned more spanish here than I did in a whole semester of spanish at school. I'm learning my spanish from a seven year old. It can't get better than that.(: The kids are just so loving. All of them. The people of Emaus are so welcoming. They appreciate us being here more than you would believe and we (or at least I) am loving being here more than I think they understand.

Tomorrow's a big day. We're concreting the roof of the second story building of the church. It's the whole community coming together. Wish us luck(:

-Alex

Text instead of photos

2010-06-25T22:30:00.001-04:00

Sharing photos seems to be our favorite activity this year. But behind that is a great group which has come together and come alongside the great people of Emaus. The love we are sharing is blessing and renewing both groups. MF

Underestimating God

2010-06-25T01:11:00.000-04:00

Another incredible day: hard work, much laughter, beautiful people, and much learned.

I have been thinking about the difference in our expectations of God -- we North Americans and Ecuadorians. They expect miracles. We hope for the best if that is God's will. To the people of Emaus Mission, just the fact that this team is here is a miracle. Our worship is a miracle; our commitment to their church is a miracle; the rising of the sun is a miracle; life is a miracle even when it is hard fought.

The lesson for me is that I don't ask God for the true desires of my heart -- I ask for what is acceptable in my mind. God is bigger than my heart, my needs, my fears, my desires, my hurts, my expectations. God can handle what I really need -- and in fact he knows me and my heart even though my faith (or lack thereof) prevents me from acknowledging the truth.

Lourdes (priest at Emaus) asked us to expect miracles. I've seen them from the moment I arrived. I am humbled and inspired.

MAG

Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places

2010-06-25T00:31:00.004-04:00

Today was the start of our week at Mision Emaus. For some of us it was full of happy reunions and others were making new friends, but everyone was greeted with the same contagious love and joy that absolutely radiates out of the church and its community. Our work this week involves eventually pouring a new concrete roof for the building (but before that there are a number of tasks that need doing, such as moving piles of rocks), as well as leading a VBS and "Choir Camp." Lourdes is as spunky as ever, and the hill to and from the church down which lunch must be carried is as steep and windy as ever. Rocks were moved, butterflies were made (from coffee filters!) and songs were sung. If today is any indication (and I fully expect that it is), our time here at Mision Emaus promises to be every bit as amazing as before.

After a full day of work at Emaus, we had the privilege of eating at Cameron and Roberto Vivanco's house, which happens to have one of the most fantastic views of Quito (that I've included below for your viewing pleasure).

Tomorrow we return to Emaus. God is good!

Our second day

2010-06-24T22:57:00.001-04:00

What a joy it was to be with our friends again at Mision Emaus! We prayed together, ate delicious food and worked, played with the children and sang together. What a blessing it is to be with each other; both churches are blessed. And to top it off, we had an amazing dinner at Cameron and Roberto's. I even felt re-energized at debriefing tonight, surpisingly, although I'm sure I'll sleep well after all the physical activity today.

Odds and ends... and fruit

2010-06-23T23:34:00.003-04:00

Hola! Briley here with a couple notes for you, our faithful readers:

First, I want to apologize to those of you who tried to comment on our posts here and were unable to - I've taken off the registration requirement so please feel free to comment!

Second, I've uploaded our first batch of photos online... you can see them in the slideshow to the right and also at this link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/103523070806826974607/Quito2010?feat=directlink

My goal is to upload pictures at the end of every day, so check back for more as our experience continues!

Today was our orientation and team-building day. After a beyond-delicious breakfast of french toast and bacon (we're being served breakfast every morning, how awesome is that?!) we headed out to the Youth World office to learn about the organization and the multitude of ministries that they coordinate here in Ecuador. Following our orientation at Youth World we headed to lunch at a local fruteria where we partook in delectable fruit bowls and juices.

Our day continued at El Refugio - a beautiful retreat center located up in the mountains above Quito that's owned and operated by Youth World. We spent the afternoon there playing games and doing various other team-building exercises, some of which we were pretty good at and some of which we weren't so good at. In the end however we all made it out alive and definitely a closer team than we were going in.

On our way back from El Refugio our bus "broke down" (conveniently) outside an old-fashioned homemade ice cream shop and we had no other choice but to disembark and patronize said establishment. Inside we were treated to a wide assortment of delicious flavors made from fresh fruit, and were even treated to a demostration of how the ice cream is made! After sampling the product of said demonstration we boarded the (conveniently) "fixed" bus and returned to our hostel for a delicious dinner of chicken and potatoes (how many times have I used the word "delicious" in this entry? I'm sure there will be many, many more).

Tomorrow we head out to our first of four days at Mision Emaus - I for one am excited to reconnect with the people that I was able to meet last year. Until next time, peace!

"Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another"

2010-06-23T01:56:00.002-04:00

Good ~~evening~~ morning friends! I am happy to report that we have arrived safely in Quito. We were greeted by our team leaders and a crowd from Mision Emaus - hooray happy reunions and new meetings! We've settled into our hostel (no bunk beds!) and are all ready to get some sleep and hit the ground running tomorrow with visits to Youth World and El Refugio. Thank you all for your prayers! I'll leave you with a video of our approach and landing...

Excitement building!

2010-06-17T16:06:00.000-04:00

I'm as excited as a kid at Christmas! New friends, new experiences and the promise of spiritual communion and growth during this trip. I am looking forward to being filled up by all of these. JW

First time blogger from first time Quito Quester

2010-06-15T21:25:00.000-04:00

I am anxious to be immersed in a community which seems to freely live as a community of love and joy. It will be great having a "mountain top" experience in several ways. Blessings to all, HM+

"What is past is prologue"

2010-06-15T19:56:00.000-04:00

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! My name is Briley, and I'll be facilitating this here blog so you can keep up with our team while we're down in Ecuador.

I know there's not a lot here yet, but just you wait until we get down there and start experiencing - you'll be seeing posts from our team, photos and more. We leave on June 22nd, so check back then!

In the meantime, if you'd like to see what we did last year, you can check out our previous blog at:

http://vivenciaecuador09.blogspot.com/

Also, you can find our fancy-schmancy online photo album at

http://ecuador2009.bhoop.net/browse

Ciao!