Ecuador - Day 6

Thursday was our last "work" day. The people here are amazing so patient as they wait in line and so grateful for everything that we're able to do. It occurred to me today that even though we only have one style of glasses frames and 2 sizes (adult & child), not a single person has complained about their glasses not fitting right. As usual, I'm learning more than I'm teaching.

We've had 6 people make decisions for Christ this week, and many people have told Mercedes (our local point of contact) that they were going to start coming to "her church." After I got on the bus to leave the clinic site today, I saw a smiling man walk up to Mercedes. As he pointed to our bus and pointed to her, I could tell from his hand gestures that he was thanking her for bringing us into the community and giving her all of the credit. As she began to reply, she immediately pointed up and I knew that she was redirecting the man's praise to God and sharing her faith with Him. That was the perfect "last image" to see as we pulled away!

Friday is our "free" day and we're supposed to go to some sort of zip line over a rain forest. Should be interesting. Thanks again for all of your prayers this week!

Ecuador - Days 4 and 5

We were able to see many more patients the past 2 days than the first day. I think that word got out that we were here because when we arrived at the clinic site today there was already a large crowd waiting outside. I've uploaded some pictures to my Facebook page, so hopefully you can view those. In case you're wondering why a few of us seems to always be wearing the same shirt, it's because a company donated them and wanted us to distribute them out of the country. So we each brought tons of these shirts to wear and give away. Either that, or Nelson just really likes dressing like me!


The carnival team is doing a fantastic job of playing with the kids while they wait. They are also sharing Bible stories. We were stunned to find that none of the children knew the Biblical account of creation from Genesis and only one had ever heard of the 10 Commandments. On Wednesday, some of the locals "caught the vision" and set up some additional kid's craft areas of their own to help us out! How cool is that!!


SIFAT, the organization that is coordinating our trip, has an amazing and thorough program that trains local Christians to impact their own communities for Christ. The missions teams come in and support the work being done locally. We are working in Cotocollao with Mercedes Cruz, a graduate of their program. Since the local people know that Mercedes is responsible for bringing us to their community, we are building a ton of goodwill between her and the people in her community. We are praying that our presence and work will lead to many opportunities for future ministry and discipleship for Mercedes.


This evening a few of us wandered down to a local restaurant with Ecuadorian food. We should find out in the next 48 hours whether that was a good idea! Thanks again for all of your prayers!

Ecuador - Day 3

Monday was awesome! I've been trained to work in the eye clinic, so I spent the day giving eye exams and getting people fitted for glasses. All of our eyeglasses are the same style and look just like the ones that Harry Potter wears. It's so amazing to be able to help someone with 20/100 vision to be able to see 20/20. Their face just lights up when they first put their glasses on. One little boy who wasn't even old enough to read the alphabet yet said to me in English: "Thanks you, doctor!"

I learned a couple of things today. First, I learned that most Ecuadorian people can't understand English even if you speak it more loudly and slowly. I'm not sure why. Maybe my Southern accent is throwing them off. Second, I learned that they can clearly understand love. It's remarkable how quickly we can form relationships with people when we're showing God's love in practical ways with no strings attached - even though we're communicating through a translator.

Thanks again for all of your prayers! Please don't hesitate to let me know if there's any way that I can be praying with you!

Ecuador - Day 2

On Sunday we went to the worship service at a church called Mama Yoli House. Several people who are connected with Friendship helped to dig the basement to build this church abut 4 years ago. It was so cool to see it making a difference in the community!

We also went to the equator. They did some cool "experiments" like balancing an egg on a nail, showing water fall straight out of a bucket while it swirls when you move a couple of steps either way, and how it's virtually impossible to walk a straight line with your eyes closed on the equator.

On Monday we'll be operating a medical clinic and carnival in Cotocallao. And I still haven't eaten a guinea pig. But this experience is definitely going to cause me to watch G-Force in a whole new light!

Ecuador - Day 1

Saturday was mostly a travel day. We're staying in a hotel in downtown Quito. The elevation is 9,252 feet and I'm definitely feeling the effects - a little shortness of breath even when I'm just sitting around. It will probably take a day or two to adjust. There's no A/C here because they don't really need it. The forecast for today is a high of 70 and a low of 48, and the forecast is virtually the same all year. The sun always comes up at around 6:30 AM and sets at about 6:30 PM. Welcome to life on the equator!

On Sunday our group will be attending a church, visiting the equator, and going to observe some of what SIFAT has already done in the area. I am already very impressed with this organization. This is the most organized mission trip I've ever been on! Of course, I'm probably impressed by anyone that gives me good food!

Speaking of food, they keep saying that they're going to get me to try guinea pig before the end of the week. I've seen a lot of guinea pigs in my life, and never once did it make me hungry. So we'll see...

The real work starts on Monday, but we're hoping to get out on our own today and do some servant evangelism at the market. I'm missing everyone at Friendship since it's Sunday and I wish that I could be there with you to hear Michael Kelley. Thanks for all of your prayers!!

Credit card saga

Last week someone started making fraudulent charges on my credit card. It's kind of ironic since we just finished a series at church called "Mistaken Identity." I would think that normally when someone uses a stolen credit card, they would want to get everything that they can: electronics, clothes, games. Here's the weird part: they ordered stuff and had it shipped to MY house! On Monday, I received a bottle of "Colon Cleanser Pro." Then yesterday I got 3 books from the Book of the Month club. Isn't that crazy?

So here's my question: why would someone steal my credit and then only use it to send stuff to me? I've got a theory, but I want to hear some other opinions.

And by the way, if you're interested in reading "Abandon" by Blake Crouch OR if you're having any colon issues, then let me know and I'll hook you up!

Be intentional

My new favorite word is 'intentional.' It is amazing how much progress we can make when we lock in on a goal and get purposeful about moving toward it. Lately I've had a lot of conversations about parenting. I'm learning that everyone "hopes" their kids turn out okay, but not everyone is "intentional" about investing their lives into their kids. I once heard someone say: "Parenting is a verb, not a noun." I totally agree.
So take a minute today to think about where in life you want your kids to be in 15 years, and then decide what 1 step you can take today to encourage them in that direction. If you want them to be smart, snuggle up and read them a book. If you want them to be active, play a game outside. If you want them to be spiritually strong, have a devotional with them. Because here's what I know: they're learning from you every day whether you are "intentional" or not.