It's official. I am food for the mosquitos. Let's hope and pray I don't get malaria.
Aside from the numerous bug bites, this week in El Carmen was once again fenomenal!
Before we left we did a little bit of turism in Quito with the team as well as help at a couple different orphanages. At the home for children who's parents are in prison I got the chance to teach, Cristian, a 15 year old boy, how to play "Eres Todopoderoso." Cristian is a pretty cool dude he can sing and act really well, yet he lives with the effects of having tuberculosis as a young child. There weren't a lot of kids there because some of them were able to stay with family for the summer.
I ended up taking a little bit too much travel sickness medicine for the ride to El Carmen and was pretty much out the whole way and still super drowsy for the rest of the night. We had a really great worship service at El Carmen Alliance. I really like that church. Elmer (the pastor) was back from visiting the USA so it was great to finally meet him too.
The next day we heard that Mama Nina was healed from her leukemia after we had been praying for her for 3 weeks. Que milagro! What a miracle!
When we got to the work site it looked the same as we had left it...except some grass had already grown. They told us that it had rained so much they couldn't do any work. The whole place was pretty muddy so there was no doubt in that. Some trucks came to drop off dirt but had to leave it at the top of the hill because of the mud. The team had to bring the dirt down in wheel barrels. It was definitely hard work.
Meanwhile the team was getting dirt and sweating their faces off, I prepared for VBS. The first day all I needed to do was get some crafts ready. The next 2 days I had more work to do like picking a Bible story and planning the skit. I also kind of got thrown into being the EMcee of sorts for VBS. It turned out to be a TON of fun. God had just given me this indescribable energy for that. I really LOVED it. It made me realize how much I enjoy getting leading others in worship and the word in a creative way. One of the church members said, "trabajar con los ninos es tuyo," which basically means "Working with kids is for you." So I guess I'm starting to think more about working with kids in ministry now.
On Sunday morning Cassidi and I went with Mark to a church in Reten, a small village outside of Bramadora, which is probably over an hour from El Carmen. Cassidi and I shared our testimony and sang some songs (they asked us to when we got there :) After the service we sang songs and played games with the kids. Reten was one of those places I could see myself for a while. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone in Reten and El Carmen. Only God knows when we'll see each other again.
Back in Quito this week at the women's home. It will be hard to say goodbye to them as well. Spending time with friends from church & mi familia ecuatoriana this week too. Going to the beach this weekend with the other interns. Back to the states next Tuesday. Crazy! I don't really want to leave, but I'm also looking forward to what God has for me at home.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
A good week with a good attitude and that it's not too painful saying goodbye
Con Amor,
Michelle
speak life...{hable la vida}
Monday, July 26, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Outstanding Otavalo
At the Bus terminal on Monday we ran into Meylin her esposo Ignacio, Dorinda, Luis & Flor, and Ulisis so we rode the same bus to Otavalo. When we got there the taxi drivers were charging too much (1.50 instead of $1) to get to the hotel, so we rode in a truck probably meant for pigs, goats, or guinea pigs. It was quite the ride up that hill. What fond memories in El Carmen of attempting to make it up that mud hill in a truck with 20 people in the back. (Speaking of, we're going back to El Carmen with another team on Wednesday - yay!)
We then did introductions and ate lunch where I had the most delicious broccoli of my life. Pastor Pedro led us in a time of worship after that. Some songs were in Spanish, some in Quichua. I didn't know any so it was a shame I couldn't play guitar for him, but he did a fantastic job singing acapella. After worship together the pastors wives and missionary women left to have our own devotion time. Little Meylin is a firecracker of a preacher! I got to lead worship with the women which was pretty cool. I was super nervous at first because I still have a lot of improvement on the guitar to work on.
On Tuesday I had the privilege of leading the pastor's wives in a time of worship and devotion. I chose a a few passages and songs the night before that I thought these women could really relate to. One of the passages was the story of Martha & Mary where Mary was just sitting at Jesus' feet listening to him and Martha was so worried about getting all the household chores done. A lot of these women struggle with being a Martha. Always being so busy taking care of the family and the ministry that it's so hard to just spend time with the Lord. I can relate to them as well so I really think God spoke to them through that passage. It was interesting to hear about how many of them are struggling in very similar yet different ways. I don't think it was a coincidence that Cheryl just happened to pick the same passage to do her lesson on. I could really feel God's presence and affirmation at that time.
That night we had a talent show. The first act was the "One Semester of Spanish Love Song" by Lisa Powell and Yours Truly. It was a blast and we totally won. It was pretty funny because everyone else sang some kind of spiritual song while we made fools of ourselves along with the other missionaries who attempted to do the bunny hop in Spanish. No one could understand what they were saying but they hopped right in. It was pretty hilarious!
After that I spent a long time worshipping with the family who ran the hotel. Their son plays guitar really well. It was a really neat time to connect with them in that way.
On Wednesday we had the closing session. Meylin preached again and she was great as always. Many women shared their testimonies and struggles which was both encouraging and heartbreaking, but it was really great to just lift each other up in prayer. Just about every single person went up to say thank you and how much this retreat impacted them as we were saying our goodbyes. After group photos, exchanging of information and hugs, a few of us went back to the market. It started pouring rain so Lisa and I went to a pie shop and ate the best pie of my life. DeeeLishoos. When the rain stopped we continued shopping. Lisa & I took a bus back to Quito that evening. I'm so glad we got the opportunity to go. It's a shame it was so late in the summer because a lot of the pastors asked us to visit their church and serve in some way but it's just not possible because we're leaving so soon and have a lot going on. Maybe when I come back :)
This past weekend was the Mission's Conference at Alianza Central church. It went really well. I was really surprised because the band invited us girls to sing with them for all of the worship instead of just our special music (Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe & No Greater Love). I felt really blessed because that group has become my friends. I'll miss them a lot.
I've been going back to REMAR (the women/girl's home) this week. I think I ended up giving out almost 20 New Testaments because more and more girls kept asking me for them. Even if they're just excited to receive a gift from someone I'm encouraged that there are that many Bibles floating around in that place that someone's bound to read it!
Today (Wed Jul 21) I'm going back to El Carmen with the team from Florida. I'm excited to see everyone again as well as the progress of the church. I will be back to Quito next Monday until Friday the 30th when we will be going to the beach for a farewell end of the summer getaway. I'll be back in Quito on the 2nd and returning to Wisconsin on August 3rd...there's a countdown if you scroll all the way to the bottom of my blog. It's pretty bittersweet. I don't really want to leave Ecuador, but I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends again back home (and NWC) soon.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Our trip to El Carmen this week goes smoothly and the Spirit works powerfully!
Pray for my brother Grant. He's in Iowa this week on a mission trip (it's also his birthday tomorrow! Big 16!)
That I can "BE HERE NOW" and not get distracted from what God has for me in these next couple of weeks.
GRACIAS POR TODO TU AMOR, APOYO y ORACIONES!
(Thanks for all your love, support and prayers)
En Cristo,
Michelle
We then did introductions and ate lunch where I had the most delicious broccoli of my life. Pastor Pedro led us in a time of worship after that. Some songs were in Spanish, some in Quichua. I didn't know any so it was a shame I couldn't play guitar for him, but he did a fantastic job singing acapella. After worship together the pastors wives and missionary women left to have our own devotion time. Little Meylin is a firecracker of a preacher! I got to lead worship with the women which was pretty cool. I was super nervous at first because I still have a lot of improvement on the guitar to work on.
On Tuesday I had the privilege of leading the pastor's wives in a time of worship and devotion. I chose a a few passages and songs the night before that I thought these women could really relate to. One of the passages was the story of Martha & Mary where Mary was just sitting at Jesus' feet listening to him and Martha was so worried about getting all the household chores done. A lot of these women struggle with being a Martha. Always being so busy taking care of the family and the ministry that it's so hard to just spend time with the Lord. I can relate to them as well so I really think God spoke to them through that passage. It was interesting to hear about how many of them are struggling in very similar yet different ways. I don't think it was a coincidence that Cheryl just happened to pick the same passage to do her lesson on. I could really feel God's presence and affirmation at that time.
That night we had a talent show. The first act was the "One Semester of Spanish Love Song" by Lisa Powell and Yours Truly. It was a blast and we totally won. It was pretty funny because everyone else sang some kind of spiritual song while we made fools of ourselves along with the other missionaries who attempted to do the bunny hop in Spanish. No one could understand what they were saying but they hopped right in. It was pretty hilarious!
After that I spent a long time worshipping with the family who ran the hotel. Their son plays guitar really well. It was a really neat time to connect with them in that way.
On Wednesday we had the closing session. Meylin preached again and she was great as always. Many women shared their testimonies and struggles which was both encouraging and heartbreaking, but it was really great to just lift each other up in prayer. Just about every single person went up to say thank you and how much this retreat impacted them as we were saying our goodbyes. After group photos, exchanging of information and hugs, a few of us went back to the market. It started pouring rain so Lisa and I went to a pie shop and ate the best pie of my life. DeeeLishoos. When the rain stopped we continued shopping. Lisa & I took a bus back to Quito that evening. I'm so glad we got the opportunity to go. It's a shame it was so late in the summer because a lot of the pastors asked us to visit their church and serve in some way but it's just not possible because we're leaving so soon and have a lot going on. Maybe when I come back :)
This past weekend was the Mission's Conference at Alianza Central church. It went really well. I was really surprised because the band invited us girls to sing with them for all of the worship instead of just our special music (Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe & No Greater Love). I felt really blessed because that group has become my friends. I'll miss them a lot.
I've been going back to REMAR (the women/girl's home) this week. I think I ended up giving out almost 20 New Testaments because more and more girls kept asking me for them. Even if they're just excited to receive a gift from someone I'm encouraged that there are that many Bibles floating around in that place that someone's bound to read it!
Today (Wed Jul 21) I'm going back to El Carmen with the team from Florida. I'm excited to see everyone again as well as the progress of the church. I will be back to Quito next Monday until Friday the 30th when we will be going to the beach for a farewell end of the summer getaway. I'll be back in Quito on the 2nd and returning to Wisconsin on August 3rd...there's a countdown if you scroll all the way to the bottom of my blog. It's pretty bittersweet. I don't really want to leave Ecuador, but I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends again back home (and NWC) soon.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Our trip to El Carmen this week goes smoothly and the Spirit works powerfully!
Pray for my brother Grant. He's in Iowa this week on a mission trip (it's also his birthday tomorrow! Big 16!)
That I can "BE HERE NOW" and not get distracted from what God has for me in these next couple of weeks.
GRACIAS POR TODO TU AMOR, APOYO y ORACIONES!
(Thanks for all your love, support and prayers)
En Cristo,
Michelle
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Gallivanting Guayaquil
Thursday (7/1) evening we went to a Gustavo’s church and the topic was being a good steward of your money…I think. The pastor was talking really fast. I attempted to translate for Allison who was sitting next to me but I failed miserably. After church we went to Eduardo’s Mexican restaurant for supper. Got to wear a sombrero and dance a little to the mariachi music. Check out pics on facebook.
The 7 hour bus ride that evening was a killer. The road was very windy and the driver was going muy rapido. Gustavo unfortantely got sick…we all had a lack of sleep and waited at the smelly bus terminal in Guayaquil until sunrise (you know, to make sure we didn’t run into any vampires).
We got a taxi ride from there to the Mormon temple. Apparently most of the white people in Guayaquil are Mormon and the driver assumed that’s where we were going when we told him what street. The ironic thing is, two of the interns (Sara & Allison) are sisters from Utah so they know all about Mormonism. The other Sarah just walked right through the gate because she had no idea it was a Mormon temple and thought that was the park we needed to go to, jajajaja.
Sharon from Operation Mobilization came to pick us up and brought us to the OM house to chill until we had to leave for the park/orphanage. Btw, the whole reason for this trip to Guayaquil was that I could meet my sponsor child, Michelle (see above photo) and the rest of the gang came as traveling buddies and served at an orphanage during the day.
We had tuna onion soup (encebollado) for breakfast. Any other time of day would be fine, but fish for breakfast is just not my thing. After that we joined everyone at the OM office for morning prayer. Stan and Gustavo came with me to the park to meet the Compassion International representatives. While we were waiting Gus taught me a cool trick that you could talk into one corner of the Rotonda statue and the person on the other side could hear you as if they were right next to you.
Natalie and another woman (her name escapes me) brought me to "the project" school & chapel where Michelle attends. The kids sang “Quien es el Rey de la Selva” (Who’s the King of the Jungle). They also made a placemat for me with all of their handprints and had me add my handprint as well. Michelle made beautiful maracas for me with water bottles and yarn with the colors of the Ecuadorian flag.
Unfortunately the camera that I borrowed from Sarah didn't work. Thankfully the reps had a camera and said they would be able to send them in the next letter Michelle sends to me.
After I visited her school we left to see Michelle's house. She lives in a poor and seemingly rough neighborhood. Her whole house is made of cement along with all of her neighbors on her street. She & her cousin sleep w/ their moms and her grandma lives there too. Their dog, Cookie, was chained on the roof so he wouldn’t run away. Michelle showed me the rest of her neighborhood at her back door and I saw many shacks on stilts on the polluted Guayaquil river. She had the picture that I sent her from the last time I was in Ecuador on her mirror, gave me a purse she made, and I taught her family how to play UNO.
Later we went to the Mall for Oreo ice cream & KFC for lunch. We went back to the park and played with toy boats, made a friendship bracelet, bubbles, colored, and I gave her a Spanish New Testament. Before the group came to pick me up I taught Michelle the trick at the statue and she really liked it. I was so thankful that some of the girls brought cameras with them when they came to pick me up because they were able to take a picture of las Michelitas. It was hard saying goodbye because I don’t know the next time I will see her.
Before we left we spent some more time with the OM missionaries and flew back around midnight back to Quito. Though it was very late, the flight was much better than that killer bus ride.
It was such a blessing to meet little Michelle. Please pray for her as she continues to grow and experience life’s challenges. Pray that she will grow more and more in her relationship with Christ. I am so blessed to be able to sponsor such a sweet girl. If you’re reading this and are sponsoring a child through some organization like Compassion or World Vision don’t take that for granted. Take time to write letters and if you are able, see if you can visit your child. For those of you who God is tugging at your heart convicting you to sponsor a child, please follow that call, it’s totally vale la pena (worth it)! God can use you in mighty ways and show you his heart for the children of this world.
As always thanks for your prayers and encouragement. Also a BIG thank you to those of you who have sponsored me this summer. Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed. More on this week coming soon!
Paz,
Michelle
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