Party, Party, Party, Party

We have had 4 parties over the last four days and served lunch one day at the dump for the people who work there. We have reached almost 6000 people and have one more party to go. Tomorrow’s party should be 3000+/-. This has been an incredible week of ministry and we have been stretched as usual. The enemy is always at work when you go on a short term mission trip and this week has been no exception. Our Canadian team arrived in time for the second day and their luggage is still arriving but we have managed to have just what we needed for each day. God is so faithful in His provision.
We have been challenged this week about being a Good Samaritan and following Jesus’ parable to love God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind and love our neighbor as ourselves. (Luke10:25-37) Yesterday Russ Kline, part of the management team, gave us all a 50 cent coin and told us to find a way to utilize the coin as a reminder to pray for the people of Ecuador and to bless someone with it. It will be interesting to hear how the Holy Spirit led people to be a Good Samaritan on Monday.
Our second party at Carman Bajo Church, the pastor asked us all to get into the center of the church after clean-up and the people from the church that helped us clean up surrounded us in a circle and prayed for us it was such a humbling experience for us.
We have used our morning times to prepare the crafts and bags for the next day of parties and this has been an opportunistic time of getting to know so many new people. As I sat and threaded a lot of cross medallion necklaces to be painted at the party, I wondered if the kids would really appreciate the hard work that was put into the preparation when they sat and colored their medallion and strung their beads. The answer is yes! But not the way I thought. We were cleaning up at the end of a party and this man was helping me pick up trash, when all of a sudden he laid down his bag and picked up one of the necklaces on the ground. He was so excited and stopped what he was doing until he had succeeded at getting the necklace around his neck. God shows up and reminds us of His presence when we least expect it.
We have 2 more days before we head back to the states and I am excited to see what else God is going to do with our team. There have been so many great stories I wish I could write them all but you’ll just have to come on a trip with us next Christmas!!