Hola Family and Friends!
Our morning started with packing up for our flight to Manta in the early afternoon. After morning devotions and breakfast, the team went downstairs to the second floor of the Extreme Response building to the offices. We were introduced to the Extreme Response Team and heard about all the wonderful organizations they support and work they do for the needy around the world.
We then headed out on a bus to visit an onsite daycare center for children whose parents work in the Quito Dump. The children were having snacks when we arrived so the Pastor who runs the center spent some time explaining his mission of bringing people in despair to God. We played and loved on the children ages several months to five years old. They are so friendly and welcome the love.
The trip became more difficult as we headed out to visit the Dump Site. The site has changed "for the better" over the past few years as there are no longer babies and children accompaning their parents into the dump due to the daycare. The dump site was filled a few years ago and is now a transfer station where the garbage is brought in, the workers pick through it for recycleables, and then it is moved to a permanent dump site. As you can try and imagine the smell is awful and it was heartbreaking to know that this is how families make their living on a daily basis. Words are just not adequate here.
From here we headed back on our bus to eat our sack lunches as we headed to the airport. We boarded a 12:50 pm flight for Manta on Icara airlines. After a brief 40 minute fligh or so, we arrived in Manta. We got all the luggage and headed out to our bus for our last leg of the trip to San Lorenzo. It was much hotter and humid now that we were out of Quito where the elevation is 10,000 ft. We all grabbed an ice cream from an outside vendor and headed to our place of residence for the next ten days, La Cueva.
The drive to San Lorenzo showed us a very dry and arid landscape. Cacti were seen along with some monkeys in the trees.
Well what can I say, it is amazing! We are right on the ocean, the small restaurant is outside under a cover of palm leaves, there are five hammocks hanging for any down time we have, the pool is delicious, and the food (mostly seafood on the menu) was great! And did I mention we have the place to ourselves.
We unpacked and organized for the days ahead first thing. Then we had some relaxation time before dinner. We finished our evening with details of our day ahead tomorrow and then some songs.
Everyone is healthy and looking forward to the day tomorrow.
In His service,
Team Ecuador 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Glad to hear all is well. Yesterday was a long day without a post. For those interested Lucas Glover won the U.S. Open golf and we lost Ed McMahon yesterday. Stay safe and remember that if Jesus is your co-pilot, you need to switch seats. God Bless all.
ReplyDeleteDonna and Diana
I miss you Donna and Diana. Johnathan got down to GA Monday at about 3:30p.m. and is settling in. I will be moving the end of the week, so when you get back we will all be in the same zip code.
stephanie, i finally figured this site out! im sorry that i havent been able to until now, im sure it wasnt a whole lot of fun waiting to see if you have any comments yet. from what i have read from your trip it sounds like its been very fun! i really wish i wouldve went with you. update from home, i am not an uncle again yet, it was 90 degrees today and gonna be hotter tomorrow. im still not sleeping well. i hope you are sleeping just fine but ive been up til 2 or so even if i wait til im exhausted to go to bed. not fun, im hoping i get better at it. last night i was trying to figure this site out for 2 hours and it was really making me upset. im praying for you everyday and your whole team. remember to enjoy the little things and to be grateful for everyday. take pleasure in everything that you do on this trip and thank God for your safety, favor, and for this beautiful world you get to experience. i miss you like crazy! 10 days left!
ReplyDeleteBecky,
ReplyDeleteHere I was under the impression you guys were roughing it down there, but I think I found your hotel and it looks like a really nice place (http://la-cueva.com/english/index.htm for those following along). Its Tuesday here as I type and I believe this was your 'verse day' per the trip calendar so I am assuming that means you were awakened to breakfast in bed or something right? ;) Other important news for you - the blizzard flavor of the day at the DQ by me was a Chocolate Banana cream cake.
If you forgot anything and were thinking of having someone here ship it to you with Fed-ex...it is approx $125 to ship from Michigan to Manta if it is a small package. I knew you were dying to know :)
-paul
P.S. See if you can sneak a monkey back on the plane with you for me okay? I would suggest you ship it but not at those prices ;)
P.P.S. You can ask them to slip a note into the next blog and ask me to stop posting comments if you want...not sure I will but they can ask at least ;)
Joey,
ReplyDeleteBaa says the lamb, the lamb says baa.
Love, Grandma
BF, J, Steph,
ReplyDeleteWell I've gone through my 7th lint roller in two days. Cinco is out of control! Between Pumpkin the Mad Pooper and Cinco the Mad Hair Ball - I'm going to go crazy! Good thing they're so darn adorable.
BF - you will be proud of me. I have officially killed my Daisies. Not to worry, I bought some more flowers today! Marigolds this time. We'll see what happens :)
I printed out the blogs and comments from the last couple of days for your mother. She was "thrilled". She'll be sending comments as well. Oh, wait, looks like she has already started. Go figure.
Steph - "B" is so adorable. All he had to do was call me and I would have told him how to post to the blog. I may be a Facebook flunkie, but boy can I blog!!
Miss you guys, love you tons. Be safe. XOXOXO
Hi Jennifer and Team mates, Dad said he hopes your having a good time and enjoying your trip. We just got back from watching Alex and Travis. They were having fun playing with Aunt Lizzie and Felicia. It has been very hot here and the pool is getting used everyday. Rich had a few people over. He's turning into a party animal. Everything is still crazy as usual. We miss you and hope you stay safe and healthy. God is watching over you. Love Mom and Dad
ReplyDeleteTonia, Being by the ocean at night and in a rain forest by day sounds awful good right now with our almost 90 degree weather in Michigan. Missed receiving a blog on Monday but thanks for the update on Tuesday. Grandma wants you to look for the Southern Cross in the sky at night while you are so close to the equator. She said Grandpa saw it while on ship during WWII. Aunt Priscilla was glad to hear you made it to Ecuador safely and to enjoy the experience. Looking forward to seeing Malcomb and Riley on Thursday. May God continue to protect you all and be healthy. Love Mom and Dad
ReplyDeleteHello everyone,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear all is well! Kelly and Mike everything is good here with the boys. They are so lovable! I just wish I had three hands sometimes!! They supervised me mowing the lawn yesterday..they are so good!! None of them dodge for the gate when I go in and out and they lay and wait for me to come back...when you feed them they want you to come back (although sometimes they act so crazy for the food I feel they would eat me if they had to!! just kidding!) Everyone keep up the great work and be safe!! Just think of the difference you are making in peoples lives!! Love you, Shannon