Kel's Update from Machalilla

Went in service in Machalilla today and we drove about 20 minutes out of town to a territory I haven't been To yet. There is a one room schoolhouse and only about 15 family's that live out there but it was one of the coolest experiences I have had in the ministry, maybe ever. It was a small group of us just Steve, Carlos, Courtney, Mikayla, Jahida and me. Me and Jehida were working together and we went straight to the school because the teacher there is a return visit of hers. The teacher was in the middle of class but stopped everything to come and talk with us. After about 5 minutes she invited us in and about 10 boys and girls all stood up and shouted "buenos dias"!!! To us. The teacher then sat down and asked if Jehida would teach the children something. Is this really happening!!!!!! I couldn't believe it! In the states this would never even almost be ok!! Since Jehida is a teacher this was perfect for her. She went around the class asking each child to say their name and then introducing herself and me. Afterwards she explained that just like we have a name, God has a name as well. She then had one of the little girls read aloud to the class psalms 83:18 and afterward asked what is God's name? Some answered correct and some said Jesus. So she asked the girl to read it again. This time the teacher chimed in and asked all the children to listen more carefully for the answer. After the second time reading it Jehida asked the same question and they all shouted. Jehovah! I seriously almost cried. She then asked them how we know that Jehovah is real? She explained that we know because of all the wonderful creations including us and these things prove that there is a god even though we can't see him. I was so blown away by it all it was truly such an amazing experience. All the kids in that class now know Jehovah is God's name and that proof that he exist is all around us. She reviewed all the information so that they would remember it. Jehida placed a couple "Listen to God" brochures with the teacher and I took pictures of the kids. I then went around and showed them my camera because it always makes little kids laugh to see themselves in pictures. Jehovah is accomplishing his preaching work in ways that continue to surprise and amaze us every day. We left the school and walked a little farther down the road past two donkeys and couple goats that we're chilling by a house. Some pigs snuck up behind the goats and scared one of them so bad he tripped over his own hooves and got a face full of dirt. Afterwords he just stood there looking angry and defiant while the pigs took over his spot in the shade. I think I was the only one laughing. We started looking for Courtz and Mikayla.. Couldn't find them 'til I happened to glance back behind one of the houses. The two of them were sitting surrounded by 3 or 4 women both bibles passed out and open in the women's hands practically having a bible study on the initial visit. So we went to the next house where a woman was doing her washing (by hand). She stopped washing and let me go through my presentation and read a scripture, always listening attentively to my broken Spanish and smiling the whole time. Hopefully she understood something :). Not everyone was home but the people that were all listened attentively and were so hospitable and friendly each one of us had a wonderful experience in Jehovah's work today.
Kel

Hiking in Cajas

So the one thing that I really wanted to do when I came to Cuenca was to go hiking in the mountains. And the girls were awesome and made it happen. Even though they had already hiked it twice already and had sworn they wouldn't kill themselves like that again. They obliged and it was beautiful!

Kel and Mechaela were smart and started out by stretching. I was super nervous and bundling up as best I could. That's me and Kaitlyn preparing to go. I had just rolled up my pants to expose my gorgeous new boots! lol!
 We were just about to head on our way. But then the park officials stopped us and told us we had to record our passport information. Just in case we went missing. But John (the one that had gone Karaoke-ing with us) was our guide. He knows those mountains amazingly well. There were a couple of times I doubted he actually knew where he was taking us because of how dense the woods were. The contortions we had to do to get through it all were impressive if I do say so myself, lol. But back to the original story, we cooperated and wrote our names and "passport numbers" down.
 And we grouped up for a photo. Some of us quickly realized that we were a  little too warmly dressed. And quickly started to peel off the layers. I sadly was not able to take pictures because my camera started acting up as soon as we got there. But thankfully Kaitlyn's camera was functioning and Kel had her Ipod.

So we headed out onto the trail. Everything was going smoothly. Everyone was scattered and lost and Kaitlyn was complaining. It was perfect! Nobody ever really got lost. But there were times that it was a close call. Kaitlyn ended up falling about twelve times. But nothing could beat Mechaela's epic fall. She landed in the mud so deep that it soaked her pants.

None of us had eaten properly before we left. So hunger pains came on very rapidly. But our guide (who did seem to enjoy leaving us all behind) was refusing to stop until we were officially at the half way point. Kaitlyn asked every five minutes what time it was, thinking that it had to have been at least a thirty minutes since the last time she had asked. Only to be severely disappointed. Which then brought on much complaining and yelling. LOL! Great times!
 We did end up stopping for lunch about an hour before our hike was finished. We had a beautiful view to appreciate as we re-energized. Me and Kaitlyn sat on a rock that was completely covered in some sort of strange stiff green plant. It was pretty neat!

 We ended up walking down hill beside a stream. And when we reached the bottom we washed off our boots and posed for a picture! We stopped to grabbed a couple bags of "Cana" aka sugar cane. You chew on it 'til all the flavor is gone, then you spit out the wood bits. It's super delicious! Everyone was happy to head back to the house after the long tiresome hike. It was well worth the energy spent though. It was gorgeous!









More photos will be added later. The internet has been on the fritz... sorry people!





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From the Beginning of this Month

So I totally overslept one day while we were here in Ecuador. But Kel and Mechaela went to work out in service with Kaitlyn. Here are some pictures from the day.