Holiday Bible Club

This week we ran our “Take my hands Lord” Bible club in our fourth community, Tambayacu. The children here were, on average, slightly older than those in previous weeks. This lead to some epic competition in the games and even a gymnastics display of sorts! Yet again, we were blown away by the engagement of the children and their enthusiasm for the gospel message.

The president of this community came and gave an address to us and the children on the first day, a lovely mark of his approval and support for Hanna’s ministry.

As in other weeks, we had the help of some of the older children from Yawari and Rukullakta (where we were staying). It was great to get to know them better and their love for the children around them was beautiful to see. Hanna took some of us and her loyal helpers to a nearby river to cool off post-Bible Club one day.

Activities in Rukullakta

The English lessons, music teaching and sports sessions continued with gusto this week! There were many more students than previously, including some parents who were keen to brush up their fairly advanced English. We were grateful to feel more confident in leading our sessions and thank God for his provision of the school that we were able to use. We made great friends among our students, as evidenced by the epic water fight we had after the classes on a particularly hot morning!

Kate’s birthday

On the Wednesday of this week was Kate’s birthday. Up early to run and swim in a waterfall with our host Señora Inés, the day was off to an active start!

We managed a birthday breakfast before the activities in Rukullakta started for the day. One of the mums in Kate’s English class organised a collection from which she bought Kate a birthday cake. Lots of singing, celebrating and pushing Kate’s face into the cake ensued! There was such a strong community feel and it was lovely to celebrate with our new friends.

Our Short-Term Coordinator, Abby, returned in the evening, for which we could hardly wait as she truly is a legend of her time. Hanna also came for celebratory fajitas and gift giving. After whittling some sticks, we roasted marshmallows, before Kate shared a birthday devotional with us.

Days off

We had Monday off this week. We decided a slower pace was needed, for which bird watching seemed an apt choice. We made the journey into Archidona to drop off some washing and then relaxed with the birds and butterflies for a significant portion of the afternoon. Books were read, croissants consumed and laughs were shared; a lovely, restful day.

Tradition

Our host, Señora Inés, was particularly keen for us to get involved with a local tradition that sees one wake up at 3am to share tea and discuss dreams around the fire. After persuading her that waking at 5am would have a similar effect, we enjoyed the peaceful simplicity of this custom. Hanna pulled through with food once again and it was wonderful to have Abby there too to join in the festivities.

Debrief

On Friday, after our early start, we took some time to reflect upon our experiences here. We thanked God for all he has done and continued to petition on behalf of the communities with which we have spent time. It was humbling to consider the mastery of God’s plan for this place and we are so thankful to have been able to play a part in it.

Goodbyes

We were so touched by the thoughtfulness of the people we have met here. One family, relatives of our hosts and keen attendees of our English classes, came to present us with beautiful jewellery. Two other girls each wrote us individual letters of encouragement and farewells.

We were grateful to be able to give Señora Inés a Spanish Bible, which brought her to tears. She was also excited to receive a London tea towel and a Northern Irish fridge magnet. We left similar gifts for Hanna, hoping to express our appreciation for her.

Señora Inés and her husband Richard presented us each with beautifully personal gifts, each handmade by Richard. They shared the stories of the significance of them, as well as how Richard made them. It was an emotional time and we thank God for both their kindness and friendship.

Holiday days

We had three days to rest and travel back to Quito before the end of our trip. We broke up the nine hour drive to Quito with a stop in Baños. The daring among us undertook a zip line and we enjoyed a set lunch at a local restaurant. We made it to our hostel in Quito by the evening, where the view from the terrace left little to be desired! We took Abby up on her recommendation and tried out a fabulous rooftop restaurant near our accommodation. The most mature member of the group enjoyed a children’s meal, while the others trialled empanadas and corn bread!

The next day we ventured to the Middle of the World, where we put in a good effort to capture the most creative equator line photos. We had another banging set menu meal here before we went and significantly increased the local markets earnings for the day! The evening saw us back at the restaurant from the day before, this time sampling local drinks as well.

After a final devotional on the Monday morning, we explored the basilica. Abby, who was all one could ask for in a tour guide, lead us round the old town where we fell prey to one of the most wonderful chocolate shops we had ever seen.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch on the main square before tearful goodbyes at our hostel.

Prayer and praise

– Thank God for our health, for the friendships we have formed, for bringing us water when we needed it and for seeing more of his wonderful creation.

– Praise God for what he is doing in the communities we have been involved in. Ask him to water the seeds he has planted and bring his children home.

– Pray for Hanna and her steady, faithful ministry. We are so inspired by her life of sacrifice and loved getting to know her over these past weeks. Thank God for opening people’s hearts, for the approval of local leaders and the gift of the land Hanna has acquired to build a home for her work.

– Some other missionary groups are coming to these communities to support Hanna in the following months, pray the Lord would prepare them well and that they would be blessed as they seek to bless.

– Praise God for Abby. She has been a massive blessing to us with her gentle kindness, local knowledge and grounded faith. We have had such fun with her and ask God to continue to bless her as she seeks to make his name known in Ecuador.

To read the team’s previous report, click here.