SONG FOR ECUADOR

To my wonderful team,

 It’s been a joy being on this adventure with you all.  Saturday in the bus, on the way to “Mitad Mundo”, I was reflecting on the amazing week we had. Someone started playing ukulele and these words came to me. This song is a little gift to help us recall the beauty, the fun and the power of God we experienced this week.

SONG FOR ECUADOR

Floating on a tropical breeze,

Far above the Florida Keys,
I Leave behind Caribbean Seas,
For a land that calls to me.
 

Beyond the Orinoco flow,

Winding through Andean snows,
To a place I swear I’d been before,
A paradise called Ecuador.

In the mountain city they call Quito,

I steal away like a bandito,
To a house of white that’s heaven blessed,
At Casa Blanca I find my rest.

With Nabe and Fabian as hosts,

And a little help from the Holy Ghost,
They feed us meals that are simply great,
But make sure that you clean your plate!!

Grab your pack and drop your pride,
Take a bus over the Continental Divide,
Down the canyons where a bridge has fallen,
To Huaticocha were the bugs are crawlin’.

Painting walls and digging holes,

Bathing where the river flows,
Muddy boots, mosquito nets,
Give yourself away with no regrets.

Dramas showing Jesus’ love,

Worship sent to God above,
Puppet songs and paper lions,
Singing, praying… Bettie’s cryin’.

Worship in the pouring rain,

After dark, back down again,
Slippery slopes and sideways buses,
All service to the God who loves us.

Laughing children running free,

This is where I want to be,
Only one thing left to do,
Give a shout out to my crew!

[rap]

Julian, Micaela, Kayla and Nicole
David singing from his soul
Jungle Yoga with Alex Cox
Priscilla Auer forgot her socks

Stacey, Joanna, Daniel and Tori

Got the soccer players to listen to the gospel story
Ian, Joe, Will and Cole
Matt and Jamey standing in a mud hole

Mr. Hardy, Mr. Petiti,

Alabaré never sounded so pretty!
Ms. Pitts, Mrs. Hayward and Mama Hahn
She's got your back while your mother is gone.

Erin Gates and Nicole Woo

Robin Teruel – “Happy Birthday to you!”
Three trucks and a bus are sent to save us,
Ms. Menser says, “I love Ben Davis!!”

Team Owen, Gustavo and Jungle Jim

You know that you want to be like him!
Mark and Ulysees and so many others
Serving us like we were sisters and brothers

Kayla, Theresa and Mrs. Kadle

Home is Ecuador since she was in the cradle!

[sing]

Someday we’ll fly over the rainbow, through the sky
To the land that was promised on the day He was crucified

When we’re standing in that place

Soaking in amazing grace
We’ll find each other on that shore
And say, “haven’t we been here before?”…

Floating on a tropical breeze,

Far above the Florida Keys
Leave behind Caribbean Seas,
For a land that calls to me.

Beyond the Orinoco flow

Winding through Andean snows
To a place we know we’ve been before
We saw Paradise in Ecuador.

-          Quito, Ecuador 3/30/13

 

Friends, we experienced a bit of Heaven this week.  Bring it back with you and make it happen in your homes, with your friends and families, in your neighborhood and at your school.  Like Erin said, we’re just visitors in this world, on a short term mission.  Don’t lose sight of the goal; and don’t forget your True Home.  

I love you guys!  You each blessed and inspired me so much this week. See you all at Memories Night on April 18^th at 7pm at King’s!

Peace,

Mr. Hardy