From Micaela

Hola Family and Friends,

We flew into Quito and reached Casablanca around 11 pm last night, but despite our lack of rest, we woke up today with high spirits. Our team was blessed with opportunity to support Cumbre Alta in their very first futbol game! Cumbre Alta is a futbol team consisting of high school and college students, with a mission to spread the gospel through sports ministry.  But even though we did not verbally spread the gospel, we did demonstrate Christ-like character through our actions. I am so blessed to be apart of this wonderful team, they are self-less, passionate, and hardworking. They are great representatives of Christ to this community and I cannot feel more blessed to be able to spend these next 10 days serving with them.  I am also constantly inspired by the members of Inca Link, they are truly passionate followers of Christ and have heart for this country and it's people. They gave us five rules on our first night, in order for us to maintain a good attitude and a genuine heart through our service. Rule #1 Be Here Now, #2 Choose Joy, #3 Challenge By Choice, # 4 Give 110%, and #5 Love Covers All.  These leaders are impacting us daily and challenging us to grow in our faith by pushing us out of our comfort zones. I am so extremely blessed to be serving here again this year, and I am excited to see what God has in store for us!

With Love and In Christ, Micaela Braddi

Cumbre Alta

We spent the day today with Casa Deportiva Cumbre Alta, Inca Link's sports ministry and club.  Cumbre Alta is a sports club that exists to help people take their next step in their relationship with Jesus while pursuing the highest levels of sports in Ecuador, South America and the world. In the morning we helped clean the stadium and surrounding area because this afternoon Cumbre Alta hosted its first ever game in the club's existence! 

After cleaning the stadium, we ate lunch and watched the soccer match. It was a close game and that ended in a tie, 2-2.

Following Cumbre Alta's match, our team members and the Inca Link interns played a game of our own.  Here are some highlights:

After the match, some the interns shared their testimony with us. It was great to hear how God is using these people and their passion to minister to others.

We have finally landed in Ecuador!!

We are here at Casa Blanca in Quito, getting settled in for the night. More details to come soon 

At the airport in Miami

We have been keeping ourselves occupied while we wait for our plane...

Ben doesn't realize he is supposed to walk on the right side

I didn't have the heart to tell Mitchell that the SkyTram doesn't travel to Ecuador

Joanna and Elise are responsible daughters who text their mothers to let them know they arrived safely

Competitive Card games

The luggage loaders can have fun too!

Some rest and relaxing reading

Ben still can't seem to figure it out...

And now we are off to Quito.

Adios, America. We'll let you know when we arrive in Ecuador!

¡Bienvenidos a Miami!

We've landed safely in the Eastern time zone!

Nick was so tired on the plane that he forgot to take the plastic off of his pillow

Sky and Milan dauntlessly ride the SkyTram. No Hands!

Daniel and Micaela decided to take the safe mode and sit on the bench

Trying to decide what's for lunch!

We have about a 3 hour layover until we take off for our second leg.  Tune in again soon to hear about our airport fun, same bat time, same bat channel

Taking off for Miami!

Just about time to hop on the the plane for our first flight to Miami.

Waiting for our boarding passes

Rebekah and Allie are wisely hydrating for the long flight.

Enjoying a little breakfast

These sophomore ladies are excited for the trip!

Pray for a safe and smooth flight.

Alex is also praying he runs into Lebron James at the Miami airport; He's got a few tips to share with Lebron that might help him improve his game.

TKA Ecuador Service Trip: 2014 Edition

Greetings!

We are just two days away from our departure.  I, Mr. Petiti, have been given the privilege of handling the blogging responsibilities during our trip to Ecuador.  I'll be keeping you updated on all the ministry and service that we do as well as any other adventures we may take.  This will be the place where you can vicariously experience the greatest TKA service trip of 2014 (we love the other teams and respect what they are doing, of course, but I am definitely partial to Team Ecuador)!  If you find my blogging style somewhat repulsive, you need not worry; I'll be encouraging the other members of our team to share on this blog their thoughts and feelings and emotions from their experiences in Ecuador as often as possible!

On Monday, many of our team members congregated at lunch to do some last minute preparation for the crafts that we will be doing with the children in Ecuador (Team Craft is appreciative of the extra assistance!).  I could sense that the students are looking forward to the trip, but I have a feeling that only a few of them are truly aware of the joys and excitement that are awaiting them when we will be serving the Lord by ministering to some of the indigenous communities of the Amazon.  I can't wait to see how the Lord will work in the lives of these students and through their hearts.

Here are some prayer requests for our trip:

• That the Lord will do amazing things through us as we serve as Christ's hands and feet, not for our glory but for his
• That the Lord will open the hearts of those to whom we are ministering
• That we will eagerly embrace any challenges that come our way
• Safe travels, both to Quito and when we travel to and from the jungle (Safe travels for the puppets too!)

We appreciate your prayers for Team Ecuador!

So spread the word about our blog!  Who wouldn't want to read about our exciting endeavors in Ecuador, right?!?  Check back Friday for our next update.

Until next time,
Mr. Petiti