Yesterday we went to the middle of the world..literally! We stood across the equator with one foot on the north and one foot on the south. We learned the history of the indigenous cultures and other unique aspects of Ecuador.
       On our way to Mindo to go zip-lining we found out the road was blocked by a landslide because of all the rain so we ventured downtown to the Basilica and some of the group climbed to the top tower (and others got coffee...). Before we went back to Casa Blanca we stopped by the Indigenous Market for a lil' souvenir shopping :)  

Idols?

Imagine putting away your Iphone for 10 days, leaving the TV turned off, having no access to your computer, or bookshelf.  How much more time would you have to spend with God and ministering with others?  During this past week I have realized that the electronic devices in my life have taken over and pushed God and others aside.  This past week I have spend much more time in prayer and reading God's word as well as talking with students and teachers.  My relationship with God has become deeper and I have seen him give me the words and scripture to minister to others on the trip because I have spend more time with Him and put the "idols" away.  Now is the real challenge - go back to the US and keep the idols in the closet and continue to spend time in prayer and his Word.  All of us are a bit afraid that we will forget about how God have used us here and that we will lapse back into our old ways of comfort and self-centered lifestyles.  Please pray for the Holy Spirit to keep the fire alive in us as we come home.  Mrs. Hahn

Mixed feelings.

Happy Easter! The Lord has risen from the dead, He is alive!
As I think about the beauty of today and the happiness believers can experience from this special occasion, my heart breaks for those who do not know the true meaning. So many people in the world, including those in the deepest parts of the jungle, have no idea of what we are truly celebrating. Many think of today as the day to dress up and celebrate with Easter bunnies and colored eggs. But our Lord has risen, and brought us hope, joy, and life through Him! How much greater is that than anything else this world can offer?
Heading into our last full day here is Quito, I have sentimental feelings. Feelings of joy that I have been able to return and see how God has continued working in the lives of the Ecuadorian people through the courageous missionaries here. Yet so very broken and sad all the more. Last year, when I left Ecuador, I went away with the idea of becoming a missionary here is Ecuador on my heart. I saw being a missionary as something joyful, full of fun times and pleasure in Christ. This year's trip has opened my eyes to the spiritual warfare and hardships one experiences of the mission field. There is just so much more work to do here, and seeing the people and the need makes me feel melancholy about leaving. I wish I could stay here always and serve the people here. They need to hear the Gospel so badly and do not even know of their need. However, amiss these sad feelings, I know I am leaving having planted seeds in the hearts of many. More children responded to the call for salvation than I could have imagined. Although this trip is definitely what I came into it expecting, I am so grateful for how it turned out. I have seen God work in mysterious ways and have been changed because of it. The people in Huaticocha, the leaders, the interns, Mr. & Mrs. Shaffer, Jim, Ulysses, our team-I will treasure these memories in my heart always.

Please continue to pray for the team and me as we head out for this last day. Pray that we can make an impact of the lives of others even though not necessarily doing any "missionary work." Pray for us tonight as we say our goodbyes to Gustavo, to the interns Abby and Annie, and to Ecuador. Pray for the continuation of the work done here in Ecuador. I wish everyone a happy Easter, and may you all truly experience the hope and renewal found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. See you all tomorrow night!
Much love to all, Joanne

Last day in Ecuador

We have one more day in Ecuador. Yesterday we could not go zip lining due to the heavy rain and land slides, the road was closed. No one complained and we turned around and did some sightseeing in the center of Quito. We then went to an open market where lots of money was spent! Today we have an Easter service at one of the local churches and then last minute preparations for the trip home tomorrow morning. Thanks again for your continued prayers! Mrs. Kadle

The Aftermath of La Slava!

The Jungle.. one word: indescribable. Living in Huaticocha for the week was one of the best experiences i have ever lived in my life. What i expected from these past 5 days have been so much more than i ever could have imagined. Everyday had its own amazing moments and incredible impacts. I think we saw over 50 different smiles each day and i think that's what helped us to keep going. Living in the jungle wasn't easy. It wasn't always a pleasure but it was so worth it! Sometimes the living part wasn't enjoyable but I still kept on craving every moment in Huaticocho. Every person we met was incredible. I love and miss them so much! There were so many great memories made in the jungle and God worked his mighty hand in everyone. He changed us in away that he can only do, which is so amazing! God was so evident this week in Huaticocha and in our lives. I wouldn't change this trip for the world! God's plan is so mysterious and unknown, but it is so promising and worth it. Sometimes while in the jungle, unexpected things would happen and at the moment we would be a little let down, yet in the next moment to come God had something in store. He turned our midexpectations into something better! With God our days were transformed into beauty and I think that's exactly what he's doing in all of our lives. He has stired our hearts soooooooo much! We are broken with arms open wide for anything God has in store, and it is so evident. Just listening to each and every thought we have during our debriefs, change is evident. THE JUNGLE WAS THE BEST THING EVER! and i hope that encourages anyone reading :) we wish you were all here to experience His beautiful heart in Ecuador. So we send our love <3. Goodnight!
-Veronica Coverson

Ecuador is legend what for it... Dary

lots of things happend in the jungle the first day we went to a church survice that wiill always be a memorable time in my life this is because that was when i gave my testimony. it was hard for me to talk about the things that happend in my life with my fellow piers because it was all about times i leaned on god. and that was the  very first time i ever talked about the death of my cousin who was like a brother to me. that was an especially hard time because for a small amount of time i denied god all together. but through this expirience of sharing my testimony a huge weight was lifted from me. i think of that as my baggage and everyone has some and through this time of sharing my testimony my fellow piers were able to help me with my baggage. the work was very had but at the end i was told i was diging a trentch for the sewer line. andv i thoght for a minnute and saw that if i did not do the work that i did they would not even have a flushing toilet. there was something really funny that happend on the bus. it fell into a trentch of mud it was really fun falling when we wee on the bus all of usv are safe and thankfully it was not a cliff.Tonight we had devotions as well and i told everyone about how they helped me lift my baggage and that it helped me so much and i also told them about the first ecuador meeting and how i thought this would be a boring service trip because all these people who are comming to ecuador i have no clue who they are at all and through this expirience i hqave made so many friendships that i will always keep and now i see the people here as really good friends .so i had a fun time and eveything and for my brither and cousins the jungle was legond wait for it best wishes to all my familly...Dairy.
                                                                              sincerly,
                                                                            enrique falk
  P.S. if my parents are reading this blog i love all of you guys and tell the familly that i miss them all ad that i was so thankful for the devotions that they wrote me. and tell lil Angelica that i read her devotional and i thought about it alot and i fell that me and her need to hang out more so we can restore the closness that we had with each other. i am very sad that i do not get to spend easter sunday but my spirit will be there just remember that. be sure to giuve the familly my love.
                                                                              Love,

                                                   your son that is your favorite( Enrique Falk)

Im a survivor!

Hey everyone! I have just had one of the best experiences of my life. I lived in a jungle house in Huatichocha, 6 hours outside of Quito, which was really really great. Living in the jungle was hard but I loved it and it made me truly grateful for everything I have in my life- especially running water. We worked every morning building a missionary school close to the houses where we were staying. I got to shovel more dirt,  digging a trench for the sewer line! yay! I was so blessed to be a part of making this school where missionaries will be sent to remote villages in Ecuador and eventually all over the world. We also visited different villages everyday doing a vacation bible school, where I worked with my puppet team, and had a church service most night. Each night different students would share their testiminies and it was so awesome to see God work directly throught them each time. God has been so evident to me on this trip- whether it be through our bus going in a ditch or not being able to zipline, everything that has happened has been for a reason and God has shown me to trust Him. I am so sad that my trip is almost over and wish I could stay longer, but I'm glad to come home to you all. Keep praying for the church service tomorrow and our supposed ziplining trip. Happy Easter and I'll see you soon!!!  LOVE YOU- Ana  P.S. the food is great... and I havent eaten guinea pig yet haha