Global Outreach Missionaries to Ecuador
"Garden of Eden" Orphanage in Central Ecuador
the Bond Family August eDiary
I will not attempt to add all the information shared by the enewsletter, but to supplement it by these pictures.
Please email me if you want to receive the enewsletter as well. It is a more detailed text-only version of our adventures for the Lord in Ecuador.
"Garden of Eden" Orphanage
Matthew18:5 - And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
We took a much needed break from school, and went exploring central Ecuador. We found God, sadness, joy, fear, and love.
The orphanage was the highlight of the week. God's light shines there more brightly than most other places. The owner, Roberto, was an orphan himself and his story is amazing; becoming a Christian and being led to start this place 12 years ago... and through many miracles it is a reality. He is providing a home where these 42 children will be able to live until they can survive on their own. He teaches them everything he can about survival, and to love the Lord.
Photos
We took the bus several hours out of the city, and the terrain is sort of a mix of mountains with desert type stuff. Here is an indigenous young lady that was on the bus with us.
We could see Cotopoxi, the highest active volcano in the world, in the distance.
We jumped off the bus in the middle of nowhere and hiked on the side of the major highway. Then we turned into the Orphanage gate, and walked down a long dusty road, past the playground and on to the main buildings.
We were treated to lots of attention, and simple, tasty Ecuadorian food. Here is a shot of the kids in the dining hall.
We met an American short term mission team from Florida. They were hard at work building two buildings for the older children. The team was a group of very special people, and I was especially drawn to Chris Wallace; a large black man with an even larger heart. He is a DJ for Moody Radio in Florida.
Andrea and Rachel, and Melissa were immediately buried in new friends and puppies.
There was Bible school for the children in the afternoon. This was Melissa's bright spot. They loved her help and the children looked up to her. She really had a good time helping and sharing the love of Jesus with them. There were skits each day; one was Noah's Ark, and another was the Good Samaritan, where the director of "World Servants" played the Samaritan's' donkey.
Roberto is the man who created this Orphanage as a vision given to him by God. He is a genuine man who loves the Lord and these kids.
The carpentry shop is for the boys to learn a trade, and is also about 10 percent of the support for the Orphanage. They make beds, cabinets, and other items both for sale and for use there.
They also grow the food for the animals they have to use for food and milk... There were geese, two pigs and several turkeys they were saving for special meals. For regular meat they were raising rabbits and chickens. Also two cows for milk, and one calf for meat someday. This girl was outside preparing potatoes for the next meal.
Here are some shots of the buildings, inside their rooms - where the kids live. Here is a shot of one of the ladies washing clothes Ecuadorian style. This is common even in the big cities still.
As a final group of photos, I would love to feature some of the kids we fell in love with over the week. Some were small, some tall, some in the middle. All were special and we left our hearts there when we departed for Quito on Saturday.
Baņos, Ecuador
Baņos is a small tourist town in Central Ecuador, in a very lush part of the Mountains. It is in the mountains, and surrounded by wilderness complete with waterfalls and exotic plantlife. We stayed here for a few days to learn a little more about the culture and people of Ecuador. There are hot springs to bathe in from the volcano nearby. It was very relaxing and Diego took us out into the mountains to see some of the countryside. Our hearts were still at the Orphanage though and we returned there on Friday. The stark difference between the dry, dusty, desert-like atmosphere of the Orphanage and the lush, almost tropical atmosphere of Baņos is amazing... especially knowing that it is only 1 1/2 hours distance by car.
Photos
A 2 hour busride (always slower than by car) up into the mountains. The terrain slowly changes from dust and dirt, to a mixed terrain, to lush mountains.
Baņos is a picturesque Pueblo nestled in the lush mountains. There a places to hike or ride through out the surrounding mountains.
Here are a few shots around the small town, and a small house on the hillside.
Cuy (guinea pig) is a favored delicacy in Ecuador. These yummy examples are ready for your dining pleasure!
On Friday, we got a ride in a small pickup, and up into the mountains we went! On incredibly dangerous roads with sheer drop offs thousands of feet down!
We saw many beautiful waterfalls like this one.
My favorite picture of the week was a tie. I think you will see why. Both are award winning in my opinion, and were taken by Deb.
Matthew 18: 3, 4 - And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Chachas Misson
This is the same little mission that so profoundly affected us 2 years ago on our first visit. These are mainly indigenous people who, in one degree or another, hold onto their Indian heritage through customs, dress, and lifestyle. They are the poorest class of people in Ecuador.
This evening was special because it was celebrating the purchase of a small plot of land on which to start their little church some day. 4 other area churches joined in and each took their turn doing some special music... Segundo Simbaņa, the local young man my church is supporting through Seminary, preached the sermon. Perhaps a total of 200 folks from surrounding little "Pueblos" were there, praising the Lord. I could feel God smiling...
Photos
About an hour from where we live, outside Quito in the foothills, is Chachas. We rode in a little pickup with 10 young Ecuadorian Christians... 15 people packed in a little pickup!
It is in a poor area, and the last 20 minutes or so was on ancient cobblestone roads lined with Eucolyptus trees, and huge ditches on either side. The view from the future church site is fantastic!
We were in the middle of a farming community, and it seemed like there were animals everywhere we turned. I told Deb, "it looks like Noah's Ark here!" Even the floor of the meeting tent was farm field. Even during the service, we had chickens and dogs wandering in and out of the meeting tent.
Here is the meeting tent; an old army tent and black plastic... it reminded me that God is pleased with us because of what's on the inside, not what the building is made of. Outside, I had the opportunity to take a picture of some little girls on their way to the meeting, as well as Segundo.
The people started packing the little tent, and by 5:30 pm, it was time to start.
My Favorite Picture - Although the quality of the photo is a little bad, it shows some of the people from one of the churches singing for the rest of the group. Not a fancy choir with fancy robes; but the love of God is radiating from them in great power! It was humbling to be a part of it all. It was a blessing to be there.
God Bless you all and keep you - you are in our prayers!
Hasta Luego... Until next month!
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