to Ecuador
to Ecuador
This is an oasis in the high desert of the Andes Mountains, about 3 hours south of Quito. 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 15 years ago... and through many miracles it is a reality. He is providing a home where these 60+ 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.
This information is a part of our August '03 eDiary, and many subsequent visits, but since it is a long term ministry to us, we have dedicated a stand-alone page to it. Visit the April 2006 page for lots more photos.2006 addendum: we continue to be a part of the orphanage through ministry. We are sharing our love with them in many ways: through short term teams, personal visits, and by bringing some kids home with us for short visits here in Quito. Maria Rosa is one girl we have gotten close to over the years. We also reward the kids through our School grades incentive program. We give a dollar for every "A" on their report cards, and it is really having a dramatic affect! It was also wonderful to give out lots of hugs and love to all the kids as well. Here is a photo of a group of the girls that really need a father figure in their lives.
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.
Cotopoxi, the highest active volcano in the world, is visible in the distance.
You get there down a long dusty road, past the playground and on to the main buildings.
We are 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 Floria in August 2003. They were hard at work building two buildings for the older children. Here are the buildings in the last stages of completion a little over a year later.
Andrea and Rachel, and Melissa were immediately buried in new friends and puppies.Teams help with things like Bible school for the children in the afternoons in their church / meeting hall. Melissa is helping and sharing the love of Jesus with them in this photo.
Here is a shot of just about everyone at the orphange in October 2004. 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, desks and chairs, 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. Some were small, some tall, some in the middle. All are special and easy to love. 
