| THURSDAY, WHY WE BROUGHT THE MONEY, AND THE JUNGLE Our final day of working at the Centro Yuu Community House began as the other days of work: breakfast that included yucca, bus ride to the clinic, and a small crowd waiting for us. By the time this day was over, we had logged in nearly 400 patients for the week. We were unable to get any additional follow-up on the single father Peter’s sick baby in the hospital in Puyo this day, leaving us wondering what happened. Communication here is tough. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Sunday before we left New Smyrna Beach, Arlen spoke in each of the 3 services about what we were planning to do in Ecuador, and asked for some donations to assist the group in some of the costs. We were humbled and overwhelmed by the generosity of our home church, receiving much more than what we actually needed for our traveling and direct trip expenses. We didn’t know what this money was for, but we knew that it would be needed for something. So, we took it along and waited to see what it was for. Each day, as we pulled into the rock driveway on the Centro Yuu Community House, we noticed a small structure that had been framed up along the left side of the driveway. On Tuesday, we learned that this was started by our friends Pastor Manuel and Miriam, and was to eventually serve as the church for this community. It was now only a sparse wood frame, with no floor or walls. Manuel and Miriam, from the town of Shell, a couple hours away by bus, were listening to God’s call to serve the people of Centro Yuu, and had stepped out and started this building. However, they had hardly any money, and the building was being completed literally one board at a time, whenever they could afford to buy a board. This is a years-long process. After discussing this with Don and as a group, we knew on Wednesday that THIS is what we brought the money for. One of the most powerful moments of our mission trip came next. The team and the leaders of the community gathered around for a lunch prepared by the Centro Yuu Community House’s neighbors. It was another meal wrapped and prepared in those huge flavorful leaves, and also included a bottle of “chi-cha”, a liquid concoction that is made from fruit that was chewed by the cooks or their families, placed into a closed bottle or pot, and allowed to ferment for a few days. (Most of the team didn’t drink the chi-cha.) The team then thanked the local leaders and Manuel and Miriam for their help and love this week, and announced that we would be funding the completion of the floor, walls, and tin roof of the unfinished church (only a cost of $1100 here in Ecuador). As we talked, Miriam began crying, then Marcello (the Seminary student from Centro Yuu) sobbed, and then Manuel’s voice cracked as he spoke some words of thanks to us, and to God for answering their prayers. There weren’t many dry eyes in that room when hugs, words of encouragement, smiles, and love filled it, and tears continued as we carried our last few bags back to the bus and waved goodbye. God’s love and presence was palpable here this afternoon. Our church, Coronado Community United Methodist, from Florida, is now forever joined with the soon-to-be finished church building of Centro Yuu, Ecuador, and we will never forget our brothers and sisters in this beautiful country. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We drove back to our hotel, and now it was time for a little fun. Max, the 10-year-old Boa-toting son of Romolo, our hotel owner and host, volunteered to take us on a jungle hike through the “labyrinths” a series of caves and close rock walls in the jungle behind the hotel. We agreed to go, sprayed some DEET on our arms and clothes, and off we went. We really didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into. At times, the trail was steep, up and then down, and, or course, everything was wet and slippery. Only 2 of our team members fell, and, luckily, there were only bruises. The jungle is incredible. The lush vegetation is everywhere, below, around, and above us at all times. The flowers, orchids, and algae are thick. We hiked all the way around to the river on the other side of the mountain, and rested along the rocky shore for a while before starting back. While we were there, our 10-year-old guide, Max, caught a bat somehow, and played with him for several minutes before turning him loose. We were tired as we made it back to the hotel by dinner time. It was definitely a good tired. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This was our final day of work at the clinic, and we would be leaving early in the morning to start back toward Quito. |
Cheryl led the group in some laughter therapy this morning...
Our new friends, Pastor Manuel and Miriam.
Centro Yuu seminary student Marcello helps translate from Shuar to Spanish.
Marcello and Miriam are overcome with emotion after the team
committed to funding completion of their small church building.
committed to funding completion of their small church building.
And now....into the jungle for some fun (SEE PICTURES
IN NEXT UPDATE LINK).
IN NEXT UPDATE LINK).