Day 8

Morning as usual starting at 7:30am but today we had a van plus 2 trucks. One truck took Jim and Carter and Ethan to a fruit market to buy bananas to feed the VBS kids for a snack. They were able to purchase 100 bananas for under$8! This truck eventually joined us on the mountain (they stopped for ice cream) for some actual work.

While these 3 were lallygagging and eating ice cream the rest of the team was busy preparing supplies and events for VBS and busting up concrete. There was a platform outside of the old church that held a large rain barrel but with the new remodel of this area the platform needed to go. When we left yesterday, they had just cut it down but the large pieces of concrete were still sitting where they had landed. Adam, Steve and Matthew worked at getting one giant concrete pit moved (they’re using this scrap concrete as fill below the new floor that needs to be poured) and they took turns with a sledgehammer breaking up the platform. Our team then formed a bucket brigade to move the concrete pieces.  Everything went smoothly until Sarah tweaked her back with a heavy bucket. The rest of the team did quick work and moved it all.

Once the whole team was back together the composite roofing sheets were hauled to where they would be lifted onto the roof. These sheets look like tile roofing but are much lighter and I’m assuming less expensive. They will also add a beautiful pop of orange to the church.

Lunch was served today and was potato chicken soup. It was probably the best meal we’ve had on the mountain so far and it was also served with some pieces of their traditional pristinos (a sort of fried bread).

After lunch we had to say goodbye to Esther as she needed to leave us and meet another team from the US coming to do a dental caravan. She also took Sarah along with her as she was in a bit of pain so she could be seen at the clinic.

The rest of the team prepared for VBS. There was some confusion as to the turn out today as yesterday we had close to 70 kids and today we had just 35. It all ended up working out because the craft was harder to do and there was a story to read and the trucks came early. We all had to be FAT today (ask a team member what it means!). The children loved the story that Irma read to them and all seemed very engaged. We brought the story book called “The Garden, The Curtain and the Cross” which so very perfect explains salvation, sin and how the entire Bible is tied together. We have purchased 30 copies in Spanish that we wanted to give to each family that came today but we had children representing 35 families so we could not give them out. We plan on giving them to families on Sunday.

After a stop for ice cream the tram came home to a lovely dinner of baked BBQ chicken, rice veggies and pineapple juice. If you are the family of anyone on this trip I’d suggest you steer away from chicken, rice and potatoes for a while after they return-we’ve had a lot!

We had a short team meeting to debrief from this week and to share things we have learned and seen. Because most of the suitcases that held team materials have been emptied, we also were encouraged to take our check under suitcases and do some packing tonight. Most of the team was happy to do that as we only have one more night here in Ecuador.

Please pray for Sarah and for her back to heal quickly. Sitting in a plane for that many hours could be horrible if she is still in pain.