Mission to Chuwitayo -- A Photo Journal

                                                

                                First stop -- lunch in Pelileo.  Well, actually this   was our second stop.  The first stop happened just minutes after we started

our trip when we encountered a young blind man walking down the

middle of the overpass.  (See blog "Faith Without Sight")

                                      

None of us ordered the famous "cuy" or guinea pig...

Pelileo is home to the native American tribe

called the Salasacas, orginally from Bolivia.

     One of the many mountainous curves driving to Banos.

                          Traffic was so congested, Johanna, a Christian sister and volunteer from Norway,

                                        and several of the boys decided to get out and jog.

Banos is famous for pulled taffy and sugar cane juice.

 

 Time for set up -- in the jungle rain.   

 

We were so thankful the town gave us their daycare with

a covered court to use for sleeping and eating.

 

The following morning began with children's worship and

                  teaching for all ages.  The pavilion was filled before we even arrived.

Phil was surprised to hear he was expected to give a message to the adults.  He told the boys that he wasn't ready.  They exhorted him with what he has so often told them, "The Holy Spirit is ready, and He is in you.  So actually, you are ready."  God blessed this time in a profound way.

 

 The youngest group colored pictures of their Bible story.

 

 

 We brought twelve carnival games from a partner ministry

called Extreme Response.  The Casa G boys facilitated the games. 

Let the party begin!!

 

The ten year old girl tossing the bean bag is Priscilla.  Her first question when she saw me was, "And Tully?  Did he come?"  Tully, our now 19 year old son who is a freshman in college, started a special friendship with Priscilla when she was seven years old.  Tully was in charge of her group the summer we provided a four day Bible camp.  He told us that he continues to pray for her.  I was starkly reminded of how much I miss having our kids do ministry with us.  Always, the first question I am asked when we arrive is if our kids came. 

 

The Casa G boys are amazing to do ministry with.

Our team in Chuwitayo included Dani, the former housedad of Casa G

(resigned in December to get married) and several of his family

members and teens from their church.

 

 From the smallest to the oldest, everyone played.

Leading this game was Dani, our former housedad.

 

 

 Phil livened up the competition!

 

Natalie, Dani's 16 year old sister.

Susanna and her 8 month old daughter.  She and her younger sister, former practicers of witchcraft from another Shuar village, were part of our group.  Their father, former witch doctor of their village, is now a Christian pastor of their Shuar community.

 

 

Hitting "insects" with bean bags seemed pretty applicable in a place where bugs abound.

Everyone received some of the used clothing Dani and his group brought.

 

 

And have I mentioned that Carnival in Ecuador means lots of water fights and squirting of foam?

Even the babies got into the action.

 

Alejandro is looking for and ready to target Phil.

 

Did I also mention that Phil would likely be in the center of the action?!

 

 The afternoon concluded with a trip to the river to play and get cleaned up.

 

 

 We were invited to join the evening celebration.  Alejandro

and Ricardo accompanied last year's queen, Jessica.

 

Phil was surprised to hear his name announced over the speaker.  He had been elected as one of the town judges to elect a new Carnival queen.

 Carnival festivities continued throughout the evening!

 

 Dario in disguise!

 

 

 Don Washo, Dani's father and our respite Casa G house dad on weekends.

 

Don Washo with queen contestant and last year's queen.  We have developed a relationship

with these precious Shuar sisters whose mother was murdered and beheaded about four years ago.

  

 

 Carmen, three year old daughter of Carla.

 

 Dani's little brother Mateo and friend, Andy.

 

After breakfast together, we headed back towards Quito.  We spent the next two nights at El Monte, a retreat center in the Rio Verde area.  There were a number of important facets of this trip - doing ministry, serving and playing together, providing a much needed break and respite for the boys, and returning to Chuwitayo to continue to build relationship and encourage the people.  "When will you be back?" is always their final question.

 

The place can sleep more than 40 because of all the three-tiered bunk beds!!

The view is spectacular!

 Thank you, Don Wolfram, for allowing us to stay in your place!

 

After a day of play together it was time to pack up and head home.  Our battery in the camera needed recharging. Johanna took pictures I can add later.

Ricardo Gustavo finished up the last touches of cleaning.

 

 

We thank God for His provision.  We thank Him for the joy of relationship.  We thank Him most of all for the fruit we see in Chuwitayo.  One of the men who stood "on the outside" and listened to our messages of the Gospel of hope and salvation over the past three years accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior six months ago.  He and a group of thirty from the village now gather twice a week to study God's word and pray.  He has asked to be further trained and discipled.  Phil is placing him in contact with a Bible school and pastors in the area.