The Cups Overfloweth

June 18th

Artezon, Ecuador

With our third day at our worksite, our group really worked hard to accomplish a lot in Vacation Bible School and painting the many things around the schoolyard. More kids showed up today to our VBS, even though about twenty of them had to stay inside the school to complete national tests. After two days, we figured out how to best handle the rambunctious kids and keep them from climbing all over us and each other. But we didn’t count on the fact that they would climb up on the roof to retrieve stray Frisbees. And not just one person either, it was necessary for four or five kids to assist each other in the removal of the Frisbees.
Other than that, Bible School went smoothly and as planned until juice time. I know I wrote about the challenges of juice time yesterday, but today presented a different challenge. Before we go to the worksite each morning, we’re given a five gallon jug of juice. Some groups get less because they have far fewer children and some get more because they are overrun with children. Anyways, somehow we ended up with a half empty jug at our worksite after we almost completely used a whole five gallon jug the day before. I believe that I already mentioned that we had about fifteen more kids today too. The last thing I wanted to happen was to slight a parched Ecuadorian kid of his juice after he had run around for a hour and a half just because we didn’t bring enough juice.
So I prayed that God would provide as He’d see fit. We didn’t need to feed 5000 people, just a sustaining jug of juice.
You guessed it, it lasted. And not only did it last, but the extra sweaty boys that had been playing futbol got a second cup until everyone had had their fill of juice. I’m an engineer and like math, but I’m not sure how that adds up. Providing more from less for more people. Another answered prayer and small sign that God has his hand on the work here in Ecuador.
Speaking of engineering, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to be somewhat of an Industrial Engineer today. During the lunch period, I spoke with the school director and we shuffled around the school grounds, pointing out different things that needed paint or repair. One could argue that it’s the application of Lean Manufacturing Principles (improving a process through a series of steps developed by the Japanese)….only in the setting of an Ecuadorian school in the middle of the Andes Mountains rather than a manufacturing plant. Whatever you want to call it, it was a fun experience to get to know the needs of the school and plan on how our group this week and next week would undertake and accomplish the tasks.
After the workday, our camp staff traveled to Pastor Angel’s house to watch more futbol. Every game is like the Super Bowl here. Today Ecuador took on Colombia in Quito in a preparation match for the upcoming 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It was soggy weather for a game, thus the match turned into a slop-fest on both sides. It ended in a tie, 0-0. Un-American, yes (read two posts again for my thoughts on futbol and ties) but that’s how it goes down here in South America.
It was another amazing day here in Ecuador. The sun was out, plenty of work was accomplished, the scenery was unbelievable, and most of all I was reminded that God sustains us all.