Gringo Alto [Tall White Person]

June 8th

Patate, Ecuador

I never would have in my wildest dreams thought I’d ever see 378 people, plus the camp staff at Campamento Bautista Chacauco (Camp Chacauco). With room for only about 250 people to sleep, somehow everyone managed to spend the weekend to attend the ‘Despertar’ youth retreat. Hosted by Brook Hills Church, a church from Birmingham, Alabama, and the staff the Servant Life ministry, the event drew a record number of youth from around the country (15 of Ecuador’s provinces), from both the coast and from the surrounding mountain communities. I felt very blessed to get to meet some of the campers and attend today’s worship service and culminating event. Interestingly, at the end of the service, many of the campers and parents wanted a picture with me. I’m guessing it was probably because I was the tallest gringo with blue eyes they’d ever seen. I guess I can relate more to NBA players now. Pictures and jokes aside though, it is quite clear that God continues to use Camp Chacauco in unimaginable ways.

Today was also marked my first day as an intern at the camp. I found work where I could, helping serve meals and washing silverware in the kitchen. With the nice weather, I also had a chance to run on a few of the roads during the morning with a few of the M-Fuge staff and play futbol in the afternoon with many of the camp assistants. Let’s just say that the only gringo on the field didn’t know really what to do other than run from one side of the field to the other. Running across the hills of Ecuador was quite an experience as well. I can honestly say that I’ve never run in a more picturesque place in my entire life. And if that wasn’t enough, the altitude will certainly take your breath away too as the camp sits at somewhere around 6000-8000 feet above sea level.

I find it refreshing to be in a place where everyone is like minded in serving others and reaching others for Christ. Continue to pray that the necessary preparations would take place over the next week as M-Fuge will host two groups of U.S. high school students in the two consectutive weeks following this week. I’ll also continue to update the ‘Prayer Requests’ box on the right, as your prayers do make a difference half way around the world.