June 11th
Banos, Ecuador
With our work complete for the week, we had the chance to get away from the camp and be a bit adventurous. So, we went rafting on the Class 3 rapids of the Rio Pastaza (they have Class 4s that we’re going to do sometime soon). In order to make it happen, we had to travel to the nearby town of Banos at the base of the volcano Tungurahua. Banos is a popular tourist town, especially with the Europeans, for vacationing and experiencing the outdoors. After choosing a rafting service, we rode a bus to just pass the town of Madre Tierra to get to our drop off point. I’ve been to the Ocoee and Nantahala Rivers before, both with good sized rapids, but nothing really prepared me for what we saw today. The whole two hour trip was one big rapid after another and I ended up getting tossed into the river three times. The neat part of the trip was the change in scenery. We started out in the mountains but finished in the middle of the jungle, near the town of Puyo, in the Amazon River Basin.
After eating lunch in Puyo, we headed back to Patate but made a stop along the way. I know many of you who are reading this blog are familiar with the story of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and the missionaries that were killed in Ecuador in the 1956. Just outside of Puyo stood Nate Saint's house near the town’s airstrip. It’s not a tourist site, but the groundskeeper let us in to tour the house and see all the rooms, two of which were left just as they were. It was a surreal experience, especially after I just started the book Through the Gates of Splendor and watched End of the Spear two years ago. Of course Hollywood took a few liberties in making the movie, but still, visiting the Saints’s house was an experience that I rate pretty high on my list.
Coming back from Puyo on the way to Banos, we passed by a place that takes you across a huge gorge with at least a 1000 ft. drop below. The video posted on this post will hopefully give you an accurate picture of what the ride is like. In two words: pretty intense. Afterwards, we stayed in Banos to pass the evening away sitting in the thermal hot springs and cold springs, fueled by the water running off of Tungurahua.
A day full of new and exciting experiences and connection to something I’ve only read about and saw in movies. The mission field here in Ecuador just became that much more real to me today. Although today was full of adventure, we took the opportunity to share Christ with a Frenchman that rode down the river with us and that we saw coincidentally again at the hot springs in Banos. Even on our off days, God doesn’t cease operations. Sharing the gospel is a 24 hour-a-day job.
Banos, Ecuador
With our work complete for the week, we had the chance to get away from the camp and be a bit adventurous. So, we went rafting on the Class 3 rapids of the Rio Pastaza (they have Class 4s that we’re going to do sometime soon). In order to make it happen, we had to travel to the nearby town of Banos at the base of the volcano Tungurahua. Banos is a popular tourist town, especially with the Europeans, for vacationing and experiencing the outdoors. After choosing a rafting service, we rode a bus to just pass the town of Madre Tierra to get to our drop off point. I’ve been to the Ocoee and Nantahala Rivers before, both with good sized rapids, but nothing really prepared me for what we saw today. The whole two hour trip was one big rapid after another and I ended up getting tossed into the river three times. The neat part of the trip was the change in scenery. We started out in the mountains but finished in the middle of the jungle, near the town of Puyo, in the Amazon River Basin.
After eating lunch in Puyo, we headed back to Patate but made a stop along the way. I know many of you who are reading this blog are familiar with the story of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and the missionaries that were killed in Ecuador in the 1956. Just outside of Puyo stood Nate Saint's house near the town’s airstrip. It’s not a tourist site, but the groundskeeper let us in to tour the house and see all the rooms, two of which were left just as they were. It was a surreal experience, especially after I just started the book Through the Gates of Splendor and watched End of the Spear two years ago. Of course Hollywood took a few liberties in making the movie, but still, visiting the Saints’s house was an experience that I rate pretty high on my list.
Coming back from Puyo on the way to Banos, we passed by a place that takes you across a huge gorge with at least a 1000 ft. drop below. The video posted on this post will hopefully give you an accurate picture of what the ride is like. In two words: pretty intense. Afterwards, we stayed in Banos to pass the evening away sitting in the thermal hot springs and cold springs, fueled by the water running off of Tungurahua.
A day full of new and exciting experiences and connection to something I’ve only read about and saw in movies. The mission field here in Ecuador just became that much more real to me today. Although today was full of adventure, we took the opportunity to share Christ with a Frenchman that rode down the river with us and that we saw coincidentally again at the hot springs in Banos. Even on our off days, God doesn’t cease operations. Sharing the gospel is a 24 hour-a-day job.
4 comments:
Are you crazy?!? That looks like a blast! And hey, do you want to burst your eardrum? ha ha
Mon
Are you taking your vitamins and brushing your teeth? Just kiddin'---well sort of. I'm new at posting comments; tried earlier, and my comments did not post, so this is my second attempt. Please check your student e-mail for another message.
Love, your "Who's Day" Mom
Okay, I got it to work this time! I did not realize that I had to do the word verification. (The handicapped sign threw me off!) Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your VERY DETAILED accounts so far. I did not realize just how much you enjoy writing. It sounds like you are having some incredible experiences, meeting some awesome people, and learning a lot. The "Spanish Treatment" sounds like an excellent idea to assist you in becoming more fluent in Spanish. I'm excited for you and also feel very blessed that God is allowing you these incredible experiences as you get a good taste of missionary life in Ecuador. I'm very proud of you, along with the rest of our family.
I like the prayer requests that you're posting; those are very helpful.
Love, Mom
I am so enjoying your blog. Wish I was there. I will be on the rescue party to pick you up in Aug.
Please continue the blog, most of the church is watching. If I was there I would enjoy everything except that early morning climb, only to be your age! Please keep taking pics and short videos. Please tell Steve, Carol, Angel and and his girls I said Hi. Larry Holcomb
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