Celebrating the Fifth of July

July 5th

Patate, Ecuador

As Un-American as this sounds, we celebrated the fourth of July on the fifth of July. It just worked out that way where everyone came back to the camp today to welcome the next group here at Chacauco from Brook Hills Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Another group had visited a few weeks ago to help put on a camp and this group aims to do much the same. About forty kids are expected to attend the kid’s camp here at Camp Chacauco this Monday through Thursday.
Today was a day of rest and recovery. After sleeping in for much of the morning, we made final preparations for the group coming in and practiced a skit that our staff will perform for the children. I’m a tree…at least in the skit and I have one line, “Esta es un estoria de verdad! (This is a true story!)” Yes I know, it’s only one line, but hey, I’m looking forward to getting a Grammy for my performance this coming week. After practicing, hauling luggage, and helping the new people get oriented, we lit some fireworks that Pastor Angel had bought earlier in the day. I’m sure the neighbors thought something was a little weird when the brilliant colors flashed across the Andean sky, but hey, it’s the fifth of July and we were going to celebrate our country’s independence, even if it was a day late.

Another new set of fresh, willing faces looking to make an impact here in Ecuador, that’s what makes this job so cool. Meeting new people every week and seeing there eagerness to work here is in itself a great blessing. Thank goodness for the fourth of July and for that fact the fifth as well. The Independence we have enables us to easily do this mission work. Spending this holiday in a foreign land makes you appreciate that much more the blessings we do have to live in America.