Majestic Views

July 28th

San Jorge, Ecuador

I’m not really sure how much more God can impress me, but let’s just say he did it again today. It was our first day of VBS in San Jorge, a community at about 10,500 ft. sitting way above Patate. It was also my first trip to that community (as well as a sister community named Silvecha). Our trip up in the mountain was nothing less than amazing. Between the farm animals (donkeys, pigs, oxen, chickens) near the road and the scenic view below of up to five different provinces, I wasn’t exactly sure what to look at.

But I guess I should start at the beginning of the day first. With another group coming in next week to the camp after we leave, it was necessary to straighten up a few of the rooms and coliseum from last week’s retreat for the Guayaquilian youth. Cleaning isn’t always the most exciting chore, so our church group decided to spice it up just a bit. My Mom always said when I was younger that everything didn’t have to be a competition, but apparently, when cleaning out dorms, it’s necessary. Girls against the guys and the ones with the cleanest dorm won. Not that there was really a prize, but it a competition certainly helped keep up the moral. The final decision by our judge (Pastor Angel’s wife, Lollie): the guys by a nose. I guess those ribbons on the shower curtains put us ahead.

After our morning of cleaning the camp in preparation for the next week, but ate lunch and prepared for the Bible School in San Jorge. It was then that we took that impressive drive up the side of the mountain. When we arrived, Pastor Angel and a few people from my church accompanied me in inviting kids to our “Bible Club” up at the school. The response at 3pm when we started wasn’t overwhelming, about 67 kids turned out for the first day. However, it was a great time of learning and fun for the kids (as well as for me) as I taught the story of Jonas with a little help from Roberto, my translator.

Bible School ended at about 5pm and we descended the mountain quickly thereafter. Some of the zealous young people in my church group wanted to play futbol when we returned to the camp, so we ran and ran on the soccer field until we fell over, just in time for dinner.

Once everyone ate, I got to share one of my favorite things with the group as I took some of the older men in the group up to Patate for ice cream, especially Ron Pasas (rum and raisins). What a treat! And a great way to end such a beautiful day.