Day 29 in Ecuador

Working in the kitchen at Camp Hope.

Today was our last day of service with the team. We began by going to Camp Hope again this morning. I was assigned kitchen duty, which consisted of cleaning out the cupboards with a rag. While in the kitchen, we also got the chance to talk to Lucia, who works for Camp Hope as a cook, and Angelo, who is a volunteer that is 15 years old. It was awesome getting to know them and practicing my Spanish at the same time.

Other groups worked on sorting out donations, such as clothes or toys, playing with the kids, and other cleaning jobs. Gustavo told us that there is only one lady in charge of cleaning and that with how busy she is with other stuff, she would have never gotten around to clean the stuff we cleaned. Hearing stuff like that just made me realize and I hope made the team realize how big of a difference they are making, whether it may seem like it or not.

Right before we were about to leave, we had a dance party with the kids there. One of the kids would do a move and we would all copy him and it would make him smile and laugh so much. Once we were done, we prayed for the ministry. Being able to hang out with the kids just for a little bit was so special. Seeing their smiles as we danced with them was so precious and really showed God's beauty in the midst of what some would consider a weakness. We found out as we were leaving that one of the kids had escaped Camp Hope and that they couldn't find him. Please be praying for this kid and for this situation!

After Camp Hope, we drove back to la Casablanca for a delicious lunch made by Mabe and Fabi. We then went back to La Luz to finish up some painting that we had to do. You can see in the picture how awesome of a job the team did with the logos. We were pumped to finally see it finished and so excited at how amazing it looks.

We then headed to the academy practice for Cumbre Alta. We ended up playing gringos versus Ecuadorians and the gringos ended up losing 2-1. We then ate a packed dinner and Dale, Megan and I got to split off from the group for a bit to hang out. Practice with Cumbre Alta was next at 7:30. I loved playing with them so much and it was another fun night of practice. The players seem excited and ready to play their game this Saturday!

So good. They painted this.

Finally we made our way back home, hung out a bit, and went to bed. It was awesome to see the team working hard today and seeing their work finished. I really hope that this team understands how valuable their work has been and how it will really help to spread God's kingdom. Please pray that these kids would understand how much more valuable life is when you lay down your own desires and serve wherever God desires. This is something that I am still learning and have learned a lot more about since being down here.

Thanks so much for all your prayers as this team has been down here. It has been an exhausting but very good week.

Dios Bendiga,
Nich