So Now What?

I wanted to challenge you and myself to do something with all that we have learned from my life changing trip to Ecuador. The previous 5 posts cover the events.
Action Steps

1. One of the many things that stuck out to me was how excited the children were to show us the letters and pictures from their sponsors. My family is going to make one day each month as "David's Day". We will take extra time to pray for him and his family, and make a package to send to him.

2. The people their were quite content in their circumstances. They made the best of what they had. I pray that me personally along with my family will become increasingly conscious and grateful for where we are.

3. As I wrote about in an earlier entry. I want to extend true "Southern Hospitality" to others. I want to welcome people in my home for fellowship not presentation.

4. As Rich challenged us: "I want to be a 'stretcher carrier' for Christ". I want to let my faith carry those that don't have faith for themselves to the feet of Jesus.

I sincerely hope these memories of mine will inspire you to do more in your walk with our precious Lord. Thanks for taking the time to visit.

Blessings,

Going Going Gone

The previous post along with this one are the last two of my journal entries for the incredible trip to Ecuador. I hope you have enjoyed them.
The trip home

The airport was hectic, filling out papers, checking luggage and roses!! We were bringing a piece of Ecuador home with us. I met a lady in line that was curious about our group. It turns out that she is a CLASS (Christian Leader Authors Speakers Seminar) graduate, and she knew one of our very own Sussane Scheppmann. She took back a picture of the team to surprise her with. Connie is also an ultrasound sonographer, ( I am also), she was there on a mission trip. I once again smiled at the humor of God.
It was an all night flight to the states. We arrived in the Atlanta airport early in the am, we were eagerly anticipating Starbucks. I had checked as one of my bags, the box with all of the roses for the ladies from Charlotte, NC. So I had to go through the agricultural customs.
All who had boxes of roses went through, the rest headed on. There were hugs and tears. I was the last one in the line up of roses. I watched as all the boxes were opened, each bunch of roses was shaken over a container to make sure there were no bugs in them. Unfortunately, according the the lady doing the checking, the very last bunch in my box had a bug. None of the other bunches had bugs. I had to stand there and watch as 22 dozen roses were confiscated and thrown away. I was so glad that Van had stayed behind with me. We were sad at the loss. No time for tears, we still had more customs to get through.
At this point we were concerned about catching our next flight. There was a battalion of military personnel being deployed to Iraq. We thanked as many as we could personally for their service. More tears.
By the time we got through baggage check we had fifteen minutes to catch our flight. Which of course was three concourses away!!! I was painfully aware that Starbucks was not in the plan. We made it just in time, boarding was already begun. Van and I assumed that we could get coffee on the plane. Think again!! Due to the short duration of the flight, there was no beverage service. I was sitting next to Melissa Taylor, who had a grande latte, I threatened to steal it. But it was only a fleeting thought, I did not act on it.
The landing in Charlotte was a bit side ways, the pilot made a good recovery and we were home.
As soon as we got off the plane, Van and I ran to the Starbucks and indulged in desires!! We met back up with the team at the baggage claim. My bag and my family arrived, more tears.
I will forever cherish the memories I have from this trip. Thanks for sharing the journey with me.
Blessings,

God Said "Bring Me the little children".

The last day in Ecuador
Day 4

This day brought even more tears. We visited a Compassion Survival Project. This program is geared towards the expecting moms and new moms with children under the age of three.

We sat in chairs to watch a program the older children had prepared for us. While some of the other children came to sit with us. A precious little girl named Jacqui came to sit with me. She climbed into my lap. She looked up at me with the most beautiful eyes and smiled at me, the tears were really flowing now. Her eyes were full of life, so pure, they sparkled like stars in clear sky at night. Her arms were chilled and she let me hold her to help her warm up.

When the program was finished we again looked at some of the details of this project. Little Jacqui grabbed my hand and pulled me over to a lady showing some craft work. She was calling out to her "Momma, Momma". She wanted me to meet her mom and baby brother. I must say this little girl captured a piece of my heart. She is not in the sponsorship program yet, but I am on a list to have the chance to sponsor her. I will give up my Starbuck's Latte to help her!!

The home visits this day took us to some rough areas. We were told to stick close to our group and be watchful.

I was privileged to go to a home with two small children. To get to the home we had to climb up some stairs to an apartment unit of three rooms. The steps were steep with no rails. It has to be scary to her with a toddler. The parents are married. The husband works in construction. Her older daughter was not in the program. We asked if her husband was supportive of Compassion. She said yes because of the drastic developmental differences between the two children. The baby can do so much more the their daughter did as a little one. The project assigns a counselor for each family, they do weekly visits. At these visits they teach the mothers how to interact with the children to help them develop properly.

We were treated to making pancakes, we would call it a "drop cake", or "funnel cake" where I come from. They were tasty. We also had lunch with the family and decorated a room in the house. Glynnis, Rich, and I lack creative ability, so I am not sure how festive it really was.
After lunch it was back to the hotel for final packing and loading to go home.

It was bitter sweat leaving the hotel. We headed to another local landmark for dinner. It was a restaurant at the base of a huge statue called "The Virgin of Quito", it stood on a hill named "Little Bread Loaf". The view was beautiful and we watched the sun set over the city. Our country hosts presented us with dolls for a memory. More tears!!

We gave a family a ride down the hill in our bus. As only God can do, one of the children was a Compassion Sponsored child. Tears again.

The next post will cover our trip home and all its adventures.

Blessings,