We all arrived back to the States this morning. We had a safe flight and an amazing trip overall. On our last day we explored more of Quito and learned lots about the culture. We started off our day by going to church at an English church, however we did sing in Spanish some. We then went to a organization that helps young women who are involved in sex trafficking. We toured their building and had the opportunity to buy jewelry that was made from scratch by the girls in the program!

We ate lunch at a food court in a mall. Afterwards, we went to the Middle of the Earth! We had a tour guide who taught us all about the tribes that used to live there and also showed us some super cool stuff that happens on the actual equator versus off. We took pictures while standing in the north and south hemispheres. We then left there and made an awesome stop where we could take pictures with the beautiful mountains and Quito in the background.

Our last thing was the market and it was so much fun! We all loved buying blankets, alpaca jackets, backpacks, and so much more. The bargaining was extremely fun and the youth really got into it. After the market, we headed to another mall for dinner and then we went to the airport.

At the airport we shared our last devotion and worship. Trevor gave the devotion and our worship team lead us in some great music. People sitting nearby also waiting to board, were singing along and someone even came over and clapped at the end. I personally thought that was so cool to see that even in the airport we can shine the light of Christ.

I'm sure just about everyone went home for a nap when we returned to Creekside. This week has been so amazing but exhausting. Everyone worked so hard and was positive throughout the whole trip. The trip was different than some of us were expecting but overall it was a perfect week and everyone got something out of it. Relationships and friendships were formed within our team and also with the people in Misahuallí, eyes were opened, hearts were changed, God's love was so evident to the people around us. Although we went to serve the people in Ecuador, I think everyone would say the people in Ecuador served us and changed us as well. Working in the jungle has made us all see how forunate we are and reminds us to not take little things for granted. We have been so blessed by this trip and are all excited to continue serving in Ecuador in years to come.

Hope everyone enjoys flushing toilet paper and brushing your teeth with faucet water again! 

Also, more pictures will be uploaded on here and on Facebook later today. Hope yall have enjoyed hearing about our trip through this blog. All of us still have so many stories we are excited to share with yall! Thanks for your prayers and love throughout this whole journey. 

Hope yall enjoyed the pictures that were uploaded last night! We have been crazy busy this week. Thursday we again did VBS at the school. It was our last day with the kids but it was so much fun. The children put on a performance for their school where they danced to a song in Spanish and also a song in English. It was sad to say Adios to our new sweet friends. That afternoon we worked on building the new school room and worked on other projects on the property. We also got invited to a birthday party that night. It was for Jadyra, a fifteen year old girl who Kaylan and Tyler sponsor. The party had lots of dancing to English and Spanish songs along with some super fun games and it was a good time celebrating Jadyra's birthday. 

Friday, our work project was at the church, which was different from every other day. We were helping to fix up the building. Most everyone helped paint parts of the inside and outside. Landscaping was also a big part and people were working hard pulling weeds and making the garden nice. Addison, Amanda, and Marisol (our sweet translator and dear friend) put on a VBS day for 36 pre-schoolers from the public school. The kids were just as precious as the ones from the other school and were so happy to be around all of our team. The second half of the day we went to the river. We rode banana boats to a wildlife animal reservation. There we took a tour and learned lots about the animals and more about Ecuadorian culture. We took the boats back and then drove to a village called Shiripuno where we got to see, climb, and even slide down the Holy Rock. Then the women of the village performed a dance and we all joined in dancing together. Then we went back to the hostal where we ate our last dinner in Misahualli and had devotion. Devotion and worship was awesome. Pastor Kelly gave the devotion and we also took communion. 

This morning we loaded the busses and got on our way to Quito. We stopped for lunch at a place called Miramelindo where we ate family style burritos. Near our lunch stop we went to the Isla de Pailon (a massive waterfall) and also road cable cars across a beautiful mountain scenery. This afternoon we went to a city named Baños. We were able to shop and a good bit of the youth bought alpaca jackets. We just arrived to our hostal for tonight and are about to eat dinner. Tomorrow we will be going to church and touring more of Quito. We are having so much fun but are excited to see yall and can't wait to share all about what God has been doing in each of our lives when we return home!

PICTURES

Here are some pictures from our trip! Sorry it took so long, we´ve had some computer problems. Enjoy!

Our first two days in the jungle have been awesome! Yesterday was our first day of VBS at Antioquia Christian Academy. We are working with 22 kindergarteners and have loved getting to know them. We have played games, made crafts, and taught the kids an english song (for those that did VBS at Creekside, the song is ¨My God is Powerful¨). After VBS we returned to the hostal for lunch which again was delicious. Then we went back to the school to begin our work day. We all split up and did lots of different jobs. Some of the jobs included: cutting down trees and transporting them to the back of the jungle, digging ditches, building classroom walls, sanding missionary cabins, and creating a pathway to the new classrooms.  

Worship the last two evenings has been wonderful! Monday night, we were able to worship with the mission team from Cumming First UMC, members of the local methodist congregation, and the missionary family.  We worshiped in both spanish and traditional Ecuadorian style with native flutes, guitars, and drums. Last night, Riley gave a powerful message about Romans 12:2. His devotion was absolutely wonderful and Craig, Kirsten, and Laura led some awesome worship. 

Today we again did VBS half the day and then a work day at the school the second half. The children are having so much fun and are sad at the end of the day when we have to leave. We were really excited to ride back to the hostal after a long work day in a camion (a cattle truck) with the wind in our hair and dust in our eyes!  This afternoon we also went down to the river and went swimming. Tonight we learned more about the culture and  made chocolate from scratch which was so cool! We are about to have a team meeting where we will discuss plans for tomorrow, along with worship and a devotion by Jill.

Everybody is having a great time and doing well! We can´t wait to post again tomorrow and tell you about all of our new adventures. And I promise pictures are coming soon!!

Hi! We safely arrived in Quito last night. Our flight went well and we stayed at a very welcoming Ecuadorian hostel. It was very different from what we are all used to but it was cool to see and be a part of their culture. Today we went to the Hot Springs at Papayallcta and had a wonderful lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we proceeded to Misahualli. On our way, we got to see some beautiful scenery. It was amazing to see what an amazing artist our God is. We got to see some mud slides, waterfalls, mountains, and tons of animals. We arrived at the Hostal el Paisano this afternoon and have all gotten settled into our rooms. We met the mission team from Cumming First UMC and ate a wonferful dinner together. The food was delicious and we are so blessed by the amazing cooks that God has given us for this week. We also had a church service tonight where we sang in English, Spanish, and Spanglish. We also heard a testimony from two missionaries and met David, the pastor of the church. It was such a cool experience and a fun filled night. We are preparing for VBS tomorrow and cannot wait to meet all the children, teach them about our awesome God, and love on them this week.

Pictures are coming soon!

The Team that Started It All!

Honestly, this post is for the primary function of making sure that we can post photos; however, this picture is of the Creekside scouting team standing inside the root structure of "the big tree" last summer. We cannot wait to travel down into the jungle and start to share God's love with His people! Hard to believe that we leave tomorrow! Next post will be from the jungle! 

We are so thrilled to be leaving for Ecuador on Sunday. We look forward to doing God's work and making relationships with the people of Misahualli. Please keep us in your prayers throughout the week as we travel and serve. We are so excited to be embarking on this journey and can't wait to share all of our experiences with you!