Dad's Visit

My dad came down for a visit to Ecuador. My parents both came my first year that I was here. After some “challenges” that my mom faced (altitude sickness, fear of flying and really any form of transportation) it was decided that it was in everyone’s best interest if my dad came solo this time. During his time here, we went to Papallacta (a town where there are natural hot springs), Mindo (the Cloud Forest), and spent time in Quito and at the orphanage. Our schedule was action-filled and he got to see a lot in a short amount of time. We spent time with my roommates and friends and he got to see a lot more of Ecuador than he did last time. A highlight was the trip to Mindo. We went ziplining, visited the butterfly sanctuary, saw a lot of hummingbirds, and had a really fun hike. There was also a possible bat sighting. Thanks for visiting Dad! 

In the midst of ziplining

Dad's treehouse room in Mindo

Stopping for a little juice in the midst of a rainstorm

A toucan that we saw

Choir Concert

I have been singing in a choir the last couple years that my friend Jilly conducts. This year our group is made up of a mixture of North Americans, Ecuadorians, and Europeans. Last week we went to Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) which is where the Equator monument stands. They have an amphitheater there where we sang. Then this week we went to Old Town and sang in a cathedral and in some of the plazas. We have quite the repertoire – our songs are in Latin, Spanish, and English. My personal favorite was “Creere” where we recruited some random beat boxer to accompany us.  I will try to upload some videos this week so that you can hear us!

Samaritan's Purse Shoebox Project

My friend Robbie runs a kids club in a rural area south of Quito. During the week, the kids come to get help with homework and to learn from the Bible. In January Robbie found out that his club was chosen to receive 60 shoeboxes from Samaritan’s Purse. In order to distribute the shoe boxes he had to organize a program where kids would be able to invite their friends and where they would learn about Jesus. It was such a fun event to help with. We set up carnival games and the kids got to go around to try out all different types of games. We handed out sandwiches and drinks to the parents and kids and then the kids received their shoeboxes. At this point it had started raining so there were a bunch of kids all in this tiny room. Some of them opened their shoebox right then and there and pulled everything out. Others held on tight to their box and ran home to show their family. In the past, I’ve packed up shoeboxes. It was fun to be on the other end this time and see the kids receiving them!

One of the boys with his new sunglasses, balloon, and shoe box!

I was asked to be the bouncer at one point. I put on my angry face. 

Helping with the bean bag toss. 

The kids as they were watching a skit

Coat

We’re in rainy season right now. In fact April is the rainiest month of the year here. The mornings often start off with sun and then there is a downpour in the afternoon. This past week our house was struck by lightning. All this to say it has been a little chillier than normal.

Last week one of the Tias (caregivers) at the orphanage came wearing a puffy coat that looked like it would be worn in a snowstorm. I commented on the fact that she looked very warm which was interpreted as I also would like a jacket like that. The next morning, I opened my front door to find a big gift bag with my nice new winter puffy jacket. I wore it the other day and was very thankful for its warmth!

                                                              Yes, I do live on the Equator!

Over Easter week a youth team from Red Bluff, California came to volunteer. This church has been a long supporter to For His Children and I have had the privilege of spending time with members of this church both here in Ecuador and recently on my fundraising trip in California. They are a wonderful group of people and I am always so encouraged after being with them.

Since they were here on Easter, we all went to church together. Then we got to go to a professional soccer game. Tickets were $2.50 per person! Then everyone came over for a brunch and we did an Easter egg hunt for the teenagers and then another one for the kids at the orphanage. It was a great day!

During the week that the team was here, they went to the local market to buy fruits, vegetables, and meat for the For His Children. They had to barter and figure out what each item was that they needed to purchase. One of the items was a cow leg! They also served at the local dump and at a soup kitchen. The teenagers did a fantastic job working with our kids. Thanks for a great week!

One of our babies searching for the eggs

The toddler girls showing off their colored tongues after eating candy

My roomates on Easter - Isabel (Germany) and Kathryn (New York)

Viviana’s Adoption

Viviana came to FHC one day after I brought Jennifer home from the hospital in 2011. I got to visit the province she originally came from. I watched Viviana grow since she was 8 days old. I saw her learn to crawl, walk, and eat at the “big kids” table. In March, Viviana met her forever family. They are an Ecuadorian couple from a city about 1 ½ hrs. north of Quito. They spent a week at FHC with Viviana before taking her home. I got to spend some time chatting with her family and they are such a sweet couple. Last week they came for her despedida, goodbye party. Doesn’t she look like a little princess?! She has adjusted really well to her new home and family and when she came back for her goodbye party she was all smiles!

Viviana (R) with her mom and Jennifer (L) at Vivi's Goodbye Party

Sunny Days

Hanging out with one of my boys

The founders of For His Children are Clark and Melinda Vaughn. They are a huge reason as to why I decided to remain in Ecuador and specifically at For His Children. They have been a source of encouragement to me over these past three years as I seek out what God wants for my life. It has been amazing to be a part of what two people have started and to see how that has grown exponentially; reaching far more than the kids who are cared for at FHC. Everybody who comes into contact with the ministry, adoptive families, volunteers, and visitors, are all changed in some way. Clark and Melinda moved to Ecuador with their two small children back in the 80s after they heard God calling them to care for “His children” in Ecuador. They left a successful and profitable life in California behind and moved to Ecuador. Around 800 children have passed through For His Children from the time it began.

Last year Clark was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease. Within a short period of time he went from being an active, healthy man to a person confined in a wheelchair and who had difficulty speaking. As I traveled around the States to do fundraising for For His Children, I was even more touched by the amount of people that Clark impacted. People who only spent a short amount of time with him on a missions trip to FHC or time when he came to visit their church, would talk about him like he was an old friend. During my time of traveling, I received a phone call telling me that Clark had passed away. Condolences came from around the world. A hole has been left but we are comforted in the fact that he is no longer suffering. It is truly incredible to see how God works when we truly give Him all of us; when we commit fully to His will for our lives. Clark’s life was a wonderful example of this.

Clark with Rosa who was adopted last year