Entry #24, June 1, 2023, Ecuador

 

The Colors of Ecuador

Las montañas de verde

El cielo, azul

Las flores y los pájaros 

Hacen arcoírises vivos

Los colores de Ecuador

En todo el país

Siempre bonitos

Pintado por Dios

Yes, always beautiful

Painted by God

 

 

Ecuador, a bountiful land of beauty. We are so thankful the good Lord led us here. And, yes, that’s exactly what He did.

 

Originally, our stop in South America was to be Chile, but a friend told me to go to Ecuador, it’s the most wonderful country. Then my seatmate on a flight to Atlanta was living in Ecuador, and she encouraged me to go visit. Then, to top it off, another friend (Brittany) moved to Ecuador, and after seeing her view, we were convinced that we were supposed to go.

 

However, we didn’t choose our location in Ecuador until early this year, after Brittany told us about Gloria, a missionary who is soon opening an orphanage, who needed a couple to volunteer some time to help with a few projects. BINGO! We knew God wanted us in Malacatos, Ecuador.

 

First of all, Ecuador! Flying into Quito and then later to Loja, was absolutely magnificent. Those mountains….so green and tropical and dotted with towns and villages. (Reminded me of Peru in one of my favorite animated movies, The Emperor’s New Groove.)

 

This is the Amazon! Our little town is right on the edge of the Amazon Rainforest. I’m still in awe of knowing we hiked through its jungles and climbed the Andes Mountains and saw a toucan and a tarantula and ate coffee berries right off the bushes. The people were friendly and tolerant of my inadequate Spanish. And the fruit! Papayas, mangoes, dragon fruit, tangerines, bananas, passion fruit, and a bunch that I don’t know their names. They grow everywhere. Just pick them and eat. Wow!

 

Since it’s near the equator, the climate remains pretty much the same year around, however, there is a rainy season and dry season. But because of the sunlight and weather, they get crops all year of many fruits and vegetables. Coffee and sugar cane are the two main export crops in the area we lived. We did visit our friend Jorge’s dragon fruit farm, also raised for export. The green lushness and variety of flora and fauna is staggering.

 

However, it wasn’t all heaven. The “bitey bugs” LOVED me! Fleas and no-see-ums are forever on my hit list. And one night our roof could not keep out a torrential downpour. Between a waterfall down one wall and the water pouring in under the front door, we had a bit of a mess to clean up. So, we definitely ended our year abroad on an adventurous note.

 

The most special thing, though, about our stay in Ecuador is meeting Gloria, hearing her story, and helping with the soon-to-open orphanage. 

 

Gloria, who had been a missionary in China, was in her early 70s and widowed when God specifically told her to go to Ecuador to help get street children into a home and provide food and care and teach them about the love of Jesus Christ. So, she sold everything and went and found property and transformed a 90-year-old building into a beautiful facility to house the orphans. But Satan has pestered her the whole way including a break in and attack by armed robbers, government red-tape, inadequate building materials and appliances, and health issues like being almost blind and heading towards deafness. Yet she presses on, knowing this is what God has called her to do. She has quite the testimony of determination and perseverance to fulfill her calling.

 

Woody and I stayed in a guesthouse on the property and helped with cleaning and organizing, administrative needs, taking care of the chickens, and running errands. But Gloria is a trooper and worked right alongside us.

 

There are several more inspections to go through and then she can open. If you’re a prayer warrior, please pray for Gloria’s health, the children who will live here, funding to keep the orphanage operating, and for staff and volunteers. If you are interested in helping, please visit the Sar Shalom Ecuador Facebook page for more information, and you can give at https://mapglobal.givingfuel.com/sarshalom.

 

Another special aspect of living in Malacatos was attending church at La Comunidad-Cristiana Bíblica de Chontacruz in nearby Loja. We were accepted with open arms by the very kind people there. If you’re ever in the area, please visit them.

 

This stay was such a delightful end to our year abroad. We thank God for watching over us each step of the way. Some steps were “rocky,” but He took our hands and helped us over those areas.

 

I will write a closing blog later this month, just to sum up my thoughts about our year abroad. Then, you may hear from me in July (New York), September (Alaska), and November (Florida). I am, and will continue to be, A Mimi on the Move.

 

Hasta Luego, but next time, on USA soil.

 

Pam 

 

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. –Proverbs 16:9