JUNGLE: On Monday, we walked to a waterfalls along a beautiful jungle path. It is extremely hot in the jungle, but is more beautiful than we ever imagined! On Tuesday, we hiked about 1 1/2 hours and then deep into a cave using candles a couple flashlights.
On Wednesday, we traveled to a second village where we had our first close encounter with a huge tarantula spider that crawled within inches of Justin's head before we discovered it. We went to sleep hoping there would be no more tarantulas. The next morning, the guide showed us where they live inside the bamboo walls and then come out during the night.
On Thursday, we traveled by canoe about five hours in the rain. We packed 12 persons in a long dug out canoe. It was constantly filling up with water, so we were using bottles and hats to bail out the water. About ten minutes from our destination where we were to camp on the beach, we went through some very wild rapids. This time our canoe filled with water and a few moments later it began to sink.
Two of our professors could not swim and were rescued by our guides. The rest of us managed to swim and hang onto pieces of wood until another boat came to rescue us. Our professors were certain they were going to die. Later they said they saw their life flash in front of them. It was a very scary experience for them, but it bonded all of us together.
On Friday we returned to our first village and sat around the table in candle light and had a good time of sharing togeether. The professors learned a bit more about our God.
The villages remind us of Africa. The living conditions are very basic with open bamboo huts and thatched roofs. The roosters wake us up each morning at 4 a.m. On our first night a chicken came into our room and tried to get into our bed through the mosquito net.
The jungle experience showed us once again that life is all about priorities. We thought large cock roaches were bad until we were confronted by the tarantulas. Sitting on the bottom of the canoe on two small sticks for four hours was a pain until the canoe sank. When life is stripped down to the bare essentials of survival, everything changes.
RIOBAMBA: We enjoyed going to Daniella's church on Sunday morning. We were greeted by about six greeters who welcomed us warmly. We sat near the front of the large auditorium that seated several hundred people. The first hour was a celebration of praise and worship. The offering was also a great celebration with everyone coming forward with their offering. The second hour was preaching, prayer and response.
We were privileged to visit on the Sunday when about 25 people were baptized. We went next door to a hotel's swimming pool for the baptism. The baptism was quite unique with continued celebration and praise and worship during the baptisms.
BANOS: Sunday afternoon, we were treated to a huge lunch at the family of one of the persons who was baptized. From there, we traveled to Banos where we hiked to a beautiful waterfalls. On Monday, we visted another waterfall and visited the local community.
As we were ready to leave, we discovered that the local volcano was erupting. On the way home, we saw huge clouds of ash above the volcano. The volcano is only about 10 km from Banos, but the ash is blowing away from Banos toward Riobamba. We expect to wake up to volcanic ash Tuesday morning. To the right is a picture of the volcana spitting ash. Below it is a picture of Judy holding some lava from the volcana and standing in front of a house destroyed by the lava.
We continue to be stretched, to be refreshed, to learn to receive Ecuador hospitality and to experience the presence of God in many ways. Thank you for your prayers and we continue to pray for everyone back home. It will be great to return!
On Wednesday, we traveled to a second village where we had our first close encounter with a huge tarantula spider that crawled within inches of Justin's head before we discovered it. We went to sleep hoping there would be no more tarantulas. The next morning, the guide showed us where they live inside the bamboo walls and then come out during the night.
On Thursday, we traveled by canoe about five hours in the rain. We packed 12 persons in a long dug out canoe. It was constantly filling up with water, so we were using bottles and hats to bail out the water. About ten minutes from our destination where we were to camp on the beach, we went through some very wild rapids. This time our canoe filled with water and a few moments later it began to sink.
Two of our professors could not swim and were rescued by our guides. The rest of us managed to swim and hang onto pieces of wood until another boat came to rescue us. Our professors were certain they were going to die. Later they said they saw their life flash in front of them. It was a very scary experience for them, but it bonded all of us together.
On Friday we returned to our first village and sat around the table in candle light and had a good time of sharing togeether. The professors learned a bit more about our God.
The villages remind us of Africa. The living conditions are very basic with open bamboo huts and thatched roofs. The roosters wake us up each morning at 4 a.m. On our first night a chicken came into our room and tried to get into our bed through the mosquito net.
The jungle experience showed us once again that life is all about priorities. We thought large cock roaches were bad until we were confronted by the tarantulas. Sitting on the bottom of the canoe on two small sticks for four hours was a pain until the canoe sank. When life is stripped down to the bare essentials of survival, everything changes.
RIOBAMBA: We enjoyed going to Daniella's church on Sunday morning. We were greeted by about six greeters who welcomed us warmly. We sat near the front of the large auditorium that seated several hundred people. The first hour was a celebration of praise and worship. The offering was also a great celebration with everyone coming forward with their offering. The second hour was preaching, prayer and response.
We were privileged to visit on the Sunday when about 25 people were baptized. We went next door to a hotel's swimming pool for the baptism. The baptism was quite unique with continued celebration and praise and worship during the baptisms.
BANOS: Sunday afternoon, we were treated to a huge lunch at the family of one of the persons who was baptized. From there, we traveled to Banos where we hiked to a beautiful waterfalls. On Monday, we visted another waterfall and visited the local community.
As we were ready to leave, we discovered that the local volcano was erupting. On the way home, we saw huge clouds of ash above the volcano. The volcano is only about 10 km from Banos, but the ash is blowing away from Banos toward Riobamba. We expect to wake up to volcanic ash Tuesday morning. To the right is a picture of the volcana spitting ash. Below it is a picture of Judy holding some lava from the volcana and standing in front of a house destroyed by the lava.
We continue to be stretched, to be refreshed, to learn to receive Ecuador hospitality and to experience the presence of God in many ways. Thank you for your prayers and we continue to pray for everyone back home. It will be great to return!
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