ECUADOR
October 7th, 2015
Day 1
Ecuador is a country straddling the equator on South America’s west coast. Its diverse landscape encompasses Amazon jungle, Andean highlands and the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands. In the Andean foothills at an elevation of 2,850m, Quito, the capital, is known for its largely intact Spanish colonial center, with decorated 16th- and 17th-century palaces and lots of churches. The main language is Spanish, and we observe a strong Catholic influence like in all other South American countries.
The purpose and objective of this journey to Ecuador is for meetings from October 9th to 11th to encourage and strengthen the Bride of Christ in this part of the world. Brother Felipe Chiriboga is the host of the meetings in Sangolqui, which is about 40 minute drive from the capital Quito. From here we will continue to Brother Ever’s church in Chiclayo/Peru next week, the Lord willing.
Today is October 7th, and we, Brother Burkhard and myself, leaving our home in Canada early at 4 a.m. to catch our flight to Quito with a stop in Houston/Texas and in Panama, where we meet up with our brothers and sisters from Trinidad. The team consists of our precious Pastor Brother Vin, his son Timothy, the translators Brother Atri Rampersad and Brother Michael Jennings, the video man Brother Gideon Boisson, our special watchman Brother Selwyn Dyer, Brother Neil and Susan Keizer and ourselves.
The flight from Panama to Quito is about 2 hours, and Brother Felipe with a group of brothers is welcoming us at the airport and after the luggage is loaded on the trucks we are off to the hotel, where we arrive just after midnight.
It’s a 200 year old beautiful restorated hacienda (ranch) in Sangolqui, not far from Brother Felipe’s home.
This is a truly very unique hotel, where they have all kinds of farm animals and consequently a lot of homemade foods, which we are able to enjoy for breakfast. The rooms are all in a colonial style, and its a quiet place where we can rest after the long flights and prepare for the upcoming meetings.
Brother Selwyn and Neil and Susan are staying at Sister Miriam Torres house, who is Brother Felipe’s mother, which is about 10 minutes driving distance from the hotel.
October 8th, 2015
Day 2
Today we all are feeling refreshed and enjoying the nice breakfast and especially the rich fellowship. The temperatues are very comfortable during the day, while it gets real cool at night.
Brother Felipe is arriving at noon to take us to Quito for a little sightseeing and to visit the local market, where they sell typical Ecuadorian handcrafted goods, from hammocks to blouses, and all kinds knitted things. We are enjoying the bargaining and almost each one of us is buying a few little things to remember this place.
Gideon bargaining!
After all we are getting hungry and make our way to the house for a nice dinner, that Sister Miriam Torres has prepared for us.
Just in time for dinner Brother Ever and some brothers are stepping in the house, coming all the way from Chiclayo on a 20 hour bus ride. While we sisters are preparing the plates and serving the brothers, they surely have wonderful time of fellowship in the Word.
Brother Matthew
Brother Felipe
Brother Atri
The fellowship ends shortly before midnight and we thank God for this day in His awsome presence.
October 9th, 2015 – Day 3
Its another lovely day today and we are able to get some rest before the service tonight.
Breakfast Room
At this point I want to express how grateful we are for health and strength, thinking about the distances we travel, the little sleep we get sometimes, time- and climate changes…the Lord is so faithful and none of us is taking these things for granted. Brother Vin is constantly ministering, sharing the Word, and no doubt just by doing that, lots of strength is going out from him.
The brothers are setting up the equipment at Brother Felipe’s church before the service starts at 6 p.m.
More to follow…….