A great start to our Men's Eucador Mission trip! We started the day with a delicious baked oatmeal breakfast, then headed out to worship at Carmen Bajo. Two of the men got to share their testimony (Mark and Scott S) and Mike S gave a wonderful message about men's struggles. We had fuilling lunch at the home of Pastor Fabian from Carmen Bajo and were blessed by his wife, father and daughter. We then headed back to Carmen Bajo for some sharing time with some of the men of the congregation. Mike R, Darren and Tom shared their testimony along with very moving personal testimonies from three of the Carmen Bajo men. We ventured over the the office of Youth World for a brief orientation before finishing the day at Brad and Sandi's for our second arroz con pollo meal of the day (don't tell Sandi). Thanks to all of our gracious host for their generous hospitality. We are all very tired and looking forward to a deep restful night of sleep, for tomorrow we begin our work at El Refugio. Good night everyone!
Men's Mission Team
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Messages From The Air
I am writing this entry from the plane somewhere over Central America. I am not sure where, it is pretty dark outside. So far our trip has gone exceptionally smooth. No issues at the airports. As far as we know, all of the luggage is on the plane. And I can type again. My clavicle is healing incredibly well. Five days ago I could not move my arm and I was not sure if I would even be able to make the trip. Now, I can type (with both hands) and I think the bone has fused together today on the plane. There may be something to being in a cramped airline seat. I cannot move my arm very far, and I think it is helping me. I think the prayers are working also. The pain is still minimal and I am healing quickly.
Our serious preparations started on Thursday night with the packing party. The plan was to pack all of our person items in our carry on bags, and leave our two checked bags for the supplies that were donated for the trip. Amazingly, we fit all of the donated items into 22 bags that weighed close to 50 pounds each. That means we have 1,100 pounds of donated items for this trip, and it all fit. The Lord provides exactly what is needed when it is needed.
This morning we all gathered at 9:00am to leave for the airport. We had a wonderful group of family and friends there to send us off with prayer and encouragement. We are leaving the US knowing that there is a huge group of people praying for us while we are gone. The luggage check-in at the airport went about as smooth as anyone could imagine. They weighed one of our bags and sent the rest of them through without a second look. Praise The Lord.
In Houston we were able to catch up on the NFL draft and catch a meal before continuing on the second leg of our journey to Quito. I look forward to the opportunities that await us in a few hours. I hope to be able to share them with you over the next few days. Be sure to check out the pictures section. I will update them when I get a connection that is fast enough to allow it.
Our serious preparations started on Thursday night with the packing party. The plan was to pack all of our person items in our carry on bags, and leave our two checked bags for the supplies that were donated for the trip. Amazingly, we fit all of the donated items into 22 bags that weighed close to 50 pounds each. That means we have 1,100 pounds of donated items for this trip, and it all fit. The Lord provides exactly what is needed when it is needed.
This morning we all gathered at 9:00am to leave for the airport. We had a wonderful group of family and friends there to send us off with prayer and encouragement. We are leaving the US knowing that there is a huge group of people praying for us while we are gone. The luggage check-in at the airport went about as smooth as anyone could imagine. They weighed one of our bags and sent the rest of them through without a second look. Praise The Lord.
In Houston we were able to catch up on the NFL draft and catch a meal before continuing on the second leg of our journey to Quito. I look forward to the opportunities that await us in a few hours. I hope to be able to share them with you over the next few days. Be sure to check out the pictures section. I will update them when I get a connection that is fast enough to allow it.
I Think I Broke Something…
Yes, if you have not heard yet, I (Rick Gibbs) had a little bike accident on Monday April 23. I hit some gravel on a corner and the road came at me pretty fast. You can see the result on the right. I ended up breaking my right collarbone. I saw the doctor on Tuesday and he gave me the OK to still go on the trip. I am very grateful that I do not have much pain associated with this injury and that I will still be able to leave on Saturday. All of your prayers for a quick recovery are greatly appreciated. I have been told that my role has now changed to supervisor instead of grunt. Is that a promotion??? I am waiting to see what God has in store for me with this change in abilities while in Quito.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Silent Auction Results
WOW
That is all I can say for the outpouring of support by the congregation at the silent auction. The participation blew away our expectations. Sometimes I think we limit what God is capable of based on our simple minds. Because of the wonderful support we will be able to provide more resources to the Youth World ministries than we were expecting. I also want to sincerely thank all of the people who donated items to the auction. There was really a great selection of items to interest a number of people. It was fun to be able to share with people a little bit of what we are expecting to be doing while in Quito.
That is all I can say for the outpouring of support by the congregation at the silent auction. The participation blew away our expectations. Sometimes I think we limit what God is capable of based on our simple minds. Because of the wonderful support we will be able to provide more resources to the Youth World ministries than we were expecting. I also want to sincerely thank all of the people who donated items to the auction. There was really a great selection of items to interest a number of people. It was fun to be able to share with people a little bit of what we are expecting to be doing while in Quito.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Silent Auction Sunday April 22
We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a silent auction to raise funds for the trip and Youth World. The auction will take place during services on Sunday April 22 in the lobby. The auction will start at 8:00am and close at 12:30pm on the day of the auction. The winners can claim their items at the end of the auction. If they are not present, they will be contacted. Checkout the partial listing of items that are in the auction on the right. Most of the items in the auction are being donated by members of the mission team or their families. This is another great opportunity to support the mission efforts in Ecuador and get some great stuff in the process. Please continue to be in prayer for the trip preparations and the Millers in Quito.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Proposed Trip Agenda
| Sat 28th | Arrival in Quito - 11:00pm |
| Sun 29th | El Refugion Orientation |
| Carmen Bajo 10:00am worship Service | |
| Lunch at Pastor Fabian's (family) home | |
| Men's ministry @ Carmen in afternoon | |
| Youth World orientation | |
| Miller's for Dinner | |
| Mon 30th | Work Day (Element team building) |
| Tue 1st | Work Day |
| Wed 2nd | Casa Gabriel/Expat/Dump (talk to Lorena and Ruth Shattuck) |
| Sack Lunch. Dinner at El Jardin | |
| Thur 3rd | Work Day (Orienteering / hot dog roast) |
| Fri 4th | Work Day |
| Sat 5th | El Ejido Market/Old Quito |
| Lunch out | |
| Solo time @ El Refugio | |
| Dinner @ El Refugio | |
| Final Debrief | |
| Sun 6th | Leave Quito for home @6:40am |
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