Answer to Prayer De Rodillas Addition 10/18/2011
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City Love. . .
A few nights ago I headed downtown with teammate Jamie for a meeting. Any of you who have experienced the driving and traffic situations in the city (or heard about them at least) can imagine that I was less than excited to head into the heart of town in the early hours of rush hour. Add to my frustration the fact that while it took 20 minutes to arrive at our destination, it took another 30 minutes to find a place to park. Thirty minutes of bumper to bumper, door to door traffic. We arrived to our meeting to find that we were the only ones in attendance and after another half hour of waiting watched a video the both of us had previously seen and were sent on our way. . . back to the traffic for another hour of honking, bus dodging, pedestrian evading traffic. But I digress. As we headed out of the office toward the parking lot I looked around and said to Jamie, “This is the Guayaquil I fell in love with.” It seemed like an odd statement even as the words came out of my mouth, THIS is what I fell in love with?!? These dirty, jam-packed, noisy, garbage laden streets? I took a deep breath. Yep, it smelled like Guayaquil. A smell that will forever take me back to the very first night I arrived here in 2002 and was both overwhelmed with desire to run home and at the same time compelled to stay. Now, I’m not saying its good or bad (though if you have come to visit you will definitely have your own opinion on the matter) but the smell, well, it smells like the city. The noise, the crowed streets, the pushing the shoving, the people gathered at the hole in the wall restaurant or the cart swirling smoke for lunch or LATE night dinner, it represents so much more than what can be seen on the outside. It represents a people, a culture, a calling. And in His way the Lord has managed to change what my earthly eyes would see and replaced it with something worthy, something redeemable, something beautiful, a city that I love. . . most of the time 
Humble Service
Perhaps one of our most unique and cherished ministries is that to those of you who come and visit Guayaquil and spend time working alongside us. It affords us an important time not only to be able to share first hand the work that we are doing with kids at risk here, but also for the individual or group to grow in their understanding of the world and personal walk with the Lord. We have seen our visitors impacted and changed by spending a week, a month or even a few days using their gifts to minister to the boys and girls we work with. Most recently we welcomed a young woman very dear to us for a week. Her parents poured into us (and also housed us and fed us:)) during our years at Pacific, so it was interesting to have her in our home, she now being the college student. After her time studying spanish in Quito, Katrina volunteered at the girl’s home. We knew that what we were asking her to do would be a challenge, but what a blessing to see her step up, face it head on and be willing to serve even in the most humble capacity. It is always an encouragement to see people willing to use their time, talents and finances to serve those who have so little. The return is more than ten-fold both in the lives of those being ministered to as well as those who are serving.
AHH-Laskan Epiphanies
I don’t think I could have prepared myself for the overall splendor that is ALASKA. Being from the Northwest I think I just imagined Alaska to be: more trees and mountains, lots more animals and a WHOLE lot more cold weather. In some ways that is true. The trees are taller and greener, there is wildlife all over the place and the air is most definitely COLDER, and there are some SERIOUS mountains. I dont’ think I ever really understood what people were talking about when they called mountains “majestic.” I mean, seen one, seen ‘em all, you know?! But, as I took in the sights surrounding me really only one word came to mind- – majestic. I found myself gazing at these majestic mountains in awe, feeling very much like a small child as I peered out the window. We were blessed with sunny days and the bright Alaskan sun bounced off the water making those majesties sparkle. The beauty really is astounding. I even found myself wondering what it’d be like to live there. . .but a cold breeze quickly broke me from my daydream and reminded me that although I was feeling blessed to be among what must be one of God’s most beautiful creations, that I have been fashioned for warmer weather!
As the days passed and we walked through the forest, saw lakes, rivers, a glacier (?!?!?) and went to various community gatherings it struck me that this place could possibly be THE polar opposite of where I currently call home. My landscapes are filled with tall buildings and stop lights, my sea. . . well it’s usually a sea of people, or worse traffic and nobody likes the glimmer of hundreds of red brake lights! In one moment the Lord reminded me of His heart for Guayaquil. Forgive me, but, Guayaquil is not one of those cities you walk away from struck
by its wonders and beauty. If someone were to leave Seward unimpressed by its beauty and splendor I they would either be blind or completely crazy! And so I was reminded also of how we are when we first approach the throne of grace, dirty, disheveled, broken. Yet what awaits us in beauty incomprehensible. Transformation. Complete restoration. Praise God, the old has gone and the new has come!
Though the aesthetic beauty of Guayaquil may never compare with that of Seward, AK we pray for the hearts of our beloved “guayacos” and that the beauty of this city would come from Christ and shine from within!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Violence, looting and general unrest in Ecuador
On September 30, 2010 the national police protested nationwide, capturing the president, and causing general mayhem around the country who was left without law enforcement. Beyond what was happening politically, there were robberies and looting all around the city, even mothers and children joined in in breaking down doors and carrying off goods and merchandise. In Quito the president was rescued in a gun fight between police and military that lasted more than two hours. It truly was a sad day in Ecuador.
It’s not impossible. . .
Thirteen years ago a group of women in Guayaquil had a vision; to rescue girls who were orphaned, from the streets and from abusive homes. These five women had the courage and wherewithal to pursue that vision despite adversity. Today the fundacion is home to 28 girls ages 3-18, a handful of whom came to the home in the first couple of years. This home, which is arguably the best run facility in the city, has the privilege of seeing three of their girls graduate high school this year, two of whom will continue on to university. As the home forges ahead, the question now is can the girls be successful and safe in life on the ‘outside.’ Each of them will return to living with family members, which is sure to prove to be a challenge. In a work that is seemingly one step forward, three steps back, the successful completion of the program is a great success, and a great encouragement. We believe that despite many setbacks, lives can be changed, renewed and restored. We know that with Christ all things are possible, and are blessed to see the fruit in the lives of these three girls.
* Titus worked in this home during his study abroad program in 2000. We worked with them together in subsequent visits in 2002 and 2005, and continue to visit the home as time allows.
Gather at the river. . .
