Sunday, May 24, 2026 After breakfast, we loaded up and headed to church, Palabra Eterna, in Ambato, Ecuador. It’s about a 45-minute ride from the camp. This is the same church where previous mission teams have worshipped and helped with construction. The church looks great! The people there are so friendly. We sang Because He Lives in Spanish, and for a moment, the veil between heaven and earth was awfully thin. I stopped singing at one point and just listened. Is this heaven?
Lucy and Amie shared their testimonies. Both did a fantastic job. Lucy spoke about how she has learned to trust God through difficult life circumstances, especially with medical situations. Amie shared about her background of Catholicism during her childhood and how she came to realize salvation by grace through faith. Robby played guitar while Amie, Emely, Brooklyn, and Kyle led us in “Goodness of God.” I preached a sermon from 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. We also heard from the children who recited a scripture verse from memory.
We concluded the service by partaking of the Lord’s Supper. I was very blessed by the manner in which the elements were distributed. Each baptized believer came forward to receive the elements, but they then returned to their family or friend group. Each group prayed with and for each other and took the elements together. I was blessed to pray with my daughter, Brooklyn, and then she and I did this in remembrance of Jesus, together. That was special.
After church, we walked over to the local mall. For those who might not be from the 1900’s, a mall is a fascinating place, with various stores, including a food court, all under one roof. Brooklyn and had fun ordering our food in Spanish. Can you go wrong with pollo y papas fritas? And by the way, I have lived my entire life in Georgia, so I know good fried chicken. What I ate today rivals any I’ve ever had. Sunday worship and fried chicken…Am I even in Ecuador?
We had a little time to walk around the mall. I think most of our team bought coffee (or some beverage with a hint of coffee), ice cream, chocolate, and/or other unhealthy snacks. We then loaded the bus to head back to Camp Chacauco. I took a nap. I’m not really sure what the rest of the team did.
A little after 5:00, we met Chris and Madeline at their newly constructed house. What a blessing! They have three kids and one on the way. This house is such a blessing for them. Madeline treated us to empanadas and arepas. We all gathered in the living room, which has an enormous window with an incredible view of the beautiful valley and volcano. Chris shared more about their ministry. It was a great time of fellowship.
It was then time for dinner: Grilled chicken with mushroom gravy, rice, green beans, carrots, and 1/2 peach. After dinner, we washed, dried, and put away the dishes. Then we cleared the tables and chairs out of the way and learned…er, ran through once each…the songs for VBS for this coming week. Lots of movements. More movement than rhythm in many cases.
We also learned that tomorrow, instead of VBS, we are working with a Bible club that Chris and Madeline began two years ago. Tomorrow is a federal holiday, which means no school, which means no VBS at the school. We will tell the story of Philip and the Ethiopian, play some games, build some crafts, and eat some snacks. But that’s tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow morning, we will do light construction and repair work on campus. I think we’ll work on completing their new playground as well as laying some tile in the cabins.
It’s been a great day. This is a beautiful place with beautiful people. God is good.
Ragamuffin Warrior 