Wednesday, May 27, 2026 – Breakfast this morning consisted of scrambled eggs and something like an Ecuadorian tamale. If you’re not familiar, that’s something like a grit cake. “Grits and eggs” is a great way to start the day in any country. The aji hot sauce I picked up from a local bodega was icing on the cake (figuratively speaking, of course, because anyone who puts something sweet on their grits should be looked at with great suspicion.)
After breakfast, the same two teams from yesterday departed for the local school for Vacation Bible School. Yes, the schools (one private and one public) allow outsiders to come in and conduct VBS. I believe in religious liberty. Baptists were among the first to champion such and have long been proponents of religious liberty. It would probably do many politicians a great deal of good to study actual, historical state-mandated religion to better understand the intent of the US Constitution. (e.g., the Holy Roman Empire or the Church of England) That’s all I want to say about this for now.
Today’s VBS story covered the life of Joseph. Dreams, a fancy coat, jealous brothers, lies, slavery, imprisonment, more dreams, his royal ascension, feast and famine, and finally, reconciliation. (We skipped the part about Potiphar.) What his brothers meant for evil, God meant for good. How easily do we forget this simple truth! God works all things for good. The children paid close attention and answered several questions about Joseph.
After VBS, we came back to camp for lunch. The staff washed dishes after lunch so we gringos could rest before work. There was more concrete to bust, more tables to refurbish, and more bathrooms to paint. I feel like we have to come back next year to see the finished product. I may pack a masonry hammer.
Tonight, after supper, we gathered around a small fire at the center of the amphitheater. We were going to make s’mores, but some of the wood in the fire was presswood and had the smell of plastic. We opted to forgo the roasting of marshmallows. We still ate marshmallows, just pre-roasted ones. Amie shared a devotional, and Robby shared his testimony. Robby and I played guitar and alternated leading some worship songs. Brooklyn sang one song with me. It’s easier when so many team members are part of the choir! It was a great way to finish the day. The weather was perfect.
After campfire worship, Clint, Sarah, Robby, Harold, and Kyle taught me a card game. They are incredible teachers. They did such a good job of teaching me…that I won!
Tomorrow, we will visit the Nate Saint house. If you aren’t familiar with that name, research it along with Jim Elliot. The house we will visit is the same house that was their operational base and is now a museum. I’m not sure if we will get to tour the airfield, but the same strip they used is still in operation today. We will also visit a couple of waterfalls and the city of Baños. The cathedral in Baños is a gross example of Catholicism blended with the animism of ancient Ecuadorian religion. It’s also a gross example of what can happen when the government oversteps and mandates religion…even if said overreach happened 400 years prior. I suppose the period of the Spanish conquistadores would be another good study to help understand the intent of the Constitution.
By the way, the method of Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, and others is far more effective (and biblical) than that of Constantine, the Pizarro brothers, or Muhammad. The tribe they tried to reach, the tribe that took their lives, this same tribe has a thriving church today! The wives of the murdered missionaries continued to serve, and the gospel began to take root. Four missionaries gave their lives, but what was meant for evil, God meant for good. He can do the same in your life.
Ragamuffin Warrior 