This is the one photo I have from ministry in Ecuador. 

We were in Quito, Ecuador for 3 week of ministry. Our team partnered with Camp Hope which is a school/day care for children and adults with special needs or disabilities. Upon arrival, our team was expecting to be working hands on with the children and adults that this ministry serves. Unfortunately, because of COVID, the facility is only open to these children and adults twice a week. Ministry ended up looking very different than we expected for this month.

Each day, the ladies that helped run the facility gave us our jobs for the day. Most of the time we were either making Christmas cards for them to sell for their fundraisers that help support the ministry, cracking walnuts, deep cleaning all of the rooms in the school, or reorganizing anything within the facility that needed to be reorganized. Although, ministry was not what we expecting, we were able to partner with this amazing ministry in Quito to help relieve some work for them in whatever way possible. 

After working about a week and a half into ministry, a few of us on our squad ended up with COVID including myself (again). Meaning, we had to quarantine for the remainder of our time in Ecuador. At first, we were all pretty bummed especially those that just had COVID when we were in Costa Rica. Thankfully, we were mostly without symptoms, so we tried our best to make the most of it. We spent the remainder of our time finding little ways to being celebrating Christmas, digging more into scripture, and spending time in outdoor worship so the whole square could “be together.’’ 

Christmas Caroling to our friends inside that don’t have COVID.

We made our own paper Christmas tree and hung it in our bedroom.

Making Christmas cookies in the front yard. 

We could go outside or to our bedrooms, so we got creative and made a Christmas tree out of cardboard boxes and trimmings from a bush. 

Not exactly how I had hoped the month would go, but God still took what the enemy meant for evil and turned it into good. 

Also, how could I forget Thanksgiving! Before we got COVID again, our host gave us a day to celebrate Thanksgiving together. Everyone was able to bring a little tradition from home to the whole squad, and we were super thankful to have that opportunity. 

Thanks again to all of you at home who take the time to read these blogs and continue to support me through your prayers. I love and miss you all!