As the sun rose in Quito, our team began to take in the mountains surrounding us. Arriving after dark left the surprising beauty of Ecuador for this clear sunny morning. Our team was anxious to get to the kids at Carmen Bajo, and find ways to serve them.
The Compassion Community Center in Carmen Bajo is perched on the edge of the mountain. The road leading to it is so steep, that we pray the brakes hold as we drive in. This community center has been an anchor in this neighborhood for 25 years now, started by Compassion International. The building itself is 4 stories full of ramps and staircases that don't always get you to where you want to go. The building was added on to over time as short term teams would come and add another floor. The end result is an abundance of space with a full kitchen and large dining area where the center feeds children a homecooked meal every time they are open. It used to be open 5 days a week to serve children while they were home alone and both parents were working long hours. Now Compassion has reduced funding as very poor neighborhood is no longer classified as "poverty" by their standards. The center is open on Thursdays and Fridays now, and Freedom and Nancy come weekly to invest in the kids in this community.
Joel, the center director, gave us the tour and brief history before we began our creative session with the kids today. Promise boxes were their main craft, decorating them with paints and markers and stickers and such. And then filling the inside with the promises of God: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." After that, bookmarks, lanyards and finger looming all were in action, and it was incredible to see the creativity of the kids and how quickly they caught onto the tasks. Smiles all around as we equipped them and cheered them on, with a little help from translators and Google translate.
The staff are incredible, giving of themselves and loving these children so well. The children, ages 4-18, know they can be hugged and loved here and hear about Jesus, especially when things are rough at home. Stories of adults coming to faith also include huge life changes like no longer beating their children and less domestic violence at home. This area, just like every area, needs Jesus, and it is an honor to watch Freedom and Nancy interact with everyone they meet.
Each person has value and each person is worthy of their time and love. Each person has been given talents by God that they are drawing out. Their activies might be geared toward children, but each staff member is receiving their love and encouragment as well. Freedom and Nancy pour out everywhere they go.
*Pray for the children of Carmen Bajo. One of their crafts today was to make 2 bookmarks: one to keep and one for me to bring back to the States. I'll laminate them and share them with others who want to be praying for these beloved children of God.
*Pray for their director, Joel, as he works so hard for these children.
*And pray for the families, that they may come to know Jesus and receive the hope that comes from the Gospel.
The Compassion Community Center in Carmen Bajo is perched on the edge of the mountain. The road leading to it is so steep, that we pray the brakes hold as we drive in. This community center has been an anchor in this neighborhood for 25 years now, started by Compassion International. The building itself is 4 stories full of ramps and staircases that don't always get you to where you want to go. The building was added on to over time as short term teams would come and add another floor. The end result is an abundance of space with a full kitchen and large dining area where the center feeds children a homecooked meal every time they are open. It used to be open 5 days a week to serve children while they were home alone and both parents were working long hours. Now Compassion has reduced funding as very poor neighborhood is no longer classified as "poverty" by their standards. The center is open on Thursdays and Fridays now, and Freedom and Nancy come weekly to invest in the kids in this community.
Joel, the center director, gave us the tour and brief history before we began our creative session with the kids today. Promise boxes were their main craft, decorating them with paints and markers and stickers and such. And then filling the inside with the promises of God: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." After that, bookmarks, lanyards and finger looming all were in action, and it was incredible to see the creativity of the kids and how quickly they caught onto the tasks. Smiles all around as we equipped them and cheered them on, with a little help from translators and Google translate.
The staff are incredible, giving of themselves and loving these children so well. The children, ages 4-18, know they can be hugged and loved here and hear about Jesus, especially when things are rough at home. Stories of adults coming to faith also include huge life changes like no longer beating their children and less domestic violence at home. This area, just like every area, needs Jesus, and it is an honor to watch Freedom and Nancy interact with everyone they meet.
Each person has value and each person is worthy of their time and love. Each person has been given talents by God that they are drawing out. Their activies might be geared toward children, but each staff member is receiving their love and encouragment as well. Freedom and Nancy pour out everywhere they go.
*Pray for the children of Carmen Bajo. One of their crafts today was to make 2 bookmarks: one to keep and one for me to bring back to the States. I'll laminate them and share them with others who want to be praying for these beloved children of God.
*Pray for their director, Joel, as he works so hard for these children.
*And pray for the families, that they may come to know Jesus and receive the hope that comes from the Gospel.