OK. We are home... so WHAT NOW?

"I really want to dig into my Bible and read it through." says the young man with intent and conviction.
"I want to pray more and really want to devote myself to that." says the young woman who has discovered an ancient secret given by the Creator of the Universe.
"I want to give myself a break and remember that God loves me just for me - not for my successes like everyone else." says another, tired of trying to meet all the expectations of his family, friends and culture.
"I want to get baptized." says yet another who has discovered the wonder of the love of Jesus.
"I don't want to go back to Canada." says one who echoes many thoughts of these adventurers.
"I am worried about going home to the same old same old and losing what it feels like here." says all of us.

The comments and concerns of the young adventurers as they prepared to return ripple through the group like a lion through a herd of zebras. This experience was far more than I ever expected to it to be. Ecuador and the people of Carmen Bajo got under our skin but God got into our hearts in unique ways. He filled our souls with His love and a sense of vulnerability that is exquisitely difficult.

Isaiah and the Psalms tell us that God holds up (esteems) and looks for those who are humble in heart and broken in spirit...are we there yet?

What now?

We dream of the love that Ecuador so freeing shares with each other in a culture devoted to "community". We return to a culture that encourages us to avoid strangers and fences their back yards to spend time secluded in them.
We remember the multitude of children swarming over us and hugging and laughing and babbling in a strange language with grubby hands and brown faces and white smiles. We return to an organized yet distant culture where children avoid us and people are startled if you say hello to them on the street.
We ponder the holes we dug, the foundations we laid, the walls we painted, the concrete we poured, the wheelchair ramp we made with our muscles aching and sweat pouring down freely from our bodies.
We return to chores we may be reluctant to do, tasks that we procrastinate through and the mindless amounts of time we sit relating to electronic devices.

How will we ever be able to process what we experienced with the realities of here? What will we do now?

Perhaps...we will change.

To all those reading this BLOG, I challenge you to slow down. If you think that challenge is for someone else, I would suggest that makes it more for you. Stop for a bit and enjoy the people in your life...listen to them and enjoy a cup of tea together. Notice the wrinkles at the corners of their eyes or love they express about things they are passionate about. Take a few hours and spend half of it talking with God and then the remainder listening to Him as He shares his heart with you. If you think you don't have time for this - you may want to apologize to Him first before you hang out with Him. What could be more important than spending time with the King? NOTHING.

Our young warriors have discovered things...secret things that are very personal and very deep. They will need a little time to figure some of them out. They will need some love and understanding as they try to apply new wonders to their lives. They may even need you to spend a little time listening to them and - although time seems more precious to us here than anything I would challenge you and me to turn that around and make these warriors more precious than our time.

Approach them carefully, listen to them quietly and wonder prayerfully what God has done in their lives and may do through their lives into your own. Be very careful. The King has been busy in these young lives!

What now?

The Return of the Team - 3 days and counting

We now begin to turn and consider coming home. This has been so intense emotionally, personally and in areas where we normally are closed and private, God has been digging and cultivating and asking us to risk sharing our brokeness. It is strange to have to travel over 6000 kms. to be able to be broken and open with each other. I pray that we could be that way at home and that all of you reading this could be that way too.

Yesterday we each had a mountaintop experience ...literally. We took the day for some deep time with God in silence and together at a place called "El Refugio". What a beautiful landscape set in the mountains about 20 kms north of the tip of Quito. Surrounded by cattle covered hills with the occasional Llama (they are just odd) we spent the afternoon talking with God alone and reflecting on Him and His heart. We each dipped into 2 chapters of Isaiah (53 and 58), we read through the Beatitudes in Matthew and also Luke 4:14-21. We were seeking the next step for each of us.
Personally for me it was an amazing day. Before going to El Refugio we stopped at the Centre of the Earth and walked around looking in shops and taking photos at the equator monuments (apparently it might be off a bit-o well). We ended our time there oddly by all dancing under this huge dome to the random music playing. Picture this - the entire team (well most of us - some are shy) were singing and dancing to nothing less than the YMCA song! It was hilarious! We were like Pentecostals with a twist. I think the team needed to blow off some steam and simply celebrate being alive ... so there was about 50 gringos singing and doing the actions and celebrating life! t was great and you'll get to see the video.
At El Refugio I had the most amazing lunch and the oddest dinner (pale hot dogs and some bits of BBQ Cuy (Guinea Pig) Jury is out on that one. Our alone time was awesome. I climbed the mountain. I went up about 1500 ft. and then sat and listened to God. I saw huge wasps, a tarantula and such strange and wonderful plants. Hummingbirds came to visit for a bit and then flitted away in their strange ways.
God has been pressing on my heart this whole trip and really impressed upon me on the mountain the call to be at WMB and some direction for my journey there. I am excited and anxious at the same time. I love pastoring these kids. I love working with my leaders and now it is time for me to expand that perhaps.
These young WMB warriors are coming home. God has spoken to their hearts - our hearts. We have a message for the church - our community back home and we have paths we want to walk...paths of integrity, paths that will challenge injustice and abuse inside and outside of our community, paths that will look for brokeness and seek to be there and share the love of Christ for it is the broken Savior who engaged with this world and it is in that broken place each of us finds rest and hope in Christ.
The team including me is broken and it is 'muy bonita"...it is beautiful. Dios te vendiga. May God bless you all today and may He break your hearts in big and little ways. If He does seek out a friend and tell them and pray together and bask in His grace. Peace...Pete

from Teri Fast

Wow! What a truly amazing experience! Where do I begin to try to describe it? From the anxiety surrounding lost luggage, the peacefulness of the Basillica in downtown Quito and the true happiness at the Carmen Bajo wedding we attended...to the dust and dirt and sweat of the work in this beautiful community, the joyous smiles of all the kids there and the way our young people have opened up their arms and hearts to these kids - it's all been absolutely wonderful. Everyone one of us here knows that God has got a hold on our hearts and is doing something incredible with all of this...just wait and see. Love to all especially Dave and the boys...Teri

Things are happening - God is moving

We are past the midway point and things are happening. Barriers are being broken down. I have youth stepping forward asking to share their testimonies in front of everyone. It is so difficult to leave Carmen Bajo at the end of the day simply because of clinging kids and youth from both groups. We have listened to stories of brokeness that make me ashamed of all that I have. I have listened to our team members share different types of brokeness and I realize more and more how each of us all over the world needs Jesus.
The team is full of laughter and tears. As we dig deeper and get personal and vulnerable, God is softening and breaking our hearts. The tears flow as hearts are expressed in debriefs. I am hearing worries about returning home to a harder culture and what will happen then. Parents and friends, I would ask that you would take the time to sit and listen to the stories of the leaders and the youth who return to you in 5 days. God has spoken to each person on this team and it has been deep. Hear their stories. Listen to the truths that God has placed in their young hearts. Help them to affect the change that God is asking them to champion as they return home. This has been a melting pot. We have seen salvation here. We have seen journeys ramped up and amazing acts and expressions of love. Please allow them to express that to you and join them as they begin to yearn for change in our culture in canada. They will return to you broken but with warrior hearts. Pray for them...for us...we so need that.
As Carmen Bajo has been blessed by the presence of the church and the courage of it's leaders, Waterloo could be blessed by this young church and the courage in their hearts right now. This team is humble and broken. They are praying and talking and loving each other. They are missing you all and are coming home with great expectations. Pray...please pray....for God's will to be done with this team and in their hearts but more importantly in our church at WMB and in your own hearts. Pray for His will for Waterloo and Kitchener. We live in a culture as hard as Carmen Bajo. There is brokenness and heartache. We rely so much on money but that can't touch a broken heart. We live in homes separate from one another where we might want to consider learning from the Ecuadorians and live "IN COMMUNITY". I really don't know the answers to it all.
What I do know is that 27 young warriors return home in a bit. Their 9 leaders return as well and we are dusty and tired and so full of love. Pray for what God will do in WMB when we return. Without your prayers we may retire back into old ways and that is never God's plan. Thank you all for praying for this team. It has been fantastic here in unique ways. We have so many stories. Bendiciones.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. AMEN" ..........Pete

from Samantha DeWit

Hello Family and Friends,
The people of Carmen Bajo are very loving and humble. There is a real sense of community. We, the Canadians, are learning about so much - especially building authentic relationships - each day....Samantha

from Emily Potter

Hi Mom and Dad,
I love you lots. I'm having a great time. See you soon...Emily

from Ian Reed

Hi Mom and Dad,
I'm alive....Ian

from Laura Hergott

Hello (hola) Friends and Family,
I just want to thankyou for your ongoing prayers for our team. Please continue to pray for the work God is doing in the people here and in our hearts. I will have so many stories to share when I get home. I am having a blast and family and friends are the only things I miss. I have been healthy and comfortable. Mom and Dad - I can really feel your prayers and I thank God that you fully support my work here for God's people. Thank you for loving me for who I am. Please pray for what God is working in my heart.
I love you all and am looking forward to sharing some experiences with you. Love you Mom and Dad....Laura

from Carolyn McIlwraith

Mark helped me today making bracelets with the little girls. They all love him.
Tyler dressed up as "the banana" for VBS - after that he shared his "life story" with everyone in the group.
Jamie B was Jesus in our drama. Tyler was Ananias and scottie was a religious leader.
Timmy ate the largest beetle I have ever seen.
Braeden carried lots of kids around all day - all with smiles.
All the "boys" have been lifting, digging and working so hard putting in concrete floors walls etc.
I have never been more proud of our boys. This trip is really amazing!!!....Carolyn

a poem from Barry Bauman

In Carmen Bajo they have so little yet so much. Many people are so broken but yet so happy. I have so many thoughts but they are so hard to put into word
My heart is soft but changing. Now my heart is broken and I wonder how I can ever give. I realize I have given with prayer. They have given more because they have shared Jesus through their love.
Where do I go from here? My heart has been broken. What about that?
One thing for sure I will always remember the poor. So in whatever I do and wherever I go I will be reminded because of my broken heart.
Philippians 4:4-7 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"

from Jason DeWit

I have been feeling completely burned out in the youth ministry this year at WMB. But being here in Ecuador along side the youth has reminded me why I love youth and their culture. Together we have been digging trenches, painting and making concrete (I have the sore bum muscles to prove it) as well as loving the people of Carmen Bajo as they love us back. The smiles and excitement that the youth have for all that they are doing here has re-ignited my passion for living life along side them. I originally said no when I was asked to be part of the youth missions team coming here to ecuador, but I am so glad I didn't. May God continue to rock our socks!...Jason

Reality settling in for the Team

It's early Wednesday morning and the sound of the traffic has woken us up to another day. there is a constant yet gentle odour of deisel in the air and the temps are fairly cool in the morning and evenings and warm during the day. Being so high, the UV rays are strong so many of us have some level of sunburn which we expected. We are dealing with headaches and upset stomachs due to the altitude and it seems each of the team members has gone through some bout of something but nothing serious.
I have lost my voice for the last few days. I think I caught a little cold and with the altitude, dust and everything it affected my vocals. Maybe God is just asking me to be quiet for a bit.
The people at Carmen Bajo are astounding. We have heard testimony after testimony of brokenness, abuse, alcoholism and poverty and then about the love and care God has poured into those situations. It is powerful stuff. The little children are brown bundles of love and hugs. They swarm and attack at regular intervals and it is impossible to resist their charms. Our very organized Canadian programmes have been chaotic to say the least and we have been jolted off our time schedules and expectations and really taught to enjoy the people and the relationships more than the programme. Here it is about community and everyone on the team is feeling the pressure of that in both good and bad ways. I guess we're not in Kansas anymore.
I have asked the team to give me some thoughts for the blog so I will try to post them tonight or tomorrow. Our schedule and access to internet is limited but we will try.
It would be fair to say that everyone here misses everyone there. It is unique here and quite astounding when you look out over this mountain valley and see the homes of close to 2 million people nestles amongst the spectacular mountains, clouds hanging gently beneath the peaks. It's definitely easy on the eyes.
I am so proud of our youth. They have really stepped up. It is amazing to look over the edge of the work site and see them digging and wheelbarrowing away, with big smiles and dirt covered faces. It is hilarious to watch them trying to do a craft with the kids while being mobbed by these brown bundles of love. They are truly touching the heart of this poor community in Quito and it is affecting them in unique ways.
Please continue to pray that we will be stretched and that we will continue to hear about and experience the will of God in this mountain city. Peace and Grace be with you...PETE

Barry Bauman

In Carmen Bajo they have so little yet so much. Many people are so broken but yet so happy. I have so many thoughts but they are so hard to put into words...Barry B

Sunday Church

We had an astounding day. Our portion of the team was responsible for church at Carmen Bajo and I was so proud of them. They ran all the Sunday School Classes and the entire service. It was amazing to watch our youth and Carolyn lead the worship, the drama team do their drama, Janelle preach a sermonette, lots of our team shared their testimonies and God was totally glorified. The Carmen Bajo youth did a dance and the people surrounded the team and prayed. I spoke about "amazing love and amazing grace" and did my Jesus thing.
In the afternoon we actually went to a beautiful park and spent a few hours relaxing, sharing and eating pollo (chicken that was quite good). This evening we spent prepping for VBS that will happen each day for the next 3 days at Carmen Bajo Community. 20 of the big team will do VBS while the other 41 will either be involved in construction or in visiting homes in this poor community. We will do this for the next 3 days days and change gears.
I am going to try to get some of the youth to add to our blog in the next few days.

First full day

It's been an awesome day today settling in. We were up at 7-7:30 what with the cars and the horns and the car alarms and the dogs. This place certainly comes alive when the sun comes up. We're staying at a very spacious seminary with very unique bed mattresses. They act like 100 year old memory foam that eats you. It's actually kind of cool. Eggs for breakfast (huevos), empanatas for lunch and steak and rice for supper has filled us up with some good sutinance. We were off to see the patron statue of the Quito Valley - a 300ft. concrete angel and then to the Basillica - a massive old church downtown...both quite astounding.
We are beginning to get the rythym of this place, the smell of deisel exhaust, the gentle quiet smiles of the local people, the curiosity of our team members in this new place, the tentative friendships that are beginning, great leaders who really care about this experience...it has begun and I wonder where God will lead each of us.
It may not be easy but it will be real. The team is doing well. Matt has a few bruises because that's what he does (basketball gone amuck) Rebecca is getting a little better (she has a cold) Ian is functioning without a schedule (miracle), Laura is eating all her food (yes) Josh is being Josh, they are all settling into this journey. The boys unpacked the guitars tonight so a little music has broken out. The leader responsible for music is so excited to have these instruments.
Tomorrow we go to Carmen Bajo for the first time and meet the people. The wedding is later in the day. Please pray for the "real" part of this trip.
I certainly do have an amazing set of leaders and the 2 teams (Creekside and WMB) are blending incredibly well...tomorrow, Pete

Safe and Sound

Hola,
We have arrived safely in Quito. It is early in the morning right now...about 10-11 degrees and everyone on the roads around us are beeping their horns for the pure fun of it. They said we would have hot water...not happening today. We got in around 11:30pm and out of the airport by about 1:00am. Some of our bags didn't arrive and the adventure begins. Maybe today would be a good day to pray for the other bags to arrive. We do not have constant access to internet but we will be able to do daily updates.
We are here and it is awesome. The kids were great on a brutal travel day - almost 24 hours of travelling, flying, airports, airport food (yuck) and waiting. I am very proud of them all and my amazing leaders. Stay tuned. More to come. They are all sleeping right now but soon they'll be up and begin this adventure.
Pete

We are OFFICIALLY "sent" by our WMB Family

Sunday March 7th and we have been commissioned to go...Today 35 of the 36 on our team were at the services to be SENT by our church. 4 more sleeps (well 3 1/2) and we are on our way. Everyone is pretty excited!

6 Days to GO !!!!!

OK. So we've raised the funds and have extra!!! This means we are bringing down extra things for the mission in Quito. We have purchased 8 Guitars, 8 Ukeleles, and 6Laptop computers for the mission. We're also bringing down a full set of road hockey equipment because...well...we're Canadian eh?

I am excited! I think the team is excited! I know the missionaries in Quito are excited. There are 27 youth from WMB and 9 leaders going. there are 25 more people going from Creekside church in Waterloo ( a mixture of adults, young adults and youth) 61 of us will hit the ground in Quito Ecuador next Thursday March 11 and I expect, have the adventure of a lifetime for 12 days...can't wait

Please continue to pray for us as we go!!!

Pete