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