Day 1 in Ecuador
October 27, 2009 | Ministry Life,Nurturing Family,Proverbs 31 Ministries
I woke up early, sun streaming in my room. After an amazing breakfast of fruit, strawberry juice, a fried plantain, and omelet, we climbed on the bus.
Queto (Kee-to) is a city of three million. It’s beautiful and yet there are the harsh parts of such a large city. We drove a few miles to a neighborhood down winding, narrow concrete streets to a Compassion project. It is a church/school that is in the heart of an area filled with children, many many dogs and “el gatos”, and a lot of love.
Compassion International reaches 52,000 children in Ecuador, partnering with 200 churches. If I say it fast, it sounds just like a number.
I hope that I can put a face on it.
Meet Eric.
He’s 13. He’s a little guy. He has special needs. He was born needing surgery and special care. As a Compassion sponsored child, his needs were met. He has had many surgeries and interventions. Today he is an intelligent, special-needs child who can say a great deal without any words.
Eric’s mother invited us to his home. It’s concrete and rock. One room to sleep for his mom and Eric and his two brothers. You enter the home from an alley and it leads into the open narrow room that is heated by wood and is the kitchen/rest of the house. My guess would be 250 square feet. Roberto, our Compassion host, says that this represents 60% of the population in Ecuador.
Eric’s mother pulled out the letters that his Compassion sponsor had written to him over the years. Pictures. Notes. Then she pulled out the other letters, showing that her other two sons, ages 10 and 6, were also sponsored.
I remember how I felt when I first saw harsh conditions in another country years ago. But I also remember walking away feeling overwhelmed. Our efforts just didn’t seem like enough.
But not today.
I saw children who were sponsored by men and women just like you who ate a nutritious meal. Who were spiritually educated, but holistically educated as well with mentors who teach them how to move beyond poverty with job skills and life skills and simple health education. I saw teachers who loved these children. I saw smart, smart kids who had a support system in place until they graduated.
And I listened to a mama share her dreams for her sons, and the 
light in her eyes when she spoke of Compassion. And I realized that this program would go on long after any of us left. It’s in 28 countries reaching over a million children, but also changing families. Putting a dream in the heart of mamas all over the world.
It was a good, good day.
Tomorrow we go to the Leadership Development program to meet with students who went all the way through the program, and are now in university.
Night all. Thanks for the prayers. Thanks for the many blankets you sent. Thanks for sponsoring a child if that is something God lays on your heart, or for donating, if that is within your means.
I’ll leave you with this picture of children in the classroom after lunch, singing and playing–just like kids do.
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Suz, you are AH-MAZING! Thanks for the updates, keep ‘em coming! Praying for you-jason
October 28th, 2009 at 12:01 amThe Ballards love us some Suzie Eller! We are praying for you and are so glad you’re able to keep us posted while thousands of miles away. Blessings!
October 28th, 2009 at 7:46 amSuzie,
October 28th, 2009 at 10:31 amThe tears are flowing seeing the pictures and reading of your experience. I am remembering our trip in 2006 so clearly. Enjoy and soak it all up, thanks for keep us updated. Hug all the kids for me.
Thanks for sharing Suz! You know the kids with special needs touch my heart. So thankful he has been able to receive the help he needs. Looking forward to more updates!
October 29th, 2009 at 2:55 pmPrayers and Blessings!!
Love you!