A couple weekends ago I tried to fly into the Waorani with some friends from the Alliance Academy. The plan was to fly into Tonampari but every airstrip in the jungle radioed in "zero"... no flights could land due to rain and low ceiling.
This week I return to Shell in order to try and fly in again to the Waorani. This attempt will be to Tiwaeno, which I have visited a couple of times now. I will be going in with Youth World's study abroad students.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Cayambe
This morning I am taking 4 teachers from the Alliance Academy up Cayambe. We will start the summit push at midnight of Tuesday. Please pray for good weather, health and energy for the five of us. I am still recovering from my time in the jungle. With one hour to go before the climb, here is the view from my rooftop of the mountain:
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Plan D... maybe E
After going back and forth on many different plans, our current one for the Adventure team coming in on Tuesday is this: We will go for getting to Tiwaeno. There is still no aviation fuel so we are going to hike in. Our estimates are that at the earliest, we will make it in 10 hours. It will probably take longer though. We were able to get one flight in with all our tools and food which will lighten the load substatially going in. However, this also means that our mosquito nets and sleeping bags are in. We can't ditch halfway through and spend the night out on the path. We will start the hike at 4 am on the 24th if you'd like to be praying. Thanks.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Summer so far
It has been a busy summer so far. This post is going to be a bit long. Here's what has happened since I last wrote. My first short-term team was of 39 people, 33 of whom were 18 year old high school grads. We worked with a church here in Quito in a community called Argelia Alta doing different construction projects as well as several VBSs and a church service. We then visited a Quichua community that this church is reaching out to and did a VBS with them. It was really cool seeing these students in a pivotal point in their life doing this kind of ministry and learning what it means to serve. Many of these students come from wealthy families and are going on to Ivy League universities. One of the things we talk a lot about here with teams is fruit. What will the fruit be as you go forward (not back... hopefully) home... how will you be different and how will others be impacted long term as a result of this missions experience. These students decided as a group that they were going to raise $50,000 for Argelia Alta. One of the outreaches the church in Argelia Alta has is a micro-business school for the women of the community. They can learn several trades like sewing, candle-making, or hair styling in which they can then use for some income. The church wants to buy the property next door in order to build this school for these ladies.
My second team was also great and an interesting mix. There were high school grads, some late-20's - 30's, and some closer to 50. It was a very mature team and listening to them talk and watching them serve was a lot of fun. There was some definite life change that happened among them and I expect to see a number of them leading teams of their own in future years.
After these two teams left, I had a few days off and this last weekend I got out to a lake with 3 friends to take a few days to relax. On the way out we drove to a mountain and I was totally stunned by God's glory. The weather cleared (it had been raining for 2 days pretty well straight) and from the top of one of the mountains I saw several eagles, a peregrine falcon, and most amazing of all, three condors (one of whom was a "baby"). One source says there are only 74 condors left in all of Ecuador. These condors came right up and circled maybe 20 feet away from me. At the same time, Antisana, a beautiful snow-capped volcano, came out. I was in awe. I tried to capture it by camera but it comes nowhere near. The photos are on facebook at this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=130666&l=1f27a&id=873710486.
Well, this is getting very long so I will leave you with a couple things to pray for:
My next team comes on the 22nd. They are supposed to fly out to the Waorani in the jungle but we have had so much rain that there is only one possibly operating airstrip out there. On top of that, MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship... the ones who fly us) are out of fuel and are having difficulty getting more. They are only flying rescue flights at this point. So we are working out a plan B to go by flight, bus, and then canoe out to a village in the northern jungle. The difficulty with this is there are more logistics that need to be worked out and our contact person up there is a Colombian missionary who is currently in Colombia and out of contact. Please pray that God will work things out and allow our team to get to a site and be effective. Pray also for the team as they are preparing physically and spiritually to come down.
Last time I wrote I asked for you to be praying for Sarah, who was 8 months pregnant at the time as she helped led our team. Well, God answered those prayers and she was able to very effectively lead that team and one more after it. She is now two weeks overdue and ready to have the baby. Please be praying for her through this process.
Also last time I asked for prayer for my health, specifically for sleep. I have gotten a few days of normal sleep but mostly I get by on 2-3 hours a night (at best). It is really taking a toll on me. Drugs do nothing and the doctors say I seem healthy. I've also caught a few bugs that my teams brought with them (one of the hazards of leading teams). Please continue to pray that God would get me to 100% before this next team.
Thank you for your prayer support. I can't say that enough.
My second team was also great and an interesting mix. There were high school grads, some late-20's - 30's, and some closer to 50. It was a very mature team and listening to them talk and watching them serve was a lot of fun. There was some definite life change that happened among them and I expect to see a number of them leading teams of their own in future years.
After these two teams left, I had a few days off and this last weekend I got out to a lake with 3 friends to take a few days to relax. On the way out we drove to a mountain and I was totally stunned by God's glory. The weather cleared (it had been raining for 2 days pretty well straight) and from the top of one of the mountains I saw several eagles, a peregrine falcon, and most amazing of all, three condors (one of whom was a "baby"). One source says there are only 74 condors left in all of Ecuador. These condors came right up and circled maybe 20 feet away from me. At the same time, Antisana, a beautiful snow-capped volcano, came out. I was in awe. I tried to capture it by camera but it comes nowhere near. The photos are on facebook at this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=130666&l=1f27a&id=873710486.
Well, this is getting very long so I will leave you with a couple things to pray for:
My next team comes on the 22nd. They are supposed to fly out to the Waorani in the jungle but we have had so much rain that there is only one possibly operating airstrip out there. On top of that, MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship... the ones who fly us) are out of fuel and are having difficulty getting more. They are only flying rescue flights at this point. So we are working out a plan B to go by flight, bus, and then canoe out to a village in the northern jungle. The difficulty with this is there are more logistics that need to be worked out and our contact person up there is a Colombian missionary who is currently in Colombia and out of contact. Please pray that God will work things out and allow our team to get to a site and be effective. Pray also for the team as they are preparing physically and spiritually to come down.
Last time I wrote I asked for you to be praying for Sarah, who was 8 months pregnant at the time as she helped led our team. Well, God answered those prayers and she was able to very effectively lead that team and one more after it. She is now two weeks overdue and ready to have the baby. Please be praying for her through this process.
Also last time I asked for prayer for my health, specifically for sleep. I have gotten a few days of normal sleep but mostly I get by on 2-3 hours a night (at best). It is really taking a toll on me. Drugs do nothing and the doctors say I seem healthy. I've also caught a few bugs that my teams brought with them (one of the hazards of leading teams). Please continue to pray that God would get me to 100% before this next team.
Thank you for your prayer support. I can't say that enough.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Spring Teams and work
Since I last wrote I had a team of 27 come from a church in the Mississauga area. It was the second time that the team leaders had been here and so they had already formed a partnership with this church in the Shuar village of Paquisha. We spent four days there in the village teaching Bible stories in the school and helping with some work projects around the church. We painted the church, cleared some area around the church for activities, and cleared a small hilltop where the church is going to build a prayer house in the form of a traditional Shuar house. One of the highlights I'd have to say was on our last day in Paquisha, a number of the ladies gathered jungle potatoes and cooked chicken in massive leaves and we had a feast. It was a great time for the community and the team to connect.
The day after we left Paquisha, we hiked an hour into the jungle in order to get to the village of Shyrian. Shyrian started when a few families from Paquisha broke away and started their own village. Now, the church in Paquisha is starting a sister church in Shyrian and asked for our help with the building of the church and with some outreach to the people there. It is a great story of reconciling the differences between the families of Paquisha and Shyrian. It also shows the impact of the church in Paquisha where now they are doing missions work. The other good thing for this team was that the people in Shyrian had never seen white people before. It was good exposure for these Canadian high-schoolers to experience the some of the extremes of cultural differences.
Since the team left, I have been busy on a couple of projects. First of all was inventorying and marking all the gear we have. While my team was here, we had another team of 46 go into another part of the jungle. So, for inventory, I was trying to figure out a good way to clean, mark and label over 50 pairs of boots, mosquito nets and sleeping pads.
My other major project is redesigning the website for one of our ministry areas. I am very rusty on code so I'm brushing up on that first and then coming up with a brand new design. I'm also trying to bit by bit update Youth World's general site. I've started just by getting our list of staff up to date and requesting from them an updated blurb about who they are and what they do.
The day after we left Paquisha, we hiked an hour into the jungle in order to get to the village of Shyrian. Shyrian started when a few families from Paquisha broke away and started their own village. Now, the church in Paquisha is starting a sister church in Shyrian and asked for our help with the building of the church and with some outreach to the people there. It is a great story of reconciling the differences between the families of Paquisha and Shyrian. It also shows the impact of the church in Paquisha where now they are doing missions work. The other good thing for this team was that the people in Shyrian had never seen white people before. It was good exposure for these Canadian high-schoolers to experience the some of the extremes of cultural differences.
Since the team left, I have been busy on a couple of projects. First of all was inventorying and marking all the gear we have. While my team was here, we had another team of 46 go into another part of the jungle. So, for inventory, I was trying to figure out a good way to clean, mark and label over 50 pairs of boots, mosquito nets and sleeping pads.
My other major project is redesigning the website for one of our ministry areas. I am very rusty on code so I'm brushing up on that first and then coming up with a brand new design. I'm also trying to bit by bit update Youth World's general site. I've started just by getting our list of staff up to date and requesting from them an updated blurb about who they are and what they do.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
This Week
Well, since I last wrote you a lot has happened. First of all, I found a place to live. It is in the right neighborhood, the price is excellent, and the size is just right. A perfect find. I am living with one of the teachers from the Alliance Academy until the end of the semester when he goes back to the US. For those of you who know him, it's Dave Tieszen. I am just about settled in; all I need yet is a desk so I can really get set up work-wise.
Last week I had several meetings with people, including a big one with a group called Summit Adventure. We are working on a partnership with them that is quite exciting. The details are still being worked on so I won't include any specifics on that just yet.
One of Youth World's big partners is called Leader Mundial (World Leader). Their general purpose is to find business people in North America, who have the financial means, but ministry isn't necessarily their strong point. They get partnered one-on-one with a local from some other country who is the "visionary". This person has an idea for ministry but not the means to pull it off. It is more than just money though. These partners mentor each other, pray for each other, and hold each other accountable. And about once a year, they get together at a summit and go through trainings together; seminars, team building... Last week the summit was here at the camp I used to intern at (El Refugio) and I was out there for a couple days photographing it. Some of the countries represented were Russia, South Africa, Malawi, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and the Philippines.
This week, there are a few things going on. At the Alliance Academy, there is Spiritual Emphasis Week, where there is a guest speaker and Chapel every day. Please be praying for the students, that they would be impacted, and that the impact would change them for more than just a week or two. Please pray for the speaker, Mike Forrest, as he prepares his talks and connects with the students.
Finally, probably Tuesday night, I will start a trip out to the jungle. It will involve a couple of buses and then a canoe ride to get in to the Huaorani. There is a full time missionary out there and Chet and I are going out to support him in what he needs to get done. We are also building relationships with the people there. This is one of the places our Adventure teams will be going. Please pray for our travels, for safety. Pray that we'd have a meaningful time out with the Huaorani.
Thank you all for your backing. We are all in this together!
Last week I had several meetings with people, including a big one with a group called Summit Adventure. We are working on a partnership with them that is quite exciting. The details are still being worked on so I won't include any specifics on that just yet.
One of Youth World's big partners is called Leader Mundial (World Leader). Their general purpose is to find business people in North America, who have the financial means, but ministry isn't necessarily their strong point. They get partnered one-on-one with a local from some other country who is the "visionary". This person has an idea for ministry but not the means to pull it off. It is more than just money though. These partners mentor each other, pray for each other, and hold each other accountable. And about once a year, they get together at a summit and go through trainings together; seminars, team building... Last week the summit was here at the camp I used to intern at (El Refugio) and I was out there for a couple days photographing it. Some of the countries represented were Russia, South Africa, Malawi, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and the Philippines.
This week, there are a few things going on. At the Alliance Academy, there is Spiritual Emphasis Week, where there is a guest speaker and Chapel every day. Please be praying for the students, that they would be impacted, and that the impact would change them for more than just a week or two. Please pray for the speaker, Mike Forrest, as he prepares his talks and connects with the students.
Finally, probably Tuesday night, I will start a trip out to the jungle. It will involve a couple of buses and then a canoe ride to get in to the Huaorani. There is a full time missionary out there and Chet and I are going out to support him in what he needs to get done. We are also building relationships with the people there. This is one of the places our Adventure teams will be going. Please pray for our travels, for safety. Pray that we'd have a meaningful time out with the Huaorani.
Thank you all for your backing. We are all in this together!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Crime
I am back in Quito now, and I am just amazed at how much the crime level has gone up in the last six months. A few weeks ago, my cousin was held up with several others at a Bible study. Today, I was in a cab driving down one of the main roads here at 11:30 in the morning and I saw a vehicle being held up. There was nothing to be done. The robbers had guns and all I could do was watch as we drove by.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Done
I'm in Toronto right now waiting for the Greyhound to go back to Belleville for a couple more days. Everything is now done. I have my support at 100%. I have my visa. I have my flight to Ecuador. God's timing is amazing! Everything has fallen into place so perfectly.
So, here is my schedule for the next few days. I'll get back to Belleville at about 8pm tonight (Friday). Saturday will be a packing day and just some relaxing. Maybe coffee with a couple people. Sunday I will go to Quinte Alliance for my last time (for real this time). I had my farewell last Sunday. Then someone will drive me in to Toronto where I will meet up with my parents. I will spend the night there and fly to Quito Monday afternoon. I should be in Quito at 9:40pm Monday night!
So, here is my schedule for the next few days. I'll get back to Belleville at about 8pm tonight (Friday). Saturday will be a packing day and just some relaxing. Maybe coffee with a couple people. Sunday I will go to Quinte Alliance for my last time (for real this time). I had my farewell last Sunday. Then someone will drive me in to Toronto where I will meet up with my parents. I will spend the night there and fly to Quito Monday afternoon. I should be in Quito at 9:40pm Monday night!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Close!
I am getting very close to returning to Ecuador. In fact, I have a tentative goodbye planned for Sunday, January 27 in Quinte Alliance Church. My hope is that I'll be able to leave Monday the 28th. Why then? Youth World's annual meetings are starting on the 27th. I feel it is important to say goodbye to everyone, and then I'll get down as soon as possible.
My support is almost in. It's hard to say exactly how much I need but $350 per month is a conservative guess. That could mean as little as 3-4 people giving generously as I have already experienced here in Calgary.
Thank you for all your prayers. This has been quite the journey and it's not over yet. You can be praying that my visa situation gets cleared up in time for me to go. I'm trying to determine which visa to get for the time I will be there.
My support is almost in. It's hard to say exactly how much I need but $350 per month is a conservative guess. That could mean as little as 3-4 people giving generously as I have already experienced here in Calgary.
Thank you for all your prayers. This has been quite the journey and it's not over yet. You can be praying that my visa situation gets cleared up in time for me to go. I'm trying to determine which visa to get for the time I will be there.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Wedding
Well, here I am in Calgary. I came primarily because of my brother's wedding. That is done now, and it was a great ceremony! David and Boyda are now happily on their honeymoon. I am house-sitting for them until they get back. My internet is very limited and I have no phone but if you are in Calgary, I'd love to get together with you while I'm here. Write me an email or comment here and I'll try to check as often as I can get access!
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