Day 2 in Quito Ecuador 03-31-13 Easter Sunday

Hola! This is Diane/Dino writing tonight. If what this says doesn't make much sense, it has been a long, busy, exhausting couple of days...but great days!! This will definitely be an Easter Sunday none of us will ever forget. We celebrated Easter morning with Pastor Fabian and the gracious people at Alianza Cristiana y Misionaria de Carmen Bajo. So much I could say about that, but will just say a highlight for me was listening to the testimony of a very articulate 12 year old boy who was baptized this morning.

Other events today were a yummy lunch at a restaurant, visiting the Equator (and shopping there too :), tasting guinea pig meat, riding up to a really high point - which was kinda scary in the bus - in the center of Quito where there is a huge statue, getting groceries at a market called Supermaxi, and having a scruptious meal of tacos at Pastor Fabian and Grace's home. We are eating really well! Something Lizzy ate didn't agree with her however, but she is doing much better now.

Thanks for your continued prayers for our team! We are ready for some rest to prepare for more adventures tomorrow in Carmen Bajo.

Travel and Arrival 03-30-13

Starting off at 4:30am Saturday we began with the organization of 82 pieces of luggage and at least 40+ carry-ons. One would think that this would be an incredibly daunting task, but we had some incredible organizers on the job. Hopping on a bus at 5am we headed toward the great city of Chicago to catch our first Copa Air flight to Panama. Arriving in Panama we had a brief one hour layover before boarding our second and final flight to Quito, Ecuador. With safe and speedy arrival we then had to unload all of the luggage and wait for the bus to come and take us to the Hostal. We did have three first time flyers and many that hadn't ever left the country. This was very exciting for all especially the first time flyers. When we arrived in the city Pastor Fabian along with his wife, family and friends cooked us a homemade Ecuadorian meal, yes it was amazing and everyone had there fill and there were still left overs!
It has been such a HUGE blessing seeing God working in so many of the details already. From people to luggage and supplies to even flights and transportation, we serve such a big God that cares about His people and their needs. The team is very excited to LOVE and SERVE this week. The team has adjusted well already and is very excited about celebrating Easter with the people of Carmen Bajo. In all everything has went very smoothly and we thankfully give all of the credit to The Lord Himself!