We spent the weekend ministering in several mountain communities about 5 hours away from Quito. We traveled with the Susong family (another missionary family here) who have been working in this community for several years. There were also a group of 4 ladies (2 from US and 2 from Canada) who are here on a mission trip.

On Saturday, we visited 3 communities where our team lead a kids’ ministry service while the Susong’s team held training classes for the adults in the community. In each of these communities, the poverty is overwhelming. These communities redefine the term “rural” with many mud huts and primitive living conditions. But as always, the people are HUNGRY to learn about God.

We were able to use our new sound equipment which made it much easier to teach 100 kids or more at once. We were also able to show a Veggie Tales movie in Spanish (a rare treat). Also exciting news … we taught on our OWN IN SPANISH … without translation!!! (praise the Lord!)

No trip deep into the mountains is complete without getting STUCK IN THE MUD! This trip was no exception. We all had to push and push and ended the day covered in mud. 🙂

On Sunday, we held a training seminar for one of the churches who are trying to learn to teach Sunday school classes. The church was packed! We taught them some creative teaching methods and then had them bring in the children and try out the newly learned techniques. It was BEAUTIFUL!!

Bobby talked to the adults about the need for family devotion times. We were shocked to find out that most of them do not own Bibles. As we talked about getting them Bibles so they could read together with their children, we were saddened to learn that most of them can barely read.

All in all, the weekend was rewarding, humbling and such a blessing to us. Here are a few photos: