Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
¡Feliz Navidad! (Merry Christmas!)
Well, first year not at home for Christmas, and it's pretty different to say the least! The sun is shining, there are no mince pies (although being a true British woman, I made some...heaven!) and the company isn't quite the same! Despite feeling a tad home sick because of the time of year, I've had the most amazing few weeks and most life changing too.
My few weeks don't start so life changing, but an awesome cultural thing which is fun to share :) a couple of weeks ago, it was Quito week! Which just consists of lots of mad events going on around town, as well as chivas which drive around day and night! Chivas are basically buses with a live band on, and people dance on them. So it's a lively city! On the last day of Quito week, I went to the old town where there was this free dance festival. Incredible! There were traditional dances from Ecuador, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico. Amazing atmosphere, and awesome to see such a cultural thing from so many countries!
The next day, I went to the prison again with Maria. Before we went in, Maria told me that Barbara had lost a lot of weight and was a lot more frail, so I tried to prepare myself for that. She also told me that the government has shut down all churches in public buildings, which meant that the chapel would be closed. However, nothing prepared me for what I was about to see!
Every other time I've been into the prison, I only walk through the main doors and walk straight into the chapel on the left. So although it was still a shocking experience, I never saw the whole prison. I had thought that perhaps the furniture in the chapel may have gone and we could still use the room, but that wasn't the case. The door had literally been sealed over. This meant that we had to find a place to meet, in the midst of a dirty, loud and crowded prison! In the end, we ended up in this old wooden hut thing in the back of the prison. Despite it being a horrid room, it was at least a little quieter! I also saw Barbara, it was incredibly difficult to see her, but lovely too. She had her trial a few days after I saw her, and so was very anxious about that. We went into her minute little room and prayed together, declaring that the God we serve is one of justice. It was a powerful and beautiful time to pray with such an amazing woman, yet in such a horrific situation. The whole experience really impacted me and I felt it difficult to think about anything else for a while! Barbara had her trial the following Tuesday, and in many respects it was such a miracle what happened! The accuser just didn't turn up, he said he would and gave no reasoning or message for him not being there. So after a few hours of waiting they all just had to leave! But it was a real miracle, because Barbara's lawyer didn't have all his papers so if the trial went ahead, she could have got a long sentence! However, I can imagine that she's struggling not knowing what's happening to her as I know that she was really looking forward to a decision, whatever it might be, so that she can finally get her head round what will happen to her. So prayers for her are so appreciated! I will try and see her again soon, and keep you all updated!
I also recently went and gave my testimony to this teenage boys orphanage. An amazing ministry, this couple run a house for boys who were in the streets. They give them food, shelter, act as their parents, support them in their education but also teach them how to be a disciple of Jesus. I went for dinner with the couple and the boys, and it was beautiful to see phil (essentially the dad) and the boys playing together, calling Debbie 'mum' and just being shown such love. I think the boys were really taken back by the fact that I'm not a rich girl from England whose had a perfect and easy life! So it was cool cause afterwards we got to pray together, and then play lots of uno!
Also, pan de Vida has been BUSY! We've had so many Christmas parties, which have been incredible. In the last week we have had 5 events! We gave out all those boxes of shoes, which was just so amazing to see these kids open their little boxes of new shoes with such smiles in their faces! We also had a graduation for the women who have been working in the microempresa, which is a business for these women to be taught how to sew properly and to then sell their products. It was really touching as they were awarded prizes, and they were all just so utterly thankful for the opportunity they had been given. On our last event, we had 530 people! We gave out the bibles and had a time of worship and devotion together. All these events also meant making food for every person, which was crazy! We served over 1000 meals in less than a week!
Through it all, one of the most amazing parts for me was between the parties when these 4 kids turned up to pan de Vida. The eldest was 9, and they were all walking around the city on their own as their mum was working in the market. Their clothes were so disgustingly dirty, had holes in and their shoes were totally ruined. We gave them food, and they literally ate it from the bowl in a matter of seconds. The youngest child was 4 (the girl in the photo) and her teeth were already ruined and she had sores all over her face. But we had an awesome time playing with them, I did the girls hair, we gave them new clothes, and they got new shoes later in the day. It was a real hard shock at the intensity of the poverty here. The last few weeks I have really got to know more of the people we help, and that has made it all the more real. Also a real shock at the teenage girls I want to really try and help. There are 15 year olds with babies, a 19 year old pregnant with her second child, she's my age! It's been such a shock, and God has really broken heart to do as much as I can to help them whilst I am here!
Anyways, I know that I have written a lot now! So I should probably stop, but it's been an intense few weeks!
However, I have done two videos recently! One just from me being here, bit old now but whatever! And the other one all about the Christmas parties at pan de Vida! I will post the links at the bottom :)
I've finally got some time off now, so I have some time to spend with my fam here!
Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you are all well!
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=share&v=Z70MbtW6sew&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DZ70MbtW6sew%26feature%3Dshare&gl=GB
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=A3ZkGcANXU0
- comments
David Merritt Hi Izzy, More power to you! Looks like you're involved in a lot of service and being used by the Lord to bless people. Look after your spirit, 'top yourself up'. Looks like there are fun times too, so make the most of them. Bless you as you spend Christmas away from family, UK friends and familiar things. David
Richard Amey hey, Happy new year. All the best. Are enjoying the banana?