Church...

Buenos Dias!(Good Morning!) As they say in Ecuador. I had some time so I thought I would try to slip in a quick post about today. It is going to be a very exciting day for the team.

Today, we get the opportunity to go to a local church that natives started. If you know the story of Nate Saint, these are the descendants of the tribesmen that speared and killed him and the other missionaries. Dr. Steve tells me this new generation is on fire for Jesus Christ and I can't wait to see it. But we are also getting a special treat. We found out last night Dr. Steve has been asked to preach there this morning! Please pray for him as we had a very late night and a very early morning.

We had 3 very unique experiences yesterday due to a scheduling change. One thing about Ecuador, or any mission trip, is that things can change in an instant. We were suppose to have our first VBS class with the kids, but when we got to the orphanage, the tias (ladies who watch after the kids) had taken them all swimming down the road! So we took the afternoon off to go into Shell and see the town. I was carrying my guitar as I needed to take it back to the guest house. While approaching a store, and elderly gentleman was waving me down. He motioned for me to sit beside him and play. Being in a different country and not completely knowing everything about the culture, I took this as a "not optional" request. I sat and started playing the songs I had been working on in Spanish. "I have Decided to Follow Jesus," "Lord I Lift Your Name on High," and "I've Got That Joy Down In My Heart." He sat listing and singing what he could. But then crowd started to gather around! He asked for more so I started playing and singing in English. One younger fellow came up and told us about how his church played and sang contemporary Christian music. It was really cool.
The second experience was pretty awesome, too. As we were walking back to the Guesthouse, we saw a local youth group out singing. They invited us in ans we worshiped with them for a short while. We could recognize the songs, like "God of Wonders" and started singing in English with them as they sang in Spanish.Two groups of people singing in two different languages worshiping the same God. Amazing.

Lastly, after leaving the youth group and only a few steps down the road, an elderly lady stopped us to witness to us! She sang songs to us about the love of God and even prayed with us. It was so cool.

Well, Its almost time to leave for church. Thanks again for all your prayers! I really hope you can come experience this with us next year!

In Christ,
jon walton

Pics from the Zoo!

Some quick pics from the zoo trip!
































Thanks again for helping us go all who donated!

To the Zoo!

Just a quick update as we are pressed for time. Today we are taking the kids from Casa de Fe to a local zoo. Then we are coming back to start a 3 day VBS. Thanks for all your prayers!

Shell

We have all made it safely to Shell! Everyone is doing well, no sickness apart from a little motion sickness on the bus ride over.

It is such a wonderful feeling to be back here. For those of us returning, it is almost like coming home. We are super excited! We got to see some of the kids at Casa de Fe. They have grown so much!

We also got to see the school we worked on last year. It is almost complete! We will be working on painting the school and moving in furniture to get it ready for the school year.


Pray or us as some are walking and doing much more than we are accustomed to. Pray for God's strength and His guidance for us to be obedient even in situations where we are out of our element. Thanks so much!

In Christ,
jon walton

We have made it safely to Quito, Ecuador. Everyone is doing well, but tired. Catching some sleep, then heading to Shell tomorrow. Thanks!
In Christ,
jon walton

Atlanta...

Just a quick update, we made it safely to Atlanta. Grabbing a bite to eat, then heading toward Quito at 5:30 pm. Everyone is doing great, even the first time flyers. Thanks for all the prayers!

In Christ,
jon walton

Heading out...

15 people are en route to Knoxville, TN to board a plane to Atlanta, GA. From there, we will get on a plane to Quito, Ecuador, then on to Shell to work in an orphanage for special needs children.
I can't fully express the joy of getting to go back and serve these wonderful children who wouldn't have a chance without God moving people to start this orphanage. The feeling of getting to see people I met last year, seeing the progress on the school, and working with the construction workers is almost overwhelming.
For some, this will be their first mission trip, time flying, or time out of the country. I can't wait to see what God does in them as well as how God will use them to minister to others.
Please keep us in your prayers and check back all week for updates!

In Christ,
jon walton