Day 5: Final Day In Cumbas Conde

Friday. Our last full day in the Andes mountain village of Cumbas Conde.

As in the previous two days, we started our morning by traveling via bumpy road in the back of a truck to our work site. Occasionally stopping along the way to pick up various walkers. Our work place began at the top of a deep crevice, here we loaded our packs with rocks to be used in concrete at the water project at the bottom. Then came the incredibly steep trek down the gorge. After dumping our sack full of rocks at the bottom, next came the grueling hike back to the top. Multiply this process by 8-12 times and that was our morning.

VBS also wrapped up with the final lesson of the wordless book. We culminated our teaching time with the making of colored bracelets for all the kids so they will have the message of Christ with them wherever they are.

-Black to represent our sin.
-Red to display the sacrifice of Jesus.
-White to show the cleanliness that follows.
-Green to show growth in our faith.
-Gold to portray the glory of eternity.

In an ending  to our time with the people of Cumbas Conde, we were given a meal of local cuisine including potatoes, Lima beans, corn on the cob, soft cheese, and most intriguing: roasted guinea pig! After the meal, leaders of the water project presented us with traditional Ecuadorean wool bags and hats as a token of their appreciation for our involvement. Cultural dancing followed, complete with beautifully hand-embroidered clothing.

It was incredible to see the people's all-encompassing welcome and relationships that we built in such a quick amount of time. God was so good in showing us His perfectly orchestrated plan, we have been so blessed by working with the community members and loving the children. To God be the glory as we continue on this adventure!

By: Miranda Roub