Update

As I sit here and reflect on the past two days, I begin to realize just how much we as a team have experienced. Sunday began with an amazing church service where a multitude of thoughts swirled through my mind. Mostly, they focused on the clear picture of heaven that I saw reflected through the blend of Ecuadorian and United States voices in song, prayer, and sharing in communion. Every part of the service reminded me of just how diverse the body of Christ is and how amazing heaven will be when every tongue, tribe, and nation bow before the King of Kings. 

Sunday afternoon was spent going to the ocean and spending time on the beach with the pastor and his wife, followed by the team splitting up after dinner to attend separate church services. Some members went to the CMA church in Machala and some went to the CMA church in Puerto Bolivar. It was a long and full day. Monday came quickly and we were back on the work site with the whole team. Because the kids are in school, there was no childrens ministry until the afternoon. With all of us working we were able to get a lot of work done on the rebar! We laid and connected rebar for the concrete floor that we will be pouring on Thursday. God has been good to us in giving us great translators in Eric, Kristi, and Lindsay, as well as our official translators Fanny and Paul. We seem to be able to bridge the communication gap by the help of the Holy Spirit to show Christs love. Monday night we spent some time playing soccer with the Pastor and his friends and we cooled off by taking a dip in a friend of the churches pool. 

 God has been very good to us. He is giving us strength to work hard all day, and unity while we are with each other many hours of each day. We are all trusting in the power of God who knows no ethnic, cultural, or language barriers. "To Him who is able to do far more than we can ask of imagine." Ephesians 3:20. 

- Pastor Nathanael