Update 03/29/08 - Back from the Jungle

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. 3 John 1:5

It was only five days, but it will take us days, months and years to tell the stories, ponder the events, and understand God's purpose in all that we experienced as well as every adjective in our vocabulary. WET, HOT, HUMID, ITCHY, JOYFUL, HARD, DISCOURAGED, BUGGY, WET, BEAUTIFUL, HOT, UNCOMFORTABLE, MEANINGFUL, WET, etc.

Our trip began with a 7 1/2 hour all night bus trip (due to a change in plans), followed by a 7 1/2 hour (113 winding miles) motorized canoe trip down the Aguarico river. About half way, it started to rain (rainforest style) a wall of water for about 4 hours. Ponchos didn't cut it - we were soaked from head to toe. On several occasions, we had to use Jonathan's shoes to bail the canoe. We were all miserable to say the least, but our thoughts on this Good Friday turned to remembering all the miserable things our Lord went through for us and amazingly our misery seem to disappear quite quickly.

Saturday was an unplanned day as well. Unbeknownst to us, it was "Save the Turtle Day". The Cofán people have a project of replenishing the river turtle population. They raise turtles until a year old and then release them into the rainforest waters. We were part of releasing the turtles. We also spent the afternoon getting to know the kids and playing with them.

Easter Sunday was special as we were able to participate in a Cofán Easter service. We didn't understand a word of it (in the Cofán language), but what a joy to know that we will see these brothers and sisters again in heaven. Cindy brought the Resurrection Eggs and held a small children's service. Her student, Justino, translated as each child opened an egg that shared the Easter story. Justino was amazing. Cindy then shared the salvation message and asked if anyone would like to pray and ask Jesus into their hearts. Three children prayed and accepted Christ as their personal savior. Justino again translated through our prayers. We were able to pray for each child that came to the service and trust God with the rest. Please rejoice with us over Tokino, Machele, and Diko. This community would benefit greatly if they had a pastor for their church. Please pray that God would raise up spiritual leaders in this community.

Sunday afternoon was a beautiful day for a canoe ride down the Zábalo river (a small tributary to the larger Aguarico river) where the plan was to do some Piranha fishing after a picnic lunch in the rainforest. However, about 1 hour into the river ride, the rains came again. We got to feel the effect without ponchos. We did get to fish a little later on the way back to Zábalo, but no Piranha.

Monday was our 3 hour trek through the rainforest escorted by Justino's Dad. Okay, now we can say we did it and don't have plans to ever do that again!!! The incredible wall of water rains came again in the afternoon and we were able to rest. Although we weren't completely dried out from the day before.

Tuesday was a special day for the Cofán people as they celebrated a juice festival. All the Cofán ladies worked hard to make this "chunky" juice and brought their kettles to the center of the village. Doug, sporting his homemade beaded necklace received as a gift, was the first to receive the BOWL of special juice with specific instructions from the Chief on how to drink it: begin drinking and don't stop until it's gone, hand the bowl back to the server and say, "Bwau" and don't wipe any of the juice from your face. He was impressive!!! We spent the afternoon trying to stay cool and bug free - IMPOSSIBLE!!!

We packed up on Wednesday morning to begin our 17 hour trip home. It's only 200 miles away. Our 8 hour canoe ride upstream with no rain was an answered prayer. We all arrived home sunburned and appeared that we had been relaxing on a bug-infested beach all week.

Upon some reflection of this trip, we have many different feelings as it was made for many different reasons: to support a student, to see the rainforest up close and personal after studying it in first grade for many years, to somehow be a blessing to the Cofán people, family vacation, and as always... to glorify Jesus in all that we do. Together as a family, we have all reminisced in how we would love to bring home some of the children and older kids. They have so little, and we loved them so much. We come home with many questions as to why God allowed us to be a part of this group of strangers for a brief moment. We trust that He will teach us much in the days ahead from this trip. We continue to rely on Him for our continued "professional" development. We definitely need it!

Cindy was back to educational seminars Thursday morning; Doug flew to Cuenca today for Field Committee meeting and a meeting with the AIEE church association; We have the Indiana prayer group of 10 arriving on Saturday night. Our agenda is as follows:

• Saturday - Preparations and evening arrival
• Sunday - Church service at Iglesia Betel, Meet with leaders, and visit Iglesia Jesus Rey de Reyes church
• Monday - Travel to visit Iglesia Jesucristo El Salvador in Ibarra
• Tuesday - Travel south to visit Iglesia Bíblica Restauración in Latacunga, Iglesia Jesus de Nazareth in Salcedo, Iglesia Filadelfia in Píllaro, and Iglesia Fuente de Vida in Riobamba
• Wednesday - Sites of Quito
• Thursday - Panecillo to pray for the city, and Alliance Academy to pray for the school, Debrief and Depart

Please pray for this team, our travels, and for Doug as he leads this team.

Thank you for standing with us during our "vacation" time. Your faithful prayers for health and safety are evident and we can praise the Lord for our safe and healthy time in Zábalo and our safe return (we will continue to take our Malaria medicine).

For photos of our time in Zábalo, click here: Jungle

Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy