A short-term mission team from the University of West Alabama’s Wesley Foundation will be in Ecuador May 8-15. Please pray for them as they serve the children and adults at Dulce Refugio in Villaflora, Quito. They will be posting throughout the week about their experiences.

May 9 – Genevieve Baughman

Part of the team met early Saturday morning at the Wesley Foundation to pack the van and head out to Atlanta. Wilson, Melvin, Rachel, and MaeLee all met us at the airport since they drove separately. The trip to the airport was full of excitement and anticipation as we prepared ourselves for our 5:30 pm flight. It was also full of a few napping team members.  Scott mentioned that he was eager to witness the change in direction of the water. We passed through the normal checkpoints with only one hold-up: Ketia’s bobby pins.  We attempted to document this special occasion, but were warned by security that this was not allowed. The five-hour flight lasted what seemed to be well into the night. However, we arrived in Quito, Ecuador around 10:30 pm. Sleepy passengers waited in line to go through the South American customs to be joyfully greeted by Dr. Roberto and Nanny. After arriving at the Hotel Tambo Real, we were given a few instructions, room keys and permission to take our exhausted bodies to bed.

Sunday morning, we met for a devotion given by Ketia from a few chapters of 1 Corinthians. Her message relayed the importance of unity in being the body of Christ and serving in love.  Breakfast was delicious (as have all the meals been at the hotel). Our next order of business was the bus ride to the Middle of the World. We were able to spend some time on the tour learning about early tribes native to Ecuador. We were also able to witness the water flowing in three directions: straight down, clockwise and counter clockwise. A few team members were able to balance the egg, in addition to walking the equator without stumbling. The next stop we were allowed to visit the spot that was thought to be the original middle of the world, yet it was not so due to miscalculations many years ago. The bus rides throughout Ecuador have allowed us to view much that we have not before. On our last stop of the afternoon, we went to church at Mama Yoli’s and were blessed by the welcome we received. What joy it is to see so many worship the Lord and in so many ways! Rachel and MaeLee joined some of the women in praise by dancing. Ashley shared a bit of her testimony. Wilson translated the message given today.

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May 6 – Wilson Kendrick

It is hard to believe that after a year of work and faith walking in our preparation for Ecuador we are ready to board the plane in a couple of days. Tomorrow, we will load as much as we can get into one vehicle, and the next day we will all meet in Atlanta and make our way to Quito. I can only imagine that the children we are going to work with next week in Villaflora are just as ready for us as we are for them. Many thanks to those who have helped us to make this trip. There are countless people who have helped us with their donations and their time and their prayers. We would not be going without you. So keep watching this blog on SIFAT’s website, and write us some comments. We hope to have some photos, too. May God bless you in your daily ministries where ever you might be.

Students from the McWhorter School of Building Science at Auburn University recently participated in a class project on building structures using low-cost available items for people living in the developing world. Then, they visited a local third grade class at Wrights Mill Road Elementary School to get their help making 4×4 wall panels that could be used to construct affordable buildings.

Previous wall construction by others in South America has attempted to use “trash”, including plastic bottles, as insulation for exterior walls of homes or schools. The class project at Auburn tried to duplicate these ideas and establish “best practices” to make the process easier and more sustainable. In the past, walls have been built vertically in place, but this project focused on building panels on the ground and then lifting them in place. The students believe this may make the walls easier to build.”

Have you made plans for summer 2010? Whether you are an individual or a youth group, we have space available for you at Learn & Serve 2010! Weeks Two and Five have opened up again because of cancellations, which means you just got an early birthday present. You can still register for camp now. Visit www.sifat.org/learnandserve for more information and instructions on how to register.