Tuesday, July 4, 2006       

We must have sensed it was a holiday, because everyone was moving a little slower this morning... Breakfast was a little late so that delayed our departure a few minutes, but that was ok because the food was really good. (But then again so is everything Denise makes.)  It also gave us a chance to sing patriotic and Christian songs as a group! Not at all a bad way to start the July 4th holiday...  But there was no day off for us today.

The location for our second day of clinics was actually just down the road. We loaded up and headed to a fire station close to the Mills' house. When we got there, there was  already a group of people waiting. We unloaded everything and got busy setting up our stations.

Once again, there were a lot of children present. So out came the puppets and face paint and once again they were a huge hit. It was so fulfilling to see the smiles on their faces! When the puppets were up the children would gather around. Some would clap and some would dance. And like the little ones from yesterday, they loved the face paint too. They would get something drawn on both checks, both hands, and all up their arms and then some would go wash it off and come back for more. It was truly amazing to see how such simple things could brighten up their whole day.  I think it gave most of us pause as we realized again, just how full our lives are in the US, and yet so many there are unhappy. Yet here are these children with comparatively nothing, and having a time they will probably remember for years... with just a few puppets and some face paint.

And they absolutely loved to have their picture taken. Anytime you would ask them if they wanted it taken they would all reply, "si, si" and then smile.

There was one little boy with down syndrome who absolutely won everyone's heart. He had come the day before also and when the girls were painting his face he would take the brushes and begin to paint theirs. Today, everyone with cameras quickly learned that they should hide them anytime he was near, because he thought he needed to take pictures too.  He was so cute.

When the puppets weren't up we would play games with the kids and teach them songs. We all had so much fun.

The prayer team had a wonderful day too. We saw over 300 hundred people and there were 46 salvations and 137 healings. There was one woman who came in who could hardly hear or see. As Annetta was praying over her the woman's eyes began to sparkle and she began tugging on her ears. Then she began to raise her hands and praise the Lord. She ran over to Krissy, grabbed her face and began telling what had happened and how her hearing and sight had been restored.

Another woman who came in who had a lump in her breast. She and Margarita began to pray and when they were through she felt her breast again and the lump was gone. She couldn't believe it and she began praising God too. What incredible testimonies to God's awesome power.

When we had some down time some went and slid down the fireman's pole. Some went up to the roof to take some pictures of the beautiful scenery.  We could even see the very tip of  Cotopaxi (the big active volcano).  It was breathtaking.

When we were finished we all loaded up the bus and heading back to the house for hamburgers, fries, and watermelon. (A truly American meal for the 4th of July.)

The clinic today ran so smoothly again. It's amazing how a close knit team has formed from a group who were all but strangers just a few days ago.  Until you experience it you just can't understand how close you can become in such a short amount of time... Sounds pretty neat, huh? well maybe YOU should come next time!  We would love to have you. Just pray and ask God if this is something he would have you do... 

After dinner, a time honored tradition was undertaken... Our Annual Ecuadorian Snipe Hunt!  It is our way of initiating our newbies who are unfamiliar with the fine art of hunting and tracking the ever elusive Ecuadorian Snipe.  This trip, we had four newbies, Corey (a boy living with the Mill's), Stefanie, Miguel (the Mills' son-in-law), and Molly.  For those of you who have never been on a snipe hunt, it is an experience you will never forget.  For those of you that have, you know what I'm talking about.  The snipe hunt alone is worth the price of admission. <grin>

A good time was had by all... and I believe that for most, it was an Independence Day we will not soon forget.  Praise God!