It is some how appropriate that we finish up our clinics here at the church. We didn't have to load the bus, we didn't have to travel across the country, or climb any mountains.  We just had to take it to the street.  Long before the doors were open, people from the community were lined down the street. For them, this is an annual event and it is like visiting old friends. For us it is an opportunity to reinforce the love we have tried to show to this community over the past five years and to help strengthen their efforts to take the valley for Christ.

In the clinic, we don't see the quite the poverty level or the level of neglect.  Many of the patients were church members of their families. One woman came in complaining of ear problems.  She had surgery as a child and the doctor had told here not to clean her ears.  Julia was concerned that it could be some type of insect infestation, which can happen. Upon removal of the blockage, Dr. J said she couldn't rule that out.

One thing is for certain,  these clinics are powered by prayer.  Some are healed, many are saved and ultimately people leave changed.  There was one woman and her three daughters came in for prayer and one of the team spiritually sensed that there was abuse in the home.  After some frank conversation, they determined that indeed that was the case.  God guided them to be able to offer her help and support.  The men and women who sacrificed this week to be here simply to lay on hands and pray for these people were incredible.

Most days they were the one out in the heat under a tent that wasn't big enough to handle the volume of people that were being seen. They often had to be out in the sun and would pray for long periods of time in the hopes that God would offer a miracle.  They face outside oppression, they struggle through the language barrier, and they touch these people with the power of the Holy Spirit and let them know that Jesus loves them.  If there is an engine room to this ministry, it is the prayer center.  And our prayer team, including the local believers that join us to help, are true warriors on the battlefield of life.  There job is often thankless, but is the most critical to the success of this mission.

Prayer and worship are critical parts of our mission trips. We were truly blessed this year to have a band of brothers lead us, and lead our Ecuadorian brothers and sisters to the seat of the throne with some incredible music.  The would work key roles during the day and then pick up their instruments in praise during the evening worship.  We thank God for Clay, David, Stephen and Jonathan.

Our final worship time together followed this very full day of clinic.  Everyone was tired but looking forward to hearing our own Melvin Colon bring us a word, interpreted for the church by his lovely wife Margarita.  The church was full with people from the neighborhood. Melvin did a great job and the youth began performing one last time, when suddenly a young man burst into the sanctuary, covered in tear gas.  The gas immediately permeated the sanctuary and sent people scurrying for the streets.  It seems that this young man was being chased by 2 other men attempting to kill him.  They were going to douse him with tear gas and beat him to death with long pieces of rebar.  Fortunately for him he got away and sought refuge in the church.  Upon his entry, several church members quickly moved him back out side.  Chaos in sued until Michael Mills and Pastor Jimmy could get to the bottom of the situation.

We believe that Satan intended to destroy the end of this week. But God intended it for good, because following the incident, we resumed church with a new fervor.  Michael called the whole group together for a communion service in which one member of our team from the us was coupled with an Ecuadorian person who supported our efforts.  It was an incredible bonding experience. And as a final gesture of defiance against Satan's thwarted plan, our youth lead us in worship with powerful interpretive dance and invited us all to join in.

What a powerful end to a powerful week.  Tomorrow will be our final day in Ecuador.  Some will head of to a spa in the mountains.  Others will stay around the compound and rest.  Probably good since our sickly count rose to 5 today.  Please pray for their healing and the protection of the rest of the team as we travel.  We will head out at 2:30 tomorrow night and be  back in Atlanta by about 9pm. It will be a long brutal trip.  We are all getting anxious to head home.

Expect the final update and summary of this trip sometime over the weekend... Thank you all for your prayers and support.  God bless you all.