The Big Night

Luke with his best buddy, Nick.  They each had a lead role in the play and had so much fun together!  The Christmas program at Alliance Academy was called "The Legend of the Christmas King".  This year all three of my kids participated in the program.  Molly sang 2 songs, one in English and one in Spanish.  Jordan sang many songs throughout the play.  And for Luke, well this was the night he has been waiting for since he could talk.  He has wanted to be in a play for so long and this was his big year to get to play the funny and sweet role of Artie.  He did great!!!

This was one of the final scenes of the Christmas program.

I love the look on Luke's face after the crowd went wild.  It always helps to have the Casa G boys in the audience!

Jesus was so proud of his little brothers

Molly and Lizandro

Here is Molly with Marina.  We rent our house from Marina's mom and they live right behind us.  Marina is a wonderful neighbor, sweet friend, and truly a part of our family.  She came with us for the big performance.

Gustavo and Alejandro grabbed a ride home from the Christmas program.  See previous post to hear them sing a lovely tune.

The elementary Christmas program at Alliance Academy is one of my favorite events of the year.  Luke, Jordan, and Molly performed their very best.  All of the practicing since October was definitely worth it! 

We love visitors!

In December, Casey's parents came to Quito to visit us.  We packed in as much as we could in 10 days.  They arrived Saturday night, and we let them rest just a little that night.  Sunday, we went to our church, Dios es Fiel (God is Faithful) and that night we had all of the Casa Gabriel boys over for dinner.  Here is MaMaw and PePaw with William.

Monday we went down to Old Quito and had a delicious Ecuadorian lunch.  The llapingachos were a favorite!

Tuesday, we took unplanned tours of Hospital Vozandes and Hospital Metropolitano with Molly.  She had to have many tests at both of the hospitals for her leg.  Everything came back normal, and we are praying that she will not have these horrible leg pains anymore.  Due to her traumatic day, MaMaw thought it would be a good idea for her to open one of her Christmas presents.  Molly agreed.

Wednesday night was Chrismas at our house.  We had a delicious dinner, PePaw read the Christmas story, and we opened presents. 

Thursday, we showed Robert and Carol Opcion de Vida.  It is a ministry in the park for street kids.  We also introduced them to Casa Blanca and Casa Elizabeth, our new ministry with Inca Link.

Thursday night was the big night - Luke, Jordan and Molly's Christmas program at their school.

It was fun to have some of the Casa G boys at their program.  It was even more fun to have 6 boys hanging on our car singing "Feliz Navidad".  Here is a short clip to show you what I mean.

Friday, we all went to Molly's Christmas party at her school.

Saturday and Sunday we spent the night in a beautiful hosteria in Papallacta.  Robert and the kids enjoyed the hot pools the most! 

Our last day in Quito, we had to go to the equator.  We had so much fun with MaMaw and PePaw!  One thing I know is that goodbyes are always hard and they do not seem to get easier.  If you are ever looking for a beautiful country to visit and with super fun people:), please come to Ecuador.  We love visitors!

Portoviejo

Casey had the opportunity to go to a dump ministry on the coast of Ecuador where other Inca Link missionaries serve.  It was a time to celebrate Christmas and minister to the people living and working in the dump. 

The people search through the trash to find recyclable items to sell.

This young man took a break from working to visit with Casey.

Our Inca Link team praying with the people at the dump

Here is a young man who is privileged to have a donkey to help him carry the items he found to sell.

Giant black vultures were everywhere!

There is no running water where the people live.  They have to walk about a mile to an old well that has water but is not clean for drinking.  The team brought in clean drinking water and delivered to the houses.

Our team had a Christmas party for the kids.  Thanks to Extreme Response  http://www.extremeresponse.org/ who donated a thousand pounds of food to Inca Link to give to the people who live in this city dump. 

Would you please pray for the beautiful people who live in this dump?  We are thankful for Percy and Aaron who are Peruvian missionaries serving here in Ecuador with this dump ministry.  Our prayer is for the people living here to know the love and hope of Jesus Christ.

Special Teenagers

I have the honor to mentor these two very special young ladies.  Last year I was their small group leader with Guardians and this year we meet weekly to pray, encourage one another, study God's Word and live life together.  Eli and Mary are beautiful girls inside and out, and I am so thankful to be a part of their lives. 

Because of working at Casa Gabriel, Tully was one of the first people we got to know when we moved to Quito.  He is a wonderful example to Luke and Jordan and is very special to our family.

Here is our amazing babysitter, Dani.  One of my favorite things is to hear Molly yell, "Daannniii!" and take off running to give Dani a hug.  Dani is so special to our family.

Meet Enoch

Jordan is excited to call Enoch his amiguito (little friend) this year.  Jordan's teacher started a school south of Quito a few years ago and every year her students get to visit Santos Pamba and build relationships with the kids who go to school there.  When we first moved here and Luke was in third grade, Luke had a buddy named Washington.  Now Jordan has a new friend, Enoch who is five years old.

Here is the school and church

Casey and I had the privilege to go on this field trip with Jordan and meet Enoch.  Enoch is very special to Jordan, so we wanted to meet him.  Casey always finds a group of young boys to cut up with and wrestle.  These silly boys had a great time with Casey, and the teachers have asked Casey to come on all the field trips this year to Santos Pamba.

For the Christmas party, Ennie the clown came to visit, the kids decorated Christmas cookies, made a Christmas ornament, ate lunch together, and exchanged gifts.  Enoch gave Jordan a Winnie-the-Pooh.

Enoch's class decorating cookies

Saying goodbye until the next visit in February

Enoch and his older brother walking home from school with their grandmother

We are so thankful for Enoch and praise God for Him.  He is a beautiful child of God and has a smile that will light up the room.

Pink Sponge Rollers

Molly slept in pink sponge rollers for the first time, and she had curls!  This brought back memories of the many nights I would sleep in little pink sponge rollers when I was a little girl.

Excited about her new look!  Molly is getting so big.  For her 5th birthday, she said she wanted either her ears pierced or a cat.  This was not a difficult decision, really it was a win-win for me.  I have been asked many times here in Ecuador why my daughter does not have her ears pierced.  Now, I do not have to explain anymore and we do not have a cat.

Gingerbread Houses

The third grade classes got to make gingerbread houses and created a beautiful village of their houses to be displayed the month of December in the elementary atrium.

Caleb and Jordan hard at work decorating

Nancy and Nanon took a quick break for a picture with their masterpieces

Here is Jordan's good friend, Jung Woo.  They are great buddies!

And Jordan with his creative and colorful gingerbread house.  He was the most excited about the snowman he created in the yard.  This was a fun and yummy project!