Friday Feb. 2

 by Carole Skalsky

Today you get my point of view!  As you can see, I played with the babies and others finished up the painting project.  It was important to have things cleaned up and ready for the next team.   Friday is always the sad and happy day.  It's a time to say good-bye or if God chooses I'll be back.  There were a few "leaky" eyes as we said our "until we meet again".

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Follies and Fun with Frixon

This is beautiful Dahna She was full of smiles.  I sang to her while she stomped out the beat.

Josabet is a newer arrival.  She does not see well, but can sure smile and giggle when you move her feet around

I was laying on the floor and Sol started playing with my hair.  She is almost 4 and always observing.  She does not do anything while you are looking...you have to catch her out of the corner of your eye.

I had my back to Dahna and the tia said to me, "mera, mera".  Like all good toddlers she grabbed my shoes!

On the way to visit Banos, we stopped at a gorgeous waterfall.  Now there was some danger involved, however, we were up to the task.  This was a swinging suspension bridge.  I went right down the middle and HELD ON!

I was pleased they thought enough of me to bring an ecuadorian rose.

We are at Jeff and Rae's new home.

 

Here we are at Sweet Refuge!

What a great way to end our night by having a dinner inspired by Ecuador at Posada del Arte. Banos has been a wonderful town to relax and enjoy each others company. 

Thursday, February 1

Today marked our last full day working at Case. After running through a sprinkle of rain...or an Ecuador down pour... to the bodega, we all dispersed to our different jobs. We have gotten into a routine and it has been great to see the all of the progress that has been made on all of the different projects we have been working on so tirelessly.  We were all busy hauling rocks  and sand, painting, sanding doors, getting stuck in mud, and having therapy time with the kids. (And those were just a few of the things that were going on throughout the day!) Here are just some of the lessons that were learned...

1. When big items you need for a project don't show up...you roll with it and move on to the next! 
2. When you decided to take the "road less traveled"...you might get stuck in the mud! 
3. Joy can be found everywhere. Like in laughter and splashing at the therapy pool.
4. With 21 people in a group...there are lots of personalities...but you are all united in this amazing mission experience and you become a family. 

We ended the night with an amazing supper and emotional debrief at Chris and Mandy Zuniga's. There was laughter, tears, and heartfelt testimonies about how this little place called Case de Fe has touched us all in so many ways. God has truly worked through each and every one of us to us our gifts while we were here. 

As Henry, the director of Case de Fe, thanked us for all our hard work this week, I couldn't help thinking that he had it backwards. This place; these people; have given US more than they will ever know and we are forever in their debt. 

As we prepare to say our goodbyes tomorrow, I have a feeling that we are all leaving a piece of our heart in Shell, Ecuador.