Tuesday, 01 August 2006

• SO...I'm way overdue on a post...

     Hola a todos and hello everybody! Greetings from somewhere other than Quito, Ecuador--Carrollton, GA. Frances and I are back home (and have been since the 23rd of July) and have had to hit the ground running when we got back.

     The last week with the team in Cayambe was amazing and the work that SIFAT Ecuador and Compassion International are doing in the school and church was a site to see! For Frances and me it was an amazing opportunity to be outside the city in "el campo" or "the country." There were livestock in the streets, guinea pigs in the back yard (yummy), and the children in Cayambe were different in many ways than the children in Atucucho. The main difference was that you could tell that the children of Cayambe were living in homes that cared a great deal more for the children--they are poor too, but their parents love them. On the way to Cayambe in the bus Vicente, the bus driver (el mejor conductor), told us that we would see a difference in the way the children acted and behaved because their parents love them. This simple and profound  difference was very apparent and reminded me that we, people, are just like children--some have the love of their Father in their lives, and others do not--most times the difference is easily recognized by our actions and how we live our lives. It is a challenge to exemplify Christ in all that we do, but we do so knowing that many small and impressionable eyes are watching us--not just children, but all those who look up to us, the body of Christ, as role models. 

     This past Sunday in my home church, it is strange to sit in a Church service that is in English, the pastor talked about Jesus and how He lived his life based on His role, not His status. That His status was the Son of God, the second part of the trinity, through Whom all things were Created...but, His role played out as that of a servant by washing the feet of those He served. Since we are all children of God and Co-heirs with Christ, let us today take some time to pray and ask God how we can better understand our roles and not simply assume our status.

     While in Cayambe the team members from Spanish Fort UMC worked on a 3 story school building and helped start a new location for afternoon VBS. Many of the Spanish Fort team members came down to Cayambe last summer and that is why more decided to come this year--because they saw the change that God made in the lives of the people last year. We are all ambassadors for Christ--in Cayambe, at home, and abroad! The team members said that last year they were pouring columns for the floor that this year they were walking on...God has a fun way of turning things around on us!! As mentioned, the team had the amazing opportunity to start a new VBS closer to town with some children who had never had the opportunity to have a VBS experience!! It was well attended by around 150 children and on the last day all the children from the school construction site and the children from closer to town had VBS together at the construction site!! It was great! Vicente drove the SIFAT bus down the corner where about 100 children were waiting for a ride to the construction site--Vicente returned with a grin on his face and all 100 children waving from the bus windows! It was a site to behold! SO, the grande total of Children for VBS that day was around 300 or 350 children...whew!! God was, as always, totally faithful in allowing us to have a plan for the children through the diligent work of the team members and especially the ladies who coordinated the VBS sessions!! Praise to God!

     The last day at the worksite, after the VBS, there was a closing ceremony where the local people expressed their gratitude and their love for the team members. It was a fun ceremony with two, yes two, live bands with indigenous music and really fun looking instruments! The children of the project and school made little clay pots and painted them to give to us a remembrances of them and of Cayambe. After the ceremony, like in America, the best way to say "goodbye" to someone is with a large meal of tasty food! SO, we ate string cheese, biscochos, and CUY! (That's guinea pig for all those wondering!) It was an amazing meal and Frances even tried some!! She did almost put it back on the table (if you get my meaning), but she kept it down!! (Yet again, more reasons why I'm proud to be her fiance!!) It was a neat time to reminisce about the week and to say goodbye to our family in Cayambe!

     The next day Frances and I headed for the city of Quito to pack our things and the group had a free day in the bus going to Otovalo and other various attractions before returning to the Hotel Tambo Real in Quito for the Special Dinner. On behalf of SIFAT Ecuador and USA, thanks to all the team members of Spanish Fort UMC and may God continue to bless each of you and your Churches!

     On a personal note: For Frances and me this is a transition time to a different stage of life and we are excited about what God has in store for us: I'm attending Seminary in the Fall at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Frances will be working doing social work with children (hopefully), and we'll be getting starting our new life in the covenanted togetherness of marriage on December 30th in less than 5 months! Praise be to God who is pretty much awesome!

     For all the readers of the website thanks again for all your continued love and support for SIFAT Ecuador and for SIFAT USA! Please continue to remember them in your prayers, your giving, and your time spent in missions. SIFAT only stays open by the grace of God and through the monetary contributions of many wonderful people here in the southeast. SIFAT is greatly appreciative of all donations and we thank you for your willingness to help further His Kingdom. God needs only for people to be willing to serve Him where He calls...may we all rise to the call and go where He leads us. For Frances and me, it was a joy and a privilege to serve this summer in Ecuador with the most wonderful people on earth--God's people in Ecuador! I'll keep this goodbye short and somewhat sweet and say that if anyone has any feedback for SIFAT or for myself, if you could please direct your emails to jmcbray@emory.edu or to Tom Corson at corsont@aol.com . Once again, thanks be to our Marvelous God and His mighty wonders!

      En Cristo,

         Joseph "Pepe" McBrayer y Frances "Franchesca" Fulton

  To see all the pictures please click here: http://photo.xanga.com/SIFATecuadorAWF

   

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