Saturday, March 14, 2015
Quito Day 5
Day 5
This is the day we have all been waiting for.. They sponsor children are coming. This is such an emotional day for ALL... I don't think I can describe this day, I will let the pictures speak.
And if this day couldn't be better... It's Amy's birthday!!!!
This is the day we have all been waiting for.. They sponsor children are coming. This is such an emotional day for ALL... I don't think I can describe this day, I will let the pictures speak.
And if this day couldn't be better... It's Amy's birthday!!!!
Friday, March 13, 2015
Day 4
Day 4
Before we started this day, we had a shopping trip looking for the right type of shovel so our men could work easier and faster. We also did a lot of praying that the rest of the 12 piers would be dug :-) Monday afternoon was extremely hard on our men.
God is Good! When we pulled up to Maria's home only two holes were not complete!!! We were so excited until they realized they now had to mix A LOT of concrete by hand. To say our men worked hard doesn't even come close to describing the work they did. But still they would do it again!! These men are responsible for laying the foundation of her home. The most important part of building a home.
For the women, we finally got to see just how much work they were having to do. We were impressed. This was also the first time we met Maria. She invited us to visit with her in her "home" where she has been living for the past three years with 4 other people. As we struggled to get to her home, we were saddened to think she does this with her 3 year old boy daily!! Saying this is a home is a big stretch. This is a place that she lives is all. It was her brothers workshop. I don't know the dimensions of this structure, but my boys have small bedrooms and this is smaller than that!! There is no bathroom. There is a sink but no water. The bed that they sleep on does not have a mattress. It is merely bags stuffed with who knows what and covered with blankets. She told us she cannot keep food there because there is too many rats.
We had heard Maria's story of abuse already, but when you hear it from her your heart aches for her. I could not control my crying. She told us not to be sad for her because she is happy and safe. She knows that she is rich if she has God! AMEN!!! Amy encouraged her by sharing her testimony. Once again I could not control my crying. There is something so beautiful when women lift up women by taking their past and sharing with each other. The bond that was made today cannot be broken!!
As the men stayed to work, the ladies left to prepare for the "Mom's Day" event that we were hosting. The Compassion staff got very excited and a little overwhelmed when they saw suitcase after suitcase be unloaded at the project. In total I believe we had six large suitcases and two carry-ons stuffed with goodies for these ladies. I cannot thank you all for the supplies that you brought to the church. I was so overjoyed by the response from family, friends, and fellow members. We stuffed 57 goodie bags with an audio bible, hand-made scarf, brush, mirror, bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, facial wipes, hair accessories, scripture cards, necklace set, pens, paper pads, finger nail polish, nail files, hand lotion, Candy, candy, candy... etc.... The gifts just kept pouring out. We were really getting excited to finally see it coming together. Amy decorated our dessert table. Chelsea and I made punch. Karen and Maggie set-up the photo booth. Carol and Jan set the tables with table clothes and placemats. Kim prepared to share her testimony and encourage these women.
And then it was time.... but no ladies. I was getting nervous that they weren't coming. Then Jan started waving them in and the flood gate was open. We had started serving the older children who had come. It was endless :-) Then I walked around the corner to see the room bursting with women and babies!! My heart was filled with joy!! These ladies loved hearing from Kim. They also enjoyed the craft and especially getting their picture taken. During one of the slow times, we decided to entertain the ladies by singing " I want to be a sheep". Entertained may be a stretch but they did get a big laugh. I believe they were overwhelmed by the gift bags. Everyone of them made sure to hug each one of us and tell us thank you. They were so grateful that two of the women had to come forward to speak to us in front of the group. One of the women told the others that use this as an example. You shouldn't always be a taker. It was time for them to be givers!
At the end, we were able to bless those who volunteer to help these moms. With a very gracious gift that was given, we bought the promoters new shoes and Anita a pair, as well. They were excited to receive shoes, just like the rest of us women would ;-) ! We also presented them with a goodie bag and the kitchen staff who did a great job keeping us stuffed all week! We just enough gifts to also present a gift to the tutors at the Machachi project.
It was another great day!!!
In Him,
Angie Logozzo
Before we started this day, we had a shopping trip looking for the right type of shovel so our men could work easier and faster. We also did a lot of praying that the rest of the 12 piers would be dug :-) Monday afternoon was extremely hard on our men.
God is Good! When we pulled up to Maria's home only two holes were not complete!!! We were so excited until they realized they now had to mix A LOT of concrete by hand. To say our men worked hard doesn't even come close to describing the work they did. But still they would do it again!! These men are responsible for laying the foundation of her home. The most important part of building a home.
For the women, we finally got to see just how much work they were having to do. We were impressed. This was also the first time we met Maria. She invited us to visit with her in her "home" where she has been living for the past three years with 4 other people. As we struggled to get to her home, we were saddened to think she does this with her 3 year old boy daily!! Saying this is a home is a big stretch. This is a place that she lives is all. It was her brothers workshop. I don't know the dimensions of this structure, but my boys have small bedrooms and this is smaller than that!! There is no bathroom. There is a sink but no water. The bed that they sleep on does not have a mattress. It is merely bags stuffed with who knows what and covered with blankets. She told us she cannot keep food there because there is too many rats.
We had heard Maria's story of abuse already, but when you hear it from her your heart aches for her. I could not control my crying. She told us not to be sad for her because she is happy and safe. She knows that she is rich if she has God! AMEN!!! Amy encouraged her by sharing her testimony. Once again I could not control my crying. There is something so beautiful when women lift up women by taking their past and sharing with each other. The bond that was made today cannot be broken!!
As the men stayed to work, the ladies left to prepare for the "Mom's Day" event that we were hosting. The Compassion staff got very excited and a little overwhelmed when they saw suitcase after suitcase be unloaded at the project. In total I believe we had six large suitcases and two carry-ons stuffed with goodies for these ladies. I cannot thank you all for the supplies that you brought to the church. I was so overjoyed by the response from family, friends, and fellow members. We stuffed 57 goodie bags with an audio bible, hand-made scarf, brush, mirror, bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, facial wipes, hair accessories, scripture cards, necklace set, pens, paper pads, finger nail polish, nail files, hand lotion, Candy, candy, candy... etc.... The gifts just kept pouring out. We were really getting excited to finally see it coming together. Amy decorated our dessert table. Chelsea and I made punch. Karen and Maggie set-up the photo booth. Carol and Jan set the tables with table clothes and placemats. Kim prepared to share her testimony and encourage these women.
And then it was time.... but no ladies. I was getting nervous that they weren't coming. Then Jan started waving them in and the flood gate was open. We had started serving the older children who had come. It was endless :-) Then I walked around the corner to see the room bursting with women and babies!! My heart was filled with joy!! These ladies loved hearing from Kim. They also enjoyed the craft and especially getting their picture taken. During one of the slow times, we decided to entertain the ladies by singing " I want to be a sheep". Entertained may be a stretch but they did get a big laugh. I believe they were overwhelmed by the gift bags. Everyone of them made sure to hug each one of us and tell us thank you. They were so grateful that two of the women had to come forward to speak to us in front of the group. One of the women told the others that use this as an example. You shouldn't always be a taker. It was time for them to be givers!
At the end, we were able to bless those who volunteer to help these moms. With a very gracious gift that was given, we bought the promoters new shoes and Anita a pair, as well. They were excited to receive shoes, just like the rest of us women would ;-) ! We also presented them with a goodie bag and the kitchen staff who did a great job keeping us stuffed all week! We just enough gifts to also present a gift to the tutors at the Machachi project.
It was another great day!!!
In Him,
Angie Logozzo
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Day 3
Day 3
This day we took a us ride to the extension project of EC109 in the town of Machachi. This was over an hour bus ride. As we were riding out there, I couldn't help but think about the ladies from Quito who do this trip every week three times a week and the pastor who comes out there every Tuesday and every 15th day. These people have such a passion for their calling. They don't let anything keep them from doing God's work no matter how far they must go to do it! They are rock stars in my book.
Once we got there, the children of the Compassion program made us wait downstairs so they could finish the preparations. We then were greeted by all the children and their tutors with smiles and songs!! It was so sweet. They then made us join in with the hand motions to their songs, which we all gladly did. Once again we were blown away with all the preparation they had done just for us. They decorated, prepared a program, and then shared their hearts with us. Why do we find it so hard to be open with one another. I pray that all of us can learn to stop hiding behind false walls and just be who we are; new in Christ Jesus!! After the program, Ms. Anita( yes the pastor's wife is in charge here too), explained to us in more detail how the Compassion program works at the project.
Then is was time for us to give back to them. We did VBS for this group of children. And again, we were blown away by how well behaved the children were. We had such a great time with the children. After VBS, we went to a park to play! Just another example of how a kid is kid no matter where they are geographically.
After the children went home, the group went to three different homes for visits. These are such precious times to love on the whole family. We all come away from there loving this people group even more! At this point I can say that our whole group is in love with the people of Ecuador!!
The home that I visited was a 12 year old little girl named Gladys. She lived with 8 other family members. Gladys was shy at first. I don't think she liked all the attention on her. This immediately gave me a connection to her. She had won my heart without saying a word. Which is why my heart was grieved when I asked her what she liked to do for fun. She looked puzzled for a moment then said,"Nothing, I don't have time for fun." Gladys gets up with your two nephews at 5 a.m. to take care of the chickens, cows, and guinea pigs before she takes two buses to go to school. When she gets off the bus after school, she walks to your cousins home to take care of them. Her family cannot afford for her to be child. You would think this is enough to make her life seem tragic, but the dysfunction that is attacking her family is even worse. Their family shows the typical male persona. The father and brother-n-law are having affairs with other family members and women in the community. What's even worse is the men don't hide it from all the children. This family is so broken. The mom broke down in tears while we prayed for her. I don't think she has anyone to support her emotionally. God sent us to her to be arms that day. We all hugged and kissed her to comfort her. It's not much, but it is all we could do.
The other two homes had similar tales. The financial poverty is not the worse poverty that these families deal with. Please be in pray for them.
In Him,
Angie Logozzo
This day we took a us ride to the extension project of EC109 in the town of Machachi. This was over an hour bus ride. As we were riding out there, I couldn't help but think about the ladies from Quito who do this trip every week three times a week and the pastor who comes out there every Tuesday and every 15th day. These people have such a passion for their calling. They don't let anything keep them from doing God's work no matter how far they must go to do it! They are rock stars in my book.
Once we got there, the children of the Compassion program made us wait downstairs so they could finish the preparations. We then were greeted by all the children and their tutors with smiles and songs!! It was so sweet. They then made us join in with the hand motions to their songs, which we all gladly did. Once again we were blown away with all the preparation they had done just for us. They decorated, prepared a program, and then shared their hearts with us. Why do we find it so hard to be open with one another. I pray that all of us can learn to stop hiding behind false walls and just be who we are; new in Christ Jesus!! After the program, Ms. Anita( yes the pastor's wife is in charge here too), explained to us in more detail how the Compassion program works at the project.
Then is was time for us to give back to them. We did VBS for this group of children. And again, we were blown away by how well behaved the children were. We had such a great time with the children. After VBS, we went to a park to play! Just another example of how a kid is kid no matter where they are geographically.
After the children went home, the group went to three different homes for visits. These are such precious times to love on the whole family. We all come away from there loving this people group even more! At this point I can say that our whole group is in love with the people of Ecuador!!
The home that I visited was a 12 year old little girl named Gladys. She lived with 8 other family members. Gladys was shy at first. I don't think she liked all the attention on her. This immediately gave me a connection to her. She had won my heart without saying a word. Which is why my heart was grieved when I asked her what she liked to do for fun. She looked puzzled for a moment then said,"Nothing, I don't have time for fun." Gladys gets up with your two nephews at 5 a.m. to take care of the chickens, cows, and guinea pigs before she takes two buses to go to school. When she gets off the bus after school, she walks to your cousins home to take care of them. Her family cannot afford for her to be child. You would think this is enough to make her life seem tragic, but the dysfunction that is attacking her family is even worse. Their family shows the typical male persona. The father and brother-n-law are having affairs with other family members and women in the community. What's even worse is the men don't hide it from all the children. This family is so broken. The mom broke down in tears while we prayed for her. I don't think she has anyone to support her emotionally. God sent us to her to be arms that day. We all hugged and kissed her to comfort her. It's not much, but it is all we could do.
The other two homes had similar tales. The financial poverty is not the worse poverty that these families deal with. Please be in pray for them.
In Him,
Angie Logozzo
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Quito day 2
What a great day!!
We were welcomed and loved on by the moms and children of the Child Survivor Program. They met us with a Welcome line hugs and smiles!. Several of the women performed a dance to the song " I am not alone". The joy they showed worshiping God was contiguous. These women are so hospitable. We had a great time getting to interact with the women and babies while playing outside. God provided us another gorgeous sunny day!
We learned about the promoters of the CSP from Anita, the pastor's wife. Wow is all I can say about the volunteers that we call promoters. These ladies are referred as Aunties because they become apart of the family. They travel far ever week to visit each mom and baby for an hour. While Anita was explaining the program to us, a mom asked Anita if she could talk to us. She couldn't waste this opportunity to tell us about how great these ladies are. She spoke to us through tears as she explained how they had been there to help her during some horrible times in her life. It is so touching to have these ladies really share their stories with us. They are so open and transparent.
After serving lunch to the moms and children, we went to two homes for a "Day in the Life of a Mom". This really helps us to appreciate how hard it is for these moms to provide a life for their children. It is a precious time to love on the moms, but it is also heartbreaking to see the extreme poverty up close.
This is also the day our men got to meet the mom who they are helping to build her home. Her story of abuse was so heart wrenching. I believe God sent our men to show His love doesn't hurt. She needed to see how Godly men conduct themselves. She worked so hard, along with one of her daughters, side by side with our men. They had to dig piers which were 39"x 39" x 50" deep. All of it hand dug with tools not really appropriate for the job. They did such a good job. All working as hard and as fast as they could. These men represented Lakeside with excellence.
This is such a short overview of our day. I encourage you to ask the people on this trip to share their experience with you.
I do want to give a big " Thank you" for the ladies who provided the gorgeous baby blankets. The moms treasured them!
In Him,
Angie Logozzo
We were welcomed and loved on by the moms and children of the Child Survivor Program. They met us with a Welcome line hugs and smiles!. Several of the women performed a dance to the song " I am not alone". The joy they showed worshiping God was contiguous. These women are so hospitable. We had a great time getting to interact with the women and babies while playing outside. God provided us another gorgeous sunny day!
We learned about the promoters of the CSP from Anita, the pastor's wife. Wow is all I can say about the volunteers that we call promoters. These ladies are referred as Aunties because they become apart of the family. They travel far ever week to visit each mom and baby for an hour. While Anita was explaining the program to us, a mom asked Anita if she could talk to us. She couldn't waste this opportunity to tell us about how great these ladies are. She spoke to us through tears as she explained how they had been there to help her during some horrible times in her life. It is so touching to have these ladies really share their stories with us. They are so open and transparent.
After serving lunch to the moms and children, we went to two homes for a "Day in the Life of a Mom". This really helps us to appreciate how hard it is for these moms to provide a life for their children. It is a precious time to love on the moms, but it is also heartbreaking to see the extreme poverty up close.
This is also the day our men got to meet the mom who they are helping to build her home. Her story of abuse was so heart wrenching. I believe God sent our men to show His love doesn't hurt. She needed to see how Godly men conduct themselves. She worked so hard, along with one of her daughters, side by side with our men. They had to dig piers which were 39"x 39" x 50" deep. All of it hand dug with tools not really appropriate for the job. They did such a good job. All working as hard and as fast as they could. These men represented Lakeside with excellence.
This is such a short overview of our day. I encourage you to ask the people on this trip to share their experience with you.
I do want to give a big " Thank you" for the ladies who provided the gorgeous baby blankets. The moms treasured them!
In Him,
Angie Logozzo
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Quito, Ecuador Day 1
After a short night's rest, we had a fantastic breakfast to get us going. We first headed out to the mountainous community of Villafora to attend worship service at the Dulce Refugio Student Center and to facilitate VBS.
The worship time is exactly what we needed before starting our work. Although we didn't understand all the words being sung, we knew we were worshipping the same God. The praise team led us not only in worship, but in a continually time of prayer and praise. At the end of worship, our team was welcomed with the love that is Ecuador. It is overwhelming how inviting they are to strangers. Very humbled to have people so grateful to have you with them. After this time, we led the children and youth to very small classrooms to have VBS.
The little ones numbered over 50 in a room with table and chairs, leaders, and us. They were stacked on top of each other, but not one kid said "stop touching me" LOL. These kids are so polite and sharing they would never think of complaining about something this trivial. These children are exceptional. I have to brag on our Wee School Director, Amy Briggs. She was in her element. :-) Her and her team rocked VBS. The children had a fantastic time. Lakeside is very blessed to have her on staff.
The elementary age kids numbered 25. We weren't quit prepared for the older middle schoolers, but God helped us to make it work. This kids are very shy, but attentive. When asked questions, they had the answers. I believe this was a successful VBS class as well.
Then we had 28 teenagers in a "'closet" :-). Not a lot of room, but plenty of room for the Holy Spirit to move. Vince worked up a sweat sharing a lesson. This team shared the gospel with the teens with the salvation bracelets. They sent an extra bracelet with each one and challenged them to share the gospel with one of their friends. Carol Caldwell also was my hero this day. She shared her testimony in SPANISH!! It was great. She even came to the other class and shared it again. Loved her heart to please God. Lakeside was represented well with this team.
After church we were shown the beauty of God's handiwork in Ecuador, when we went to the top of the mountain for lunch and cable car ride. This was breathtaking!!
This is now my confession time... We have had some hiccups along the way with planning this trip to the point of me questioning if we were suppose to be here, but God started showing me the truth. First, when I came to the church last Monday to check on the donated supplies, I was blown away. When I saw the abundance of gifts, my heart was overjoyed. In this moment God spoke to me. He told me He loves the ladies of Ecuador and is sending us to shower His love on them! This brought me to tears. He then sent us an angel in the form of a ticket agent. This lady came up to us and asked if she could help check us in so we didn't have to wait in the looong line. We would have been in the baggage line for at least one and half hours, which meant we would have missed our flight. Thank you Jesus! Then today He just showered love on us all day. It was suppose to rain all day, but we had beautiful skies to really see His beauty. As if this wasn't enough, when we got of the cable car at the top of the mountain he gave me my sign. Bluebonnets... yes I said bluebonnets at 13,900 ft. up in the Andes mountains!! I really feel that was God saying it is you that I have called to be here!
Our team is ready for the week
In Him,
Angie Logozzo
P.S. Pictures to come soon
The worship time is exactly what we needed before starting our work. Although we didn't understand all the words being sung, we knew we were worshipping the same God. The praise team led us not only in worship, but in a continually time of prayer and praise. At the end of worship, our team was welcomed with the love that is Ecuador. It is overwhelming how inviting they are to strangers. Very humbled to have people so grateful to have you with them. After this time, we led the children and youth to very small classrooms to have VBS.
The little ones numbered over 50 in a room with table and chairs, leaders, and us. They were stacked on top of each other, but not one kid said "stop touching me" LOL. These kids are so polite and sharing they would never think of complaining about something this trivial. These children are exceptional. I have to brag on our Wee School Director, Amy Briggs. She was in her element. :-) Her and her team rocked VBS. The children had a fantastic time. Lakeside is very blessed to have her on staff.
The elementary age kids numbered 25. We weren't quit prepared for the older middle schoolers, but God helped us to make it work. This kids are very shy, but attentive. When asked questions, they had the answers. I believe this was a successful VBS class as well.
Then we had 28 teenagers in a "'closet" :-). Not a lot of room, but plenty of room for the Holy Spirit to move. Vince worked up a sweat sharing a lesson. This team shared the gospel with the teens with the salvation bracelets. They sent an extra bracelet with each one and challenged them to share the gospel with one of their friends. Carol Caldwell also was my hero this day. She shared her testimony in SPANISH!! It was great. She even came to the other class and shared it again. Loved her heart to please God. Lakeside was represented well with this team.
After church we were shown the beauty of God's handiwork in Ecuador, when we went to the top of the mountain for lunch and cable car ride. This was breathtaking!!
This is now my confession time... We have had some hiccups along the way with planning this trip to the point of me questioning if we were suppose to be here, but God started showing me the truth. First, when I came to the church last Monday to check on the donated supplies, I was blown away. When I saw the abundance of gifts, my heart was overjoyed. In this moment God spoke to me. He told me He loves the ladies of Ecuador and is sending us to shower His love on them! This brought me to tears. He then sent us an angel in the form of a ticket agent. This lady came up to us and asked if she could help check us in so we didn't have to wait in the looong line. We would have been in the baggage line for at least one and half hours, which meant we would have missed our flight. Thank you Jesus! Then today He just showered love on us all day. It was suppose to rain all day, but we had beautiful skies to really see His beauty. As if this wasn't enough, when we got of the cable car at the top of the mountain he gave me my sign. Bluebonnets... yes I said bluebonnets at 13,900 ft. up in the Andes mountains!! I really feel that was God saying it is you that I have called to be here!
Our team is ready for the week
In Him,
Angie Logozzo
P.S. Pictures to come soon
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