Cuenca - the city of churches.

Mass in progress.
Originally uploaded by EyeMax

This week is our "March Break" at the Alliance Academy, so the kids have headed off to camp, and we decided to visit Cuenca for three days. Our flickr site has a bunch more photos. Cuenca is famous for its historic center (named a World Heritage Site), pottery and ceramic and jewelry. We saw the churches but didn't buy any jewelry.



We stayed at the Hosteria Duran in a little town of Banos (not to be confused with the famous Banos near Shell). We had a great time and enjoyed the break, but are now eager for the girls to come home from camp tomorrow!

Flood video

Our team in Babahoya has put together a video of their work. The rains are expected to continue until the end of April. Last night we loaded another truck with 500 "packs" of food (rice, sugar, salt, oil, beans, noodles, etc.) plus some medicine and clothes. We are working in areas were no one else (because there is sooo much need, and so few resources) has visited yet.

Not as much fun as it appears!

So much water.
Originally uploaded by EyeMax

While she appears to be enjoying the water, she probably doesn't understand the seriousness of the situation. It is now estimated over 300,000 are affected with the flood. It continues to rain. There are villages that have not received any assistance yet. We sent another truck of food, clothes and medicine down this week. Pray that those who are working in the relief effort would have the resources they need to complete the task!

The food pile - escaping out the door!

The food pile - escaping out the door!
Originally uploaded by EyeMax

The relief efforts for the victims of the flooding continues. We have a medical team on the ground now. All week we have been collecting food and cash (to purchase food) and today we started to package it up. There is already over a 1000 pounds bundled and in a truck ready to go that isn't in this picture. HCJB Global is working closely with Pan de Vida, Samaritan's Purse, Compassion, Extreme Response and other organizations to get the biggest bang out of our relief effort bucks.