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.

Floods in Ecuador

On occasion it has made it on the news - there are devastating floods in Ecuador. Depending on how the math is done and who is reporting, 200,000 people - probably more - have been affected. This morning the news is reporting 23 deaths as a result of the flooding.

Here is a link to a gallery of photos.

HCJB Global is responding in cooperation with other missions. We have sent a medical team to the affected area, and are receiving donations of food, clothing and money to take down. This will be distributed in participation with several churches in the area. If you would like to donate, click here.

The government has declared a national state of emergency. This allows greater efficiency and mobility in moving resources to the flood area. It has also opened up new channels of communication for us as a mission to come along side the government in support of the relief effort.

Pray for safety of our team, for those who have lost everything, and for the long term impact (loss crops, etc.) this flooding has created. And thanks for being a part of our team!

Stop smoking.

Stop smoking.
Originally uploaded by EyeMax

This past weekend Graham headed down to visit with our team in Shell (the edge of the jungle). The road goes by the currently active volcano Tungurahua. It was mostly clouded over, but you can see the black smoke/ash being spewed out.

Now we have been hit with rain AGAIN!. The President has declared a state of emergency. You can read about that in a BBC News story. And here are some photos from an Ecuadorian Newspaper.

Pray for this country that is being devastated by forces outside anyone (except God's) control.

Volcanic update

After the big burp, the volcano settled down for about a day. But yesterday it started up again and there was another evacuation of those who had returned to their homes. According to the Geophysical Institute, there was one major tremor yesterday that lasted 90 minutes. So we continue to watch and wait!