Church at San Miguel

I had several favorite things we did in Ecaudor, and going to church at San Miguel was one of them!  This church is also in the jungle, and the building is just a shelter without walls.  But the people there were welcoming and gracious and very happy to have us.

Before the service, we went to houses around the church and invited people to the service.  This was just normal invites to church except for the last house we went to. Our interpreter talked to the mom while I gave a "Cristo me ama" sticker to her daughter.  After just a moment of conversation, our interpreter told us that we needed to leave quickly; that the lady of the house had told him that we were in danger and we needed to leave immediately.  Apparently the people who lived near that house, or in that house, did not agree with the church at San Miguel and did not like them.  

So we left.  We had been told to not stay at houses where we were not welcome, and we obeyed that order!  As we were walking back, however, the little girl from the house ran after us and told us her mom had asked that we return.  We were all a little nervous, especially me since I was the adult in the group.  We were able to find the male Canadian missionary and he walked back with us.  When we got back, the lady told us she did not call us back, but the girl asked for more stickers.  I gave the stickers and we left.  Although we don't really know why the girl ran after us, I think it was because of the stickers.  And then during the church service, she came and sat with us.  My prayer is that since she knows where the church is, she will come again and learn about Christ.

 At the church, the ladies of the church had items to sell and I was able to buy a bracelet and a cup.  Many of the boys bought spears.  The people offered us grubs to eat.  They were big and fat and alive!  You had to bite them in half before you ate them.  And you were not supposed to eat the head.  I did not try them, although I did hold one.  That was squirmy enough for me!  

Tony had volunteered to preach that evening and because of that he had to dress in Shuar traditional dress....along with Raul as his interpreter!  Although we were proud of them for doing this, we also found it very funny!    

Tony and Pastor Domingo

The Shuar people truly welcomed us into their church and showed this by marking our faces.  They said we were part of their tribe now.

They sang and danced for us in their traditional way; and we also were asked to sing.  We sang in English, which was better for us!

The church presented Tony and Raul with spears.

Nathan was asked to step out of his comfort zone and give his testimony...he did it without any forewarning; but he did a good job! He was able to introduce himself with "Hola me llamas Nathan".  He is learning a little Spanish!

Shuar singing

After the service, the church made chicken and rice and wayusa (tea) for us.  Not everyone ate it, but those that did said it was very good, and they didn't get sick!  

As we were leaving, cars were in demand and it was starting to rain, again.  It had also rained during the service, which cooled it off!  During the drive home in the car I was in, Rocky had to keep wiping off the front windshield as the defroster did not work well.  Wiping off the window helped some, but visibility was not good!  

We made it to the church in Macas for dinner and then back to the hotel for family time.  But no pool time tonight because it was empty!  This was the second time this week, but it was for cleaning.  Since it was a natural water pool with no chemicals, they have to empty it regularly and clean it.  It takes all day!  

The one bummer of the day was that Michelle had to stay back with three of the youth who were sick.  I know they were sad to miss this day!

Tomorrow is a later start...breakfast at 9!