Gracias a Dios — thanks be to God — we have returned to Ecuador for our third year of two-way mission! 

In early December, our plans to travel from Goshen to Quito at year’s end were thwarted by unexpected news:  Jerrell was diagnosed with melanoma on his right ear.  People began praying for us within minutes, and with the help of a skilled surgeon the lesion was removed while the cancer was still in an early stage.  No further treatment was necessary, and our family flew south on February 1.

After spending several days with members of Mennonite Mission Network team and the leaders of Quito Mennonite Church in the nation’s capital, we loaded our four-wheel drive and traveled east over the Andes, descending to our home base in rain forest town of Tena.  What a joy to be back at work among our friends and neighbors … here are some photos from the first few days.

Flying south

Jane and Naomi on our first day in Quito

We were hosted for several nights by Peter and Delicia Wiggington Bravo

Teresa with Aliyah, Delicia and Peter’s daughter

Peter and Delicia are coordinators of the Mennonite Mission Network Ecuador Partnership

The car is packed –we’re ready to travel to the rain forest

Crossing the river near our home base

Unpacking the car

Carrying our luggage up the hill

Heavy, but strong

Really strong

The house where we stay while in Tena

The view is still the same

Saying Hi to one of the locals

Getting to work — home school continues whether in the north or south

A visit from neighbors

Follow me

Scrambling to the edge of the farm

Change happens quickly

The trail near the farm has become a road

This view of the landscape has changed dramatically

Close-up

More neighbors share a place at our table

Jane reads a story

Naomi and two friends play with the new puppy that lives on the farm

Jerrell and Jordan with some other friends

Thanks for visiting!

Meanwhile, this is the 57th anniversary of Napo Province

The province is celebrating with a parade

Kichwa dancers

Waoranis from a distant part of the rain forest perform a traditional dance at a festival the next day

Back on the farm

Time to explore

Jumping

Climbing

Swimming

The forest … and the trees