Journey to the Centre of the Earth!

Having arrived in Quito last night, following a very long journey, we were pleased that today was to be one of some rest and a little sight-seeing to help us acclimatise to the sights, sounds and soaring altitude here in the Andes.

 The Head of Church, Bishop Salomon Cabezas and Pastor Freddy Gonzalez drove us out of the City to two tourist destinations - a huge crater of an extinct volcano, in which a whole community live. It was an eerie and beautiful place, full of shifting mists and glimpses of the farms and houses as the sun peeked through. The settlement is only reachable on foot or by donkey, it was a place that seemed to belong to another time. The second site we visited is the monument that marks the equator. Here we were reminded of the way human beings have measured, mapped and marked out the world we live in and that what might seem an arbitrary point on a map has such significance in our lives.
 

We also had the privilege of visiting a museum of indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian populations. The general sense we got from this and from conversations with Bishop Salomon and Pastor Freddy, is that Ecuador is living an ethnically rich reality, where the indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian population,  traditionally from disadvantaged backgrounds, have in recent times become a greater priority for the current government, lead by President Rafael Correa. However, long before the state recognised the importance of its wonderfully complex and rich ethnic heritage, churches in Ecuador had already valued indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian populations as being made in the image of God. The Church long ago began its mission among these populations, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well as providing holistic solutions to their practical needs of education and health, and more. The United Evangelical Methodist Church of Ecuador now continues this important mission work.

These visits were great but what was most important was to hear Pastor Freddy, who is a National in Mission supported by the World Church Fund, talk about the work his small Methodist Church community does in Guayaquil. They have a teaching programme for children and young people, which began with a project to give them much needed food and has developed into a place for bible study, counselling and vital support for the many children who have suffered domestic violence and abuse. The funding for the food project is no longer available but the Church does what it can to continue to offer spiritual and practical support. The Pastor and his church leadership work in partnership with the police and legal advisors to train people in matters of citizenship and laws to do with money, driving, abuse and rights and responsibilities.
It was so good to meet Freddy, to hear his stories and to talk about the Gospel as something that transforms people's lives in practical and liberating ways. He talked of the social gospel and an understanding of God's love that values all people, especially those often considered the least - children and the poor particularly.

 What a great start to our visit!

Michaela