Extreme Response hosted their annual Christmas parties here in Ecuador this last week. They ministered to approximately 10,000 people over the course of five days. El Refugio hosted one of the parties which had over 400 people in one afternoon. As always, it is an afternoon of fun and enjoyment. The difference in Ecuador though is everyone, young and old, play the games and participates. I love to watch the people at the Santa booth, everyone wants to get their picture taken. What a treasure for this Ecuadorian family to take home a picture of all four generations.
Really, people are the same in all cultures. Just before we left the states to return to Ecuador we made sure we also had a picture taken of the four generations in our family. Now that I am so far away, what a treasure this picture is to me as well.
This last week I witnessed how easy it is to meet people's needs. Think about the significance that over 10,000 peoples basic needs were met with food and their whimsical needs as well as each child was given a "navidad" (small gift). Of course if you asked the team who came from North America and Canada they would say it took a lot of hard work and sacrifice on their part to make it happen. They were willing to be God's instrument for a time here in Ecuador.
Would you be willing to do the same in your neck of the woods this holiday season? Fill a need whether basic or whimsical and allow God to use you as a blessing to those in need.
