FRIENDS! HELLO! I realized I haven’t shared too much about what life is like here in Ecuador, where I live, or what daily ministry even looks like. so, this is a life update! below is where I’m living, what I’m doing, & what all the Lord has taught me! also, 32 days until im home, in Gulfport, Ms. WILD!!!
On a mountain on the city line between Quito, Ecuador and Nono, Ecuador lies ___ acres of land with 4 houses and a greenhouse. A long ways down windy dirt roads about an hour away from the city is a place called Dunamis. I live here!! Yup! & it’s amazing! I work alongside a team of 10 girls for Dunamis foundation, a christian organization serving under aged girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking or sexual abuse. These girls are from the ages of 9-17. AND THEY ARE PRECIOUS! It’s crazy because i hear a lot about girls who have been sold into sex trafficking or I’ve seen it on movies, but now they are right in front of me, living in a house across the driveway. 14 of them to be exact! 4 of the girls have babies due to the sexual abuse. Our job is to be their friend and be there for whatever they need, and do everyday life with them. This looks like attending group therapy sessions, horse therapy, school, homework, soccer practice, agriculture, chores, and also babysitting (oh and plenty of Just Dance haha.)
We don’t go to the girls house everyday because Dunamis needs hands everywhere! The greenhouse holds 3,000+ golden berry plants, which they sell for profit in order to provide for the girls. So, 2-3 days a week we are in the greenhouse 8:30-lunch harvesting all of the golden berry plants! We plug in the speakers and go at it for hours!! We tie up the branches that are too long and no longer sit up straight. Other days we carry a bucket and go through all 3,000 plants and pick all of the ready golden berries. I love the greenhouse so much! It’s a time to think and have fruitful conversations with team mates and the Lord.
The afternoons after the greenhouse, we go to the park! Our team started a program similar to a VBS Monday-Friday, 2-5! Here, we pack up the red van and drive to the park with a Bible lesson planned, games, food, coloring sheets, all of it! It’s a different amount of kids a day, but we sure do have fun. Let me tell you, these kids can play soccer for hours!! I have enjoyed getting to know each of them and see their personalities slowly come out. So far, we have taught them about the 10 commandments, the fruit of the spirit, the tower of Babble, 1st Corinthians 13, & so much more.
Man, has the Lord actually done so much here! It’s nice having a break from being around 40 people and really getting to know the small group I am now around. But, the H-squad reunions on the weekends are AMAZING! When I first arrived in Ecuador, i was super heartbroken and honestly for a lot of reasons. I felt super distanced from the Lord and super unloved. I’m not sure what made me feel this way, but it’s how I felt!! I processed a lot of it though and brought it all to the Lord. Since, He has revealed a LOT- a lot about the gospel and our original design. It’s been super cool deceiving this new perspective from the Lord about why and how I’m created the way I have been and what I’m created to do!
That’s all! We have 32 days until all of H-squad is officially split and off to their homes! I’m stoked, but also scared out of my mind HAHA! Prayers for H-squads re-entry to the states and into homes! BYE FRIENDS!
ALSO, IM GOING TO HONDURAS THIS SUMMER! Venmo @ Trav-albrecht to help support!! PRAYER is also very much needed! thanks friends
This is awesome Trav!!! I love hearing your stories through the phone but i CANT WAIT to hear them from u in person!!!! Love you so much and i can’t wait to see you ??????
Great to hear about your life there. So glad you are going to Honduras with us this summer! We are so excited! Love you and can’t wait for you to be home.
I’ve so enjoyed following your journey Trav! You’re such a strong young woman and it is evident God has done and will continue to do amazing things in your life! Keep pressing onward! Love you girl!
It was good to know how you spend your days. I understand about being scared to come home. You have changed during these last 9 months. You can always come to my house, where nothing ever changes. Chickens, chores, the hermit life. Got a room for you.