Last post from Ecuador

We are in the airport in Guayaquil getting ready to fly to atlanta. We had a great day and a half in Guayaquil.

We arrived last night to heat, humidity and sea level oxygen levels! In otherwords, it was like being back home in Houston.

After we retrieved our bags, we checked into the hotel and had a leisurly dinner. Magdiel then suggested we take a walk to the lighthouse overlooking Guayaquil. He said it was about a 20 minute walk to the base of the lighthouse base and then another 10-20 minutes walk up the hill. It was 20 minutes there and then 444 steps up to the lighthouse. It was well worth the effort and we have some great shots. We walked back to the hotel and went to sleep.

Part of the group ready for the climb

The long path up the stairs

The last step!

At last - the lighthouse!

View from the top of the lighthouse

We all thought this looked straight from "The Matrix". It was actually a monument to all those that donated funds to the Maleceon 2000.

This morning, we walked down the Maleceon 2000, which is a boardwalk along the river and is a great place to learn about ecuador and the plants. We also did a little shopping in a knockoff area. Rachael got a 5 dollar nike watch!

Maleceon 2000

The traditional ice cream on the last day. Every trip, I have to find ice cream on the last day. It wouldn't be the same without it. I had three that day, I am ashamed to say.....

One of many shots of the plants and flowers along the boardwalk

We then went to the iguana park by the hotel. We had been by there at night and all of the iguanas were up in the trees. They were out in the day and thery were everywhere. Some were more aggressive and chased Andrea around. Others were mating, which was a little interesting.

Iguanas during the day.

More iguanas

Mell petting an iguana

We then went to lunch and went to the indian market where a lot of folks bought paintings. We then walked back and took showers, ate and headed to the airport. We got there about 3 hours early - before the Delta staff got there! We finally got checked in and had to say goodbye to Magdiel and Susan. We will miss them and look forward to seeing them next year in Chile!

Rachael, Susan, Magdiel and me at the airport

This has been a great trip-in spite of all of the challenges. God has really led and is in charge of this trip anf the church. We will make sure to post pictures when we get them. Magdiel told us that there wasn't a group assigned to paint the church yet, so the Tambillo church has asked to get the paint and they will paint iit themselves! I am not surprised by that at all.

I will post pictures as soon as I can and send out another note letting people know. Thanks for all of your prayers and support during this trip.

Sent from my BlackBerry wireless handheld.