The long goodbye

We had a great day at the church today. We started out with an inaguartion service to dedicate the church before we headed in for worship. We had a lot of participation from our group in the dedication.

Group at church on Sabbath before the dedication

After we cut the ribbon and welcomed the church inside, we had sabbath school and church, again with a lot of participation from our team (and a lot of translation by Carolina). Frank Ottati preached the sermon and they baptized over 20 people in the new church! It was very moving to see that many people give their lives to Christ at once.

Cutting the ribbon to the church

Gino handing the key to the church to the head Deacon

Guy opening the doors to the church

Presenting Pastor Pillajo and his leadership with t-shirts to remember us by

An absolutely packed church for Sabbath service

Pastor Frank Ottati preaching the first sermon in the church. My only regret for the week is that we didn't get the chance to go to any of Frank's evangelism meetings. Over 60 people were baptized as a result of the meetings. We were going to attend on Friday night, but we worked late to finish the church and weren't able to attend. I think it was a good outcome!

Baptismal tank. The church members arrived early and had a portable stove warming up the water. however, the tank had not been sealed and all the water was leaking out. So, they went and got the portable bladder you see here and re-did the work. There wasn't much water, so the pastor really had to work to get the people immersed in the water!

Pastor Pillajo in the baptismal tank

Pastor Pillajo, his wife and his daughter in the tank getting ready for him to baptize.

Pastor Pillajo and me at the end of the church service

The church also expressed their thanks to us and gave each of us gifts to remember them by. It is always an emotional goodbye, but especially this year. That church, town and pastor are really special. And we will never forget them.

Pastor Pillajo, Gino, Magdiel and me

Church members giving us gifts and thanking us

After the long goodbye (which includes shaking hands / hugging every church member), we headed back to our hotel for lunch (an hour late!). They had a GREAT meal prepared for us. As a bonus, they had some ecuadorian musicians playing live for us during lunch. It was a great way to celebrate all that God has enabled us to do during the week.

Owner and staff of the Hosteria la Estacion at the farewell lunch and celebration

Ecuadorian musicians for our lunch music

Our faithful guide and translator, Magdiel, was there as well in his traditional Chilean costume. Magdiel and his wife are from Chile, which is were next years mission trip will be. Everyone was very excited to hear the news when we told them last night and magdiel will help us with finding the best places to go.

Magdiel in his Chilean outfit

We are now on our way to Quito to our excursion hotel and to take the people who are leaving tonight to the airport. We are all looking for a good break from our (fruitful but tiring) labors.

Sent from my BlackBerry wireless handheld.