#teamagua2015: The Faces I Miss Most

Photo Credit: Rachel Stewart

"How lucky I am to have something that 

makes saying goodbye so hard." {A.A. Milne}

So, I'm just going to come out and say it. I hate goodbyes. Like really, really dislike them. It was so hard to say goodbye to all the kids, but especially the ones that you really connected with. It was like a tiny part of my heart was being ripped out with that last hug or wave. These are the faces that I miss most. The ones I think of and pray for everyday. The ones whose photos are up on my wall so I remember their sweet faces. 

Deanna

Estéban

Mateo

Josúe

Katy and Daniella

Mellany

The little girl from the AIDS orphanage who didn't want to tell me her name

My Verde kids...

Sergio

Daniel

Andrea

Genesis

Camila 

Jiramias 

Anthony

Martina

Matias

Genesis

...and of course, I miss this crazy team. 

Rachel, Danny, Laura, Ashley, Katrina, Joseph, Liz, Hayden, Michaela, Kelley, Lizzie, Hannah, Philip, Grace, Lydia, Eddy, Morgan, Ari, and Micah...I'd do it all again with you guys in a heartbeat.

My fellow verde leaders - Martina, Ari, Laura, Grace. 

 My bus-seat buddy and fellow photographer, Rachel. <3

Ari and Lydia, my Otovalo Roomies. We laughed together, cried together, prayed together, shared clothes, freaked out about bugs in the shower, and conquered glitter-glue crafts. I couldn't have asked for better room mates than these two. <3

Our team leaders. Danny, Liz, and Micah, you guys are so much fun, and your passion for Christ and your desire to make Him known is inspiring. 

Our incredible bus driver, and honorary Verde member, Edgar. He drove us safely for so many miles. He got up early and stayed up late. And he always had a smile on his face.

I know I already said Lydia, but she needs really another shout out...my roomie for the whole entire trip. Glad we managed to stick together, Lyd. Your brains, comic relief, and love for Jesus and the kids we were working with, not to mention your "leave it all on the field" attitude, was such a blessing. <3

And last, but certainly not least, our awesome translators. What a blessing they were to us. They are so exemplified the theme of our curriculum this year - servants of Christ. We literally would have gotten nothing done without them.

Andrea (Photo credit: Rachel Stewart)

Lily and Braulio

Kevin 

Martin and Andrea

 Martina and Tommy

What a blessing it is to know that the Lord loves all the children infinitely more than we ever could. That even though we had to leave, He never does. That He will never stop pursuing them. That He will be faithful to complete the work He started. What a blessing it is to leave them in the good hands of a Loving Father. And what a blessing it is that He allowed me - an imperfect vessel - to share His love.

So Ecuador, until next time...