M101 July – meet M101 August
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Welcome back to the states, July team! Please take the time to friend all of us on FB so we can keep up with you, and subscribe to CC’s Newsletter (bottom of any of our web pages) so that you can keep up on what is going on here. Again, we had such a great time with you all. There are definite long lasting marks of your time here, and you will not be forgotten.
I am going to be posting some info for the team that is coming down August 1. If you could take the time to comment on what things you brought that you wish you WOULDN’T HAVE and some items that you wish you WOULD HAVE brought (that would have been allowed!) that would be so helpful to this next team. Also, any words of encouragement to them that you want to post would be appreciated, I am sure. Remember those last few days of packing and worrying?
We love you all and hope you will stay in touch with us. We are praying for you!! Pray for Steve as he is in the mountains outside of Riobamba (sleeping on a pile of hay on the ground…sound familiar?) until Monday – following up on requests for help there.
July 25th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Hello August Team! As I sit here missing Ecuador and the amazing CC staff, I can’t help but get excited for the adventure you are all about to embark on. Trust me when I say, God is going to open your eyes to a whole new world.
Items to Bring:
*Water bottle: VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. I brought a Nalgene bottle that is basically indestructable, has a handle (so it can be attached to a backpack or something similar) and it easy to clean. You’re going to want to drink a lot of water, even if the weather is cool.
*Earplugs: These saved me. Whether it was drowning out the sound of dogs barking thru the night in Quito or the rain pounding down in the jungle, I was fast-asleep thanks to my trusty earplugs.
*Pillow: I didn’t have one and wish I would have, especially for the long plane ride and drives in the van.
*Water shoes: I brought flip-flops and used these while bathing in the river. They worked, but if I had had the means, I would have brought some close-toed water shoes.
*Headlamp/Flashlight: I brought a $2 “headlamp” (basically a flashlight that you can wear on your head) and I used it much more then the regular flashlight. Particularly helpful when trying to use the bathroom at night where there is no light…
*Small Backpack/camelback: I didn’t have one but a few friends did. It was nice to be able to stick things like chapstick, sunblock and hand sanitizer in it for easy access throughout the day.
*Playing cards- There were a lot of opportunities for downtime and as we had a few decks of cards, many games were played.
***The most important thing is to bring clothes you aren’t afraid to get messy. I lived in camo cargo pants because I could mess them up (whether it be with paint or mud) and also carry those little items (like hand sanitizer which I was obsessed with)around with me. Many of us also brought clothes that we could leave behind to be donated to those in need.
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Things NOT to bring:
*Toilet Paper (It will be provided)
*Makeup
*Anything dressy or trendy (just not necessary)
*Tarp- Tents will be setup indoors so there’s no reason for a tarp or even a rainfly for that matter (if your tent has one).
*Extra Food- We are fed very well and there was never a time I felt hungry. You might bring one snack that you particularly love (one of the girls brought Goldfish crackers and we all went crazy for them!), but it’s not really necessary.
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I could go on and on, but those are the items that standout in my mind. Try not to worry too much. Pack a day or two before you leave (if possible) so that you will have time to remember things you may have forgotten.
Above all, know that you are not alone. In the moments of worry and anticipation lean on the One who directs our paths.
May God bless you!
Megan