I just got back from a retreat to Susudel with a group of youth from the church. A total of 28 people went on the retreat. 24 were youth and 4 adults. The theme for the retreat was "Generosity --- Sharing what God has given you." Susudel is a very dry and needy area about 2 hours south of Cuenca. The main purpose of the retreat was to take cloths and food to share with the needy.
Pastor Santiago was on vacation during the time of the retreat so was unable to come along. What I found it so neat and encouraging was to see the lay people rise to the challenge and plan and organize the whole trip. Polivio is an agricultural engineer who works for the province. He visits Susudel frequently to help give direction and instruction to the farmers in the area. Since he knows the area and it's needs he, spear-headed the retreat. Weeks in advance, families in the church began collecting food, used cloths, toys, etc. and by the time we were ready to go, we had a pickup full of items to take with us.
We left Sunday afternoon using public transportation and after 3 hours, a few detours and many stops along the way, we made it to Susudel. We stayed in an hacienda, bread and breakfast type place. The house was made out adobe and a tile roof, but was very well kept up. The first night we basically settled in, had supper, a time of singing and devotions, and a went to bed.
The following Monday morning after breakfast and a devotional, we began preparing for the people to come. In typical Ecuadorian style, things were scheduled to start at 10:00am, but nothing really started until 11:00. First we had a time of singing, reading Scripture and Polivio gave a Christmas, gospel message. After that we handed out the cloths, food, candy, etc.and had a pleasant time relating with the people. The majority of the people who came were children and elderly. In the afternoon, after the people had left we went for a hike on some of the rugged rock formations surrounding Susudel. Most kept to the paths, but a few of us climbed right up the side of the cliffs. It was exhilarating.
On Tue. morning we went for a swim in one of the mountain rivers. The water was clean, but very chilly. In order to get to the nicer beach area at the river, one had to swim for about 10 feet. The water was calm, but well over my head in that area. I ended up spending much of the time making sure everyone made it across safely. Most of the youth could swim, but were not very confident. Camila was probably the youngest in the group at about 12 years old and could not swim at all. At one point I had left the area and gone up river and one of the older guys tried ferrying her across the deep water on his back. Half way across they began to sink and realized they couldn't make it. Polivio jumped in to help, but wasn't a strong swimmer himself. After a few scary moments they somehow managed get to the shallower water, just as I arrived to help. Camila was probably the most scared of everyone and fainted the moment I got to her. I had to carry her the rest of the way out of the water. PTL for His protection!
On returning from the river, we ate lunch and then went out to a blackberry patch. Polivio had made arrangements with the owner before hand and we could eat all we wanted. They were so good.
We left Susudel on Tuesday at about 5:00pm and arrived in Cuenca shortly after 7:00. I am very thankful for how the retreat went. The kids were so much fun to be with, and we had many excellent times in the Word together. My prayer is that the Lord will use this experience in their lives to broaden their vision, and help them seek where they can continue serving the Lord both now and in the future.
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