My husband and I went on the most incredible trip to Ecuador last month. We were able to go with a group of the guys and their families that he served his LDS mission with nearly 20 years ago. It was an amazing group of people, with so many diverse talents that made the whole project thrive. They decided that they didn't just want to go down to travel, but to perform humanitarian service of some sort. As it turned out, we did dental service, (you wouldn't believe how many of these guys have become dentists!), taught neonatal resuscitation to medical students, (can you believe that it is not taught in medical school down there?!), and helped construct the second level of a tutoring center for school children (gotta love painting while standing on rickety bamboo scaffolding!) We worked hard, played hard, and hardly slept. One of the most touching things was seeing these missionaries reunited with those that they taught the gospel to nearly 20 years ago. New friendships were made, old friendships renewed, and tears of joy and thanksgiving were shed. Thanks to all you who went and the part you played in making this one of the most memorable experiences of my lifetime.
The service...
We were also able to tour the local maternity hospital to determine possible needs we can help meet in the future and to hand out newborn kits to the brand new mothers.
The Dental Team
The Education Team
The Construction Team
One of the boys who went with us collected school supplies for the children for his Eagle Scout Project.
This is how you mix cement, Ecua-style...
At the end of our service, the kids of the tutoring center threw us a party, complete with singing, dancing, clowns, and homemade empanadas...
For those of you who went, I have many more service photos, but I will save them for our reunion meeting in a couple of weeks!
From a photographers standpoint, Ecuador is paradise! These next photos show the amazing color and culture of this beautiful land.
BBQ anyone? At least the pig was smiling when it died... :)
This girl was reading her scriptures outside the LDS Temple in Guayaquil. She is getting ready to leave on her own mission in a few months.
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6 comments:
Janae! You are awesome! What a talented person. Definitely party plusisimo!!
Janae--you are so talented! Gorgeous pictures-wow-simply gorgeous! You really captured it.
Janae! I am so proud of my new friend! WOW! I remember seeing these things with you! I love how you have captured them! I can't stop grinning---the best time ever!
Wendy Smith
Janae,
We can't thank you enough for capturing on film what was such an emotional and unforgettable experience for us all. The trip was magical and now we have the photos to prove it! Now the painful wait until we can see the rest of your work with Elder (Pres) Gonzalez...
-Mitch and Drew Moffitt
I cannot count how many times my jaw dropped while viewing these pictures. Your gift to the world is bringing what you see through the lens to the rest of us...and I cannot thank you enough. Simply amazing, Janae. Just absolutely stunning.
Incredible! Sounds like an amazing trip!
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