George, George, George of the JUNGLE!

or should i say, DEB, DEB, DEB OF THE JUNGLE?!?!

that's right ladies and gentlemen, im heading off to
Hospital Vozandes del Oriente, also known as Shell (it's a suburb in Ecuador.) This is HCJB's small, 30 bed hospital that serves the needs of the jungle community. It's the second of HCJB's two main hospitals here in Ecuador (the other larger one being Hospital Vozandes Quito across the street from me.) here's an idea of where in Ecuador it is:
Shell ***By the way, these links are from our NEW site, but it hasn't been launched yet, so you get to see a sneak preview. pardon if there are sections of the site that say "blah blah blah" or appear incomplete. they actual LIVE site will be complete when we launch

James is expecting a short term team from his home church (in the states, not Calgary) and will be out of the office for the week. in thinking of what Debbie could do during that time, the idea of going to Shell to serve in a new area came up. i wrote an email yesterday to the admin at Shell, and they said "come on over!" so i'll be there for the next week, leaving with another working visitor family on sunday at 9am. it's about 4.5 hours away. apparently the drive out used to be quite ...interesting with dirt roads the size of a McDonald's drive in...but now, it's like im on the Trans-Canada....! (Actually, i will be on the Pan-American Highway, but close enough :P)

im really looking forward to this trip because this area was basically where missions in Ecuador first began with the 5 missionaries (of whom Jim Elliot and Nate Saint are most well-known) reaching out to the indiginous tribe of the Aucas. after many people became believers, they became known as the Waorani's, and still live there to this day. for a compelling story which will move you, take a look here

i remember when i was applying to come to HCJB, my roommate was watching a Stephen Curtis Chapman DVD which featured a section dedicated to the mission of these 5 men. the very man who had speared Nate Saint to death later became a christian and wanted Nate's son, Steve to be his own son. he cared for him and raised steve as if he was his own. i think we both were in tears by the end of that DVD... i still can't quite believe that 6 months ago, i was in Vancouver wondering if i would actually be here...and then to find out that im going to Shell...wow...im utterly amazed and blown away...

a verse in Proverbs 16 keeps becoming more real to me with every day that i am here in this beautiful country.

Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

im not sure what the internet access at Shell will be like, but i'll be sure to let you guys know how it goes.

i was suppose to send out my first newsletter for the month of July to you guys on Monday, but that will have to wait for the following week.

love you lots,
dL