2/20/08 (Wednesday)
5:45 AM. I have been up for an hour because I just could not sleep any longer. I did get 7 hours of good sleep and then as my daughter said once when she was little, “My eyes just popped open.” I tossed and turned for a while and then decided to get up and get ready for the day. I then finished packing my personal stuff, locked, and strapped the suitcases. Everything is ready for travel. Now I’ll have some time to think and pray about our day, our past couple weeks, Jane’s ministry, the future of the clinic in San Lorenzo, my family, and today’s travel for Linzy and me. Breakfast at the guesthouse is at 7:15 and Jane is coming by about 7:30 to take us to the airport. We should be there in plenty of time with our departure time being 9:40.
Father, thank You for the good night’s rest. I was warm and cozy in the bed You provided for me. Thank You for this facility, the guesthouse, and the people who manage it. This is a ministry for them as well as they provide comfort and lodging for people serving in a mission capacity. Father, I ask You to bless this place and those who stayed here this week. Lord, I think of Jane and her ministry. Please equip her with the necessary wisdom to continue the development and growth of the clinic in San Lorenzo. The future looks promising for the clinic and the people who would benefit from it. Lord, help Jane and Damarys to make the right decisions as they focus on the future, short-term and long-term, and develop their growth strategy. Help them raise the funds they need to operate the clinic. Lord, so many barriers can get in the way and disrupt the mission and purpose of this place. Please, Lord, place a hedge of protection around Jane and Damarys and the clinic staff and guide them continually. Lord, equip Jane with the energy she need to maintain the pace of work that occurs at the clinic. Help her with her medical and surgical knowledge to render the right care for the people she sees. Lord, please hold her in Your mighty hand and keep her close to Your chest always. Thank You, Lord, for allowing me the opportunity to work with Jane and to help her fulfill the mission of the clinic. Thank You for making it possible for me and the others who came with me to take the time from the daily work and family responsibilities to travel here and work with Jane and her team. Thank You, Lord, for allowing us to walk with You here.
Father, I think of my family right now. I think of Phyllis as she eagerly anticipates my arrival later today. Thank You for bringing her into my life. She has been a gift to me and I love her with all my heart. Lord, please protect her today as she travels to the airport to meet me. I pray also for her stamina and wisdom as she continues to deal with the stresses and pressures of life right now. Lord, I pray for my family. Please bless my children and their families. The children and grandchildren are special to us and we love them dearly. Hold them close to You, Lord. Lord, finally, I pray for our travel today. Please protect Linzy and me as we travel from Quito to our homes. Wrap Your arms of love and protection around us. Help us through the many potential frustrations and disruptions as we work through customs and eventually arrive at our homes. Thank You that Linzy could come for the two weeks. She was immensely helpful in the clinic and in surgery. Thank You for allowing her to walk with You here in Ecuador. Lord, I pray all this in Your precious name. Amen.
We left for the airport at 7:30 after a good breakfast at the guesthouse. Jane and Damarys took us to the airport and we then spent a little time saying our goodbyes and hugging them. Linzy and I then went in to the American Airlines ticket desk finding practically no line of people waiting to check in. We walked right up to the desk and were able to check in our luggage and get our boarding passes with no waiting. We then went to the next stop and paid our airport tax. Then we went through customs and the security screening with minimal line and minimal waiting. I have never been able to process through these steps this quickly before.
After arriving at our gate, we were able to visit some of the shops in the area. Linda had written me a couple days ago stating she purchased a print at one of the shops in the airport and then lost it enroute to Fort Wayne. She wondered if we could obtain another one for her. She gave me a description of the picture and its display location on the wall of the store. We found the picture and purchased it for her. Linzy took it with her on the plane and then in Miami will slip it into her luggage for the rest of the trip home.
Our flight from Quito to Miami was smooth and we arrived in Miami right on time. I was able to call Phyllis with my cell phone once we landed at Miami. It was good to hear her voice again. Linzy and I were able to collect our luggage and she put Linda’s picture into her suitcase. We then went through customs and deposited our luggage at the place for our connecting flights. We then made our way to the D concourse where both of our flights were to depart. I sat with Linzy at her gate until she boarded her flight to Chicago. We had a good time talking before she boarded the plane. I then went to my gate and a couple hours later was able to board my final flight to Fort Myers.
My plane touched down in Fort Myers about 10 minutes ahead of schedule. I called Phyl who was on the interstate driving to the airport. Our plan was to meet her at the curb so she did not have to park the car. At Fort Myers, there is a cell phone lot where people can wait in their cars and then move up to the terminal once they have been notified by their arriving passengers. Phyl was planning on stopping at that lot and awaiting my call. However, when I went to the luggage carousel, my suitcases were among the first five that were off loaded. I was able to get my luggage quickly and move out of the terminal. I called Phyl and she had not come to the cell phone lot yet. I told her I was waiting at the curb and she came directly to the terminal and picked me up. I could have asked for a more efficient process.
It was so good to be back home enjoying time with Phyllis. We stopped to eat on the way back home and enjoyed good conversation, catching each other up on what we did for the past two weeks.
Father, the past two weeks have been incredible. We were privileged to be Your hands, mouth, and feet in San Lorenzo. You used us to reach out and touch several people. You used us to make an impact on the lives of these people and to bring healing to them. Thank You, Lord, for this incredible opportunity You allowed us to experience. Lord, please allow Jane and Damarys and the clinic team to feel Your presence every day. Allow them to learn from You and to grow in their faith. Allow them opportunities every day to reach out and touch on Your behalf. Thank You, Lord, for giving Jane and her team the vision to be Your ambassadors in San Lorenzo. Thank You for allowing us to participate with Jane and contribute to her ministry. Lord, this has been a wonderful experience working for You and sharing Your love. Thank You, Lord! Amen.
Medical Missions 
Thank you for sharing these experiences – it has been an interesting commentary and a blessing to read what God is doing there. Thank you Linzy and LeeAnn for sharing this blog site with me.
Thank you to all of you who were willing to go and minister to those in need. Thank you, Doctor, for writing these letters and for the love you have expressed for your God, your helpers, and for your wife and family.
Enjoyed the pictures as well.
Jesus bless you all– Janet (a friend of Linzy)