Ecuador 2012- Photos 1

Ecuador 2012- Blain

      Our trip to Ecuador started out pretty normal, $75 bag fee and a TSA strip search.  Things started to get really interesting once we were Ecua-bound from HOTLANTA.  About 2 hours into the flight, the pilot comes on and says, "We're having problems with cabin pressure but I think we can make it back to Atlanta."  My first thought was, "Does this mean we don't get our in flight meal?"

      The couple beside me were from Ecuador so I just smiled and said "Buenos Dias".  Well after we turned the plane around they ended up using my phone multiple times to call their son in Florida.  Tarquino & Magi invited me down to their house in Quito.  He was very grateful and even called me his "Salvation".  Well the 2nd time was the charm because we all made it along with our bags. (No dirty underwear for me!)  I slept like a log on the plane and Nick couldn't even beat me out of my coma but I did end up finishing Mission Impossible. 

A couple funny facts so far:

- Darren studied a list of everybody's names and pictures except Bryan mixed the names up so he had to learn the names over again

- I got the master key again.  Corey is not happy about this but I promised not to abuse my powers unless provoked

- When Jessi talks to somebody that doesn't speak English she yells at them and waves her arms

- Ecuadorians eat Guinea Pig so Hunter and Matt are going to pick some up from Petsmart next week

- The next time you talk to Corey ask him about his new Ecuadorian costume

Ecuador 2012- Mary

      This trip to Ecuador is the first mission trip I have been on outside of the United States. It is also the furthest distance I have ever traveled from home. I was nervous about the long flight from Atlanta to Quito, Ecuador because I really don't like flying. We took off, everything was going smoothly and my anxiety was in check. About an hour into the flight, the pilot came on and said he had some bad news and some good news. The bad news was that there was a pressurizing problem with the plane. This meant we would have to return to Atlanta to get the plane checked out. I'm still not so sure what the good news was. My brain could only focus on the words plane and problem. All I wanted was to get on the ground safely. I even considered staying in Atlanta and catching a shuttle home to Chattanooga. But now I can honestly say after this first day I am so glad I didn't chicken out. 

      I didn't know much about Ecuador and all I knew about Quito was that it was a city there. Boy is it a city. For those of you that might not know, Quito's population is 2 million people. It situated in the Andes mountains which are incredibly beautiful and insanely tall. In between the mountains there are a sea buildings as far as you see; more than I have ever seen in my life. It is a truly amazing sight.

      This morning we went to Middle Earth on the equator. There we learned about past traditions and interesting customs of the native people of Ecuador. For example, they used to shrink the heads of their enemies for pride and their loved ones for remembrance.  They were very creepy still having eyebrows and hair on their heads. We then went to a small cafe in Middle Earth and had empanadas and ice cream. There was a children's festival going on with kids singing and dancing. It was so much to take in but I loved it.

      After lunch we drove up a mountain to attend one of the local churches. The bus dropped us off and we had to walk down a steep dirt road with houses and people on either side. Seeing the conditions of the buildings and people made me feel so grateful for the life God has blessed me with. As soon as I got to the church doors a little girl ran up to me with such excitement and gave me a huge hug. My heart melted. The service was in Spanish but was translated for us. I can't describe how exited it made me to be here and do the work of God for these people. 

      Even after a rough start to the trip for me, God reminded me today why I wanted to come in the first place, to serve the underserved. I can't wait to see what the rest of the week holds.


Mary
UTHSC Dentistry Student Class of 2014

Ecuador 2012- Melanie

I have  been in Ecuador for 24 hours and have already experienced so much.  We went to Mitad Del Mundo, which means The Middle of the World.  The first place we went to has the highest elevation that is located on the coordinates 0'00'00''.  We had an awesome tour guide and we learned about the indigenous groups that have lived in the surrounding areas. 

 We learned that one can balance an egg on a nail on the equator; however, we only had 3 "egg masters" that accomplished the feat!  After finishing the tour and eating a banana fresh from the plant, we went to the other Mitad Del Mundo, where I bought some souvenirs for my friends and family.  

Then at 3 in the afternoon, we went to a church service at Iglesia Evangelica Metodista. The pastor was passionate, and with the help of our amazing translator Christina, it was a a great experience.  The service ended with a song from the children of the church.  And then we all found our inner child and played with the children before leaving.  I feel blessed to be apart of this trip, and look forward to what the week will bring!

Melanie

UTHSC Dentistry Class of 2015

Ecuador 2012

Our health field mission team in Ecuador has been sending photos and blog posts since Sunday! They are having a great time and everyone seems to be tolerating the old guys...ahem. Starting later this morning I'll be posting pictures and journal entries periodically through the day, so check back early and often. Thank you for your support of the BCM at UTHSC.

Ecuador 2011 Video

Welcome Back to School

Welcome back to school! I hope you find that the BCM at UTHSC can be your home away from home. We have several ways in which you can get involved while you are at UTHSC for school.

• Noonday Lunches ($3.00) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00-12:45 with a devotional


• Bible Studies and discipleship opportunities


• Local ministry projects such as our Mouth Guard Ministry which will be held at East High School this year, working with St. Jude in the Spring, and other area ministry opportunities as they present themselves


• Foreign health-field mission trips during the summer


• Fellowships throughout each semester: cook-outs, Redbirds games, bon fire, Thanksgiving at the BCM, BCM Christmas Party


• And you definitely don't want to miss the Beast Feast! (our annual fundraiser/wild game dinner)

I hope to see you soon. We are located at 757 Court Ave. Next to the campus police station.