August Newsletter Post from Eric

August 4, 2012 By

It’s called the rainforest for a good reason.  It is quite moist in this part of the world.  In fact, it’s pouring right this very moment. Sounds so good on the tin roof of this cabin.  Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful rain.

Reality is still setting in.  After twenty days away from home, here in this foreign land, the honeymoon phase is drawing to a close.  We’re all coping with the changes in our own distinct and separate ways, but as a family we are beginning discussions as to how we can be used by GOD here in this different and quite unique setting.

Hola and greetings from Misahualli, Ecuador!!!!!!!

Boy Howdy! The Studebakers are missing you and pray that all is well back home.

In the past few weeks we have began building relationships with everyone possible.  From the Coyle and Davalos families (missionaries) to Julio, Dario, Luis, Eddison, and Oswaldo; locals working here at the mission site.  We have been to town a few times for groceries and such.  During these small excursions we have had the opportunity to start friendships with local business owners like Juanita, Isabella, and Eunice.  Jon and Jorge, cabianeta (taxi)  drivers have been so helpful, patient, and nice. We’re quickly learning that we need to become more proficient in our speaking of Espanol. When this comes, so will stronger relationships with the locals and our ability to better serve them in a Christ-like way.

A mission team from Fort Meyers, Florida, left about a week ago.  It was so exciting to work with the team (here at the site) building a playground.

We also had a wonderful time venturing with them to several villages near Misahualli. It was fun to minister to the children and adults through skits, games, smiles, and hugs.  A special treat for me was meeting, Isaac, the leader of one of the villages. I informed him that his name means “laughter”.  He, no doubt, laughed and smiled and shared so much with Amy and I.   What a blessing !

Between food preparation and scratching bug bites, we’ve had the opportunity to see a 400 year old tree…..ENORMOUS!!!!….and a powerful awe inspiring waterfall we got to stand under after a one hour hike  into the jungle….with Elijah…..MUDDY!!!!!

GOD is awesome….so awesome!!!

Did I mention….GOD is awesome???

With Love,

Eric

Filed Under: Eric and Amy

Hola from Abigail

July 16, 2012 By

 

Hello,

 

I am so sorry that I have not posted anything lately. We have been super busy.

 

The Flater’s drove with us to the  Atlanta airport, we got on the plane and we flew for 5 hours.

 

 

 

When we got off the plane we were in Quito.  Mr. Darin was waiting there to pick us up. We went to his guest house.  They have 3 kids Ashlee Alex  and Luke they are very nice.  We saw cuy (guinea pig) being sold on the street.  Mr. Davalos came to pick us up to take us to the jungle.   It was another  5hours .   

 

 

 

We went through Mishualli  

 

We went to Tena  to the market.  It had fruit and vegetables.  It was stinky.   They had chickens there too.   We will put pictures on here once Mom figures out how.  We went to the grocery store.   Everything was  written in Spanish

 

 

 

Mr. Davalos took us into the jungle  and  Junior ( one of the boys) climbed up really high in a tree  and threw down a pineapple looking fruit.  It was a soft round  prickly thing.  The texture was mushy inside.  It tasted like banana  and bread  pudding mixed.  Junior also got an orange cocoa pod from a tree.  He smacked it against a tree to break it open.  It was like a slimy white coating.  On the inside was a purple cocoa bean.  The white stuff was too slimy. Mom liked it.  The bean was bitter. 

 

 

 

We took a hike around the campus.  We stopped at the river.  Robby and Elijah soaked themselves.  It was fun.  It was like the rapids like you see on T.V. 

 

 

 

We had dinner with the Davalos’.  Ms. Charmai made pizza.  Nine people live in their house, and I don’t know all their names yet. 

 

The only reason I don’t like it is the bugs.    I really miss my friends and family. But we will get to all of them  in June. 

 

Love,

Abigail

Filed Under: Abigail

Hola from Ecuador!

July 15, 2012 By

7-14-12

Hi everybody!

 

We are settling into the jungle now. Today we went to Tena and Mishualli grocery shopping. We got everything we’ll need for about 3 weeks.

Then Mr. Roberto and Junior took us in the jungle to try some fruit that grow here. There was Cocoa, we cracked the shell against a tree and sucked on the sweet, gooey coating of the cocoa bean. Inside it was purple and bitter. There was also a fruit that was bigger than a grapefruit and spiky -like a puffer fish. Once you peel it, its mushy and slimy. But its really good. Tastes like bread pudding. It grows very high up on trees though.   

Then we went to the Mishualli river. It was sort of muddy and there were people in a long bright boat, too. The water was cold but Elijah, Robby and Junior got in and played and swam. It was really nice.

For supper we had pizza and salad with the Davalos’. After that we played at their house. And tonight we played Yahtzee!. Tomorrow we are going to worship and relax with the Davalos family.

 

Blessings,

Madeline Studebaker

Filed Under: Madeline

Hola from Ecuador!

July 14, 2012 By

7/11/12

 

Hey!

Today is my 12th birthday!

And great news: I made it to Ecuador alive! Riding to the airport was scary- and I know I’m going to miss my friends. But it was really exciting too. The flight was sort of bumpy but the view was awesome. Landing in Quito was cool… freezing really. Mr. Darin and Mr. Boris ( two missionaries here in Ecuador) picked us up from the airport. We had to strap some of the luggage to the roof of their car, and the rest Abigail and I sat on top of in  the back of the car. But that was okay because there is only a seat belt law for the front seat in Ecuador. Its  really beautiful here. It doesn’t get super hot in Quito. The mountains are HUGE – like 17,000 ft. high! And yes, there really are people selling cuy (guinea  pig) on the streets. We didn’t try any.  We are staying in Quito until Friday, then we’re going to the jungle. Its about a 5 and a ½ hour drive over the mountains.  I am looking forward to finding my  bird book of Ecuador and  start birding. 🙂

 

So All May Know,

Madeline Studebaker

 

<3                                                                                              

Filed Under: Madeline

July 13, 2012

July 12, 2012 By

We haven’t heard the kids laugh like this in a long, long time.  They played ALL day!

The grocery store was overwhelming today. It took over 3 hours, and we still have to purchase more when we get to Tena.  Not being able to read the labels was a real time stealer.  I thought I would be able to navigate based on pictures.  No such luck.  The mayo comes in a pouch, the milk in boxes on the shelf, even the produce was largely unfamiliar.  Deoderant costs over $6!!!  I am so thankful that Sherry took time out of her day to walk me through it.

We won’t be able to get packages delivered by the postal service.  Even our friends here in Quito don’t have that luxury due to theft and the expense. However, when people come over on mission teams or to visit they can bring things to us. 🙂

Our phones won’t be ready until next week, and they will be for use in Ecuador only.  Eric and I will try to get the magicjack up sometime this week. Skype should be an option once we are set up in Misahualli.  It looks like we will be staying in a different cabin because the new one isn’t finished yet.  We’re just thankful it’s not a tent!

Here is a photo link to our facebook account if you haven’t seen the pictures yet.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=oa.268716969899384&type=1

So All May Know

Filed Under: Eric and Amy
July 12, 2012 By
Hello Dear Friends!
We have felt your prayers and are so thankful for you!
The Flaters escorted us to the Atlanta Airport Tuesday morning. International travelors looked twice as the hillbilles arrived (that would be us, the Studebakers!!) We must have looked harmless enough though, because the airport officials let us pass through without problem.
We arrived safely in Quito Ecuador late Tuesday night and were greeted with perfect weather .
Darin Coyle, from Kaleo Kids picked us up from the airport. We arrived at his family’s home around 2 am and zonked out! We were up at 6:30 for breakfast and headed back to Quito to get our Visas approved. Darin and Boris were a huge help and we were blessed to receive approval quickly.
The Coyles have 3 children and all the kids are having a blast playing outside. Sunscreen goes on right after brushing our teeth daily. It only takes 10 minutes to burn here.
Last night we were treated to ice cream at the local mall for Madeline’s birthday.
Today we are trying to get phones activated and making purchases for our stay in the jungle. Blankets. pillows. food. Busy and exciting.
Leaving for the jungle tomorrow is a bit overwhelming, but we know the Lord is with us. And so are your prayers.
Many Blessings.

https://soallmayknow.org/268/

Filed Under: Eric and Amy

Hello from Abigail

June 12, 2012 By

Hello,

I am sorry that I have not posted anything lately. We have been to a lot of places, and have been kind of busy.  Right now we are staying at Uncle Matt and Aunt Ciji’s house outside of Ocala. A couple of days ago our family went to Fort Myers FL., to meet the Davalos family. Then we went to Miami. The drive was about two and a half hoursfrom Ft. Myers. We had to wait in a little office called the Ecuadorian Consulate. We had to wait all day for two days in a row to get our Visas. When we got back Daddy spoke at Fort Cooper Baptist Church and we sang. We are counting down the days until July 10th. That’s when we leave for Ecuador.  I will try to post once a week, check back soon 🙂

Filed Under: Abigail

Hola from Madeline

June 12, 2012 By

Hola!

 

We were in Fort Meyers to visit the Davalos’ the other day. They are on the our mission board. We talked about about Ecuador and swam in their pool. They are very nice. Then we went to the Ecuadorian Consulate in Miami to get our visas. Everybody spoke Spanish and it was crowded. We were there from 9:30 to 3:00 and they said to come back the next day because they were closing. So we were there from before 9:00 to 5:00. It was not fun. We did get our visas, but Abigail’s says that she is a widow because their machine was broken.

We went to Fort Cooper Baptist Church Sunday night and shared about the ministry. Abigail and I sang and then took Elijah to the nursery.

Now we are back in Oxford, Fl. And we are still doing school. But we are almost finished. I only have 16 more lessons of math. We are almost done packing. Only 28 days until we leave for Ecuador. I’m excited about meeting people and making friends, but it’s still scary.

 

So All May Know,

Madeline Studebaker

Filed Under: Madeline

Hola from Madeline :)

June 5, 2012 By

Hey!

 

Tonight we are starting to decide what we are taking on the plane to Ecuador. It is very hard. And I have a headache.

This morning I drank apple juice and clay. Then apple juice and husk fiber. Why? Because my Mom and Aunt Ciji thought we ought to detox. The clay was slimy and thick and grainy. And that might have been because my Aunt Ciji forgot to add 4 ounces of water. It was awful. Then 5 minutes later, I got my husk fiber. It was even thicker and grosser than the clay. It was like spoiled cream of wheat soup. And it was horrible. It is not something I would recommend if you cant drink thick, gross, detoxing stuff. I almost threw up. Seriously.

I just finished reading A Summer Secret. It was about an 13-year-old Amish girl and her 3 brothers. It was very good. I also read Spirit Fighter. It was about a 13-year-old boy and his 11-year-old sister. They find out that their mother is a nephilum, child of a human and a fallen angel. That makes them ‘quarterling angels’. They are called into a spiritual battle by God. It was very interesting.

I am getting more and more excited about going to Ecuador. But we are going to go to school with other kids for the first time since kindergarten. And not to mention that it will be in the jungle. So it is a little scary.

 

Blessings,

Madeline Studebaker

 

Filed Under: Madeline

Madeline’s Blog :)

May 29, 2012 By

Hola amigos!

We are back in Ga. and we have been very busy. We had a biscuit and gravy fundraiser at the farmer’s market. And a BBQ fundraiser at the Brackett Room. It was very hard work but our friends helped us. 🙂 Some of the kids got to stand in front of the bank and hold up signs. It was very fun.

We went roller skating at Fun world on Abigail’s birthday. It was super, super fun!

We also spoke at Hayesville Christian School. Except the slide-show wouldn’t work so we had to wing it. It was embarrassing.

I had a great time at Abigail’s 10th birthday party at Vogel State Park. A lot of our friends were there. But the water was freezing cold! I didn’t do a lot of swimming.

We spoke at Union Baptist Church on the 20th. We also shared at Pine Top Baptist Church on the 23rd. They were having banana splits for the graduates.

We went to Graduation on Friday. It was like 4 hours long.  

Sunday night, May the 27th we spoke at House of Prayer. It was great except Elijah stopped to loudly sniff each flower on our way down the aisle. 

And we are going back to Fl. On Thursday. I am excited about going to Ecuador but I’m sad I’ll have to leave my friends. I already asked my parents if I could have a pet monkey in Ecuador, and they said it was illegal.

 

So All May Know,

Madeline Studebaker

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Madeline
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