Pleasant View Mission Team

In July, a group of 27 teenagers and their leaders from Pleasant View Church in Goshen, Indiana, came to Cayambe to serve alongside our ministries, bringing their energy, their hearts, and a deep desire to learn and walk with our community. One of the main projects for the week was breaking ground on the Forever Flowers Business Center.

Connecting hearts, sharing cultures, and building hope quietly wove itself through every moment of this trip. From the very first day, it felt less like visiting and more like being welcomed into a community that opened its doors and its heart. At Iglesia Jesús Divino Pastor in Ibarra, the team joined the Sunday service and later spent the afternoon with young people and teenagers from the Northern District. Between games, basketball, laughter, and conversations that moved easily between English and Spanish, a space of joy and cultural exchange took shape. The teenagers from the Children’s Home joined in too, and suddenly language differences weren’t obstacles—they became bridges.

Some of the most tender moments appeared in the simplest ways. Friendship grew as golden hair and dark hair were woven into braids. The girls from the Children’s Home and the young women from the mission group discovered that they didn’t need to speak the same language to laugh, help each other, or create memories. Each braid became a small gesture of affection, a quiet way of saying “I’m here with you.”

Every day included a moment of prayer. The mission team and the children gathered to pray for the caregivers at the Children’s Home, offering words of gratitude and encouragement before sharing their requests. It was a reminder that serving also means supporting those who give their lives daily to accompany and care for the children.

Time was also spent with staff through icebreakers and group activities. Some practiced English while others tried out Spanish. Between laughter, pronunciation attempts, and a genuine desire to learn, a true cultural exchange happened. More than learning words, we learned how to connect.

Of course, an afternoon of soccer was inevitable. Children, youth, and staff came together for a lively game full of energy and laughter. For a while, titles and responsibilities disappeared—there was only a ball, a field, and the joy of playing together.

One of the most exciting outings was the visit to the Guayllabamba Zoo with the children. For some, it was their first time seeing a zoo. Watching their eyes fill with wonder as they discovered each animal made the experience unforgettable. Every smile, every discovery, every moment became a memory we will carry with us. The day ended with hamburgers shared around the table, a simple meal that felt like celebration.

We also had the privilege of meeting the women from Sumak. They shared their sewing skills and taught us how to make reusable cloth menstrual pads—a practical skill that can become an opportunity for entrepreneurship and income. But the gathering was more than a workshop. It was a space to recognize abilities, share knowledge, and strengthen opportunities. The group donated sewing machines, tools, and materials- resources that will continue opening doors for new skills and future possibilities.

One night became especially meaningful for the children. They experienced an evening outside their usual routine—games, crafts, food cooked over the fire, and a warm campfire. The darkness became the perfect backdrop for sharing a simple yet powerful message: light always triumphs over darkness. Each child created their own lantern, turning it into a symbol of hope. Surrounded by lights, laughter, stories, and care, it was a night to remember.

To complete the experience, the mission team visited Forever Flowers, where they learned about the flower production process. Walking among the crops and seeing the work behind each bloom connected the mission experience with the families, communities, and labor that shape life in Ecuador.

This trip was filled with moments that will stay with us.

It was an experience that reminded us that missions are not only about going somewhere to serve. They are about being willing to meet people, learn from them, walk beside them, and allow God to transform our hearts along the way.