Ecuador – Day 5: “Kellie’s Perspective”

(THE FOLLOWING IS FROM KELLIE’S FACEBOOK PERSPECTIVE OF OUR DAY 5 IN QUITO)

Students from Carmen Bajo

Quito, Ecuador Day 5 Each day we become more overwhelmed at the blessings that the Lord has given us on this trip. This day was filled to the brim. So much so that when we got in the car at each spot, we were speechless. The main part of the day was at a Compassion International site called Carmin Bajo. Our drive there was across dirt roads amidst one of the very poorest sections of housing in Quito. I could tell from the looks on Nathan and Maddie’s faces they were stunned that people could live in such extreme poverty. Many of the women are single moms and there are some single fathers. Alcoholism is prevalent as well as other substance abuse. Children are on their own most of the time. The school that we went to is called Alliance Academy and within it are kids sponsored through Compassion International. We have a compassion child in the Dominican Republic that we have sponsored for the past 8 years so this was wonderful to be a part of even though we are in Ecuador.

There are 130 children in the school and when they come they receive one full meal a day. It typically consists of a meat and two starches. Potatoes and rice. This is so they can stay full. For 90% of them, this is the only meal they receive. After the weekend, the children are so enthusiastic about coming back to school. Obviously, the food is a big factor in that enthusiasm. For us, it was a convicting moment to realize how we take for granted being able to get fast food, go to the grocery store (where all the shelves are stocked) anytime. It gives me a whole new perspective on truly being hungry. We were honored to be included in serving the meal to students. There were three different age groups that we served. Tuna soup and then a plate of rice, potatoes and a very small piece of chicken and then a glass of strawberry juice.

Kellie and Grace

When we arrived, the pastor’s wife (Alliance Church; associated with the school) gave us a tour of the school. It certainly wouldn’t pass any inspection in the United States, but for these people sitting on the side of the hill, it is a mansion. Each classroom greeted us with a Spanish expression of love and a very loud “Buenas Dias!” The children were beautiful. If you don’t know anything about what Compassion does, they provide medical help with shots and a doctor is provided to the specific area, food, clothing and other assistance through the sponsorship of each child. Most of their dollars come from North America.

What touched me to the core, was a moment in the kitchen when Sandy shared with the ladies working in the kitchen (they each had their own story and are members at the Alliance Church). Sandy told them who we were and why we were in Ecuador and all about Makenzie. There wasn’t a moments hesitation with these women. They expressed their love to us through hugs and words of scripture and truth poured out of them. How could they do this when they didn’t know Makenzie except for her picture and story? Jesus lives in them. In so many ways I was convicted on my lack of spiritual fervor. They spoke of how Makenzie is now experiencing roads of gold in heaven and how she would not want to be back here. They spoke of her life as if they knew her and that God has her right where He wants her. For those of you who know me, that is the one thing I have “heard” consistently from the Lord. “I have Makenzie right where I have always wanted her, Kellie.” I was shook. How could I think that I have so much more than these people? They have what is important. Christ. Don’t get me wrong, I have Christ in my heart. But, I saw they are living Christ out daily in their lives. They have so little but yet they have so much. The children there left an imprint on my heart. They all said words of thanks and “Chow!” to us when we left. We walked back up the hill; a mixture of cobblestone and earth that easily gave way under the treading of our feet to the car knowing that our lives had been changed.

One small note. In one of the classrooms was a new wood floor that they were all so proud of. The other floors are all cold concrete. In that classroom all the children had on slippers. Their shoes were neatly lined up outside the door. Since most of their shoes are pretty tattered and frankly would ruin the floor, that is the reason for the slippers. That was one of the needs. Slippers. Funny that we came here to give out shoes from Makenzie’s project. I thought to myself, “you are so funny, Lord.” So, from the offering at Lutheran South Academy in Houston, we were able to give 130 pairs of slippers to these children. Again, I was struck at how Makenzie would have rejoiced in doing this. Again, I was hit with a flood of tears at how my baby would have loved being here and why in the world are we here and not her. She was so much better at this than me. A torrent of anger hit me as well about the accident and then I am reminded that God calls me to forgive. Forgive the driver, forgive the situation and know that God has a bigger plan with it all to bring others to Him. A true knowledge of Him. It’s what God wants me to do and what Makenzie would have begged me to do.

After Carmin Bojo, we went back to Casa Gabriel. There were a number of boys who were at school the day before that we didn’t get to give shoes to so we were able to do this as well as bless them in another way. God provided through a family at LSA (you know who you are) with a cash gift to use in whatever way the Lord led us. At the home, there is is no working stove and oven. There is one there that barely works as an oven. Some of the boys have taken on baking and know that they are good at it. They make all the bread for the home (14 boys currently) and are thinking about a micro -business where they can bake. When we asked the amount needed to buy a new industrial oven/stove it was exactly what was given to us. When we put the money in the envelope for them, we realized all the bills had M.R.S. written on them…Makenzie Rebekah Stocker. Okay, Makenzie loved to eat. She also loved bread. The two things clicked and it was just obvious that this was provided for this moment. Way cool. Sorry this is so long today, I just had to get all my thoughts out about Day 5 in Quito. We came into this blind and now come out seeing that God is in control of all things. Our eyes have been opened to so much more. We knew this would happen but I don’t think we were quite prepared for all the emotions. God is good. If you stumbled upon this, don’t imagine for one moment that God doesn’t love you. He does. He created us all with a purpose. No matter what is going on in your life, He desires for you to turn to Him, put your old ways and old life in the past, confess your sins, don’t hang on to them and live for Him.

Peace,

Kellie

(If you’d like to see our full picture directory, go to Kellie’s Facebook HERE)

NEW! – If you’d like to get an email when my blog is updated, click “Email Subscription” on the right.

Life Changing Links …

• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• Tribute Video played at her celebration service
  
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)

Ecuador – Day 4: “The Boys of Casa G.”

Brad and Sandi are serving with Youth World, an arm of International Teams.  Brad oversees the organization that has five branch ministries.  Each of these have different yet powerful emphasis on reaching people for Christ.  Day 4, we went to a place that focuses on getting boys off of the streets, leading them to Christ and helping develop in them a lifestyle of love, respect, integrity and servant leadership.  During our orientation, the director explained that the home (Casa Gabriel) was not a boys home but a 24 hour, 7 day a week leadership training program.  The high school aged boys going through the program just happen to live on site.

In the main dining room, 6 or 7 guys were crouched over their homework as a tutor helped them with the basics.  A few other guys were in the kitchen doing the morning dishes as part of their every ‘serving list’.  They looked up at us and smiled, waved, shot a few thumbs up as we returned the greetings.  These guys were great.  Rough and street worn, they carried with them stories of abuse, gang involvement and a drug lifestyle.  But they had a love for the Lord and an authenticity that captured our hearts.

The director said that they were unashamed of their faith in Christ.  They shared that faith with everyone.  Literally!  One of the boys was given the opportunity to have dinner with the new President of Ecuador.  He shared the truth that Jesus Christ died for even him and that by believing, the President could have eternal life.  When the boy asked if the President would like to receive Christ as his Savior, the President politely mentioned that he went to the Catholic church.

We shared Makenzie’s story.  They shared Bible verses with us that were encouraging and loving.  Before we arrived last week, Brad sent a list of the boys with their shoe preference.  Nathan and I spent a morning buying them and yesterday, we handed them out.  They were so excited.  Many of them had never had a new pair of shoes before.

But the power of our visit was not in the matching the style and size of the shoes to the boys at Casa G.  The power of today was not in seeing that the boys had responsibilities in the house and that they loved on each other.  The power of the experience was hearing our stories; ours about Makenzie and theirs about themselves.  Both our family and their “family” understood that whether we are in the states speaking English or here in Ecuador speaking Spanish, that God was the one who moved and breathed in our very lives.  God was the one who, for whatever reason, allows tragedy, desperation and loss to be woven into the pattern of our life’s tapestry.

Jose Luis

Hearing Jose Luis’s faith story of living on the streets and God’s presence and provision during that time left us in stunned silence.  Hearing how the staff is sold out to following Jesus in teaching servant leadership to this group of boys who have never been mentored by anyone was awe inspiring.

Our day ended by visiting Youth World’s camp called El Refugio.  ”The Refuge” is a place where people can get away from the city and spend time with the Lord at this sprawling, 300 acre forest retreat center.  Programming for groups and kids, challenge

El Refugio

courses and a wonderful tree-house give glory and honor to the Lord through this outdoor ministry.

During past mission trips, it was about this day, day 4, that I was broken enough to want to go back to the states, sell everything I had and join whatever God was doing wherever that may be.  This trip, I sense a different “calling” if one were to use that term.  A call to partnership.  A call to foundational involvement.  Is it financial?  I ain’t got much.  Prayer?  That’s sort of a given.  I’m not sure what but I’ll keep watching for those subtle whispers in which God takes such delight and calls me into tomorrow.

Peace

todd

(If you’d like to see our full picture directory, go to Kellie’s Facebook HERE)

NEW! – If you’d like to get an email when my blog is updated, click “Email Subscription” on the right.

Life Changing Links …

• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• Tribute Video played at her celebration service
  
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)

Ecuador – Day 3: “Hands On”

Michelle and Jostin - Kids of The Dump

It is early as I write this and words are not quick to dribble off my fingers.  So permit me to describe my Day 3, Quito experience using the words of Jeremy Bautista …

“Dump ministry. I didn’t know what that really meant, even though its been talked about often. First of all, its important to understand what happens at the Dump. When someone throws out their trash, they put it outside their house. Someone is sure to go through it looking for anything valuable from things to resell, recycle, or eat. After that, the trash collectors (similar to those I know of in the States) take the trash, sort out what they want for themselves (in bins above the main trash hold), and dumps the rest of the trash out in the garbage truck. The garbage truck then delivers the leftover trash to the Quito City Dump (now called a Transfer Center). Each truck dumps its trash where it is then sorted out again. The people who sort through this trash call themselves miners. They too collect anything that they want for themselves including food and recyclables to be sold (i.e. plastic bottles, paper, metal, etc.). They get paid pennies to the pound and usually only eat what they find.” (click here for Jeremy’s page).

Ok, me again.  (Thanks Jeremy).  One of the ministries to the workers that Jeremy describes above is a daycare center for their children.  Previously, the children were either strapped to their backs for 12 hours at a time or dashing around the garbage piles, scavenging for food, toys or anything that looked interesting. Developed by Extreme Response, this place gives the kids 3 meals a day, relational contact with others, and basically helps raise them in an environment that is safe.  Many of them go home to dirt floors and tin walls.

We spent our day, playing with them, changing diapers, singing, playing guitar (U Rock Nathan!), and just having fun.  On the advice of Sandi Miller, we prayed for them even though they had no idea what we said.  Doesn’t matter.  The Holy Spirit isn’t bound by language!

At the end of the day, the little ones filed two-by-two into the on-site Pastor’s office where our family gave them a new pair of shoes.  Having developed a relationship with them during the hours before, it took the last ounce of strength in me to hold back tears as little Miguel, Daniel, Esparanza and Michelle came into the room.  Their eyes popped open when they saw the shoes.  And when we pulled off their tattered foot coverings and gave them new ones, I knew that what we take for granted in the states, they hold as treasures in Ecuador.

This is why we are here.  No, not just to give away shoes, but to connect and pray and follow Jesus where He leads us.  I never would have thought that what our beautiful Makenzie started this past spring, would be fulfilled in such a powerfully simple way.  Who knows what Day 4 holds for us.  We have a plan but in Ecuador (and in God’s economy), we hold it loosely.

Peace

todd

(If you’d like to see our full picture directory, go to Kellie’s Facebook HERE)

CLICK HERE for a video of our day at the Daycare

NEW! – If you’d like to get an email when my blog is updated, click “Email Subscription” on the right.

Life Changing Links …

• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• Tribute Video played at her celebration service
  
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)

Ecuador day 2 – “Sameness”

Monte Zion Iglesia Christiana, Quito

I was surprised to find the word used for the title of this blog was actually … well … a word!  Loosely, the word sameness means having qualities that are similar or the same in comparison to others.  Such was my experience — or maybe awareness — of day two in Quito.

Much of the time, God is unpredictable.  He does stuff, creates stuff, and has me experience stuff that I never expected.  But when we stepped into worship at Monte Zion Iglesia Christiana (church) we found the same Lord being worshipped and praised.  Yes, the setting was different and yes, it was all in spanish, but the sameness of the Holy Spirit guiding our hearts in praise was nothing short of breathtaking.  (Frankly, I understood more of the Spanish message that I did many of the English ones I’ve heard).  People loved on each other.  People loved on us.  We greeted each other with a ‘holy kiss.’  And it was beautiful.  (Click Here for a snippet of the service).

After lunch — I mean ‘feast’ — we went to the market.  Brad and Sandi noticed the increased Policia presence throughout the one-and-a-half person wide aisles of shops.  I felt safe.  Nathan bought hats.  Maddie negotiated with the vendors and Kellie spent all of my money (did I just say that out loud?).  But the people were people.  Not some strange creations from a distant planet.  They were God-created, God-inspired, God-loved people.  The sameness of daily frustrations (albeit deepened by their desperate plight) etched lines of concern around the tight skin on their faces.  The sameness of trying to make a living and doing the best they can for their families inspired them to sell the handmade cloths, sweaters and trinkets in their family shops.

Darting in and out of the familiar tourist crowds, shoeless four and five year-old children stopped only to look up to get a bearing of where they were.  Some carried little boxes of gum to sell to those of us who would look down and take notice.

For me, I connected with a shop owner who was the sole holder of coffee mugs in the 30 or so rows of proprietorship.  He laughed at my very weak effort at speaking Spanish and I laughed because I felt completely at his mercy.  Purchasing the home-made mug, we exchanged a hand shake, a “dios te bendega” (God bless you), and I knew that God loved both of us the same.

The poverty is great here.  The people are as well.  And I feel a little humbled that I am now part of their world and not the other way around.

Peace

todd

(If you’d like to see our full picture directory, go to Kellie’s Facebook HERE)

(Also, feel free to ask us a question or comment below!)

Life Changing Links …

• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• Tribute Video played at her celebration service
  
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)

FOR THOSE OF YOU BLESSED TO KNOW BRAD AND SANDI …

Brad and Sandi Miller

 

Ecuador – “Kenzie would have loved this!”

“Kenzie would have loved this!”  How many times has that phrase bounced around in my thoughts over the past few months as our family discovers it’s new normal without her.  On this occasion, that phrase is bouncing off the well worn plaster walls of the small streets of Quito, Ecuador.  (If you don’t know why our family is here, click here).

At around 9,000 feet, the first day in Quito has been spent acclimating to the said altitude and culture.  Past experience has warned me not to do anything strenuous right away when entering into a different part of the world.  Not heeding that wisdom, we climbed eight stories up to the top of the Basilica and bobbled across the dusty planks of her attic.  Maybe it was the view; maybe it was the lack of oxygen, but my knees felt jiggly as I stopped and looked out across this city that is only five miles wide but twenty-five miles long.  Breathtaking!  Below us, some sixty feet, the muffled sound of Gregorian chant seeped through the cracks of the historic trusses.

“Kenzie would have loved this!”

Brand, Sandi and Hannah Miller brought us into the old city of Quito.  ‘Old’ here does not mean built in the 1950‘s.  We are talking buildings built in the 1650’s and original food recipes that I can’t even pronounce.  Fresh fruit juices, empanadas and street baked peanuts and potato chips filled our tummies us as we strolled through the cobblestone street of the historic La Ronda.

“Kenzie would have loved this!”

As the hot morning sun gave way to the cold afternoon wind, we headed back to the Miller’s home and processed the day over dinner.  It has been an amazing day.  We’ve experienced great friends, great food, great culture, great history, and great anticipation as we think about what the Lord has in store for us tomorrow.  And yes, “Kenzie would have loved this!”

Peace

todd

(If you’d like to see our full picture directory, go to Kellie’s Facebook HERE)

(Also, feel free to ask us a question or comment below!)

Life Changing Links …

• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• Tribute Video played at her celebration service
  
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)

Ecuador – We Made It!

 

Makenzie speaking spanish to kids in Mexico (2005)

Just a quick update to let everyone know that we made it safe and sound.  God is already at work.  He smoothed out the details of the flight, getting the shoes (and turkey) through Ecuadorian customs and connecting with Brad and Sandi Miller.  Today is a day of acclimating to climate and culture.

 

I’ll be doing evening or early morning updates.

Thanks for the prayers!

Peace,

todd

(WHAT ARE WE DOING IN ECUADOR!)

Life Changing Links …

• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• Tribute Video played at her celebration service
  
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)

June 3rd’s Daily Devotion

One of the daily devotional books that I occasionally read is titled “Streams in the Dessert.”  The pages are filled with wisdom and the Lord usually times the entries with what I need to hear, know or do.

I just happened to look up June 3rd in the devotional; the day of the accident that claimed Makenzie’s life.  Here is the entry for the day that changed our lives.  Again, the Lord knows what I need, when I need it.

JUNE 3RD — Even though we follow Christ’s command, we should not expect to escape the storm (Click Here for Makenzie’s article “Storm Ready”).  In this passage of scripture, the disciples were obeying His command, yet they encountered the fieriest of storms and were in great danger of being drowned.  In their distress, they cried out for Christ’s assistance.

Christ may delay coming to us during our times of distress, but it is simply so our faith may be tested and strengthened.  His purpose is also that our prayers will be more powerful, our desire for deliverance will be greater, and when deliverance finally comes, we will appreciate it more fully.

Gently rebuking His disciples, christ asked, “Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”  In effect, He was saying, “Why didn’t you face the storm victoriously and shout to the raging winds and rolling waves, ‘You cannot harm us, for Christ, the mighty Savior, is on board?”

Of course it is much easier to trust God when the sun is shining than to trust Him when the storm is raging around us.  You will never know our level of genuine faith until it is tested in a fierce storm, and that is why our Savior is on board.

If you are ever to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10), your strength will be born during a storm.

Daniel Crawford commented, “Christ said, ‘Let us go over to the other side’ – not ‘to the middle of the lake to be drowned.”

(As we travel to Ecuador to finish what Makenzie started, I’ll be updated my blog daily.)

Peace

todd

Life Changing Links …

• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• Tribute Video played at her celebration service
  
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)

In Her Own Words

Makenzie and friend, Riley Dempsey

In that process of hoarding Makenzie memories, we stumbled upon a disc drive containing picture and videos of years past. Scrolling through them, we discovered Makenzie’s 8^th grade graduation speech. I share this with you not to show how beautiful she is or to compare her to your children. But I share her speech because within her words are life lessons we all need to hear.

Makenzie’s 8^th grade graduation speech.

Trinity Lutheran School,

Litchfield Park, Az.

May, 2005

 

Peace

todd

Life Changing Links …

• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• Tribute Video played at her celebration service
  
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)

UP

I don’t know if you’ve seen the movie UP. If you have offspring still hovering around your kneecaps, my guess is, you have. A wonderful story put to film about an older man who vows to finish a dream he and his wife held before she died; to live in their house next to Paradise Falls. Accompanied by an unwanted boy scout (Russell), the old man and little boy fight evil talking dogs, treacherous paths and a long lost aviator turned lunatic.

Throughout the 90 minute film, we laughed and cried and cried some more. For whatever reason, the movie hit us hard. Maybe it was the realization that this was the last movie that Makenzie and Maddie saw together. Maybe it was the scenes of the old man sitting alone in his chair next to his wife’s. Maybe it was the clear message of letting go of the past and going on into the future. It was probably a combination of it all. But we wept. All four of us. Wept. We wanted Makenzie there to share in our family time. We

My Snorty Laugh!

wanted to see her crinkled nose and hear her snorty laugh. We all wanted Makenzie.

But just like in the movie, we have to celebrate our past and live in the present. God has given us a chance to begin again and move into the future, bringing Makenzie’s memory with us. He is the one leading us where He desires us to go. He is the one who sees our full journey. And all He asks us to do is to continue to look … UP (Hebrews 12).

Peace

todd

Life Changing Links …

• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• Tribute Video played at her celebration service
  
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)

Tributes

Makenzie danced all over the United States. Missouri, Minnesota, Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, New York; many were impacted by this little ballerina named Makenzie. As a result of her influence and after she was killed, tributes of all sorts were created by those who love her. Youtube hosts many of these done by her fellow classmates and me as well (Click Here for her celebration service tribute video). Dance studios have choreographed pieces in her memory as a tribute to a life well lived and cut short. (Click Here for Caitlyn Cannon’s description of a tribute dance).

Last Saturday, the Minnesota Classical Ballet Academy – where Makenzie danced in grade school – dedicated a dance choreographed to Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in honor of Makenzie. Within the context of the performance, a little girl occasionally walked on stage, mingled through the dancers and stood to the side, watching the others turn and move to the music. At one point, the little girl wearing lavender (Makenzie’s favorite color) knelt down and recited the words to our families evening prayer.

“Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake; I know the Lord my soul will take.”

We couldn’t hold back the tears and they washed down our faces as we were once again reminded of Makenzie’s purity, faith and joy. Surrounded by our friends, we watched the little ‘Makenzie’ stand up and be carried off by a man in white (God) as the dancers continued to perform with passion and grace.

At the end of the dance, as the last chord faded into the air, all of the performers slowly made their exit, save one. A lavender sashed ballerina, on pointe and back facing the audience, gracefully tiptoed off-stage, leaving an empty space the size of the one in our family. Wonderful. Stunning. Symbolic. Painful. But Beautiful as well. A tribute to my little ballerina who is dancing arm in arm with Jesus.

Peace

todd

Life Changing Links …

• Makenzie’s Celebration Service Online – Click Here
• Tribute Video played at her celebration service
  
• “I Dance For You My King” (Video: Makenzie’s song by Anthony Celia)
• “Image of Grace” (Video: Song written and played by Nathan Stocker)
• “Makenzie Memories” (a blog by one of her best friends, Katie Davis)