On the Journey…and back in Ecuador!
by Russ and Sarah Badgley
Our family arrived in Quito early morning of the 4th of July after spending several days in Idaho and Washington with churches, family and friends. After staying a night in Quito, we collected our vehicle from an organization that safely stored it for us, and in the early evening, headed southerly toward Macas. We had a short-term housing arrangement awaiting us.
Our travels were not uneventful however. Before we left the U.S., Russell ended up with a broken nose (church softball), Sarah with a kidney infection, and once arriving in Ecuador we encountered a landslide late in the evening that forced a retracing of travel and rerouting, costing us about 3 extra hours and an overnight stay in a hostel. Despite these bumps, we made it safe and sound!
Since arriving in Macas, we’ve been enjoying reuniting with friends and acquaintances one-by-one. It’s been fun to see people’s reaction to Matthew’s growth and express their love and care for him, and yet they always ask where the rest of the kids are and want to see them as well.
Joseph and Ruth hit the ground running and have been volunteering at a local school with vacation Bible school and English camps. They’re partnering with several short-term mission groups from the states who come each year. Emma has resumed training with her basketball team in Macas. She has one to two months of strength training to complete before she starts modified regular practice.
Russell and I have spent much time searching for housing and getting the kids needs met, as well as providing rides to the kids as they volunteer and have evening activities with the short-term mission groups.
We’re thankful to have found a nice, comfortable and affordable house in town, near our language route areas, and in only one week into our time here. The landlord offered it up to us for the same price as several of the three bedroom apartments have been asking, and without carrying the risk of structural integrity issues during a time of heightened earthquakes here. The house also has a yard area for the baby and Emma’s dog. God has blessed us for sure.
During our host church’s men’s group, Russ mentioned moving to our new place in a few days, and six or so men volunteered to move us. They brought a pickup and a large commercial truck and got the job done in a day. Gotta love South American hospitality and relationships!
Joe and Ruth are thinking they’ll resume basketball and swimming once school begins.
Matthew Health Update
Six months of good health, without any paralysis issues! Sometimes it’s hard to process those words: “our baby” and “paralysis events.” His neurologist initially thought he possibly had a genetic condition and would severely decline in the months to come. We’ve seen great progress and normal development in in Matthew. Additionally, we recently learned that when Matthew had his lip tie cut as a newborn, he was severely overdosed with lidocaine. The words we were told were “near euthanasia.” It seems his brain may have needed time to bounce back and “rewire” from that damage. But God has been good to us to spare and restore our boy, and we are grateful for your prayers in this matter. Thank you for your ongoing prayers.
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