Creekside Church: Teens Receive More Than They Gave
WATERLOO, ONTARIO - For ten days in March this year, a team of fourteen teens aged 14-18 from Creekside Church in Waterloo dug foundation holes, lugged buckets of water, sorted cement blocks, pushed wheelbarrows of sand, painted rooms and made crafts with children at a poor church in Quito, Ecuador.
Carmen Bajo Church (CBC) is a metaphorical light on a hill. It overlooks a vast jumble of tiny cement block houses. Dogs stand guard on the corrugated tin rooves. CBC preaches a gospel of hope and healing to the people in this neighbourhood many of whom struggle with poverty, alcoholism and abuse.
Some of the teens were returning for a second time to work on the construction of the new church - a task they had started in 2007. While the teens were pleased to see how the construction had progressed in the past year, many said it was a learning experience and they received more than they gave.
Some learned about relationship building: "I was wondering if anyone would remember me from last year. And this lady spotted me and pointed and then she threw her arms around me and gave me a big hug and we both cried," said Taryn.
Hannah and Paige agreed that they learned to be less materialistic.
"I learned that nothing goes to waste in Ecuador," said Tessa who was travelling outside of Canada for the first time. "They appreciate everything. I'm still struggling with how much we have here. Even our families...I realized that I take my family for granted," she confessed with a catch in her throat.
"I came back a little sobered about life outside my happy little circle," said Jon.
Since returning, Sarah says she feels closer to her parents.
Curtis can't wait to go back. He'd like to bring a non-Christian friend who has shown interest in what he's doing in Ecuador.
Several of the teens are considering full-time missions work as a result of their trip. Brad said God spoke to him while he was in Ecuador and is applying to Bible College this fall.
Aaron would like to become an advocate for Compassion International.
"My trip helped me to be more real with my faith," Joel said. "Because saying you're a Christian - what does that mean?"
While the teens left behind freshly painted rooms and new foundation holes, they brought back changed hearts and a fresh vision of who they are and who they could be. BLM
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"I learned that nothing goes to waste in Ecuador," said Tessa who was travelling outside of Canada for the first time. "They appreciate everything. I'm still struggling with how much we have here. Even our families...I realized that I take my family for granted," she confessed with a catch in her throat.