For over 2 years we've gone without a car! For me (Jill) I hadn't gone without a car for more than a few days without a car growing up! When we returned to Ecuador, after having Jeremy, I wasn't sure how we were going to manage...
I ask you...stop and think for 2 minutes...what would YOUR life be like without a vehicle? come on now...really think! Think about getting groceries, getting to work, emergency doctors appointments, visiting friends/family, and the list goes on....
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When Jeremy and I left for the states in May (2015) Roberto really began to hunt! We had finally raised enough funds to make a cash payment. However, he wasn't very successful, in fact, one night while talking on the phone he said that we may have to save up more money and wait another year. When Roberto got to the States in July (2015) he received a message from a friend about a vehicle we had been inquiring about (and actually had been praying about since the previous October). He said he was willing to sell! Our hearts sank....we couldn't do anything until we returned to Ecuador (which was another 3 months away)! However, after talking to him, he said he would wait for us to get back! We kept praying and trusting that he would keep his word...
Well, as of Monday, October 19, we have a car! Every time I look out the front window and see it there I still can't believe it! Sometimes, I catch myself looking out the window just to make sure it's still there!
So how will 4 wheels change our life?? It will be a blessing for our family (traveling as a family of 4 around town, we look forward to leaving Sucua, getting groceries, etc).
Grocery shopping...I (Jill) can go by myself!!! It was a FAMILY EVENT! We would take Jeremy in the stroller and walk the mile to the grocery store to try and stock up for 2 weeks worth of groceries. We would then take a taxi back home and unload...if we forgot something...OH WELL...it would have to wait! NOW...I can run out during the week if I forgot something and I don't have to drag the whole family out! Also, we don't have a one stop shop (like a Meijer/Walmart)...with a car...I can get most of my grocery shopping done in one day. I can go to the market to get my fruits/veggies, I can go to the butcher/meat man to get what I need, I can get my general groceries at another store...SO MUCH EASIER!!
We don't have to feel bad about using Roberto's parents car!! They were so generous, but we can do our grocery shopping and run errands when it is convenient for US!! We don't have to wait for a car to be available. While yes, we learned to live without, and we learned to be humble...it is great to be able to get groceries or run errands on our own schedule!
For work, it will also be a HUGE blessing to our ministry! Roberto can now keep all the tools he needs to take down to the camp in the back of the car!! No more loading and unloading in a taxi! Plus, with this bad boy Roberto can go down to the camp and no worry about getting stuck in the mud! Also for work...we will be able to go pick people up at the airport when they come! When work teams come we will be able to leave to get necessary items. The possibilities seem endless!
Pray that we would be good stewards of this new vehicle! That we will keep up with maintence, that we will use this blessing to bless others! Thank you to those who have made contributions and donations to make this possible! We are beyond grateful!