Last week Pope Leo XIV issued his first major writing to the global Catholic church, an Apostolic Exhortation – an urgent word of encouragement – on love for the poor, Dilexi Te. As a Mennonite, this theme caught my attention.

News
Our First Week
Jun 17 2025

It has been a week of new experiences in every aspect of our lives! Before the students joined their host families, there was a spontaneous, and very moving rendition of the hymn “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.” With more exploration around the city, as well as some processing time, we have been settling in to host families, learning more Spanish, navigating bus routes, and listening to guest speakers on Ecuador history and religion. Students jumped in whole-heartedly; including a pick-up soccer game at Parque Carolina with Ecuadorans!






