Happy Feet

This week, our first summer team from CA arrived for our Happy Feet ministry. This team was especially impressive because the majority of its members were 60-85 years old. We hope to follow their example and never stop living a life of adventure as we get older! They brought over 600 pairs of new shoes and socks with them to give away to Quechua children, the indigenous people of Ecuador. The Quechua live in remote villages 2-3 hours from the city, work as hard laborers, and live in harsh conditions. Quechua women are very distinctly dressed in colorful skirts and ponchos, ornate necklaces, and stiff hats. Their hair is always long and pony tail wrapped behind them in a colorful cloth. Most women only see their husbands 1-2 times a month when they return from working in Quito or the coast of Ecuador. The women work at home raising their large families and/or work in local markets selling produce and hand made tapestries and linens. The majority of the children we saw wore rubber boots and therefore had macerated feet from constant moisture on their skin, calluses and blisters from wearing boots that were too small for their feet, and toenails in bad need of cutting. Steve and Micki partner with local pastors who invite children of their community to partake in Happy Feet. Each day, we journey to a different location and 100-150 children have their feet washed in warm water, followed by lotion, powder, and antibiotic ointment if needed. Toe nails are clipped and new socks and shoes are donned. While the children are having their feet washed, one of the pastors or team members give a message of hope to the adults. Here is a short clip to give you an idea of the areas we worked in this week.