God is Revealed in the Cloud

Yesterday, as we disappeared into the damp, dense clouds above Ecuador, I thought of Moses going up Mt. Sinai. Is it sacrilegious or perhaps arrogant to equate myself with Moses? Yes probably, and yet I do - but I am not suggesting that I am a leader like Moses - but rather only that both of us met God in the clouds.

Moses met God face to face, (well almost), but I met God in the people that many have forgotten. About 3,100 meters above sea level, in a small farming community I met with gracious and hospitable indigenous Ecuadorians. This forgotten community, (like so many in this region) is home to families that have been here for generations, but have received little support or resources.

As we pulled up I was greeted by a couple of young men in red ponchos, sheep skin chaps and cowboy hats, next to them little children in red and white ponchos, a variety of hats and dirty faces greeted me by shaking hands, my buenos dias greeting, with an Australian accent was smile worthy even for these shy little kids. (I think one or two even laughed at me.)

We had come to "monitor", but the community had other ideas - we were here to worship and party. So the morning started with singing to a guitar and pan pipe, followed by a sermon from Isaiah and then it was on to every project team showcasing what they had learnt and what they were doing as a result of the interventions in their community.

As a 'monitor' it was rewarding to see that funds invested in this community were ticking the boxes. Women were learning how to care for the hygiene and basic medical needs of their families. They knew how to make a basic re-hydration fluid that has reduced incidences of diarrhoea in children significantly. Children were being educated at local schools that are being resourced. Youth are being taught vocational skills such as photography, media, communications, radio production (all things they chose and being used in their community). Men and women are learning how to make soap. All very basic things, but skills and behaviours that have turned around their community.

But beyond the monitoring and the logframe indicators are the attitudes, the values and the character - elements of humanity that cannot be taught or programmed, but implicit reflections of God, images of divinity that are impossible to hide. As is often the case, people who have the least are often the most generous. And in this community, in these gracious people - it was no different.

Despite the fight to survive and thrive the people of the community greeted me with generosity. (I wish they had reserved some of the hospitality - the compulsory tasting of the traditional tea made especially for women in labour and the home made re-hydration drink were special moments.

I was thanked with the presentation of a traditional red wool poncho (apparently symbolising strength, bravery and passion) and then the elders gathered around and prayed over me before they served a lunch of black beans, green broad beans, potatoes (special ones grown only here) and a warm brew made from maize.

The people of the Cocan community have little, but thanks to the generosity of many people, the women and children are healthier, the community is better educated, more empowered (some of the youth are scarily passionate, powerful advocates for change) and on a path to a sustainable future. In the clouds, out of sight of the rest of the world I met God revealed in the people of the Cocan community.