Inspiration in Riobamba

We’re a week away from leaving Ecuador and my personal feelings are mixed. I came here expecting to be pulled and tugged in various directions to help the needy and the poor. What I encountered were several businesses in needed of marketing services. In one instance the owner of an “Extreme” sports park entitled “Parque Xtremo” wanted a meeting to go over his plans for expansion….strange stuff. But, my heart wasn’t in it, I felt like I could do the same job in the US as in Ecuador, so why do it?

There is one area (idea) that Trudy and I toss around like a ping pong ball that tugs at our hearts…but are we the right people?

My first encounter with an orphanage was filled with questions. I wanted to know how it worked? Where did the kids come from? How did it get funding? Were the kids getting the education they needed? Were they fed and clothed properly? What were the sleeping arrangements like? What happens after they reach “of age”?

Unfortunately, not many of those questions were answered on my first visit. The simple reason was that, I don’t speak Spanish very well. So, I went and looked around, played with the kids, gave a lot of hugs and took mental notes of things.

I had made arrangements with a contact in Cuenca to visit an orphanage in Riobamba which was on our way to Quito. On the morning of our intended visit I wasn’t feeling that well and considered sending Trudy and staying in the hotel. Fortunately, the hotel room was one of the worst we had stayed in thus far. So, I figured I’d rather spend my day out of the hotel than in. The taxi driver wasn’t exactly certain of the location but knew the area. As we turned left onto a narrow dirt road and followed the unending brick walls on either side, I had second thoughts and considered turning around. Near the end of the road on the left was an large black iron gate with the name “Allen” above it. This was the place, but from the outside it looked more like a prison than an orphanage. Again, I had second thoughts about knocking on the door of this establishment. But, just as I considered telling the taxi driver to get back in and drive us back, someone came out of the gate. We inquired as to whether we were at the right place and they confirmed. We walked in and found something very different on the inside.

The Allens (Ron and Glenda) are wonderful people and have established a first class orphanage for over 60 kids. In so many ways it was the polar opposite of Chuquipata. The full story of how and why they are in Ecuador can be found on their website (http://www.arkchildrenshomes.com/) but what’s not there is an unbeleiveable tale of trial and hardship. They began their journey by renting a house to accommodate the 10 kids of their own and the 6 or so newly acquired orphans. Quickly they outgrew the house and had to rent other houses and hire employees to run the houses. For nearly 10 years they managed up to 8 houses at one time. But, it was spreading them thin and relying on employees to perform tasks was trying. At one point they discovered an abuse at some of the homes and immediately decided to centralize their orphanage. Through generous funding from their home church in Canada (which by the way was a Vineyard), Verbo, and others they purchased a 3 acre ranch just on the outskirts of Riobamba. The ranch had just 3 bedrooms and one bath but quickly Ron added more bedrooms, put in a first rate kitchen and dining room, a constant and consistent electrical supply, proper plumbing and laundromat (60 kids is a lot of washing). With help from a board of directors and elders from a local church they put together a roadmap on how to run an orphanage. The roadmap will be tested with Ron’s son, Isaac, in the jungle town of Macas. Isaac is a 21 year-old “man” who, like his mom and dad, has compassion for children.

Although I could talk about the structures, the buildings, the plans and the location of this orphanage, the intangible things are what truly makes it successful. Ron and Glenda have a heart for God and the kids. Their home is a constant hub of activity, with 60 or more kids being cared for, plus kitchen and baby staff and the occasional physical therapist coming and going…but they chatted with us in the most relaxed manner. It was apparent that the kids love and respect them and the feeling is genuinely mutual. The most special thing about it was that their own kids, all 10 of them, are following along in the ministry in some way. Their love never began or ended with just their own children…and somehow every child in the place knows this.

At one point we were sitting at lunch with 60 hungry kids.Their plates were in front of them but no one dared touch their plate until the meal was blessed. The kids were loud and I could barely talk to Trudy who was sitting across from me. Then Glenda walked in and with the quietest voice, said, “Children, it’s time for the blessing,” (in Spanish of course) and the room went silent. Then Ron prayed, the kids dove in to eat, and all noise resumed.

Ron never asked us if we wanted to start an orphanage. Glenda never mentioned a need in another city. Isaac never asked us if we wanted to help him in Macas. But in some ways we are pulled to do something. We just haven’t figured it out yet.

--Blake