2020-February-27

On a Mission to Fulfill a Dream

BY DIANE SIDDEN · AUDIENCE PLATFORM MANAGER · UNITED STATES

When Cisco began its Time2Give program a few years ago, it gave me the chance to fulfill a dream: to go on a mission trip.

My first trip took place two years ago in New York City. While it was impactful and life-changing, my ultimate goal was to complete an international mission trip. So, when the opportunity came for a trip to Quito, Ecuador, I knew this was my calling.

Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, Quito sits high in the Andean foothills. It’s known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches.

Yet, there is another side to Quito where more than 60 percent of the population lives near the poverty line.

Our team was apprehensive at first, but we quickly realized that this experience would forever change us. Our goal for the trip was to provide love baskets to local families, minister to children at the church, and help build a rock wall to prevent erosion.

The love baskets, although simple, are really helpful to the community. They contain things that people might not have the funds to buy, like rice, beans, and cooking oil. Ours also contained treats, such as canned peaches and cookies.

When we delivered the baskets to families, we were welcomed into their homes and got to know their stories and struggles. They had so little but were so full of joy and hope — and appreciation for us taking the time to meet and pray with them.

Although many of us didn’t speak Spanish, we had translators to help bridge the gap. And even without understanding the language, their hugs, smiles, and tears communicated more than the spoken word.

At the local church, which serves as a place of refuge and hope, we did Vacation Bible School. We also made crafts, sang songs, and prepared meals. The children were wonderful. When our bus would pull up each day, they would be there waiting for us.

Taking our hands, the locals would walk with us to the church. Watching and helping them with the crafts made us realize how special this was for them.

Because many homes are on the sides of mountains, erosion from heavy rains can wash everything away. We worked to build a retaining wall to help stop the erosion of a home. Even the local children helped with gathering the rocks and digging the trench for the wall.

The trip inspired me to want to do more — and with Time2Give, our team is planning to go back to Quito again next year.

These experiences have changed me forever. I hope to go again and share the experience with my son and my colleagues.

Thank you, Cisco, for allowing me to serve and give back in such a powerful way.

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