Ecuador

Each fall, Madison Academy student have the opportunity to the Hacienda of Hope, just up the hill from the town of Tabacundo.  The hacienda is just north of the equator at an elevation of just under 10,000.  Students work with children from the orphanage, the Christian school, and the after school program at Camp Bellevue.  They also have opportunities to reach out to the residents of Tabacundo and nearby San Jose Chico.

Ecuador is an amazing country, and the beauty of the Andes is something they will never forget.  The view of Mount Cayambe is one of those sites jest begging for the camera to come out of the bag.  According to Wikipedia.com, the snow capped peak of the dormant volcano "rises to 4,690 m (15,387 ft) on its south slope.  It is the highest point in the world crossed by the Equator and is the only point on the Equator with snow cover."  This is the backdrop of our spring mission trip.  Gazing at it is a spiritual experience.  Its creator is the majestic God we serve.