Quito, Ecuador - South America
September, 2002
The property in Conocoto, Ecuador is perfect for building such a place for Ecuadorian youth. The idea was also presented by a visiting North American, that this would be a wonderful place to bring youth from the U.S. to expose them, not only to youth camp experience, but to the mission field. When the property was gifted to Henry and Dorothy Davis in 1969, Henry told his experience of pacing off the property. The first offer was for around 5 acres (Henry's idea). He said that as he walked the grounds that day, he suddenly felt like Joshua (1:3), "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that I have given unto you, as I said unto Moses." When he finished walking, he had paced off 50 acres! The comment of the wife of the president, Corina de Velasco Ibarra, was "Can you use it?" When Henry affirmed that we could, she signed the title deed to 50 acres. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God gave us that land for a special purpose. Twenty-five of the fifty acres are now developed into Houses of Happiness, an orphanage which houses 200 children who are orphaned, abandoned, or children of prisoners. It has its own church, K-12 school, clinic, recreation hall, guest house, apartments for staff, bakery, shops, and storage areas.
To date, the upper 25 acres contain our cemetery, a 60,000-gallon water reservoir, a caretaker's home, and a new three-bedroom home for the Camp Director and family. Plans have been drawn up to build a cafeteria, chapel, outdoor amphitheater-style campfire circle, girls dorm (to house 50) and boys dorm (to house 50), a world-class size soccer field, two basketball courts, and two volleyball courts, a baseball diamond, and possibly a swimming pool. The cost of such a project has not been determined at this point in time. In Luke 14:25-35 we find a teaching of Jesus in regards to "taking up our cross, and following Him." He will count the cost and provide. We are not to walk in our own strength and wisdom. He wants all the honor and glory for the project. That portion of scripture also talks about going to war without sufficient manpower. Yet, Gideon sent home twenty-two thousand men (who were afraid), and with 300 men, won the battle so that"God would receive the honor and glory." Judges 7
Ecuador had a number of Christian camps in the past, but the cost of attending was prohibitive for the underprivileged youth. The vision that was given to "Papi" Davis was to provide the facilities to the evangelical churches in the country, for retreats, pastors conferences, youth camps, etc. They would bring their own bedding, food, and volunteer labor (kitchen help, etc.). The camp directors would be responsible to oversee the kitchen help, training them and supervising them in the use of our equipment. Rules for camp maintenance and clean up would be that no one is dismissed to leave until all the facilities have been checked out for cleanliness and general appearance, as well as clean up duties during the camping period. Prizes would be given to the cleanest dorms, etc. In counseling with national leaders, it was suggested that a minimum fee would be charged (which could be raised ahead of camp time by the youth themselves) for utilities and upkeep. The youth would feel more responsibility toward taking care of the grounds. We are praying that the churches will catch the vision also, and help us with finances and prayer for the construction of the project. They would then feel that it belonged to the Body of Christ, and it is the Body of Christ's responsibility to help maintain it and all that goes with it. The churches are currently using Catholic facilities for camps and retreats, and the general feeling of those we talked with is that there is a great need for this project in Ecuador, and they thanked the Lord for the vision.
- Dorothy Davis, Missionary
Update:
As of January 2010, the cafeteria only lacks finishing touches and furniture. Additionally, the girls dorm houses 80 instead of 50, and only needs finishing touches and furniture. The outdoor amphitheater is finished, and our soccer field, which required many truck loads of dirt hauled in, is completely paid for. We are still lacking smaller cabins for boys, a chapel, and additional athletic facilities. These can be finished with designated funds.