There are the rich and the poor with little or no middle class. It is not uncommon to see one of the plentiful beggars on the street approach a Mercedes driven by a fellow Ecuadorian. One of the struggles we face here is how to help the many, many poor people in this city. With no public aid and little or no government programs for the poor, elderly, and children, many if not all are left to take to the streets to beg. However, as you begin to move throughout the city and talk to Ecuadorians, you quickly realize that none of the social, economic, educational or public services are in place to make a city and country function smoothly.
Life here can at times be complicated and frustrating.
A simple task like driving, paying a bill, or shopping can take all day with many unforeseen catastrophes waiting in the wings. For the average Ecuadorian, inflation is high and jobs are scarce. All of these things have left many Ecuadorians with little or no hope for the future. Tomorrow will be as bleak as today. All that being said, it is exciting to see the tremendous difference that a relationship with our loving Heavenly Father can make.