Casa Victoria // Quito, Ecuador

Monday, February 23


Kevin and I place a lot of value on making connections when we travel. For truly, relationships with others are the most beautiful thing in life. Every time we plan for an adventure, we ask around to see if anyone knows someone in the location we are traveling to {for more on culturally enhancing your travel, click here}.

With that being said, we were incredibly blessed to get connected with the most inspiring couple in Ecuador, and stay 3 nights with them in Quito! I'm not kidding when I say every moment with them was a huge encouragement in our faith and life, as we watched them so vibrantly serving others with laughter and joy! Let me introduce you to them…

Alicia grew up both in Ecuador and in the United States. Her father, who is an architect, eventually served as the president of Ecuador in the 1990's, and she served (without pay) as his assistant during his presidency. Thirteen years ago, Alicia and her husband Dan bought a dilapidated mansion house in a seedy part of town in Quito. While the mansion home had a great history, it had fallen into disrepair, housed almost 20 families all crammed into different rooms, and was covered in graffiti. Alicia could see past the crumbling walls, and imagined something greater for the house! 

The past thirteen years Alicia and Dan have slowly restored the gorgeous home. Not only have they transformed this colorful refuge, but they have opened the doors wide for the community, and named the dwelling Casa Victoria. Almost every day of the week, Alicia and Dan open their home to 60 children to come for an after school program and a meal. Alicia and Dan not only run the after school program, but also cook the food for the children. Here is a couple that could easily be retired and living the "good life" and instead they choose to serve God and love others in the most amazing way!

Kevin and I spent three days with Alicia and Dan (and Jorge, who helps them out!). We were humbled by their deep service to the country they love. Yes, they are tired, as they so faithfully serve the children and parents in the neighborhood. Yes, they are tight on money almost every day. But they trust a God who provides for their every need {their stories of God's provision at the last moment sent chills down my spine…this is living with FAITH!}. Not only has the house been transformed, but the neighborhood as well. Children who could not get help with their homework are now receiving tutoring and beginning to excel in school. They are experiencing the love of Jesus through a couple that each day gives love away freely, in a hug, a meal, a smile, a safe place to play and learn and just be children. They also have one of the only lending libraries in all of Quito! Children are now able to check out books and enter the magical land of literature at home! 

Alicia has so many dreams for Casa Victoria…to open a coffee shop where local college students can come and study…to open a pizza stand that could help fund the ministry of Casa Victoria. As Alicia showed us around the house, I couldn't help but stand in awe at the way God plants dreams so deep within each of our hearts, and how amazing it is that God works in powerful ways when his people pray. 

And the exciting part about Casa Victoria is that it might be the perfect place for YOU? If you are interested in possibly volunteering at Casa Victoria, please email Alicia at info@casavictoria.org . They are looking for a few people to come and help them for an extended period of time. Love kids? Speak Spanish? Have any business interest in helping get the coffee shop started? Speak Spanish? This might be the perfect opportunity for YOU! {looking for both singles AND couples!!}

And if you are overwhelmed with joy by the work being done, consider giving to this great organization {here}. Enjoy the pictures and be encouraged at the way God works miracles when his people step out to serve Him!!! 

{side-note…Casa Victoria is absolutely gorgeous, and sits in the most incredible little piazza in Quito. The view from the steps of Casa Victoria is unreal. You can look up and see the Panecillo, with the statue of the Virgin Mary towering high above! The inside of the house is traditional Spanish architecture, with a courtyard in the middle of the home, fireplaces dotting the rooms, and a library with a ladder! I kinda, maybe, sorta pretended to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast! ha}




































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