Down River

This week at Carmen Bajo was amazing. I love the ladies, Esperanza was the first one I meet, and then her mother-in-law Laura, and lastly Kenya(which is spelled way different, as in too difficult for me). These are the main ladies I work with on a daily basis, then about 5 more come and go during the "lunch time" to help serve and such. It's sweet, this week starts my second week out there, I only have 7 with them total, so already it's down to a month and a half with the ladies. Time sure is flying.

This weekend we went to Tena for a short intern trip, it was a BLAST (yes truely that much fun). I would go Kayaking down that river every day! Who cares that my legs resemble the color of an extremely ripe tomato, or that I discovered these back muscles that I guess I never knew I had. Regardless we had tons of fun, and did alright as a group! My partner Kevin and I only flipped twice, once it was while attempting to stand up ontop of our Kayak while going over rapids, we held on for a moment before flipping. The other I don't really remember I think someone flipped us because they were angry that we had yet to be sucked under by the rapids. Our Kayak likes to do 360's and it also likes to naturally go left (always) but none the less it loved us enough to not spit us out! Hopefully I will have an action shot or two eventually. Dan was the only one to take a camera on the water.

Weekend Here, Weekend Gone

This weekend flew by! Most exciting part, finishing Spanish Classes this Friday! Although I really shouldn't be done taking them, it's one all the more I could afford, and two all the more time I had anyway. So that took up a majority of my Friday.

Saturday I learned how to make stuffed plantains. They are delicious and the first step is using a pressure steamer. It makes fun noises! Andrea the eldest daughter and I prepared them, mashing the bananas was my favorite part, followed by molding them because I mean come one, who doesn't love to play with food? I feel like we ate all day Saturday. We had breakfast in two parts at 10, and again at 1pm, then we ate dinner at 5pm. Then we went out for coffee at 8pm. It was an extremely
awesome place and I wish I would have taken my camera. It was called Vista Hermosa. And it was located down town. The basilica is a beautiful thing to see in the night time. Fabian is a bit of a crazy driver though. I though I might not of made it home. We stayed out listening to music and talking until about midnight. It was a good time! And then today I got to see one our Missions at work. The Casa G boys led a 9am service today, and then we continued on to the English Church to see our friend Christie sing. Then it was out to lunch and coffee with the interns. It's been a good weekend. Now I must get some things accomplished!

Weird, Yesterday feels like Sunday.

I was walking away from the Youth World Meeting today thinking this week was the fastest of them all thus far. Come this Saturday I will have officially been in Quito a month. Sunday if you want to get technical because I did arrive at 3am, instead of 10:10 in the pm. Tomorrow is my final day of Spanish class, only to be let loose into the wide world of Quito, watch out!

I'm both excited and nervous to start work in Carmen Bajo on Monday. Excited to start a relationship with these amazing women who all greeted me with so much passion this past Sunday. Nervous for the communication, I hope it's clear! I've started a notebook of things I should know. I'm sure as our relationship grows and we get to know one another we'll communicate just fine! Two months is small amount of time to accomplish what I hope to. Keep us (the ladies at Carmen Bajo) in your prayers. So that we may all learn a lot in these next 8 weeks. That they may come away from this experience with more knowledge in making a profit, and how that can benefit them. And that I may walk away with new friends to pray for throughout the rest of life!

I am excited for this Sunday the other interns and I will be going to a Church where Casa G (The house of Gabriel) will be leading the worship! It will be a beautiful thing to see. This is a mission of ours where boys have come off of the streets, and found a place to stay, and learn of God. They were robbed last week and held at gun point, and the first thing they did was turn to god in prayer! They've come such a long way. I have only meet the boys once, so am looking forward to go see them this Sunday.

I still have until this Thursday with Fabian and Family, it's been good, I don't always know whats going on. But we laugh a lot. Mainly at my spanish attempts but i'm okay with it.

and thus the update! All my love

Pitahaya...

Found my favorite fruit in Ecuador. It's called Pitahaya fruit, and it's delicious! It's funky looking, It comes from a cactus and it taste like kiwi only it's bigger and sweeter, and white on the inside! I could eat one everyday, wish I could bring them home with me too! I was eating one today and thought I should share with all ya'll

It's all good!

What's up to all that read this blog! I hope life is going well for you and your family.
Here is the newest news of Quito. Really still not much, Spanish, Spanish, Spanish. This past weekend I got the chance to go see El Refugio though. Marlo and I took a trip to the Middle of the World too! Or as you would say it here...La mitad del mundo. It was HOT that day, I burnt my head a wee bit. This week other than spanish I've accomplish finally meeting up with Laura, whom I'll have connection with out at Carmen Bajo. We talked a little about my homestay, although I still don't know exactly when it will be. And some extra things that could be a big help to Carmen Bajo. So that was nice. Okay then, I don't have too much else to talk of at the moment.

While out at El Refugio this weekend we enjoyed eating lunch in this really cool playground thing. I snapped a quick picture of the family awesome style. You have Mikala, Marlo, Matt, and Nick. They are a really cool family. I love the fact that they are from Chester. I had the chance to meet them, and get to know them a bit over this past Thanksgiving holiday before coming to Quito. It's fun to be able to talk about Chester, and our friends there, and church. Plus they are superb hosts. Not only do I get to live her with them. But every Monday they envite all of the other interns over for a homecooked meal and a bible study! It's been Great!

Muy Interesante

Yesterday on my walk down the hill to Spanish class, I saw the most interesting of things!
These construction workers were unloading bricks from a truck. This building is approximately 4 stories up by now. So they are tossing big ol slabs of brick up this platform thing. One guy stands on each platform. They had a good rhythm going on I was amazed at how fast they were moving though while tossing slabs of brick in the air. What if someone drops one? They were all talking away too. Those dudes must have some killer muscles. Other than that not much is new still my daily Spanish lessons which gave me a fairly large headache today. One day at a time. I can't wait to get out to Carmen Bajo and start working though! This is what I look most forward to daily.

Emilia es muy cansada

So far I have 3 days of Spanish class under my belt and one Sunday attending a Spanish speaking Church. I tagged along with the Jensen's to their church this Sunday. Marlo attempted to translate a lot of what was going on. Soon though I'll be attending Carmen Bajo services seems how I'll be working there. I get that much more time to get to know the ladies. So far it's school all the time. I go 4 hours a day, and study about the same amount. Mondays all the interns get together here for a bible study. My first one was this past Monday, it was muy interesante. Mondays and Thursdays are bible study days in which I'm grateful for those few hours sans spanish. Plus getting to discus God and the amazing way he brings his Glory to us is always a great mood lifter!

Today after spanish class I stepped out into a down poor. I walk possibly 4 or 5 blocks tops to the Trolly from school. I was completely soaked. My pants were somewhat dry, but my hair was dripping, my glasses were usless, and my bag and sweatshirt were so heavy. I think Quito should make everything rain proof bags and all. I mean yea I have rain resistant Jacket, wasn't wearing it, wonder how it would of held its own. But back to quito seriously because it's mainly always a 60% chance of rain, why not just walk around in plastic slikers all day? Could you imagine how uncomfortable? but dry!

That is about it, back to Spanish class Son las oche y media. How's everything in everyone elses life?
Shoot me emails keep me updated!

All my love!