Every day there are moments I want to remember for as long as I can remember. There are also moments that if I forget them in the next minute, that would be fine with me!
Sweet Moments!
- Last Wednesday I was able to give 12 students (the whole school) that live and attend school in a little community at the top of the hill (at least an hour walk to town) a goodie bag of school supplies. My St. Malachy money was spent on a notebook, pen, pencil, marker, eraser, and candy for each student. Throughout the afternoon one little boy sucked on his sucker for 2 hours. He gave his little sister the wrapper and she sucked on that for just as long. I love watching kids enjoy a treat and that are truly grateful for a gift.
- Last Wednesday Haley, Molly, Bethany and I were able to go with Ivan to visit a man and his family (10 children). This family lives about a 45 minute walk from the little community at the top of the hill. They haven’t been coming to church so we went to visit them and encourage them in their faith. Ivan talked with him for an hour and half about the goodness of the Lord, and the two of them had a great discussion. So great to be a part of this conversation and pray for this man at the end of the discussion. At the end of the discussion he gave us a tour of their farm. It was so beautiful; banana trees, cacoa trees, sugar cane, aji pepper plants, coffee, and cows. We were able to eat an orange straight off the tree, cocoa fruit, and sugar cane… I have yet to try a fruit that I do not like! It was the most beautiful scenery.
- Sharing my testimony in Spanish at two church services.
- Looking at the night sky here. The stars are amazing and you can see the Southern Cross.
- Riding in the back of trucks.
- Last minute decisions to take a midnight bus to Baños for the weekend. Getting off the bus at 2am to catch our next bus at 3am only to have the bus attendant say, “No, get back on. The bus you need is right in front of us, we will catch it for you.” Then having the bus driver take side roads and drive fast to cut off the bus that we needed. They flagged down the other bus and made sure we got on it, so we didn’t have to wait an hour for the connecting bus. I hugged the bus attendant!
- Arriving in Baños at 4:50am and walking straight to the hot springs pool. Sitting in the hot springs pool until 7am, watching the sunrise, and then going straight to our hostel for a wonderful breakfast. A wonderful morning!
- Our host has encouraged us to fast breakfast and lunch on Thursdays. This has been such peaceful prayer time for me. Thursday is also one of my busiest days. Shelby and I teach from 7:30-12:10 and then have a children’s program in the afternoon. God gives me the strength I need each Thursday and I hear his voice so loud and clear during this time. Last week I heard, “This is what you wanted.” I was reflecting on my morning of teaching. I have a class of 9 year olds (anywhere from an hour to an hour and 25 minutes), a high school class and a class of 6 year olds. I am in charge of teaching English that whole time. The teachers give me full reign. The 6 year olds’ teacher usually leaves the classroom, which I wish he would stay and help me manage his undisciplined crew! If you heard me talk at all about education in the last year, I would say things like; “I wish I could just teach!” “I wish I didn’t have to grade papers!” “I wish there were not so many expectations to do outside of teaching.” Well, I got what I wanted! I walk into these public school classrooms at the beginning of the hour. I teach them as many English phrases, words and USA culture fun facts as I can. Then I walk out of the classroom. During the recess time little girls braid my hair, play with my bracelets, and want to have their picture taken. I do not have to grade anything. I do not have to go to any meetings. I do not have to explain why I taught a certain phrase or did a certain activity to anyone. I get to teach!! And I love teaching!
- Teaching the kids the “Ay Caramba” game and them loving it.
- Hugs from sweet, little Jamira.
- Listening to the kids at church on Sunday mornings recite Bible verses, sing a worship song or tell what the Lord has been doing in their lives in front of the whole congregation.
- When inviting a little girl to our kids’ program and explaining to her that the program is: songs, a Bible story, prayer, a craft and a game. Her response was a huge smile and, “Me gusta la Biblia!” (I like the Bible!)
- When Pedro brought warm bolitos to our bedroom at 10pm in Pacto-Sumaco (our mission trip during our mission trip- 3 days on a “mountain” which really is a volcano town-). It is like a cupcake but instead of a paper cupcake holder the holder is a leaf. I have yet to meet a sweet I do not like!
- Using a machete to cut the grass, brush and all things green in the pasture around the church with Marco. A sweet man who lost his oldest son and all his belongings from the volcano erupting in the 80s. Later his wife left him and most of his kids have left town to live in the cities. For all of his hardships, he has so much joy. We talked about life while we worked. He reminded me of all my blessings because of all the opportunities I have in the States. He is so right, I am so blessed and I take so much for granted. Thank you Lord for the life you have given me, and my time with Marco.
- Talking about life with Noah and having her try to do my arm exercises with me at the church.
- Lunch and sitting in the park with Bethany in Baños.
- Talking with Bethany and Haley before going to bed, lots of laughs.
- Little sister Molly and her little sister antics.
- Watching little Niker clap at church and how he will always hold your hand.
- As always this list could get quite long. I am really going to miss Ecuador, but am thankful for all my sweet memories here.
Not So Sweet Moments:
- Amy asked if she could pluck one of my eyebrow hairs: of course! It was bright white! Not just a little white, but bright white! It is one thing for the grey hairs on my head, but it is another thing when it is your eyebrows.
- A little girl at school asked why my hair is dirty on Thursday. I showered on Monday. I do not have the luxury of showering every day. L
- I smelled at school on Thursday. Monday night we took a bus to Pacto-Sumaco and were there until Thursday morning when we took at 3am bus to Sumaco. We slept on the church pews and then went straight to school to teach all morning. Thursday was the grossest I have ever felt going to work. I hadn’t showered in days, my hair was gross, my arms are all cut up from the brush while using the machete to cut grass, I have blisters on my hand from the machete, and it was really hot. I tend to sweat, a lot, so while teaching I started sweating because it was so warm…not my finest day for personal hygiene.
- I am not a good goalie.
- Eating a grub. It was grilled, but no need to eat one again.
- My 6 year old class is crazy! They run in and out of the classroom, bite each other, fight each other, glue things to their desks and call me Gringa. I wanted to walk out of class, like their teacher does, on Monday.
- Walking past the town drunk that had passed out right in the middle of the road during the middle of the day. We were walking to the soccer field with the kids.
This month has really been wonderful. I continue to learn so much about God’s love, grace and His heart for His people. I continue to learn why people do what they do, say what they say and live the lives that they do. I just finished the book “When Helping Hurts-How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor… and Yourself” by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. I highly recommend it!
Thanks for reading as always! We are off to Cartagena, Colombia next!
“Poverty is the result of relationships that do not work, that are not just, that are not for life, that are not harmonious or enjoyable. Poverty is the absence of shalom in all its meaning.” – When Helping Hurts
