Exhausted and thriving. This is my everyday life here in Ecuador. Communal living, long construction days, and getting lost in the city. But what am I here for?
I’m here in Ecuador for the next month and a half working with the Dunamis Foundation, an organization helping rescue underage girls from sex and labor trafficking. Dunamis provides a long-term program centered on restoration and practical skills in order for the girls to build a successful life for themselves. My team gets to be a part of the construction building a security wall around the facility for safety. This week I got to meet some of the girls rescued from sex trafficking. I met fifteen girls ages 13-17. It was surreal. I’m almost at a loss to describe the mix of emotions I feel, but I feel them deeply.
What does my daily life look like? I wake up every morning and have devos, breakfast, then do chores with my team. We leave for ministry around 9 and take 4 different buses up the mountain to our site. My team works from 11 until 3:30 every day then arrive home around 6. We have a cozy house with hot showers and incredible hosts who are so welcoming! They serve us dinner at 7 and we have team time every night after dinner to talk and debrief. Weekends are my off days and I get to sleep in. Most weekends I go find WiFi at a local coffee shop to blog and talk with friends and family. I also love exploring around Quito and connecting with the locals!
Communal living: It’s basically a never-ending sleepover sharing a room with 3 other girls. I love being around people but I never realized I needed alone time so bad in order to be able to function. (Perks of being an extroverted introvert). Let’s just say finding time to sit quietly on my own has been top priority when I get home after long days. My team has been so amazing if I have a tough day and need extra alone time to decompress.
I am surrounded by poverty, yet so much love and joy. My spirit is soaring. I am learning to embrace every moment no matter how crazy life is. Each day is a new adventure and I couldn’t love anything more.
GUESS WHAT. I reached my deadline for this month! WE DID IT. I’M STAYING IN ECUADOR!!! A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me I’m so so excited to continue this journey! I still have to raise another $1,000 in a little over a month so keep praying! You guys are amazing<3
XOXO, Cat
