Today is my last full day in Quito, Ecuador. The past 3 weeks have flown by, there's been fun days, hot days, cold days, awkward days, exhausting days, encouraging days…I could go on and on. We finished our work last week at Iglesia la Luz Carapungo and experienced a fantastic last Sunday morning with their congregation. I was asked to play bass with their praise band, which was the coolest (and slightly confusing) band I've gotten to be a part of. Five of the girls in my team performed two songs in English to a wonderful audience. The children had made us hearts with the American flag and the Ecuadorian flag on them after singing 'Jesus Loves Me' in English to us. Finally, we were covered in prayer by Pastor Efren and the people. Language barrier has no weight. All we felt that morning was the immense love and gratitude from our new Ecuadorian family. This week we worked in a different area of Quito at a small cottage on the side of the mountain. Sonia, our new ministry contact for 4 days, needed us to clean up the grounds around the cottage where she holds a Saturday children's program once a month. This week's work was obviously more difficult than our work inside Iglesia La Luz. I'm convinced that while on the side of a mountain in Quito, Ecuador you could stand on your tippy toes and touch the sun itself. We spent our days pulling weeds that obviously had roots deep enough to reach to China, built steps out of a sloping dirt road and moving giant rock piles only to discover the entire population of scorpion and tarantula kings in Quito. As my I covered up the tiny cuts in my fingers after weeding for countless hours I couldn't help but think of my Mom. She is a Master Gardener through University of Florida. A good majority of her joy comes from sunshine and our backyard. She's fueled by it. She always says "weeding is good for your soul." For me, that statement wasn't complete truth back in Jacksonville. I've never mowed a lawn in my life (don't judge). The weirdest and most annoying bugs always find me in swarms therefore I don't consider digging in their territory a smart idea. You know, Momma was right. I wasn't exactly elated to be weeding in the sun and barren dust earlier this week, but yesterday I couldn't help but laugh and think about how much Mom would love this. But Mom isn't a World Racer, I am. But just becasue she's over 2000 miles away doesn't mean I don't still learn things from her. Thanks Momma
. Love you!! Yesterday Julie and I were welding a chain-link fence with the coolest old man, on the side of a cliff, and all we could do is laugh. A month ago I was spending holiday time with my family in my cozy house, and planning a fantastic New Year's party with my friends. This week I was an Ecuadorian Pig Pen. Next week I'll be living in a tent in Trujillo, Peru. Who the heck knows what comes the months after that! I wouldn't have it any other way.
So this is probably my last post from the beautiful country of Ecuador. So bittersweet. Tomorrow night we start our 3 day trek to Trujillo, Peru where our whole N Squad will be living together continuing to work with Inca Link. Until then!
