The past 5 days have been a whirlwind.
After being in Washington DC for a week of final prep and training for the World Race we launched out to our first country on the 11th.
I, along with my Arise&Go team, traveled to the city of Quito and are serving with a local church named Dios es Amor (God is love). We are living above the church in children’s classrooms. I cannot complain at all because we have been blessed with beds and a shower. The food here has been delicious too! Lots of rice and bananas! Their fresh juice is also amazing!
We are definitely staying busy doing all sorts of things. We have been spending our early mornings doing construction work on a piece of land that will be the new church building one-day.
In the afternoons we hold English Classes for the local kids in the community. Yesterday was our first class and we had about 24 kids show up. A few parents stuck around after the class to ask some questions too, it was pretty cool.
In the evening we visit families from the church and we spend time with them and enjoy dinner. The people in Ecuador have the most beautiful and welcoming hearts. You can’t walk into a room without being greeted with a kiss on the cheek and a hug. Its kind of funny when all 7 of us walk in and there are 5 family members… the greetings can take some time haha but I’d have it no other way!!
The first couple of days were rough figuring things out and getting past language barriers, but I belive we are finally getting into the swing of things and the dust is beginning to settle.
I am so excited for the days and months ahead and I couldn't be surrounded by more amazing people while on this journey. My team is absolutely fantastic and I couldn't have asked for more.
I believe it is almost time for lunch, so I better be closing this out. I promise I will try and blog as often as possible.
I did receive a few questions regarding my finances, so in repsonse:
Financial Update:
Thank you all for your continued financial support! After a few fundraiser events and the generosity of 1 time or monthly contributions I am close to being fully funded by the time I need to be. I am about $900 away from being fully funded. (assuming all monthly contributions remain the same until July). Praise God!!!
Love you all, appreciate your support, prayers and time.
Jolene
