After a few plane rides, trekking uphill with our heavy packs on our backs, and trying depereately to figure out the bus system in Ecuador without knowing much Spanish, we finally made it to El Tingo on Saturday January 4th. I have been meaning to sit down and write a blog about what we are doing here, but I just couldnt get the words out of my head and onto a page.
Our ministry this month is all about kiddos…which you know I am estatic about! I could not be more in my element. In the mornings on the weekdays, we go to teach English and hang out with kids at the local public school. Talk about using my teaching degree with ESL!
There is so much I could say about what we have been doing, but it would be more like an essay and probably half of yall would stop reading half way through. SO…. what's really on my heart is to tell you about a few of the kiddos who have touched my heart this month!
DAMAS
I met this little shining beauty on our first trip to the school when we handed out flyers for our ministry this month. She immediately captured my heart, which she must have known because she became attached to my hip after that. The rest of our time at the school that day she held my hand everywhere I went. Every day now both at the school and at the after school program, she is content to sit on my lap hugging me. Her smile always lights up the moment she comes bouncing down the path to greet me. She can always make a bad day better for me. I call her my "bonita ella" (beautiful girl). It's very hard to let her go at the end of the day, but I whisper "te amo" in her ear and let go anyway. When I really have to say goodbye in a week, I will be struggling to let her go so easily, knowing I may never see her again.
MY BOYS
Yes, literally, like 12 of them ha! Each of these boys is special to me for different reasons, but I can't talk about one without telling you about all of them. Since I've been here, I've probably spent most of my time playing with these crazy boys. That's what happens when you grow up with brothers instead of sisters.
Let's start with ROBERTO
This ball of fun started climbing on my back the moment I met him….and has not stopped yet! He makes me laugh because he loves to be the center of attention without being arrogant and will barrel down the hill from behind to give you a huge squeeze every morning at the school. We have a special relationship. He called me his novia (girlfriend) one day, and it stuck. Now I call him my novio (boyfriend). We laugh, it's pretty funny.
MAX
(on left)
This boy is so sweet. I actually didn't know very much of his story until the very end of last week. All I did was tell him I loved him as I was hugging him during the program one day. He hugged me back tightly and started crying. Well that threw me off! Later I learned that his dad, who was American, died not that long ago. He doesn't have a good life at home anymore either. His mom doesn't pay any attention to him anymore. Knowing that, I try to spend a little extra time with him every day. This boy also has powerful words when he prays and he loves to do it! He brings such a joy to my heart!
CRISTIAN
He is so sweet! Just look at that smile! AH! I love this boy with all my heart! He is very quiet and shy around us, but you can tell he watches you and enjoys getting attention from us. Sometimes I wonder what's going on in his mind. You can tell he is just a sweet natured boy. He loves soccer, and looks up to many of the older boys. He is also such a great helper! So willing to do anything to help you out! I give him lots of hugs. 🙂 and tease him too. It's good for him 😉
JAVIER:
(white shirt in middle)
This boy boggles my mind! I can tell there are so many thoughts in his head, but he doesn't share them all. He is twelve years old, but hangs out with a crowd that makes me nervous for him. At first, he just honestly seemed like an annoying punk in my mind. He would look at you, say something to his friends, and laugh as he walked away. Then he started coming over more often- and without his friends. He still laughs at us sometimes, but it's not awkward now. He truly enjoys being around us. I wish I knew more spanish so that I could talk to him more openly. Our conversations can be very limited. But I can tell he knows we love him. He gives me a hug as soon as he sees me now. I will miss him dearly when we leave!
ABRAM and GABRIEL:
(boy in striped shirt is Gabriel, boy in red and white shirt is Abram)
These two brothers are so incredibly sweet and talented! We have been teaching piano (and those of you who know me….laugh right now. I know nothing about piano.) We immediately noticed that these two were extremely talented in music and are trying to encourage them to continue learning after we leave. Both of them love to play futbol and are willing to help out whenever and wherever they are needed. They have such bright smiles! Seriously, if I was a middle school girl…I'd be head over heels for these two! Love them!
There are so many beautiful kids in my life right now. It's hard not to talk about each one of them. Maybe I'll write another blog about some more of the soon. Each one of them has touched my heart. It is going to be difficult to say goodbye at the end of this month, knowing that I may never see them again. Please pray for this group of kids as they grow up in an area where they aren't always loved on, where their teachers don't care about them, and where drugs and alcohol are an ever present reality.
