Weekend Fun!!!

Time to blog again! I can't believe it's already been two weeks since our last post! The three of us have been pretty busy which makes the time go by fast!

So I'm going to attempt to post pictures on this post--should be pretty easy, right? Ha-I hope so.

This past Saturday the four of us (us girls and Maria) hopped on the 8am bus and made our way to Ambato! It's a city about 2 1/2 hours from Shell where some of Maria's family live. It was her granddaughter's birthdays so we were able to celebrate with them and see the city.

Ashley and Kristin on the bus.

The bus system is great here but definitely not for weak stomachs. The roads are pretty bumpy, very curvy and the drivers can be pretty fast sometimes. Poor Ashley got a little motion sick.

In Ambato Maria gave us a mini walking tour of a few parks, markets and a mini museum!

Walking around the city

An indoor market. Also where Maria bought our Chicken for lunch!

One of the many parks

There was live music in one of the parks in Ambato! :-)

After our walking tour we headed back to Maria's family's home for some amazing lunch and birthday cake!! The pictures from that are on Ashley's camera...so you'll have to bug her to see them :-) Before heading back to Shell we had one more stop-Maxi-Mart!! An amazing wall-mart type store in Ambato. whoohoo
The bus ride back was little more crowded and the driver was a little more jerky. To say the least, Ashley's stomach did not like her that night... I'll let her expand on that adventure... :-)

SUNDAY!

After church on Sunday Kristin and I had lunch with our friend Daniela and then the three of us and our friend Katrin jumped on another bus. During the day we ended up seeing two mini zoos, had yummy Ecuadorian ice cream and then had dinner at a nice Italian place in Puyo (the next town over).

Daniela, Kristin and Katrin waiting for the bus

At the zoo!!

And that was our exciting weekend!!

I'll hopefully post another entry soon to update you on spanish and the hospital. I'm hoping I may have an opportunity to work in the jungle next week with a few missionaries who are doing a study on diabetes! :-) I'll keep you posted!

Much love to you all!
-Kim

Language barriers are no fun. No fun at all.

Everyone envisions what may lie ahead – whether it’s good or bad. I’m beginning to see that what I often play out in MY mind never really matches reality. More so, I often see this is a good thing. 

I don’t quite know what my expectations were, especially in terms of learning a new language. Yet, I am not surprised by my first week by any means. A silly part of me thought I would arrive in Shell and magically be proficient in Spanish! Or, at least proceed with leaps and bounds being immersed in a Spanish environment (yes – I know I’ve only been here a week). Yet, hidden in the back of my mind I knew I was nowhere near where I needed to be. This week, the worldly reality of the situation filled my mind constantly. I was struggling, wondering what I was thinking with my vision of learning a completely new language in a few months and then working in that language! But then I remember that it’s not about me. I truly believe the Lord has placed me in this situation and knows far more than what I can imagine my future and situation to be. God has provided and continues to provided daily – who am I to question and worry. 

"As it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no mind has conceived-these things God has prepared for those who love him-for God has revealed them to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts expect that person’s own spirit within? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught truths.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-13)

Who are we to understand the Lord’s thoughts and plans for our lives?

So, despite my worries, the Lord has provided (as always) and with the help of others I am slowly picking up the language. Ashley and I are both being tutored throughout the week, and in the afternoons our new friend David (Maria’s neighbor) helps us with conversation and writing.

We’re also starting to get connected with others in the community and making friends! The three of us are getting started with a Bible study on Thursday nights, and I have another Bible study with the interns and residents on Tuesday nights. Furthermore, Maria also knows EVERYONE in Shell – not really but it sure seems like it –so we are meeting new people all the time. 

As for the hospital, I am starting off by attending morning rounds/patient discussions with the docs/residents. It’s a good start for hearing and understanding medical Spanish. I pray my Spanish continues to progress quickly so I can start helping out with patients. 

Above all, it’s lovely here, the town of Shell is amazing and I am absolutely enjoying it so far. We’ll try and post pictures soon of the town. 

As always, thank you for your prayers and thoughts!!

Much love to you all!!!

-Kimmy

Surprise! I am pregnant!....Just kidding ;)

We have been here less than one week, yet I have still managed to tell Maria’s family (in Spanish) that I am not only pregnant, but having 10 kids as well. What is learning a new language without a few laughs, right??

Well, after two flights and a 5 hour van ride through the mountains to Shell, Ecuador, we made it safely! Interestingly enough, both of the airplanes for our flights had mechanical problems…all turned out well though! We happened to be on the same flight as a family who works at the hospital here in Shell. What a blessing it was to be able to travel with them, being that neither Kim nor I speak much Spanish. However, the Lord provides, as always.

Maria is wonderful. She not only opened up her home for all 3 of us to stay with her, but she is an amazing cook. Everyone is town says so, and so far, I agree! I look forward to learning more about Ecuadorian cooking :)  Moreover, Maria is a strong woman of God and well respected in Shell. She is a volunteer chaplain at the hospital. I almost broke down this week when I heard my brother may have cancer again (worst case scenario). Maria was quick to share how she has needed to trust in God in her life. She reminded me that there is no use worrying because I am not able to control what happens. I need to have faith in the Lord and rely on Him for strength. I look forward to our daily bible studies at breakfast. I think the Lord will use Maria to teach me a lot!

I am already in love with the children at the orphanage. However, I am glad I am writing this after one week, and not after one day. The first day was overwhelming: 1) The new orphanage is not ready after many people have been working hard for days on end to finish it; 2) The start of school is pushed back and a new curriculum is being implemented; 3) Most of the children have lice (HUGE lice, may I add); 4) Many kids are just getting over skin infections; 5) Medical records need organization; 6) I do not speak Spanish very well; and 7) I am bad with names and need to learn 50-60 of them very soon.

With all of that said, I can now say after 5 days, that I truly am SO excited to see how the Lord is going to work here. It is not as overwhelming now…one day at a time. Plus, the new additions/changes are for the better...hopefully!  Each day this week the Lord provided more clarity and peace about how He is going to use each one of us. I am so happy to be here! :)

Maria’s family came to visit for the weekend because it was her birthday this past week. Aside from the fact that I wish I could communicate more than “Hola”, “Como estas?”, and “Hasta manana”, it was a wonderful weekend. I love her family. I think my favorite part of the weekend was when all 15 (or so) of us played Pictionary—Spanglish version. Hilarious!

I am so thankful to be with Kim and Kristin, as they have such similar passions for serving in missions. I love them.

So far, I love Shell and feel entirely blessed to be here.

Ashley

Highlights of Ecuador (First month)

Inspired by Susan Kong, here are some highlights I've had thus far in Ecuador:

1) Waking up to the sun rising over the Andes Mountains

2) Kim and Ashley making it here safely (and bringing me 'Ohs' cereal and cider mill donuts!!)

3) Pedicures for $4

4) Maria's fantastic Ecuadorian cooking

5) Playing High School Musical DDR with Lydia Whitehead (cousin) and friends (and ROCKING it!)

6) Receiving a Spanish Bible from Maria

7) My hair curling everyday because of the humidity

8) Lunches for $1.50 and dinners for $4

9) Morning devotions with Maria (in Spanish!)

10) Daily hugs and kisses from the kids at CELE (school) and Casa de Fe (orphanage) :-)

The Learning Curve

CELE week one: Complete!

Who knew there'd only be three days of school this first week? It's a good thing though, because I already needed a break.

On Sunday I finally had a break-down. Now, if you know me well, you'd know I hate crying. Hate it. Usually that's because I'm crying because I'm upset, nervous, or overwhelmed.

Pretty sure I felt all three of those emotions Sunday. 

Mainly I felt nervous for the coming first week of school and all its unknowns, but couple that with a frustrating lack of language and cooking ability (the mark of a "good" woman here), and I became a wet mess.

It wasn't pretty.

Really, it came down to insecurity. I had in my mind that I could handle everything on my own. That if I just plowed through the situations, I'd make it out all right. But when I just rely on myself, everything becomes much more stressful. My value, my worth, my identity hinges on how well I perform.

And I know this. I know the consequences of these actions. I know what happens when I lose sight of my Father.

But that just made it worse. I felt faithless. I was completely tempted to freak out, to ignore God and do things my own way, to stop trusting Him.

However, as always, the Lord brought me back to Him through His word and the encouragement of His children.

1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Maria is such a blessing from the Lord. She patiently reminded me of our Sunday school lesson that morning on trusting in the Lord. Trusting Him in every situation, every emotion, everything. (Perfect timing, huh?) Then she called her grand-daughter so I could speak and hear English for awhile (not knowing that I had just cried to Solomon for 30 minutes). The Lord used her to remind me of His sovereignty (and all in Spanish!). 

There are so many different things here. Different food, different social customs,  different language, different school structure. Yet I am reminded that my Father knows them all already and He daily gives me the knowledge to live and work here. In response I can only praise Him and thank Him for guiding me through this learning curve.

And this learning curve just continues to mold me as I grapple with teaching elementary kids.

Praise be to God, the first week went really well.  My students are adorable. I was caught off guard a bit when a sobbing first grader entered my room pleading for her mother, but after some juice and goldfish all was well. And I may have scarred my fifth grade class when I ripped up a kid's test and sent him to the hall for talking, but they're resilient right? The class was awfully quiet after that. . .

Is there anyone out there with an elementary teaching background? Any tips you have I'll take.

Oh! And as an update: I DON'T HAVE LICE! Yay!!

Well, ok. I was never officially checked, but my head doesn't itch anymore, so I'm assuming there aren't any tiny white creatures crawling around up there.

Thank you for all your prayers. Please continue to pray that we can daily give our triumphs and struggles to the Lord and rely on Him to help us minister to the people here.

Much love to you all,

Kristin

Mi Clase!

Thanks to Solomon, one of the most technologically savvy people I know, you can now see a video of my classroom! Note the torrential rain that falls nearly everyday here in Shell. The room still needs some work (as do my lessons -- yikes!), but it's coming along! Praise God for inspiration and materials. :-)

Classes start in less than a week, so please continue to pray for my students and I as we prepare to start school again.

Love you all!

~Kristin

Jehovah Jireh

I missed the lice epidemic in elementary school.

When all those parents had to fine-tooth comb their kids' hair and disinfect their entire home, my parents sat back and praised God for sparing them, and probably patted themselves on the back for teaching their girls not to share combs or play with people's hair. 

Sorry, mom. The lesson didn't stick.

The entire orphanage next door has lice, it seems, and to avoid getting it would mean not touching the kids at all. I just can't do that. Picking up and hugging a child is totally worth the risk of getting those little white buggers. 

Not that children are the only way I could get them. On the way to Banos on Saturday, my friends warned me not to rest my head against the back of the seat since that's how another girl picked up her head lice.

I sat wrapped up in my hoodie for the entire hour ride.

But regardless, I'll probably contract them, or some other sickness, just because my body isn't used to being here. The altitude is making my body attack itself already, it seems, and there's really not much I can do about it but focus on my daily tasks. . .and pray.

I can't help but reflect if Jesus felt the same way at some point. He chose to come to this sinful, dirty world and cover himself in human flesh, forsaking His pure holiness in Heaven, to love on us. He is God, yet wanted so badly for us to know Him intimately that he endured stress, pain, sickness, grief and death so that we may be reconciled to our Father through Him.

Now, let me express here that I am in no way comparing myself to Jesus.  I believe we as Christians strive to follow His example daily, but need his grace and mercy everyday as we stumble into sin. I am the least of these, especially considering that in my moments of weakness I tend to turn to myself for solutions instead of my Savior.

But He still pursues me. He still loves me.

This week I fretted over how I was going to eat, shop, speak, get to school, and survive more than six days with an aching headache. And each time I had a need, the Lord provided -- most of the time without me asking! When I felt amazingly alone one night because I couldn't speak to anyone in the house, a complete stranger called and invited me to a party with other young missionaries. When I wondered how and where I was going to shop for food, another stranger came into the house and offered to show me around town.

This past Sunday when I finally gave in to the fact that I had altitude sickness I about lost it. My sister made me look up the symptoms and sure enough, I had seven of the twelve. Normally it goes away within two days and I was going on six. Stories of missionaries having to leave the field  due to its severe effects raced through my head. I pleaded with God, "Please, don't send me home."

So while failing miserably at understanding the sermon, I began to leaf through Psalms. Line after line spoke of the Lord's wisdom, protection, and healing. One particular verse stood out to me: "Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." -- Ps. 50:14-15

After much prayer and laying down my "right" to be happy and healthy, and relinquishing my pride of wanting to stay in Ecuador despite whatever He may want for me, I was exhausted. I couldn't hardly speak in English, let alone Spanish, so when we got home I went directly to bed.

When I woke up, my pain was gone.

"So do not worry, staying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." ~Matt 6:31-33

Really, you should just take a minute and read all of Matthew 6:25-34.

He is Jehovah Jireh: God our Provider.

I'll keep you updated on the lice situation. The occasional, surreptitious scratching is probably just dry scalp. . .right?

~Kristin