Bricks, Burns and Soccer

Well...we successfully completed our second day out here at Montanita Verde!

We started the day out with devotions on the beach and then Christian and I were beaten by a crab (short version - it went in a hole, we tried to dig it out, it ended up with us sitting in a large hole very confused as to where the crab had gotten too)!

Then we headed up to the orphanage where we hung out with the kids all morning. It was a great time for me to get reacquainted and for the others to get to know these kids. House 2, which our team in July helped get ready, is now occupied with two new little boys, Leiton (8) and Justin (1), who were rescued from a pretty rough situation.

We then enjoyed one of Wanita's (the mother of House 1) famous lunches (HUGE) with soup, fried beef, rice and mashed potatoes. Amanda was a little shocked because the portion size was so big but was a trooped and was able to finish more than half.

After lunch we began some of the work projects which we will be engaged in. Danielle and Amanda helped Susan sort through clothing donations and were able to find some stuff for the new boys, who came to Montanita Verde with nothing. They also began sanding a key box that will be used in House 2. Christian's skills as a carpentar were put to good use as he began build a frame and a door for a new tool shed/work room that will give a more secure place to store the tools. I got to start leaning the new skill, for me, of brick laying. A wall needs to be finished and another needs to be built totally around this new room. It started off a bit rough but I quickly got the hang of it.

After working all day we finished things off with an awesome game of soccer with the kids (girl's included which is rare). It was a good time that effectively tired us out.

The only casualty of the day was my poor white winter Canadian skin. I got burned bad on my shoulder's and neck. We could only find the 15 SPF lotion which, needless to say, was brushed off with disdain by this strong Ecuadorian sun.

So here we sit at La Cueva listening to the ocean with full bellies ready for bed. It has been such a blessing staying here, a nice respite at the end of the day. Certainly not roughing it!

Tomorrow will be another work day and we will solidify the rest of our schedule which will include a lot of day trips with the kids (including camping) which we are tremendously excited about! It is such a priviledge and an honor to be here once again with these kids.

We will keep you posted (oh and tomorrow someone else will write here so you don't have to always read my ramblings)!

J

The First Morning

Well, we made it!

Flew into Quito last night around 11:30p.m. without any major incidents. Customs here was smooth and all our bags made it without a problem. We hit some MAJOR turbulence flying into Quito which the rookie among us, Christian, really enjoyed.

One funny story of the journey down happened on our flight from Detroit to Houston. Because of prevailing headwinds of 150 MPH the pilot informed us that out flight would be longer than normal. Once underway we kept looking at our watch concerned we would miss our connection to Quito at 3:55 p.m. We inquired and the stewardess assured us that we would be arriving at 2:15 p.m. As the time came and went we began to get quite concerned. Around 2:45 p.m. we asked the stewardess again to check our arrival time because we were all very worried. When she came back she looked confused and asked us, "You guys know it's only 1:45 p.m. right?" Oops, no we didn't realize that. The time had changed and rolled back an hour! She then proceeded, in a very joking manner, to call us losers. We were able to relax much more after that.

So here we are on our first day in Quito. The elevation is affecting us a little with headaches and sore stomachs but we will not be here long. (FYI Ottawa sits at about 180M above sea level while Quito is around 2900M so it is a bit of a difference!) After breakfast we are going to be heading to the Quito dump ministry that Extreme Response helps run. Then we are off to Manta, a brief stop at the orphanage (I cannot wait to see these little kids again) and to settle in at La Cueve, our home for the next 2 1/2 weeks.

Paul, our host, assures me that we'll be able to get internet access at the orphanage so I should be able to update pretty frequently.

Take Care and God Bless,

J

The Night Before

Well it is now 8:30 p.m. the night before we head to Ecuador.  I can hardly believe the day is almost upon us.  Ever since I came back from Ecuador this past August my heart has been stongly drawn back to the place that saw me learn so much about the love of God.  My journal can attest to the fact that each day I was in Ecuador the draw to return with my family was overwhelming.  And now just a scant few hours from that becoming a reality I slow down from the chaos that is packing and thank God for this opporuntiy to return.  I also want to thank each and every person that has contributed financially and through their prayers for this trip.

Whenever possible I will try and update this blog during our journey.  This is not an easy thing in the town of San Lorenzo where internet access is dodgy at best but I will do my best.  There will more thank likely be no pictures until we return.

So, briefly, here is what our day looks like tomorrow:

3:00 a.m. - Awake

4:30 a.m. - Airport Check in and Goodbyes

6:00 a.m. - Flights begin - Ottawa - Newark  - Houston - Quito

10:30 p.m. - Arrive in Quito

We will then spend the night in Quito and fly out to Manta (where the orphange is) the next day.  Just prior to our departure from Quito we will have the priviledge to visit a local children's ministry help at the city dump.  A Pastor from a neigboring town has created a day care center for the children of parent's who work in the dumps (and by work I mean sort through the garabage for anything they can sell or eat).  It is quite an awaking and the first step in our journey.

I will do my best to keep everyone posted.

FYI, for any of you that have Google earth you can see the 3 cities in Ecuador by typing the following:

Quito, Ecuador (Our First Night)

Manta, Ecuador (Where we fly in)

San Lorenzo, Ecuador (the Town we are staying in - - if you go up the coast of San Lorenzo we are staying in the group of buildings closest to the cliffs.  It is called, "La Cueva")

Now I must sleep!

Jeremy (for the team)