I have an announcement! In about a week Jairo and I are getting internet at home!
I cannot express how excited I am! I’ll be able to talk on Skype to my family and friends, I’ll be able to download things and upload things in the comfort of my own home, and who knows—maybe I’ll even post this blog on time!
I guess we’ll find out!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Week 18: Four Months Married!
We have been married for four months! (Applause, applause) Thank you.
These four months have been marked with both failure and success, sadness and joy, arguing and getting along, work and fun...a little bit of everything. I feel like we’re finally starting to feel married. I don’t know if that makes sense. I guess I mean that I’m used to my cleaning schedule, making meals, falling asleep and waking up next to someone, being accountable to my husband; I think we’re finally fitting into our roles.
It’s definitely not perfect. I never know when I wake up one day how it’s going to go. There’s a lot of variables. In a life as busy as ours, you can’t be too attached to your idea of how things should be. Even so, there’s a certain level of predictability we’ve gained, and not in the boring sense. It’s actually kind of comforting.
I think if there’s a four-month milestone, it’s this: We’re finally married! Go figure!
These four months have been marked with both failure and success, sadness and joy, arguing and getting along, work and fun...a little bit of everything. I feel like we’re finally starting to feel married. I don’t know if that makes sense. I guess I mean that I’m used to my cleaning schedule, making meals, falling asleep and waking up next to someone, being accountable to my husband; I think we’re finally fitting into our roles.
It’s definitely not perfect. I never know when I wake up one day how it’s going to go. There’s a lot of variables. In a life as busy as ours, you can’t be too attached to your idea of how things should be. Even so, there’s a certain level of predictability we’ve gained, and not in the boring sense. It’s actually kind of comforting.
I think if there’s a four-month milestone, it’s this: We’re finally married! Go figure!
Week 17: Organizing the Revolution
We are now in full-swing with Revolution Ministries in Cordero de Dios church in Quito. We’re having 3 meetings a week with our leadership team to try to get organized, brainstorm, pray, and get this thing going!
I’m constantly reminded of how cool God is, how He blesses us even though we don’t deserve it. This week, my blessings, in part, come from our leadership team. There aren’t very many of us, but the people I work with on this are the best people I could have asked for. They are dedicated, responsible, punctual, they love God, and they’re just cool people.
I am always amazed at how great my life is. It’s not that it’s easy—it’s not. It’s that, no matter what else happens, I’m living my dream. I have an organization that is going to help tons of people. I get to work with people I really enjoy. And my boss is a pretty cool guy—His name is God.
I just want to encourage my friends out there who are also trying to start organizations and get things done for God. I know there are a lot of you. Scripture says that with Christ all things are possible. Keep trying, you will succeed. As we say in Spanish, Sigue adelante!! Don’t give up. God’s on your side. And, if it helps, so am I.
I’m constantly reminded of how cool God is, how He blesses us even though we don’t deserve it. This week, my blessings, in part, come from our leadership team. There aren’t very many of us, but the people I work with on this are the best people I could have asked for. They are dedicated, responsible, punctual, they love God, and they’re just cool people.
I am always amazed at how great my life is. It’s not that it’s easy—it’s not. It’s that, no matter what else happens, I’m living my dream. I have an organization that is going to help tons of people. I get to work with people I really enjoy. And my boss is a pretty cool guy—His name is God.
I just want to encourage my friends out there who are also trying to start organizations and get things done for God. I know there are a lot of you. Scripture says that with Christ all things are possible. Keep trying, you will succeed. As we say in Spanish, Sigue adelante!! Don’t give up. God’s on your side. And, if it helps, so am I.
Week 16: Music to Start a Revolution By
Jairo and I just bought the new cd by a group called Rojo. It’s a Christian band from Mexico which happens to be Jairo’s favorite band of all time. We’ve been listening to the cd for last few days and I have to say, it’s pretty cool. I think it’s their best cd yet.
The whole theme of the cd is that they want to see God start a revolution; in their lives, in their country, in this generation and in the whole world. The songs are all really cool, and got us really excited because that theme is right up our alley!
I think music is a hugely powerful tool, and not just in church services. I believe and have seen that listening to God-honoring, Christian music is a huge help to me in my life. It encourages me, it helps me think about God all day long, and it helps me maintain a good attitude. Non-Christian music, however, does exactly the opposite. Sure, I might feel happy while I listen to a song, but the long-term effects are not positive.
There are only two kingdoms in this world, God’s and Satan’s. Everything we do in life has spiritual value, whether we like it or not. When I listen to Christian music, I’m honoring God. When I listen to non-Christian music, I’m honoring Satan. It’s not that non-Christian music is evil. It’s that it’s not for God, and if it’s not for God, there’s no point to it, other than to be for Satan. There’s no one else it can be for.
The same principle is true about life. If I’m not living my life for God, then I’m living it for me, and if I’m living it for me, I’m living it in rebellion to God—in other words, although I would never realize it, I am living my life for Satan. The Bible is clear about this. There’s no middle ground. We can’t live our lives for ourselves. Paul, in Scripture, reminds us that we were bought with a price, the highest price, and we can either be slaves to God, who gives us freedom, or slaves to Satan, who only keeps us in bondage.
I’m very thankful that there is good, cool Christian music out there, so that it doesn’t have to be that difficult to just honor God. Sure, in other areas it’s hard, but at least in music, I can just enjoy it without worrying about what it’s doing to me. If it’s for God, I know it’ll only do me good.
The whole theme of the cd is that they want to see God start a revolution; in their lives, in their country, in this generation and in the whole world. The songs are all really cool, and got us really excited because that theme is right up our alley!
I think music is a hugely powerful tool, and not just in church services. I believe and have seen that listening to God-honoring, Christian music is a huge help to me in my life. It encourages me, it helps me think about God all day long, and it helps me maintain a good attitude. Non-Christian music, however, does exactly the opposite. Sure, I might feel happy while I listen to a song, but the long-term effects are not positive.
There are only two kingdoms in this world, God’s and Satan’s. Everything we do in life has spiritual value, whether we like it or not. When I listen to Christian music, I’m honoring God. When I listen to non-Christian music, I’m honoring Satan. It’s not that non-Christian music is evil. It’s that it’s not for God, and if it’s not for God, there’s no point to it, other than to be for Satan. There’s no one else it can be for.
The same principle is true about life. If I’m not living my life for God, then I’m living it for me, and if I’m living it for me, I’m living it in rebellion to God—in other words, although I would never realize it, I am living my life for Satan. The Bible is clear about this. There’s no middle ground. We can’t live our lives for ourselves. Paul, in Scripture, reminds us that we were bought with a price, the highest price, and we can either be slaves to God, who gives us freedom, or slaves to Satan, who only keeps us in bondage.
I’m very thankful that there is good, cool Christian music out there, so that it doesn’t have to be that difficult to just honor God. Sure, in other areas it’s hard, but at least in music, I can just enjoy it without worrying about what it’s doing to me. If it’s for God, I know it’ll only do me good.
Week 16: The Launch of Revolution
Jairo and I have a non-profit organization called Revolution Ministries. Or, we will have, once we finish the paperwork. It’s a Christian organization for youth and children, and the goal is to start a spiritual revolution in the new generations of youth, so that they can live out their faith and be a light to their peers and their country.
Our pastor agreed to let Revolution take over the church youth group, so we just had an all-night event, no sleeping, called a “vigilia” to launch Revolution with the youth. It was an incredible night. We packed it full of prayer, praise and worship, games, dramas, snacks and much more. There were a lot of teens there, a lot more than we expected, and it was a great night of fellowship and getting to know the teens better. They were very excited about all the new changes and I think it’s going to be a really great opportunity to be working with Cordero de Dios church.
A pastor was there visiting from Santo Domingo, a city on the coast of Ecuador, and he told us later that he is beginning a youth group in Santo Domingo and was wondering if Revolution would like to take it over! I’m not sure if we will or not, because we really need to pray about it and see where God is leading us.
Still, I’m pretty excited that God is opening the doors for this ministry! I feel like the whole has been an affirmation from God that He is pleased with the ministry and wants to use us. I feel very content and ready to get to work! I hope the feeling lasts for a while!
Our pastor agreed to let Revolution take over the church youth group, so we just had an all-night event, no sleeping, called a “vigilia” to launch Revolution with the youth. It was an incredible night. We packed it full of prayer, praise and worship, games, dramas, snacks and much more. There were a lot of teens there, a lot more than we expected, and it was a great night of fellowship and getting to know the teens better. They were very excited about all the new changes and I think it’s going to be a really great opportunity to be working with Cordero de Dios church.
A pastor was there visiting from Santo Domingo, a city on the coast of Ecuador, and he told us later that he is beginning a youth group in Santo Domingo and was wondering if Revolution would like to take it over! I’m not sure if we will or not, because we really need to pray about it and see where God is leading us.
Still, I’m pretty excited that God is opening the doors for this ministry! I feel like the whole has been an affirmation from God that He is pleased with the ministry and wants to use us. I feel very content and ready to get to work! I hope the feeling lasts for a while!
Week 15: Out on the Town
Today a friend and I went shopping downtown for Jairo’s birthday present. My parents wanted me to get Jairo a present from them so I decided I would get him a little gift package of guitar stuff from them. I invited her along for two main reasons: First, it’s not that safe to walk around downtown Quito by yourself, and second, I know nothing about guitar stuff, and she does.
So, off we went, with Jairo completely oblivious to what was really going on, to buy his presents. It was a fun day and we ended up getting Jairo some pretty cool guitar stuff which I think he’s going to be pretty excited about.
While we were out, my friend asked me a question about Ecuadorian culture. She was having a situation with someone that she wanted to know whether it was a culture thing or a person being annoying thing. Turns out we had a good laugh as I explained this aspect of Ecuadorian culture to her which was making her suffer.
You see, elderly ladies here in Ecuador are all pretty much alike. I don’t say that to be stereotypical, it’s actually scary how alike they are. I’ll give examples from my own life. Every time I get sick, whether it’s a cold, the flu, a stomach ache, a headache, whatever, there’s an elderly woman from my church who always tells me it’s because I eat too many limes. I’m not sure why she thinks I eat too many limes since I think she’s never seen me eat a lime, but whatever happens, it’s the limes. I think even if I got shot it would be the limes.
Our pastor’s wife is an elderly woman, and recently I was telling her about a sickness I had had a few weeks back. It just so happened that I had bad headaches and would get really dizzy, to the point that I had to stay in bed. To me it seems like a migraine kind of thing, but her response was that I’m pregnant. Now, I don’t think that’s terribly off-base as far as looking at the symptoms, but I insisted that I was not pregnant. I know this for a fact, one, because I’ve had two periods since then, and two, because we’re pretty careful about that stuff. However, she was convinced that I was pregnant and just trying to hide it. I’m not sure if that’s what the whole church thinks now, but I’m not too worried about it because I’m pretty sure that in nine months when no baby is born, that will be the end of that.
Basically, elderly ladies here are extremely opinionated on things that make no sense, and very bossy, too. I remember one time they were selling food after church to raise money. I had eaten a plate already and was full. Apparently some food was left over so the pastor’s wife came up to me and asked if I wanted more. I politely told her no thank you, that I was already full, and she continued to insist that I eat more. I continued to insist that I was full and didn’t want more. I saw no end in sight to this argument and had no intention of eating more because I was stuffed, so I said to her, “You know, the Bible says that eating when you’re not hungry is a sin!” and finally she left me alone.
Even so, although sometimes it really makes you want to scream or hit someone, these elderly women are also very loving and very eager to take care of others. I think it’s almost an even trade. Almost.
So, off we went, with Jairo completely oblivious to what was really going on, to buy his presents. It was a fun day and we ended up getting Jairo some pretty cool guitar stuff which I think he’s going to be pretty excited about.
While we were out, my friend asked me a question about Ecuadorian culture. She was having a situation with someone that she wanted to know whether it was a culture thing or a person being annoying thing. Turns out we had a good laugh as I explained this aspect of Ecuadorian culture to her which was making her suffer.
You see, elderly ladies here in Ecuador are all pretty much alike. I don’t say that to be stereotypical, it’s actually scary how alike they are. I’ll give examples from my own life. Every time I get sick, whether it’s a cold, the flu, a stomach ache, a headache, whatever, there’s an elderly woman from my church who always tells me it’s because I eat too many limes. I’m not sure why she thinks I eat too many limes since I think she’s never seen me eat a lime, but whatever happens, it’s the limes. I think even if I got shot it would be the limes.
Our pastor’s wife is an elderly woman, and recently I was telling her about a sickness I had had a few weeks back. It just so happened that I had bad headaches and would get really dizzy, to the point that I had to stay in bed. To me it seems like a migraine kind of thing, but her response was that I’m pregnant. Now, I don’t think that’s terribly off-base as far as looking at the symptoms, but I insisted that I was not pregnant. I know this for a fact, one, because I’ve had two periods since then, and two, because we’re pretty careful about that stuff. However, she was convinced that I was pregnant and just trying to hide it. I’m not sure if that’s what the whole church thinks now, but I’m not too worried about it because I’m pretty sure that in nine months when no baby is born, that will be the end of that.
Basically, elderly ladies here are extremely opinionated on things that make no sense, and very bossy, too. I remember one time they were selling food after church to raise money. I had eaten a plate already and was full. Apparently some food was left over so the pastor’s wife came up to me and asked if I wanted more. I politely told her no thank you, that I was already full, and she continued to insist that I eat more. I continued to insist that I was full and didn’t want more. I saw no end in sight to this argument and had no intention of eating more because I was stuffed, so I said to her, “You know, the Bible says that eating when you’re not hungry is a sin!” and finally she left me alone.
Even so, although sometimes it really makes you want to scream or hit someone, these elderly women are also very loving and very eager to take care of others. I think it’s almost an even trade. Almost.
Week 14: Thoughts on Missions Trips
I read an article online which stated that short-term missions trips are losing popularity because they are simply not helpful and accomplish very little. They cited a few examples, such as the same church being painted a few different times in one summer by different groups, a building being built by Americans only to be torn down when they left, and the general lack of real change in lives of the people who go on the trips.
I think the article touches on something important: You shouldn’t just go into another culture without understanding what you’re walking into. You need to know the laws, the people, and you need to have a trustworthy contact in that country who can organize the trip for you. I do think it’s unwise for a church to plan a trip to another country on its own. However, I think short-term missions trips are great.
Short-term missions trips are notoriously expensive. The author of the article suggested that rather than spend money on the airline ticket, why not do work within the US? I don’t think that’s a bad idea. However, much of the cost of the trip is not for airfare or hotels, it’s to give to churches and help within the country. I can’t tell you how much help just $100 would be here in Ecuador, let alone the thousands of dollars that groups can bring in.
It’s not just about money though. I disagree that people’s lives are not noticeably changed on missions trips. I know a lot of people, including myself, who have received their call to full-time missions on a short-term missions trip. I know several people, including myself, who have fallen in love and gotten married as a result of these trips. I’ve never met anyone who was unaffected by seeing abject poverty and being able to do something to help.
On top of that, I can speak from the other side. I live here in Ecuador, and I know what happens when you leave here after two weeks. I know the blessing and encouragement it is to have people who come from around the world to build, paint, evangelize, or whatever they have done. Jairo has met a lot of different missions teams who came for short term missions and proudly recites the names of all the members of the groups in his pictures, some of which visited when he was just a little boy.
Short-term missions trips make an enormous difference in other countries. As with anything, we need to be wise about the way that we go about the trip. I am aware of situations when people from poor countries take advantage of Americans, but I think that situation can be avoided. There are dishonest people in every country, but there are also honest people who need help.
Jairo and I always talk about how much we would love for a group to come work with us for a few weeks. I think it’s wrong to write off short-term missions. Not only is it misguided, it’s also unbiblical. We are to go into all the world, not just our country. The whole world needs Jesus, and a $600 plane ticket is worth every penny if it means that a few people will spend eternity in Heaven and a few Christians will get the encouragement they need to be able to keep serving God.
I think the article touches on something important: You shouldn’t just go into another culture without understanding what you’re walking into. You need to know the laws, the people, and you need to have a trustworthy contact in that country who can organize the trip for you. I do think it’s unwise for a church to plan a trip to another country on its own. However, I think short-term missions trips are great.
Short-term missions trips are notoriously expensive. The author of the article suggested that rather than spend money on the airline ticket, why not do work within the US? I don’t think that’s a bad idea. However, much of the cost of the trip is not for airfare or hotels, it’s to give to churches and help within the country. I can’t tell you how much help just $100 would be here in Ecuador, let alone the thousands of dollars that groups can bring in.
It’s not just about money though. I disagree that people’s lives are not noticeably changed on missions trips. I know a lot of people, including myself, who have received their call to full-time missions on a short-term missions trip. I know several people, including myself, who have fallen in love and gotten married as a result of these trips. I’ve never met anyone who was unaffected by seeing abject poverty and being able to do something to help.
On top of that, I can speak from the other side. I live here in Ecuador, and I know what happens when you leave here after two weeks. I know the blessing and encouragement it is to have people who come from around the world to build, paint, evangelize, or whatever they have done. Jairo has met a lot of different missions teams who came for short term missions and proudly recites the names of all the members of the groups in his pictures, some of which visited when he was just a little boy.
Short-term missions trips make an enormous difference in other countries. As with anything, we need to be wise about the way that we go about the trip. I am aware of situations when people from poor countries take advantage of Americans, but I think that situation can be avoided. There are dishonest people in every country, but there are also honest people who need help.
Jairo and I always talk about how much we would love for a group to come work with us for a few weeks. I think it’s wrong to write off short-term missions. Not only is it misguided, it’s also unbiblical. We are to go into all the world, not just our country. The whole world needs Jesus, and a $600 plane ticket is worth every penny if it means that a few people will spend eternity in Heaven and a few Christians will get the encouragement they need to be able to keep serving God.
Week 14: A Civics Lesson and a Party
Today I got see how voting works in Ecuador. Voting is mandatory and must be done in the town where you were born. So here we are in Puyo so that Jairo can vote, and today was the big day. One thing I thought was interesting is that men and women vote separately. First you find out where you vote, much like in the US. Jairo had to vote in a high school. Once you get there, there are hundreds of tables, each one with a number. You find out your number, go to that table (for your gender), and then get about 6 pages worth of people to vote for. There are so many political parties here, it’s really incredible. Because of the efficiency of the table set-up, even though everyone has to vote, it actually only takes about 5 minutes. You’re in and out! The efficiency of the system strikes me as very un-Ecuadorian!
After voting, we decided to buy a cake and have a joint birthday party for Jairo’s dad and me, since Jairo and I were in Quito for both birthdays. It was an ice cream cake! I honestly think I could eat a whole ice cream cake myself. Maybe two.
It was a really nice day, and another reminder of how great it is to be around people you love and take time to celebrate everyday moments with them. I’m not looking forward to leaving Puyo!
After voting, we decided to buy a cake and have a joint birthday party for Jairo’s dad and me, since Jairo and I were in Quito for both birthdays. It was an ice cream cake! I honestly think I could eat a whole ice cream cake myself. Maybe two.
It was a really nice day, and another reminder of how great it is to be around people you love and take time to celebrate everyday moments with them. I’m not looking forward to leaving Puyo!
Week 13: Three Months Married
Today is our three month anniversary! We’ve been married for a quarter of a year! Honestly, I don’t have a lot of profound thoughts for this day. I think I have too much amazonian air in my brain!
All I have to say is that I am so thankful to God for my husband, and for the life we have together. It’s full of all those newlywed issues, not to mention ministry issues, but altogether, it’s a really great life. I don’t know how people really get to live their dreams like we’re doing, and I don’t know how many people fall crazy in love the way we did, but I know we’re very blessed. Thank you, God, for three wonderful months!
All I have to say is that I am so thankful to God for my husband, and for the life we have together. It’s full of all those newlywed issues, not to mention ministry issues, but altogether, it’s a really great life. I don’t know how people really get to live their dreams like we’re doing, and I don’t know how many people fall crazy in love the way we did, but I know we’re very blessed. Thank you, God, for three wonderful months!
Week 13: A Day on the River
We’re here in Puyo for about a week so that Jairo can vote. We decided to come a little early so that we could visit with the family and relax a little. Today Jairo finally gave in to me and we went to the river to go swimming.
Puyo is a part of the area of Ecuador called “Oriente” which is more and more Amazonian as you go west. Puyo itself is a tropical town, usually warm or hot, with a lot of rain. There’s a lot of fresh fruit, colorful plants and flowers, wild animals and bugs! I love it! It’s so much fun!
On our way down to the river we had the pleasure of seeing a snake that someone had beheaded, which is pretty common, and once at the river had fun playing volleyball in the water and enjoying the sun. On the way back home we stopped and ate something called Volquetero, which is hard to explain what it is because almost none of it can be found in the US! However, I will tell you that it was delicious and I am now an addict.
Relaxing is not something we usually have a lot time for, but here in Puyo, life goes a little slower and you can’t help but relax a little. That’s why we love coming here. It’s such a great feeling to be surrounded by people you love and just relax. It had been so long I wasn’t sure I’d still now how! But, as it turns out, we had a great day, and we did relax. And we’re going to relax again tomorrow! I’d better not stay to long, I might just get used to this!
Puyo is a part of the area of Ecuador called “Oriente” which is more and more Amazonian as you go west. Puyo itself is a tropical town, usually warm or hot, with a lot of rain. There’s a lot of fresh fruit, colorful plants and flowers, wild animals and bugs! I love it! It’s so much fun!
On our way down to the river we had the pleasure of seeing a snake that someone had beheaded, which is pretty common, and once at the river had fun playing volleyball in the water and enjoying the sun. On the way back home we stopped and ate something called Volquetero, which is hard to explain what it is because almost none of it can be found in the US! However, I will tell you that it was delicious and I am now an addict.
Relaxing is not something we usually have a lot time for, but here in Puyo, life goes a little slower and you can’t help but relax a little. That’s why we love coming here. It’s such a great feeling to be surrounded by people you love and just relax. It had been so long I wasn’t sure I’d still now how! But, as it turns out, we had a great day, and we did relax. And we’re going to relax again tomorrow! I’d better not stay to long, I might just get used to this!
Week 13: A Very Interesting Voyage
Sometimes life seems so normal to me that I forget that I live in Ecuador. However, this weekend was not one of those times.
Jairo and I had to go to Puyo this week so that he could vote. Here in Ecuador voting is mandatory and you have to vote in the city where you were born. (It's very "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed...") Jairo was at church and I was at home packing the suitcases and making dinner to take on the 5 hour bus ride to Puyo. We were supposed to meet at the terminal, so when the time came, I packed up dinner in Tupperware containers, grabbed the suitcases and headed out. I needed to catch a cab, but I had to walk down to the main street to get one. I underestimated the weight of the suitcases, combined with the awkward plastic bags of food, and was having quite a challenge trying to walk down the road.
A police car stopped me when I was about halfway down the road and, noting my struggle and large amount of suitcases, proceeded to ask me what was wrong. Here in Ecuador the police are very sensitive to women’s issues and domestic abuse because it has traditionally been a very big problem in Latin American countries. Apparently the police thought I was running away from my husband! I explained my situation and they offered to take me close by the terminal so that I wouldn’t have to pay very much for a cab. I agreed, happily, and thoroughly enjoyed telling my husband why I arrived with the police!
Once we go on the bus the adventure was not over. About halfway to Puyo we suddenly stopped. After a few minutes we saw the problem: There was a huge rockslide along the mountain, where the road passes, and there was no way to cross. Now, in Ecuador, you can’t just get off on the next exit. There’s only one way to get to Puyo from Quito directly, and to turn around and get on the road we’d have to return to Quito, about 3 hours away, and start over, and we’d have to return going in reverse, because on the mountain there’s no way to turn around. So, needless to say, we spent the night on a mountain road, in the bus, waiting for the rockslide to be cleared away.
These things that happen here in Ecuador aren’t fun at the time, but looking back on it, I wonder how many people get to live through even one adventure while I live them every single day! I think it’s pretty cool to have these stories to tell and to finally be the one living the adventure, and not just reading about it! So, if you’d like to live some of these great, South American adventures, my doors are open! Come to Ecuador and visit us! I’m sure it will be more than you bargained for!
Jairo and I had to go to Puyo this week so that he could vote. Here in Ecuador voting is mandatory and you have to vote in the city where you were born. (It's very "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed...") Jairo was at church and I was at home packing the suitcases and making dinner to take on the 5 hour bus ride to Puyo. We were supposed to meet at the terminal, so when the time came, I packed up dinner in Tupperware containers, grabbed the suitcases and headed out. I needed to catch a cab, but I had to walk down to the main street to get one. I underestimated the weight of the suitcases, combined with the awkward plastic bags of food, and was having quite a challenge trying to walk down the road.
A police car stopped me when I was about halfway down the road and, noting my struggle and large amount of suitcases, proceeded to ask me what was wrong. Here in Ecuador the police are very sensitive to women’s issues and domestic abuse because it has traditionally been a very big problem in Latin American countries. Apparently the police thought I was running away from my husband! I explained my situation and they offered to take me close by the terminal so that I wouldn’t have to pay very much for a cab. I agreed, happily, and thoroughly enjoyed telling my husband why I arrived with the police!
Once we go on the bus the adventure was not over. About halfway to Puyo we suddenly stopped. After a few minutes we saw the problem: There was a huge rockslide along the mountain, where the road passes, and there was no way to cross. Now, in Ecuador, you can’t just get off on the next exit. There’s only one way to get to Puyo from Quito directly, and to turn around and get on the road we’d have to return to Quito, about 3 hours away, and start over, and we’d have to return going in reverse, because on the mountain there’s no way to turn around. So, needless to say, we spent the night on a mountain road, in the bus, waiting for the rockslide to be cleared away.
These things that happen here in Ecuador aren’t fun at the time, but looking back on it, I wonder how many people get to live through even one adventure while I live them every single day! I think it’s pretty cool to have these stories to tell and to finally be the one living the adventure, and not just reading about it! So, if you’d like to live some of these great, South American adventures, my doors are open! Come to Ecuador and visit us! I’m sure it will be more than you bargained for!
Week 13: A Small, Unexpected Miracle
If you remember my post from week 10 about trying to get my residency here in Ecuador, you’ll remember that I was stuck between a rock and a hard place with 26 days on my visa and no way of staying in the country. Suffice it to say that when I wrote that, I was understandably very frustrated. However, today has been a great day and has restored at least a little bit of my faith in the Ecuadorian government.
I went with Bre to the immigration office to find out about some options for her to stay in the country when she returns to Ecuador in the future. We got what we needed and we about to leave when Jairo called me and suggested that just one more time I ask about my situation to see if there’s anything I can do.
I went back to talk to Jaime, who now knows me extremely well from having seen me like once a week for 6 months. I explained my situation to him and asked if there was anything I could do. He replied that since I was trying to do paperwork and I had everything ready, he would give me an extension on my visa for 45 days! I’m not sure if this was because I really deserved it or maybe he was just tired of seeing me, but either way works for me! I have to go back to pick up the visa next week and then I’m filing my residency! I don’t know what you believe, but I know that my God is a God of miracles and I’m pretty psyched to have Him on my side!
I went with Bre to the immigration office to find out about some options for her to stay in the country when she returns to Ecuador in the future. We got what we needed and we about to leave when Jairo called me and suggested that just one more time I ask about my situation to see if there’s anything I can do.
I went back to talk to Jaime, who now knows me extremely well from having seen me like once a week for 6 months. I explained my situation to him and asked if there was anything I could do. He replied that since I was trying to do paperwork and I had everything ready, he would give me an extension on my visa for 45 days! I’m not sure if this was because I really deserved it or maybe he was just tired of seeing me, but either way works for me! I have to go back to pick up the visa next week and then I’m filing my residency! I don’t know what you believe, but I know that my God is a God of miracles and I’m pretty psyched to have Him on my side!
Week 12: Family Day
Since Jairo’s brother and sister and niece were in town for the funeral, we invited them to stay at our house overnight and visit. It was the first time they had been to our apartment. We got home in the evening and Jairo’s sister and I made dinner. We got to talk a lot, which was fun, and she taught me how to make something new! Over dinner they told me stories about when they were kids, and then we fell asleep watching movies. The next day we had a movie marathon and hung out, enjoying each other’s company.
I was sad when they had to leave. Jairo’s family from the beginning has always accepted me as part of the family and treated me really great. They have been a huge blessing to me, because here in Ecuador my only family is my husband.
When I think about our families, and how easily they have accepted each other, I think this is really the way it should be. They say, “You’re not losing a son, you’re gaining a daughter” but I think in most cases, that’s not really true. There’s all kinds of family politics and generally even though the two families usually behave, they don’t really love each other. However, in our case, my parents came to Ecuador for our wedding and met Jairo’s family, and at the wedding we all celebrated as one family. One big family with about as many differences as you can imagine. My parents felt good knowing that Jairo and his family love me, because they are far away from me, and can have some peace of mind knowing I’m in good hands. Jairo’s family accepted us as a bonus to the family. It was genuinely fun and nice.
I think this is part of God’s design for marriage. The man and woman leave their families and form their own, but even so, your family is what made you who you are, for good or bad. You might leave the house, but the family stays with you. They become your support system. In our case, my parents and my in-laws call us about once a week to check in, tell us they love us, and, recently, to warn us about the swine flu! I really am grateful to God for providing two great families for me, and I hope that all married couples can experience what a blessing it is.
I was sad when they had to leave. Jairo’s family from the beginning has always accepted me as part of the family and treated me really great. They have been a huge blessing to me, because here in Ecuador my only family is my husband.
When I think about our families, and how easily they have accepted each other, I think this is really the way it should be. They say, “You’re not losing a son, you’re gaining a daughter” but I think in most cases, that’s not really true. There’s all kinds of family politics and generally even though the two families usually behave, they don’t really love each other. However, in our case, my parents came to Ecuador for our wedding and met Jairo’s family, and at the wedding we all celebrated as one family. One big family with about as many differences as you can imagine. My parents felt good knowing that Jairo and his family love me, because they are far away from me, and can have some peace of mind knowing I’m in good hands. Jairo’s family accepted us as a bonus to the family. It was genuinely fun and nice.
I think this is part of God’s design for marriage. The man and woman leave their families and form their own, but even so, your family is what made you who you are, for good or bad. You might leave the house, but the family stays with you. They become your support system. In our case, my parents and my in-laws call us about once a week to check in, tell us they love us, and, recently, to warn us about the swine flu! I really am grateful to God for providing two great families for me, and I hope that all married couples can experience what a blessing it is.
Week 12: Funeral Thoughts
This week, Jairo’s favorite aunt died. She had cancer, and was sick for a very long time before she died. She lived here in Quito, so Jairo was able to visit her several times before she passed away. In her youth she became a Christian, but in adulthood she fell away. Only through the course of her illness did she reconcile with God, and now she’s in Heaven.
It was a very painful time for the whole family because she was very loved by everyone. However, it was also a very nice time, because we got to visit with all of Jairo’s enormous family and hear their stories and laugh with them. Jairo got the chance to talk to a lot of them about God, and in spite of the sadness, there was a lot of love present.
The funeral itself was an experience for me, because it was very different. The funeral was held the morning after she died, because here in Ecuador they don’t typically embalm, so the wake started the moment she died and lasted all night until the funeral started. In the typical Ecuadorian style it did not start on time and was not terribly organized as far as the service went. Then there was a lot of waiting and more waiting before we drove to the cemetery where they lifted the casket into a crypt type of thing in the wall. They sealed it in front of us, then everyone sang a few songs and we left. It reminded me of those old mafia movies.
It was our first family crisis, for me and Jairo, and it was hard to get through. Having had a few family members die, I knew that there really was nothing I could say or do to help Jairo other than just to be at his side. I think that was the hardest part for me, seeing how he was suffering and not being able to comfort him. Looking back on it though, I think just having been there was a lot of comfort for him.
The Bible says that we do not mourn as those who have no hope because we know that death is not the end. I’m so thankful that Jairo’s aunt was a Christian, because even though everyone was sad that she’s gone and they miss her, they can rejoice, knowing that she’s in Heaven and she’s not suffering anymore. Like Jairo said in his message at the funeral, it’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later. Our desire is that those who are still with us will also know Jesus, so that we won’t even have to face a goodbye.
It was a very painful time for the whole family because she was very loved by everyone. However, it was also a very nice time, because we got to visit with all of Jairo’s enormous family and hear their stories and laugh with them. Jairo got the chance to talk to a lot of them about God, and in spite of the sadness, there was a lot of love present.
The funeral itself was an experience for me, because it was very different. The funeral was held the morning after she died, because here in Ecuador they don’t typically embalm, so the wake started the moment she died and lasted all night until the funeral started. In the typical Ecuadorian style it did not start on time and was not terribly organized as far as the service went. Then there was a lot of waiting and more waiting before we drove to the cemetery where they lifted the casket into a crypt type of thing in the wall. They sealed it in front of us, then everyone sang a few songs and we left. It reminded me of those old mafia movies.
It was our first family crisis, for me and Jairo, and it was hard to get through. Having had a few family members die, I knew that there really was nothing I could say or do to help Jairo other than just to be at his side. I think that was the hardest part for me, seeing how he was suffering and not being able to comfort him. Looking back on it though, I think just having been there was a lot of comfort for him.
The Bible says that we do not mourn as those who have no hope because we know that death is not the end. I’m so thankful that Jairo’s aunt was a Christian, because even though everyone was sad that she’s gone and they miss her, they can rejoice, knowing that she’s in Heaven and she’s not suffering anymore. Like Jairo said in his message at the funeral, it’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later. Our desire is that those who are still with us will also know Jesus, so that we won’t even have to face a goodbye.
Week 12: Saying Goodbye to a New Friend
This week we had to say goodbye to a new friend. Sarah Malone from New York, a friend of Bre’s who had come to Ecuador for a month, went back to the US.
I got t know Sarah because she frequently stayed with us and Bre in our apartment. I’m always nervous about meeting friends of my friends because as women tend to be weird about things, we don’t always get along very well. However, Sarah is an extremely cool person and I really enjoyed getting to know her. I even got to translate for her twice while she preached.
I think when it comes to people I’m not very normal. I tend to very quickly get attached to people, which in the case of Sarah probably wasn’t the wisest idea since she was only in Ecuador for a month! However, I think Jairo also really enjoyed having her here, and the four of us had a lot of fun. It was hard not to get attached!
But, as I said, Sarah has returned safely to the US and is having fun with her reverse culture shock with which I am so familiar. She’s working in the ministry in New York and even though we weren’t that hapy to lose her, I am extremely happy that she’s serving God in the US. We’re hoping Sarah comes back to Ecuador someday, but until then, we’re praying for her and we’re very thankful to have had the chance to get to know her and count her as a friend.
I got t know Sarah because she frequently stayed with us and Bre in our apartment. I’m always nervous about meeting friends of my friends because as women tend to be weird about things, we don’t always get along very well. However, Sarah is an extremely cool person and I really enjoyed getting to know her. I even got to translate for her twice while she preached.
I think when it comes to people I’m not very normal. I tend to very quickly get attached to people, which in the case of Sarah probably wasn’t the wisest idea since she was only in Ecuador for a month! However, I think Jairo also really enjoyed having her here, and the four of us had a lot of fun. It was hard not to get attached!
But, as I said, Sarah has returned safely to the US and is having fun with her reverse culture shock with which I am so familiar. She’s working in the ministry in New York and even though we weren’t that hapy to lose her, I am extremely happy that she’s serving God in the US. We’re hoping Sarah comes back to Ecuador someday, but until then, we’re praying for her and we’re very thankful to have had the chance to get to know her and count her as a friend.
Week 11: Live from the South of Quito
Yesterday Jairo and I had the opportunity to go to a church in South Quito with our friend Bre to help her give a concert. She has her own cd and was invited to give a concert at a Holy Week event. She asked us to help her because here in Ecuador she has no band to play with her, so Jairo played guitar and I sang back-up. It was a lot of fun.
The church had a lot of things planned, including dance, drama, a time of praise and worship and a Christian movie. It was neat to be able to be a part of it. The church is actually close to our house and Jairo and I are talking about going back to visit now that we got to know the pastor a little bit. For us, one of our favorite things that we get to do in Ecuador is meet other Christians working to share Christ with the unsaved. It’s always such an encouragement to get to know other people working in the ministry. We also love to be a part of anything that has to do with music.
I think the best part was the chance to share the experience with a group of friends; Byron, Bre, Sarah (Bre’s friend from New York), me and Jairo. We went through the typical nervousness beforehand, adrenaline rush during the concert and meticulous critiquing of every moment afterwards, made more efficient by the videos and pictures that Sarah had recorded.
It’s neat to see how God opens the doors for unique experience that you never even imagined. I haven’t gotten to spend as much time as I would like with my friend Bre, but the times we have spent together have been a huge blessing and a lot of fun! It’s not a quantity friendship anymore, but it’s definitely quality. The coolest part is that we’re serving God together, all of us, as friends. I don’t what I’d do without Christian friends who are alongside me in ministry. It would be really difficult! Thank you, God, for all the friends you’ve blessed me with, in the US and here in Ecuador.
The church had a lot of things planned, including dance, drama, a time of praise and worship and a Christian movie. It was neat to be able to be a part of it. The church is actually close to our house and Jairo and I are talking about going back to visit now that we got to know the pastor a little bit. For us, one of our favorite things that we get to do in Ecuador is meet other Christians working to share Christ with the unsaved. It’s always such an encouragement to get to know other people working in the ministry. We also love to be a part of anything that has to do with music.
I think the best part was the chance to share the experience with a group of friends; Byron, Bre, Sarah (Bre’s friend from New York), me and Jairo. We went through the typical nervousness beforehand, adrenaline rush during the concert and meticulous critiquing of every moment afterwards, made more efficient by the videos and pictures that Sarah had recorded.
It’s neat to see how God opens the doors for unique experience that you never even imagined. I haven’t gotten to spend as much time as I would like with my friend Bre, but the times we have spent together have been a huge blessing and a lot of fun! It’s not a quantity friendship anymore, but it’s definitely quality. The coolest part is that we’re serving God together, all of us, as friends. I don’t what I’d do without Christian friends who are alongside me in ministry. It would be really difficult! Thank you, God, for all the friends you’ve blessed me with, in the US and here in Ecuador.
Week 11: Getting Connected
Ecuador isn’t what you might imagine if you’ve never been here. Yes, it’s a poor country, classified as an “underdeveloped nation” if I have my politically correct terms straight. Yes, a part of the country, known as Oriente, is jungle. But it can also be pretty modern. I don’t live in the depths of the Amazon; I live in Quito, the capital. It’s not that bad.
Even so, a lot of times I feel isolated. I get a weekly phone call from my parents, sometimes more, and usually once I week I can get online. But internet and phone calls are not always that fulfilling. Sometimes you want a more personal touch.
Not to mention that there are certain things I miss from the States. I miss Twizzlers and Starburst jelly beans. I miss apple cider. Little things that when I think about them, for just a minute, I start to miss home.
So, Jairo and I came up with the perfect solution. We got a PO Box! I cannot explain how excited I was when we got it! I can now receive letters, packages...mail! I know, for those reading my blog maybe mail is not really a novelty, but for me, it’s a huge step up in my being able to communicate with people in the US. I can’t wait to start getting mail and feeling that more personal connection that has been lacking in the last 6 months!
Even so, a lot of times I feel isolated. I get a weekly phone call from my parents, sometimes more, and usually once I week I can get online. But internet and phone calls are not always that fulfilling. Sometimes you want a more personal touch.
Not to mention that there are certain things I miss from the States. I miss Twizzlers and Starburst jelly beans. I miss apple cider. Little things that when I think about them, for just a minute, I start to miss home.
So, Jairo and I came up with the perfect solution. We got a PO Box! I cannot explain how excited I was when we got it! I can now receive letters, packages...mail! I know, for those reading my blog maybe mail is not really a novelty, but for me, it’s a huge step up in my being able to communicate with people in the US. I can’t wait to start getting mail and feeling that more personal connection that has been lacking in the last 6 months!
Week 11: Thoughts on the Easter Bunny
I was disappointed to find out that Ecuadorian Christians do very little to celebrate Easter. I have always love holidays, especially Christian ones. I find them exciting, and I like the traditions we have because they let me experience that day all over again, even though it happened over 2,000 years ago. For example, on Palm Sunday, the churches here do not have palm branches in church. What is that about? It’s PALM SUNDAY.
The pastor gave a message that was all in all a good message, but which I felt had a little too much opinion in place of just being God’s word. I think I’m spoiled...my dad in my opinion was an exemplary pastor when it came to these things; he was always organized and presented his opinion as just that—opinion. So that’s what I’m used to, and coming to Ecuador I’ve found that it’s not always what you get down here. I think it’s cultural. Here the pastor is not just a spiritual leader; he’s allowed to be a part of every aspect of your life. It’s actually kind of neat, but every once in a while I feel like my North American boundaries are being crossed.
So, as I was saying, Palm Sunday was one such day. The pastor commented that bringing Palm Branches to church was a pointless tradition that was completely unnecessary (opinion) and that really we should just remember the point of the holiday rather than get caught up in tradition. (My thought being, what if the tradition helps me remember the point of the holiday?) Then he went on to say, and here’s where the USA part of me got a little upset, that in some countries they even paint Easter eggs and go on Easter egg hunts and go see the Easter bunny instead of celebrating the real meaning of Easter.
Now, I can’t vouch for the Easter bunny. But I will say this. In my family, we were always taught the real meaning of Easter, and it was one of the most foundational days of our Christian faith. Without Easter there would be no salvation! It’s a real reason to celebrate. I’m not sure of the origins of the Easter egg, so I hesitate to really defend the tradition, but I know that in my life it was always used to enhance, not detract from, the holiday. In church we had an Easter egg hunt and the eggs had inside candy and a Bible verse. Not a bad way to get kids into the Bible! At home we colored Easter eggs and it was always a fun, wholesome time to be together as a family. We got Easter baskets, but only after church, because God was always number one.
Looking back on it, I think there was really no reason to get upset. (I didn’t say anything to the pastor, since even in my hurt feelings I realized that it was a silly thing to get upset about.) I think for me, my main complaint was on a cultural level. I told Jairo, I just think you should really understand something before you talk about it, either before you affirm it or bash it. It taught me a good lesson about acculturating. You can’t simply come into another culture and keep being the way you are. Well, you can, but you shouldn’t. I always say about people who come here from other countries, you figure they came because they wanted to. It was a choice. So they need to adapt. I say it because I have had to do it, and it has cost me a lot. It’s not easy to become something you’ve never been, but it’s as fulfilling as it is difficult. I love when Ecuadorians are surprised that I’m not from here! In those moments it has affirmed that all my hard work has paid off!
The pastor gave a message that was all in all a good message, but which I felt had a little too much opinion in place of just being God’s word. I think I’m spoiled...my dad in my opinion was an exemplary pastor when it came to these things; he was always organized and presented his opinion as just that—opinion. So that’s what I’m used to, and coming to Ecuador I’ve found that it’s not always what you get down here. I think it’s cultural. Here the pastor is not just a spiritual leader; he’s allowed to be a part of every aspect of your life. It’s actually kind of neat, but every once in a while I feel like my North American boundaries are being crossed.
So, as I was saying, Palm Sunday was one such day. The pastor commented that bringing Palm Branches to church was a pointless tradition that was completely unnecessary (opinion) and that really we should just remember the point of the holiday rather than get caught up in tradition. (My thought being, what if the tradition helps me remember the point of the holiday?) Then he went on to say, and here’s where the USA part of me got a little upset, that in some countries they even paint Easter eggs and go on Easter egg hunts and go see the Easter bunny instead of celebrating the real meaning of Easter.
Now, I can’t vouch for the Easter bunny. But I will say this. In my family, we were always taught the real meaning of Easter, and it was one of the most foundational days of our Christian faith. Without Easter there would be no salvation! It’s a real reason to celebrate. I’m not sure of the origins of the Easter egg, so I hesitate to really defend the tradition, but I know that in my life it was always used to enhance, not detract from, the holiday. In church we had an Easter egg hunt and the eggs had inside candy and a Bible verse. Not a bad way to get kids into the Bible! At home we colored Easter eggs and it was always a fun, wholesome time to be together as a family. We got Easter baskets, but only after church, because God was always number one.
Looking back on it, I think there was really no reason to get upset. (I didn’t say anything to the pastor, since even in my hurt feelings I realized that it was a silly thing to get upset about.) I think for me, my main complaint was on a cultural level. I told Jairo, I just think you should really understand something before you talk about it, either before you affirm it or bash it. It taught me a good lesson about acculturating. You can’t simply come into another culture and keep being the way you are. Well, you can, but you shouldn’t. I always say about people who come here from other countries, you figure they came because they wanted to. It was a choice. So they need to adapt. I say it because I have had to do it, and it has cost me a lot. It’s not easy to become something you’ve never been, but it’s as fulfilling as it is difficult. I love when Ecuadorians are surprised that I’m not from here! In those moments it has affirmed that all my hard work has paid off!
Week 10: Delusions of Grandeur
I decided today that I’m going to be a spy. It’s not that I’m not content with my life in the ministry—I am. It’s really rewarding work, I keep very busy and it’s never boring. I even get to travel pretty often. On the other hand, I’m not secretly breaking into buildings undetected or saving the world once a week with a wig and a different identity.
See, I’ve been watching ALIAS with my husband. We own all five seasons (they happen to have Spanish) and we’re addicts. I looked on the internet about how to become a spy, but it turned out not to be very productive. So I came back to my apartment on the third floor and I thought about how I could scale down the wall to the street, but I realized that I’m afraid of heights and don’t have any climbing equipment. My dream of being a spy all but died then, when I realized that what with my lack of equipment, fear of heights, intolerance to seeing blood and lack of kung-fu training, I don’t have much hope in the spy career.
It was a disappointing realization, to be honest. But then I thought about the work I do here with Jairo. Every day we work with our organization, Revolution Ministries, and we’re also trying to save the world. I don’t run around with tranquilizer guns and crazy wigs, I don’t break into buildings or disarm weapons, but I am a part of a very real war. It’s a war that’s been going on since before the creation of the world.
Paul says in Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Every time an unsaved person comes to Christ, every time the sound of praise and worship fills the Ferroviaria Alta, every time we talk to people about God, every time we take time in our houses to pray and seek God, we’re doing battle. We understand that everything we do has spiritual significance.
The cool thing about this war is that it doesn’t matter that I’m afraid of heights or that I’m not kun-fu trained. The majority of this battle is won by people on their knees. God plans the missions and gives us the equipment that we need to carry it out. Maybe I still secretly would like to be a spy. It does seem pretty exciting. But even more exciting is to be part of a real battle—it’s not glamorous, but it’s not make-believe either.
See, I’ve been watching ALIAS with my husband. We own all five seasons (they happen to have Spanish) and we’re addicts. I looked on the internet about how to become a spy, but it turned out not to be very productive. So I came back to my apartment on the third floor and I thought about how I could scale down the wall to the street, but I realized that I’m afraid of heights and don’t have any climbing equipment. My dream of being a spy all but died then, when I realized that what with my lack of equipment, fear of heights, intolerance to seeing blood and lack of kung-fu training, I don’t have much hope in the spy career.
It was a disappointing realization, to be honest. But then I thought about the work I do here with Jairo. Every day we work with our organization, Revolution Ministries, and we’re also trying to save the world. I don’t run around with tranquilizer guns and crazy wigs, I don’t break into buildings or disarm weapons, but I am a part of a very real war. It’s a war that’s been going on since before the creation of the world.
Paul says in Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Every time an unsaved person comes to Christ, every time the sound of praise and worship fills the Ferroviaria Alta, every time we talk to people about God, every time we take time in our houses to pray and seek God, we’re doing battle. We understand that everything we do has spiritual significance.
The cool thing about this war is that it doesn’t matter that I’m afraid of heights or that I’m not kun-fu trained. The majority of this battle is won by people on their knees. God plans the missions and gives us the equipment that we need to carry it out. Maybe I still secretly would like to be a spy. It does seem pretty exciting. But even more exciting is to be part of a real battle—it’s not glamorous, but it’s not make-believe either.
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