TUNGURAHUA!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Roosters and Grandmas
I hope to be able to upload some pictures soon; I've been having trouble with the computer lately, but I cannot wait to show you the photos that I've taken so far! For the first time this week, I was really able to see how beautiful this country really is. You can't really tell when you're in the center of the city, but as we were driving along the outskirts of it, I realized that the whole city of Ambato rests on massive cliffs and mountains, surrounded by three huge volcanoes that blow smoke into the air from the top of their peaks. It's breathtaking, and I've really enjoyed driving through the Andes and seeing how people live in different areas, for the way of life varies drastically from the mountains to the valleys. It's a really beautiful country they have down here.
Yet, the greatest entertainment around the house has been the
grandma, who has diabetes but refuses to accept it, so she sneaks into
the kitchen when she thinks no one is looking and grabs a handful of
pure sugar, or a liter of coke, and takes it back to her room. (The other day we found an entire stash of candy under her bed). Then,
when Anita or Favi catch her and yell at her to stop, she just yells MENTIROSA! I DIDNT DO
ANYTHING YOURE A LIAR....as she's holding a gallon of coke in her hand. Then she sighs in resignation, lets go of whatever it is that's she's holding, and returns to her room, only to try again a couple hours later.
The second greatest thing about this house is the food! It's mostly soup, rice, chicken, and tea every day, but I've heard rumors that when the American group comes, we're going to eat pizza, so I'm really excited about that. Unfortunately, however, there's a rooster outside my room that is slightly unsure how to tell time accurately, because it starts crowing at about 3:30 AM...so I'm sort of hoping to see that one in the soup soon.
One thing that has been really cool is that I've had the opportunity to talk to a lot of people about YoungLife, and one woman in particular really wants to get it started, which is awesome, but I'm in way over my head there! Well, first its Latin America, so everything takes about three times the amount of time it woud take in the states, but I'm praying a lot through that, because one thing that I have really learned in being here is that I really do believe that Younglife is one of the best ways to reach the kids and teens who do not know Jesus and don't want to, and those are the ones I want to reach, especially in a place like this where life is hard and very bleak sometimes. Yet, even if I can't be actively involved in the start of YoungLife here, I'm thankful to have the opportunity to talk about it's purpose and describe a little bit about what it's like, and hopefully it can spread here eventually. I've had the blessing of being able to meet a few of the young people in the city already; they've all been very sweet to me, but it's just really had esatblishing friendships in a different language: the cultural barriers are hard to break through, but I hope to get to know them better soon.
Anyways, thank you for your prayers; Monday, after the earthquake, was definitely a low point for me, and I even doubted whether or not I would be able to make it all summer here. But I have learned so much already, not just about Spanish or Ecuadorian culture, but just what it means to be broken, and that it's ok to feel that way; we're free to struggle. I think I just get really comfortable in my life at home, so I don't very often practice my trust, and as it turns out, when all my comforts were stripped from me, I had a lot of doubt and lack of belief in my heart. The Lord just hit me with that really hard, and it was difficult to come to terms with that weakness, but I've really been leaning into that brokenness and seeing what means to believe that the Lord is faithful. I've been reading Brennan Manning's Ruthless Trust, and it's really good; it talks a lot about how trust isn't something that we can generate ourselves, but it's an outcome of hope, faith, and experience; our trust grows when we recognize and have faith in God's faithfulness, and He's showing me a lot of that right now. I'm just trying not to have expectations and just resting in what this experience is and in who I am in the Lord, not in what I want or try to be.
Thank you again, and ciao!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
My First Earthquake
Buenos Dias!
It's only been a week since I've been here, but already it feels as if it's been a lot longer than that. I've gotten to know the family really well, and they are all so very sweet, but I've been a little homesick lately. It's difficult being here without any other Americans or young people my age, and my mind is just exhausted from thinking, speaking, and listening to Spanish all the time--but I know that it's good for me, because it's the only way I'm going to learn! By far the most exciting thing that has happened to me was the small earthquake that we had yesterday! Coming from Georgia, I have no prior experience in a situation like that, and it scared me so much! We were just at the table eating breakfast, when suddenly it sounded like a train was about to pass right through the house, so we all ran outside...thankfully, no one was hurt and there was very little damage, but now I jump at the slightest movement!!!
Other than that, I've been working at the church in the mornings, helping the volunteers prepare materials for the kids' program and Sunday school classes, and in the afternoons I've been working at an orphanage called "Vida" (Life), which is an orphanage for disabled kids. It's been so great to play with them (we flew kites yesterday!), and just to help them, if even for a moment, feel like normal kids. All of them were picked up from the streets, often found in dumpsters or just alone on the side of the road, and the directors of the orphanage have dedicated their lives to serving them and providing for them. It's hard work-I do not know how the directors do it every day!- but it's beautiful to see their joy and love for one another.
There's an American work team coming from Dallas on Saturday, so I will be working as their interpreter for the week; we will be doing various service projects around the city of Ambato and surrounding pueblos (or "towns") and orphanages, so I'm really, really excited to spend time with them! I've never been more excited to see Americans in my whole life! I'm never going to take English for granted again....
Other than that, I've been a little homesick this past week. (Of course, when I told this to the woman with whom I'm living, she made me pancakes this morning to make me feel better, which made my day!) But, it's a lot to absorb and assimilate to, and it makes it harder being here alone. However, I'm finding a lot of comfort in the Lord, as well as in the knowledge that He's growing me and molding my heart and teaching me to trust Him, and I've found a lot of freedom in that Truth. I would love your prayers for courage, patience, peace, and TRUST in all that the Lord is doing here, even if I can't clearly see it.
Thank you for all your prayers and support :)
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Hola!
Hola :)
I made it here safely last night--the family picked met me at the airport with a sign that said "Grace Estevens," so I just assumed they meant me haha, and then they drove me 2 hours south to Ambato. Flying in through the mountains was really incredible-they're the biggest mountains I've ever seen in my life! The family that I'm living with is so sweet and generous: I'm living with a young woman and her mother and grandmother, but her brothers and nieces and nephews are here so much that I feel as if I live with them too! There's a nine month old little girl named Naomi, a 5-day old baby (who is yet unnamed), and a 7 year-old boy, Danielito, who has taught me to play both tops and soccer (or "futbol"), constantly reminding me how awful I am at each one (hagas muy MALO!!) and ensuring me that very few of my soccer goals actually counted, but he's really really cute and sweet and has been my constant playmate for the day! Today was basically a resting day; we drove around town a little bit and I got to see the church where I will be working. Other than that we've been in the house all day eating, resting, and "just being," which I believe all Latin Americans are really good at, but will take me some getting used to! But the city is in an Andean valley, surrounded by huge mountains, I can see two volcanoes on either side of me, one of which errupts ash every now and again high up in the air which is really cool looking...apparently it's been errupting on and off for the past two years). The weather is REALLY cold in the mornings and nights, but warm during the day and really really bright--I guess it's just from being on the equator, but I can't go outside without my sunglasses on, and the 10 minutes I was outside today I somehow managed to get sunburned already!
Anyways, that's about all that has happened so far in the day that I've been here! The people are all so sweet; they're soft-spoken, very clear and very polite (rather different from Dominicans-I can actually understand them haha!). There's NO english spoken at all, so I'm hoping beyond hope that my Spanish is going to improve ALOT while I'm here (even the one woman who speaks English won't allow me to haha). I feel as if it's improved already, just hearing it constantly I kind of forget that they're not speaking English. But there's an american group comin on the 24th, and another on the 30, to work here in town, and I was told I will be working as their translator, so I'm really excited about hanging out with them! I miss you guys so much already, and you have no idea how thankful I am for all of your prayers and support--I would never be able to be here without it.
"Just as you received Christ Jesus, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in faith...and OVERFLOWING IN THANKFULNESs" Colossians 2:6--I'm so thankful for you all :)
Ciao!
I made it here safely last night--the family picked met me at the airport with a sign that said "Grace Estevens," so I just assumed they meant me haha, and then they drove me 2 hours south to Ambato. Flying in through the mountains was really incredible-they're the biggest mountains I've ever seen in my life! The family that I'm living with is so sweet and generous: I'm living with a young woman and her mother and grandmother, but her brothers and nieces and nephews are here so much that I feel as if I live with them too! There's a nine month old little girl named Naomi, a 5-day old baby (who is yet unnamed), and a 7 year-old boy, Danielito, who has taught me to play both tops and soccer (or "futbol"), constantly reminding me how awful I am at each one (hagas muy MALO!!) and ensuring me that very few of my soccer goals actually counted, but he's really really cute and sweet and has been my constant playmate for the day! Today was basically a resting day; we drove around town a little bit and I got to see the church where I will be working. Other than that we've been in the house all day eating, resting, and "just being," which I believe all Latin Americans are really good at, but will take me some getting used to! But the city is in an Andean valley, surrounded by huge mountains, I can see two volcanoes on either side of me, one of which errupts ash every now and again high up in the air which is really cool looking...apparently it's been errupting on and off for the past two years). The weather is REALLY cold in the mornings and nights, but warm during the day and really really bright--I guess it's just from being on the equator, but I can't go outside without my sunglasses on, and the 10 minutes I was outside today I somehow managed to get sunburned already!
Anyways, that's about all that has happened so far in the day that I've been here! The people are all so sweet; they're soft-spoken, very clear and very polite (rather different from Dominicans-I can actually understand them haha!). There's NO english spoken at all, so I'm hoping beyond hope that my Spanish is going to improve ALOT while I'm here (even the one woman who speaks English won't allow me to haha). I feel as if it's improved already, just hearing it constantly I kind of forget that they're not speaking English. But there's an american group comin on the 24th, and another on the 30, to work here in town, and I was told I will be working as their translator, so I'm really excited about hanging out with them! I miss you guys so much already, and you have no idea how thankful I am for all of your prayers and support--I would never be able to be here without it.
"Just as you received Christ Jesus, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in faith...and OVERFLOWING IN THANKFULNESs" Colossians 2:6--I'm so thankful for you all :)
Ciao!
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Getting Ready!
Saturday, 6/9/12.
I feel so incredibly blessed and thankful to all those who have supported me (monetarily and through prayer) for my trip to Ecuador! I raised over 2500 dollars, which will go towards the development of a children's program at a church in Ambato, Ecuador where I will be working; it's an unbelievable blessing, and I'm so excited about starting my journey on Monday! At this point, I've packed all of my belongings and am practically ready to go. I admit I'm a little nervous: I'm fairly accustomed to traveling alone, but I've never ventured to a place where I would not have at least a few other Americans by my side. My Spanish is definitely going to be put to the test, but I'm actually looking forward to experiencing the culture just as the Ecuadorians do. I know I'm extremely blessed to have the opportunity to observe (and take part in!) the day-to-day life experiences of the people there...I know it will be quite different, but it's going to be really cool, too. I would still, of course, greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers: for safety, certainly, but mostly that the Lord will not just use me, but also open my eyes and teach me more about His gracious heart and majesty. It will be a challenging journey, but He's taught me to view every aspect of this journey with a heart of gratefulness. Thank you all again for your loving support, and I will let you all know when I get there Monday night!
Love always,
Grace
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