Life, in Latinamerica (day 4 in Ecuador)

Buenos dias :)

Sorry sorry sorry (lo siento un monton) that I've been so bad about writing! Computers are short and the Internet is spotty and often I do all of my typing on my kindle fire, which I'm still learning how to do effectively (long nails and hot dog fingers don't love a touch screen). Hence, I've been doing a lot more journaling than blogging, but I really need to update my beloved readers :P

On facebook I linked a few of my teammates blogs, who have been very faithful about writing and have quite a sense of humor, and a heart for the Lord at the same time. So check them out for some laughs and some funny stories that I am too late to share! We finally have a free day today (which is much needed), and my lovely roommate is letting me borrow her  computer, which does NOT have a touch screen. Gracias a Dios!

But I'm rambling. There have been so many hilarious, touching, and meaningful moments here so far, that I'm simply blown away that it's only the beginning of day 4!!! We spent a day touring the city and meeting some friends that help with the Cru movement here (called vida estudiantil). Marta is one of the ladies who heads up the movement and she is such a gem! There are a few Ecuadorians  guys who are very involved with the movement, who take us around everywhere and make sure that we are safe and culturally aware... we are so thankful for Enrique and Daniel! Plus, our team is simply fun. Funny, hilarious, precious, and I run out of adjectives for the combination of these 14 wonderful souls. I seriously have never laughed so much in only 7 days of knowing anyone. After just a few games of French Charades where everyone is crying, snorting, aching from laughter... you  can't really help but love each other!

Yesterday was one of my absolute highlights of the trip for a few reasons... we got to work with IJM (International Justice Mission) and I got to hang out with little kids! The leaders of this IJM branch are so faithful and practical in serving this community, because there is a devastatingly staggering number of domestic and sexual abuse here, much of it unreported and unpunished. They showed us a short video and presentation, which filled me with so much sadness and anger I wasn't really sure what was going to happen. (It turned out later, that I got to cut grass with a machete and meet some sweet girls, which helped). This ministry is such a practical way to show people God's love by legally prosecuting the abusers and supporting the abused families. So yesterday our team split into two groups and our group went to help build a bathroom for this sweet single lady with four daughters. IJM had built her a new house, but it got burned down, and her new house had no bathroom. Imagine for a minute... one woman, four daughters from ages 3-10. No bathroom. I take back every complaint I ever said about sharing 2 bathrooms with 6 girls!

So we heaved a lot of dirt, moved huge piles of bricks, and tried not to think about the fact that we had no bathroom access for 7 hours. The neighborhood dogs were mostly under-fed and mangy, but this lady and her four daughters kept this tiny brown puppy named Mariposa (butterfly) for a pet, so we got to snuggle with puppies and 4 year olds in our sweaty breaks from working :) When we left, my little friend Bianca said "No te vas Ana! (which means "don't leave!")... I wish I could have told her I could stay and give her piggyback rides forever. But even though we were only there for an afternoon, I think our presence was encouraging to the family, and part of our support money went to fund the completion of their bathroom. So thanks to everyone who was a part of that heart-wrenching, praise-giving experience.

On a happier note... these are are my favorite things about being here:
1. Riding in the back of pickup trucks is totally legal (even on the highway!!!)
2. The trash trucks sound like ice cream trucks.
3. Sometimes Spanish and English come out of my mouth together, unnoticed and uncontrolled.
4. To quote Andrea, "It's like we live in a terrarium" because EVERYONE stares at us. Some people have never seen a gringo before, and they make that clear. Blue eyes are a novelty, and don't even get them started about blonde hair. I get self-conscious about the staring, but its totally acceptable in this culture!
5. Everyone on campus wants to meet you and talk to us... practice their English and encourage us in our Spanish usage.
6. CJ's laugh. Singing. laughing in general.
7. Family bed!!!
8. Andrea's weird facial contortions that are hilarious.
9. There are iguanas everywhere!!!
10. Apparently I get more dramatic when  I speak Spanish.... and here that is TOTALLY acceptable :)

Oh... and 11. cutting grass and weeding with a machete is SO inefficient! Just a little mental picture to bring you a smile today. Me, swinging a machete in 95 degree sun... sweat, blisters, and slowly clearing patches of land.

Well, much love.
Abrazos y besos :)
Ann