First News from Ecuador

As you probably assumed, I made it to Quito safe and sound just under a week ago, and I love it here. The mountains are gorgeous, the weather is just perfect with a blend of sun, rain, warm, and cool every day, the food (so far) has been delicious, and the people are faultlessly welcoming. My Spanish skills are weak, but I'm set up on a daily 1/2-hour computer program, and my downstairs neighbor and I agreed to do a trade-off every week: an hour of Spanish for an hour of English.

Here's a view of my house. I go through the middle door (the reddish-orange one), up the stairs, and to the right. That three-paned window on the right is my living room. (Notice the dud balcony that has no door out on to it.)

The HCJB (world radio) campus is just to the left of this picture, and my school, the CCC, is on that campus. It takes me 2 minutes to get to work. J Here’s the best overview shot of the campus I could get. I’m standing on an overpass, looking toward Mount Pinchincha. The yellow buildings just beyond the soccer field are the start of the HCJB campus. In fact, those closest buildings are the school, CCC.

Here’s the CCC from the front. The top two floors are actually the school (small, isn’t it). Then there’s me in front of the CCC-NWC sign, then me in my office, and then the view from my office with Pinchincha in the background. Clearly, I’m suffering.

Last Saturday, one of the permanent missionaries and another short-termer took me to a market downtown in one of the parks. They only sold Ecuadorian-made things, all of which are things I love: scarves, blankets, jewelry, art, ponchos, etc. We happened to be there over noon. Look Ma, no shadow!

That’s basically it so far. I’m in the office 8 – 5, and since it’s dark by 6:15 and I can’t be out by myself, I’ve either been indoors reading or with other missionaries (played games one night, joined a Bible study on Tuesday nights, and volunteered at an English Club Wednesday night). Next week, Dr. Cureton, the president from Northwestern, is coming, so everyone’s in a frenzy about that. It’s going to be great for me though because we’re going to go into the Amazon one day and up Pinchincha another. Catch you all later!

This Journey is My Home

Yes, I stole this title from a Steve Green song. My musical tastes leave a lot to be desired. But I do like this line, and it sure defines my upcoming adventures. 

I leave tomorrow! Ahhhhhhh! And here I sit typing away when I should be packing. (Packing early is so overrated. I'm all about this last-minute, stay-up-all-night stuff.) Here's my fun itinerary for the next few days:

Sun: St. Paul - Madison, see good friend Karen Rice

Mon: Madison - Chicago - Indianapolis - Cincinnati - Atlanta (or as Lizzie says: Bears - Colts - Bengals - Falcons)

**Actually, I only make it to Knoxville on Mon, but I wanted to get the Falcons in there. I stay with friends Jim and Kay Frank

Tue: Smokey Mountain National Park - Atlanta - Tampa, see brother Scott and his wife Fiona

Thu: fly Tampa - Houston - QUITO, ECUADOR!!!!

Keep in touch everybody!

Well, football didn't exactly start off on the right foot, though the Broncos won (that one's for you, Rachel). 

But I can't even begin to describe what a wonderfully encouraging week it has been! I thought I used to know a little something about the power or prayer. I felt I used to honestly say "Prayer support is more important than financial support, " and I was sure I actually believed it. Well, whether or not I understood it before, this last week proved it over and over. Being prayed for is a true treasure, a gift that really is so easily to give and can mean a world to the person who hears it. Standing before the throne of God with fellow believers and hearing them lift you up humbles me immensely. 

I feel inspired to pray more for others, to be able to intercede for others in the same powerful way they have been for me. My biggest fear is that this new desire will pass again in a week. How do I stay fervent?

FOOTBALL STARTS THIS WEEK!!!!

Just a tad excited.