That Jungle Life

"There are a lot of reasons we are going to the jungle.  There are also a few reasons why we are not going.  We are not going to be tourists. And we are not going to swoop in and share all our new, better ideas.  God has been in the jungle a lot longer than any of us have been around, and He's already working there.  Our goal is to merge in well, and then merge out well."

This is part of what Bryan, one of our leaders, shared with us on Wednesday night before we left for the Jungle.  In the midst of all the other things going on, a lot of us had overlooked the fact that our trip (God's trip on which we got to go along...) was actually a mini-missions trip.  He and Phil challenged us to be intentional about thinking and praying about what God had in store for the weekend; I spent a while that evening journaling and praying, preparing my heart to love God's people and see His heart for them.  This posture characterized the weekend, as we spent every night in worship together, sharing ways we experienced God throughout the day as well as things He was using to teach or challenge us, and often praying together.  We were also able to read and journal surrounded by God's beautiful creation...or sometimes in our beds with a fan blowing on us...  The jungle is HOT and HUMID.



 

 

The view from our bus.  It's about a 5 hour bus ride to Misahualli, the town we stayed in.  We drove down the mountains and the views were incredible.  I felt like a little kid perched in my window seat staring out -- and pointing out all the interesting things I saw. Also, I've been to a lot of National Parks with a lot of intense roads, and these jungle highways have some of the most intense curves I've ever been on -- Praise the Lord for Dramamine :)

Los Monos: The little town square/park is home to at least 10 monkeys.  They are so used to humans that they just climb around, grab peoples' stuff, go into open car windows (I saw that happen), and climb on peoples' arms and legs.  They were real cute from afar, but let me tell you I was not about to let any part of those animals touch me -- there will be no rabies shots for this girl.

The river...it was so pretty when the sun started to go down.  We swam in it after a long, hot day on Friday evening.

The school we went to (Jungle Kids for Christ) was started 4 years ago by an Ecuadorian couple who decided to move their family to the jungle and do ministry through a school.  All the teachers are considered "missionaries"''; most are from the States, but some are Ecuadorian.  It was really encouraging to spend time with them, get to hear their stories, and encourage them in the work they are doing. 
These are some of the precious 3rd graders I got to spend the morning with.  Kindergarteners are stinking cute, but I was really glad I got to hang out with the older students...I think that's where my heart thrives.

We had a big group singing (Sunday school songs in Spanish = my fav), then split into our classes to play games, have a Bible story, and do crafts. 
Our kids were so great -- I can't wait to see them again in a few weeks!

On Saturday morning we went back to the school and worked on the property.  I was on the playground crew...and lest you think "Oh, playground, that will be fun and easy" (which is what we thought...) let me tell you it's possible I've never sweat more in my life.  But it was so rewarding to install some new equipment for the kids, and to work alongside such a great, positive group of people.
Lauren, Liam, Bethany, Hannah, and Me

For your viewing pleasure.

The river on the way to a waterfall we hiked to.  Shout out to my mom for training me to bring up the rear of the group because I keep stopping to take pictures...

The waterfall...incredible.
Waterfalls are one of my very favorite things to see.

We got to swim in the pool that the waterfall was pouring into.  So much fun.  We also went behind the falls, under the falls, and climbed up the cliff a little and jumped off into the pool.

DIY: making chocolate straight from the caco beans themselves.  If you want to know more about the process, I can give you a brief tutorial.

I went into the jungle praying that God would use me, and that He would remind me that ministry isn't about me, but it's about Him. We prayed that we could encourage the missionaries, that we could merge in well and merge out well.  We prayed that when people saw us, they would actually be seeing Christ.  I don't know if we planted seeds, watered them, weeded them, or nurtured them, but I'm trusting God to do the growing.  And until we return to the jungle, I'm asking him to make my heart for the least, the last and the lost more like HIs heart for the least, the last, and the lost.

Lleno: full

 This past week has been a full one, that's for sure!  But, it's been full of wonderful things; I've been feeling busy, full, and blessed.  We had a lot of class and a fair amount of homework this week, between two Spanish tests and lots of reading for out other classes.  I also registered my visa, and as a group we had one community dessert night, one community dinner/chapel, one girl's night with the one and only Christy Stumbo, one new family, and two cultural activities.  I've begun to take my camera with me almost everywhere -- so many photo ops! Hashtag:blogging! Adventure through the week with me via a few of these photos!



Monday night: Abby and I finally made real dinner.
Chicken, beans, and potatoes.  It was so yummy -- we were pretty proud :)

There's a little bread store about 3 blocks down from our apartment and we pass it cada dia!  Hot croissants with Bethany hit the spot after class.  I didn't even know I liked croissants until I had this one. It was incredible. :) 

This is a pretty typical scene in our living room. This is also how we've spent the last two Friday nights :)

 THE BASILICA!  The Basilica is a beautiful, old, church in the heart of Old Quito.  It is still in use today -- we got to go in (super quietly) while a mass was beginning.  It's such a beautiful building -- I felt like I was in Europe.

The architecture in Old Quito is beautiful.  We stumble upon beautiful things like this door all the time.

Todas las Chicas!
Lette, Abby, Lauren, Christy, Hannah, Melissa, Mahala, Ally, and Bethany

We climbed up to a really high point where we could see a ton of the building and the city.
Abby and Christy: so thankful for these beautiful women of God.



Once we were done at the Basilica a group of us went to La Calle Ronda for dinner (that's the same street where we had empanadas a few weeks ago).  We went to this really pretty restaurant with live music and a fire place.  The food was so good! I got an Ecuadorian plate with pork, avocado, plantains, potato patties, salad, pico de gallo, and white corn with cheese (this has a special name here...but I don't remember it...)  Oh, and this entrée cost $6.50.  Just saying.

Las Chicas in la Calle.
Ally, Lauren, Hannah, Lette, Abby, Melissa



After dinner, we went to find somewhere we could eat ice cream.  I eventually settled for a 50 cent ice cream bar.  Solid.  Most of the group headed home to watch a movie, but a few of us decided that it was a good night to adventure to "The woman in the sky" -- more properly known as the Virgin el Panecillo.  It's a giant stature of the Virgin Mary on top of the mountain called Panecillo (literally translated "cupcake.") So, five of us (taxis only hold 4 people...) piled into what turned out to be the jankiest taxi in all of Quito, and rode up a steep, winding road.  We literally scraped the ground several times. There was so much laughing in that taxi.

But...eventually we made it, and were able to go up several stories and stand right below the statue.  It was such a beautiful view!  We had a lot of fun figuring out the story to the statue, and taking fun pictures. It was soo cold, so that just made things all the more amusing.  All 5 of us eventually ended up wearing scarves we had just bought.

Nick, Abby, Andrew, Me, Matt
Our brave adventuring group! 
We had such a fun night adventuring the city...my spontaneity skills have increased so much in the last three years :)
Also, when we got home we played the most intense game of Dutch Blitz I have ever played. I was literally winded.

 

On Sunday we moved in with our host families.  This was bittersweet -- living with host families is such a great opportunity to learn more Spanish and to learn about the culture, but it's weird not to be living in the apartments with the friends we've made.  Because there are so many students this semester, most of us are doubled.  My roommate is Ally -- she speaks great Spanish, so we're making a good team.  I'm certainly still trying my best to communicate myself, no worries!  Our family is wonderful -- there's a mom, dad, and two sisters (17 and 23).  They are so kind, hospitable, and patient with us.  We're going to be living with them for 5 weeks -- I'm excited to see what we learn from them and the adventures we share! 

 

We are leaving for the jungle on Thursday morning, and won't be back until Sunday night, so I won't be using the internet then. However, upon return, I will be writing a (hopefully really interesting) post about our time there. With pictures, of course. 
Until then, a blog post wouldn't be complete without a picture from the roof.  These are some of the beautiful skies we've seen this week. So beautiful. 
God is the God of this city, and greater things are still to be done here. I have no doubt about it.

 

 

 

Winds-day

(shout out to Lisa for the Iowan pronunciation of this post's title :)

 

This is how my Wednesday is ending.  Fabulously.  But the best part is, that is far from the high of my day.

It might be too soon to say, seeing how I’ve only had two here so far, but I think Wednesday is my current favorite day of the week.  Last semester Monday was probably my favorite day, complete with Chapel break prayer, Science Sem (haha…that’s meant to be a joke J) staff meeting with the Dream Team, and Bible study with the beautiful Third Tib girls.  This semester I think it’s Wednesday.

Wednesdays begin with my Spiritual Formation class.  Our prof is an incredible, wise, caring woman of the Lord.  Today I felt like she was looking straight into my soul; God is already using her and the words she brings to us to break down walls I didn’t even know were standing and to open my heart more towards Him.  After class I make my way back to the apartment with the other girls and we have lunch before heading out to Spanish.  Today my lunch was a sandwich made on a roll from the bread shop down the street.  We already love that place.  Then we go off to Spanish, where we are daily more equipped to engage with a culture full of Spanish speaking children of God (I have to tell myself things like that so I keep studying…but for real, I’m learning a ton).  Today Abby and I stayed by Spanish school and read at the Magic Bean (a cute, very American, coffee shop) for an hour before heading home – I’m hoping this might become a Wednesday tradition too.  Wednesday evenings we gather at either the guys’ or girls’ house for chapel, which begins with a DELICIOUS meal.  Afterward dinner we spend time worshipping together, reading God’s word, and hearing a reflection from one of our leaders.  It kind of reminds me of Laundry Room worship in the Tib Crib.  Tonight during singing we were prompted to turn to the person next to us and speak a word of truth or encouragement to them; this immediately turned into an extended time of beautiful encouragement and prayer with and for each other.  It was beautiful to see the Spirit move in such an obvious way among our group, and to see this community embrace and support one another in a way deeper than we have thus far.  I’ve been waiting with expectation for that.  And now I’m back home drinking blackberry tea (in a mug I swiped from the boys’ house because I really liked it), savoring a chocolate kiss, and eating popcorn in the living room.  I have reading to do, and there’s always more vocab to learn, but my heart is feeling full tonight, my spirit is feeling encouraged, and my soul is feeling blessed to have been in a place where God’s Spirit was moving my spirit. 

Looking forward to more Wednesdays in this place.

With Hunger and Thirst

And so classes and "real life" begin.  This week has been marked by a lot of "firsts" for the semester.

-1st Spanish class: We have Spanish every day for almost 3 hours.  It's a beginner Spanish class taught in Spanish.  Try to figure that one out.  Needless to say, it's a LOT of Spanish and a LOT of work.  But I'm learning a ton; my comprehension has increased a lot, but my production skills still need some work.  Hopefully those will improve before my homestay starts next Sunday!
-1st Spiritual Formation Class: I'm so excited for this class.  I think God's has some beautiful things in store for me and the other students in our class.
-1st Ecuador 250 class: This class is teaching us about culture, politics, history, and everything else we need to know about Ecuador.(I'm also taking a Worldview class -- but that's a week-long intensive later in the semester)
-1st chapel: Each Wednesday night everyone in our program gathers for dinner, worship and fellowship.  This is going to be a solid, encouraging part of each week.
-1st week of making meals for ourselves: So...7 of the 9 girls in our apartment are really good (and really like) cooking.  Abby and I...not so much.  But we've been holding our own making sandwiches, pasta, vegetables, and quesadillas.  We make a good team :)
-1st visit to my internship location: My internship for the semester is at an orphanage called "Para Sus Ninos" (which means "For His Children").  I got to go see the property and meet the kids on Saturday, and I'll start going consistently next week.  There are several kids here who have special needs...I think you can imagine how I feel about that :)  But as excited as I am to be spending part of this semester there, my heart is also broken for these beautiful children.  I'm hoping to learn more closely what God means when He tells us to "look after the orphans..."
-1st weekend on our own: Included making coco-krispies, girls' movie night, ice-cream at Korfu, brownies at the boys' house, Spanish church, homeworking, ect.

This week has also been characterized by some quality Christian fellowship, with everything from walking to many classes together, conquering the trolley together, going grocery shopping together, having dance parties in our kitchen, listening to Spanish Hillsong and exchanging backrubs, laying on the floor and eating trail mix with Abby, and having late night convos and laughs with my roommates.  Feeling blessed by a unique Christian community. 

I've been working my way through the Beattitudes in Matthew 5.  I've spent the last several days on Matthew 5:6: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."  There's just so much in this single verse.  What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?  When I'm physically hungry or thirsty, I do something about it.  My mind is consumed and I don't forget about it until my stomach is filled.  What does it look like for my heart to desire righteousness in the same way my body needs food and drink.  And what about that last part "...will be filled."  Jesus doesn't tell us that we might be filled, or that if we do everything right then we will be filled, or that we'll at least be half full.  He promises that we. will. be. filled.  So I'm living in hunger and thirst of righteousness, and living with the expectation that God will fill me.

Here are some snapshots of the week!

This is the view of our roof.  I love love love it.  Notice the mountain to the left!  We can only see that when the sky is clear.

Walking down Viallangua to the trolley to take it to Spanish class.  We walk ALL OVER around here. 
For those of you who care, my Chacos were a great investment -
I wear them all the time and like to pretend that they match everything. 

There's a little park about two blocks down the hill that we pass whenever we go...pretty much anywhere.
Sometimes we stop and play for a few minutes...teeter totters were quite the hit on Wednesday :)

Saturday afternoon walk to ice cream!

Flowers here are really cheap, so we put them in the living room to make it feel more warm and welcoming. So pretty.

(Homemade) Community guacamole.  What could get better than that?!

The view of a sunset off the roof. 
"Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, Let me be singing when the evening comes."

Ecuador 101: Orientation weekend!

It's Monday night. Orientation is finished. We got back from ziplining, made dinner and showered; now us girls are sitting in the living room in sweats blogging, emailing, and doing the first bit of Spanish homework -- "relaxing" for more than an hour for the first time since we've been here.  I have a cup of blackberry tea, and my body feels like a cross between having just gone on a 10-mile run and having just taken a Development Bio test.  Needless to say, it's been a busy, exhausting, invigorating, live-giving 6 days.

A few of the things we've done in the last 6 days:
-Spent the entire day traveling to Quito
-Sat in many sessions about culture, culture shock, safety (I'm very safe, no worries) and the vision of this program.  These sessions were fantastic; they included tons of helpful information as well as encouraged my heart for the things God has in store for this semester.
-Eaten meals at beautiful and traditional Ecuadorian restaurants
-Navigated the entire city of Quito with a paper map, 2 Spanish speaking friends, a taxi, a trolley, and a LOT of walking.  This was an Amazing Race style scavenger hunt...which we happened to win :)
-Worked out on the roof with other women of God...and nearly passed out from the lack of oxygen at 10,000 feet.  We have some work to do before we climb mountains.
-Took a Spanish assessment.  I have some work to do there too.
-Went to Spanish church. Beautiful.
-Visited Old Quito.  A beautiful part of town, with incredible history and architecture.
-Began friendships with 17 other study abroad students and an incredible leadership team.
-Taught some girls what it means to be a "hot woman of God"
-Spent several mornings eating breakfast and journaling on the roof.  This is going to be a habit for sure.
-Went ZIP LINING in the JUNGLE!  Soooooo cool. 
-And a lot of other random things :)

It's hard to believe we've only been here for 5 days.  We already call our apartment "home" and refer to Villalengua as "our street."  We have formed an identity as our group, and I'm looking forward to getting to know these men and women of God more and more, learning and growing with them.  I'm looking forward to starting classes tomorrow, to finding out my internship placement, to sharing life in this apartment, to becoming more confident navigating this city, to discovering the things God has to teach me, and to falling more in love with God. 

Here's some pictures from the start of my adventures!

Finally in Quito!  We were welcomed so nicely.

The girls' living room.  Getting ready to start a morning session.

Old Quito.  This road is called La Ronda -- it's kind of like a tunnel below the rest of the roads. 
It's been restored and is now filled with cute authentic restaurants and shops. 

All the girls in Old Quito!  Looking forward to sharing life with these beautiful women.
Lauren and Hannah
Abby, Melissa, Ally, Bethany, Me, Mahala

Giant empanada!  Empanadas are a really traditional food.  They're essentially fried dough with something stuffed inside.  This one is a dessert with cheese inside; the ones we had for dinner were smaller and filled with rice, meat, and veggies.

Me, Abby, and Lauren at a restaurant with a BEAUTIFUL view of the city.  We could see the Basilica from our seats! 

Just chilling at the Equator.  No big deal.

Ziplining through the jungle!  Get ready for great adventure.  We went on 10 different lines; the views were incredible.
Melissa, Bethany, Me, Abby, Ally, Hannah, and Mahala

Ready, Set, Quito!

Hello friends!

We're here in Quito, and life is crazy!  Crazy good though, no worries.  We've had some full days of orientation, and three more to come.  I don't have too many pictures yet because we're not supposed to take our cameras onto the streets too much (trying to keep a low American profile...we stand out a lot already...so we're not supposed to flaunt our electronics :).  I'll post some soon though...the next few days should have some great photo taking opportunities. 

I'll write a more full summary of orientation soon, but let me just say that so far this place is beautiful.  The city is beautiful, the people of Ecuador are beautiful, and the people on my team are beautiful.  I miss you guys at home, that's for sure, but I feel really good about being here.  God has been confirming in my heart that this is where He wants for me this semester, and I can't wait to see what it is He has to teach me this semester.  As Abby said this afternoon, "Every day is going to be an adventure, and we're going to learn something every day."  I sure hope so!

Here's my address, for those of you that are wondering.  It's different than past Ecuador semester addresses.  **Important note: we can only receive things that are less than 2 pounds, and if anything is bigger than a normal letter, it needs to be mailed in a manila-type envelope.  Otherwise I have to pay a lot of money to pick it up :)

Mision Mundo Juvenil Internacional
Lette Huisman
Av. Brasil N39-68 y Av. America
Quito, Ecuador
South America

Thank you for all your love, prayers, and support. You guys are the best...I feel so loved :)

Have a great weekend!
Pictures to come soon!!