Feeling more at home...

Hello everyone! I can't believe that I have been in Ecuador for a whole month! For a while, things were moving really slowly. My real classes are just now beginning. For the past three weeks, I have been doing an orientation course with the 4 other UT students. The course was pretty easy and my teacher was absolutely incredible. He is a native Guayaquileno and loves his city. We did lots of projects that allowed us to observe the city in light of its tumultuous history and recent development projects. I learned alot about the culture wars going on in Guayaquil between the very strong North American Pop- cultural influences and the simpler ones native to Ecuador and its costal region. Apparently, "Guayaquil (specifically) has a history of imitating other cultures to make up for their lack of one." I have concluded that this cannot be true, but that it only seems true as Guayaquil's dark and dirty past has made it difficult for the city to really invest in its own cultural preservation. However, a project called " La Regeneracion Urbana" is the city's biggest and greatest (and maybe most effective) attempt to reverse some of the damage that its pirate-invaded, disease infested, and impoverished past left as memorabilia. Comparing photos of the city in the 90's and then today, I can't help but feel a little bit proud (which I know is silly because it has nothing to do with me) of Guayaquil, Ecuador, and even the whole of South America because they are really trying to clean stuff up, build stuff better, and most importantly reach out to their poor. The project does not only concern infrastructural development, but includes educational, cultural, and economic investment. Jaime refers to it as a "sociological phenomenon" because the idea is that if the city can improve its own appeal asthetically and infrastructurally, then the citizens will perceive themselves more worthy of living in a beautiful place. The result is increases self confidence on the individual level (which propels ambition and confidence in improving quality of life) and confidence on a population level (which provides an increased sense of security and pride). The project's objectives depend on the idea that if the city looks better and there is more access to educational and professional resources, then the people might feel more self-worth and dignity amongst themselves and each other (the benefits of this idea becoming reality are endless). I am excited for Guayaquil and am beginning to actually feel honored that I get to learn and be apart of it. For me, a student of sociology, the city of Guayaquil is fascinating and very encouraging. However, I can't and don't ignore the ever present and pervading poverty that is cleary visible along the other side of the river and many other dark pockets of the city. My prayer for the city is that its leaders will continue to be true to their citizens and keep building big beautiful buildings and schools while also being aware of the physical, educational, and emotional needs of its poorest and disabled.

To transition a bit...

We went to Cuenca last week during our four day break between the end of orientation and the beginning of our new classes. It was fantastic- an absolute breath of fresh air. I loved it. The city embodies everything that is quaint and lovely about South America without much of its flaws- crime and poverty. I know that this city isn't perfect, but it felt perfect as we shopped and browsed and ate postres and drank coffee. The city knows many tourists. So, no one really cared when a blonde gringa was walking down the street. It felt good to feel "unwatched" and not scared. Although, I know that this feeling of security in Cuenca is false as I am being taught over and over again that true security and freedom resides only inside of an active relationship with Jesus Christ. It was not difficult to be grateful and prayerful in Cuenca as I was allowed to take a break from the big city of Guayaquil and enjoy the most beautiful architecture, flowers, crafts, and people I have ever seen. Not only did this trip provide a hiatus from the hechtic and HOT life of metrovia, bus pollution, pick pocketers, and taxi drama in Guayaquil, but it allowed the 5 of us to really connect. I am getting to know the other students here so well. It has been difficult realizing and being reminded (alot) of my own selfishness, judgemental tendencies, and self righteousness. However, God is good and redemptive. After realizing (again) how broken I am and being so utterlly embarassed that my brokeness is visible for all to see (evidenced by a couple of emotional breakdowns), it was evident that His love was really able to flow through me. I guess it is hard to explain everything, but for this reason and so many others, our trip to Cuenca was rich... and I got some really amazing photos!

Over and over, I am realizing some of the same things. To be sure, there is a reoccuring theme in my adventure to Ecuador. In order to survive it, I am trying to live by a simple philosophy...

"have almost no expectations...but always high hopes"

I guess I can summarize my experience in Ecuador ( and probably that of all the other students) by describing it as everything that I wanted and nothing that I expected. But I guess the same goes for life, too.

Classes start on Monday. I am super pumped. My original plan was to have a really easy semester. However, I have fallen in love with some of the syllabi that Catolica has to offer. So, I have decided to really dig into the language and the material so that I can learn as much as possible by taking a couple extra classes. Wish me luck! I miss everyone and am so thrilled to receive emails and updates. They are always perfectly timed, so keep'em coming!

Week 1

After a solid week in Guayaquil, I am just beginning to get a feel for the city and where the heck I am in this silly country. When Sarah and I landed at the airport, I was delighted to see that my bags had made it safe and sound. Sarah, however, had to endure her first few days without one of her suitcases. Even worse, Rachel Pippin, a fellow UTer, was without ALL of her luggage for almost 4 days! Not to worry-neither of them ever got too flustered and all the bags were reclaimed without any harm.

After an hour at the lost luggage counter, Sarah and I searched for friendly faces holding signs with our names in the crowd of people. This is the way it works at the arrival gates in South America: you get off the plane, you go through customs, you pray your bags will show up around the next bend of the conveyor belt, and then you walk out (usually behind a clear plexiglass wall) where there are dozens of people pressed up against the glass trying to get your attention. Sarah and I both laughed as we shared a temporary sensation of being a celebrity. Finally, we saw Fatima (my mom) and Jasmina (her mom) with shining faces and big signs with our names on them. Before I knew it, I was saying goodbye to Sarah and feeling excited/lonely/nervous about being alone with my new Ecuadorian mother. I had little to fear because Fatima is Wonderful! In my house lives 8 other girls. They are all students at various Universities in the city and about my age. Natalie, Fatima’s daughter, is 20 and speaks English a little better than I speak Spanish. On my first day, she was such an angel to me as she guided me through the complicated process of buying a cell phone and answering questions about the language.

It took me almost two days to recover from the trip. I was so tired! I also spent a lot of time unpacking and organizing and making my assigned room “my own”. Never before have I understood the value of “nesting” until now. Even now, I am finding so much comfort in the quiet of my room reading, editing photos, cleaning, and organizing. Fatima and some of the other girls took me on some trips around the city and to the “Super Maxi” for groceries and an ATM machine, but because classes hadn’t started, there wasn’t much to do. Sarah, Rachel, and I did go to El Parque Historico in downtown Guayaquil. It was nice to see some green trees and experience a bit of nature- as this city is the opposite of that. The endangered species that the park displayed held a strong resemblance to the animals seen frequently in the US: deer, raccoons, pigs, ant eaters (okay, so we don’t see those very much), a variety of birds, turtles, and an alligator (also not seen often in the US). I wasn’t impressed that much by the park, but the time with Sarah and Rachel was really great. They are both really kind and really excited about embracing the culture and learning about this new world. They inspire me and challenge me to have an open mind as I am a little disappointed in the fact that I will be living in what could be considered one of the dirtiest, most polluted cities in the world.

La Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayquil is my new school. It is definitely the nicest school in Guayaquil and I find myself feeling a little insecure at my lack of fashion sense when I walk down the halls. The girls and guys here are pretty “hip”. I think, though, that I will just assume the “weird exchange student” status as I continue to stay true to the South with Sperry Topsiders and true to myself with simple solid colors and my hidden money belt (thanks mom!). The best part about the school is that I feel rather safe there. The teachers are nice. The students don’t stare too much and, best of all, they sell tres leches (my favorited kind of cake)!

I know that my first week has been simple and uneventful, but I am really thankful for it. I needed it. Everything here is harder- to speak, to go to class, to go to the store, to get water, to have lunch, even to call home. It is taking a lot out of me. I know I will adapt. Already, I feel more at home. I am getting interested in the politics here. In September, the whole country is voting on whether or not they will ratify a new constitution. The debate is very heated and even caused my university to cancel classes for a day. The students at Católica are very passionate and divided. It is a little unnerving to know that it could get violent. Everyone assures me that there is nothing to fear and that Católica is a “good” school. However, there are many issues with the new constitution (they recently got a new Constitution in 1998!) among the 444 new amendments. Some of them include the legalization of homosexual marriage and abortion. If Ecuador ratifies the new constitution, it will be the 2nd country, after Uruguay, to legalize abortion. The strong Catholic presence in this country is putting up their best fight. I pray they win. I pray these issues don’t cause more division. It is sad to have to deal with these issues in the first place, but it is even sadder to see the people of Ecuador begin to hate each other over them (as is happening right on my campus). That is one reminder of home that I was not excited about.

I am going out of town this weekend to Las Playas! It is supposed to be a quaint little beach about an hour south of Guayaquil. This is our first trip out of town and we are all very excited! Say some prayers for us as the 5 of us try to stay safe and get to know each other! I love you all and miss you all very much!

*I am reading the oh so popular novel (and best seller), The Shack, right now. It is very interesting and for the most part, I like it. If anyone has read it or is reading it, I would love to hear some commentary... One thing is for sure, the way that Mack is so near to the 3 in 1 in the book has brought me great comfort as it is a reminder that our God is One who is always with us. I try to remember this as I walk down the streets of Guayaquil and trust in His protection.

** I have included some pics of my new room, my new amigos, and some sights!

Almost there!

A 5 hour layover in Bogota, Colombia seemed scary at first. I am fortunate to have Sarah Priddy with me, a fellow Volunteer and new friend. Now that we are here, in Colombia, waiting for a connecting flight, fear subsides and my excitement swells. In approximately 4 hours, I will meet my host parents and the 6 exchange students living with them- my new Ecuadorian family. The trip, so far, has been rather smooth and uneventful. A 4:20 am wakeup call at the Comfort Inn was nothing short of a delight (note the sarcasm) after my mere 3 hour slumber. The good news is that throughout the process of checking in, finding our gate, and eating breakfast, Sarah and I had tons to talk about. Bad news- deep conversation often leads to being distracted, which often leads to nearly MISSING FLIGHTS. Luckily, I heard the "last call" announcement from the gate we thought was ours, but turned out to be NOT ours. We made it though! We even got to sit together on the plane and met a Colombian Surgeon who overheard us reviewing -ir, -er,-ar verb conjugations. He kindly offered to help and was patient with me as I stumbled through my rusty Spanish. It was fun, though!

At the gate in Colombia, we were a little timid, but ventured out into the food area where I saw (and quickly purchased) the most beautiful SA item: drinkable yogurt... and muesli. It was perfect, and tasted just like I remember it from Peru. This drinkable yogurt will be my vice and work against me every month as I aim to fit into Amy's bridesmaid dress in January.

While we wait for our flight, Sarah and I are enjoying the luxury of wireless internet in the terminals and reviewing our Spanish. We both have 'mucho' to learn, but are really excited to learn it!

We are almost there and I really am looking forward to it. I knew that saying goodbye would be hard and sad, which it was- really really sad (I will admit that there were definitely some tears and long goodbye hugs as Chris escorted me as far as he possibly could through check-in and to the entrance of security. He even waited until I was out of eye sight to leave... There is not much to say about all of that other than I MISS HIM!). However, I was also right that saying goodbye would be the hard part and the rest would be an adventure! Ahora, me voy! Adios!

Thoughts of preparation...

I just stepped off the plane from a ten day cruise through the Bahamas on a beautiful yacht http://www.mywatercolours.net/ . I know what you're thinking- no, I did not buy a yacht with the extra cash I made this summer. In fact, I was being paid to lather on the sunscreen, order drinks, play in the warm shallow waters of aquamarine beaches.... as a nanny for two little ones. Haha. I did walk away with a tan, but my first priority was to Gavin and Sailor- 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 years old. They are adorable, but required some bit of attention. Despite a sickly 2 days of strept throat, I had a blast and am so thankful to have been a part of such a beautiful vacation. However, I am really happy to be back!

Somehow, returning home from this trek reminded me of my approaching departure to Guayaquil on August 13th. There are so many events between now and then that it seems overwhelming to imagine getting it all done! I recently found out that my great uncle was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and has a poor prognosis. Mom, Dorothy, and I will travel soon to visit him for the last time. Though this will be an awful loss in my family, I am grateful for the timing of it because I am still here to say goodbye.

God is teaching me a lot these days. Actually, this whole summer has been full of big and small lessons: trust in Him, read His word, remember His miracles always, pray a lot... oh yeah, and listen a lot. My Bahama babysitting job was a lot of fun, but there were definitely times that I ached for home, for my family, and for Chris. When I heard about my Uncle James, I realized how much could happen in even a 10-day span. How much will I miss in 4 1/2 months? The older I grow, the more important family seems to become. For the first time, I am realizing that I will not just be missing Chris, but my entire family, all my friends, and all that happens- the good and the bad.

As I begin to say goodbye and finish up all the millions of things to do before leaving, the Lord is preparing my heart for the distance by preparing my mind. He is showing me that, like anything worthwhile, the luxury of studying abroad (fulfilling a long time dream of mine) means sacrifice. I guess what I am trying to say is that, ever so vainly, I knew there would be people who missed me, but I forgot to think about all that I would miss...

These upcoming days to visit my Uncle James, who always felt more like a grandfather, at the end of his life are truly a gift for which I give thanks to God. Your thoughts and prayers for my Uncle and our family are appreciated in this difficult time.