So far, Bryan has done all the blogging. Today, I thought I
would take advantage of Will’s nap time and write. Every day, countless times
throughout the day, I think of thoughts I’d like to share. Contrasts in life in
between Quito and life in western Montana. New discoveries. What the Lord is
teaching me. However, Mr. Will keeps me quite busy. In fact, daily life here is
more time consuming. Not that it is bad, just different. When we moved from
Atlanta to Pendleton, Oregon, in December 2001, we had to get rid of our washer
and dryer and move into an apartment where I became the dish washer and Bryan
became the pack-mule that hauled the weekly laundry to the laundromat. Life is
a little like that here. Our temporary two-bedroom apartment at the corner of
Juan Villalengua and Vera Cruz (see the building in the third photo from the top--not a great photo) has a washing machine but no dryer. So every few
days Will and I put on our hats (a must for sun protection), and we stuff our
red carry-on suitcase with wet clothes, and walk the block and a half from our
apartment building to the school dormitory where I can use the dryer on the
third floor. Unlike in Pendleton, where I traveled by minivan, my
transportation is my own two feet, and at times, a taxi cab. The benefits of
walking are obvious, but also include some unexpected benefits. I am getting to
know my neighbors and some of the street vendors that I pass along the way.
First, there is Marcelo, the man who stands outside our building and helps
people parallel park, earning tips throughout the day. Liliana and I pass each
other as well. Liliana is the caregiver for my 90-year-old neighbor, who kindly
helped me by sharing an extra tank of propane until we could return the favor. Then
there is the female street vender whose 20-month old boy frequently sits with
her on the street corner opposite our building (sometimes napping, sometimes
finding trash with which to play while his mom eeks out a living selling fruits
and nuts). Jonathan recently bought two toy cars, one for Will and one for the
vendor’s toddler. What joy to see her eyes light up as she gave the toy to her
little boy. (Will wasn’t sure about that! J)
And then there’s Laura, the 60-something street vendor whom I met while standing in
line at the pharmacy just inside the hospital while filling a prescription
for Will. We bonded while standing in line, and now we stop to talk to her each
day on the sidewalk.
I love that people smile and greet one another. Many
people are very friendly. Others are not so nice. The propane guy ran off with
one of our full tanks of propane yesterday. That was an interesting way to
start the morning. I might have run after him, but I was still in my robe.
Liliana called the police, but no one ever came. Definitely a learning
experience. But through each challenge, the Lord always provides. I now know to
call a dependable Christian man who will deliver our gas. Propane lasts about
two weeks. Five containers of water last about a week. For water, we call
Alfredo. Just this morning, I was able to share with the dormitory housekeeper
Rebecca’s amazing story of how the Lord brought Rebecca into our family. With
each encounter, I pray that we would reflect the Lord’s love and light.
With our new transportation mode
comes some new challenges. Crossing the major thoroughfares is in itself a
death-defying experience. We are learning to pray “in all circumstances.” Last
week, Jonathan had a close call as we left the local market, for which there is
no real crosswalk or stop light. Somehow he had gotten behind a few people also
waiting to cross. When there was a break in traffic, Will and I zipped across
but Jonathan lost precious seconds trying to navigate around some slower moving
pedestrians. I am sure that in spite of the fact that no one around me spoke
English, everyone knew what I was telling Jonathan once we made it across. I
was scared. So I promised myself that I would actually ask everyone to please
pray for our daily safety. We are trusting the Lord for His faithful protection.
That same night, He reminded me that He is ACTIVELY
involved in answering those prayers for protection. As I lay in bed that
night trying to fall asleep, I heard the unmistakable voice of the Lord clearly
speaking to me, saying to get up and go check the gas knobs on the stovetop
(something I had never thought about doing at bedtime). I immediately got up,
and sure enough, one of the knobs was not completely turned off. That evening
at dinnertime, Rebecca had asked to show me that she knew how to turn on and
light the gas stove. Reluctantly, I let her. I took over the cooking, but
somehow one of the knobs had not been turned off. After I discovered the knob was
still on, we determined that only Mom and Dad will turn on and off the gas. The
Lord is so faithful!
I love relearning the language
that I learned in my youth. If I had to start learning Spanish for the first
time now, it would be so much harder. So grateful that my Spanish is slowly coming
back. I love getting to know the people that the Lord is putting in my path. I
am enjoying the Ecuadorian cuisine and the sights. This weekend is Carnaval weekend. During the break, we will escape
the concrete jungle with a family from Oregon who works at the school and will
explore the natural beauty of a lake that sits atop an old volcanic crater. Stay tuned…
