String of Photos and Resume
The young Spanish girl that I wrote about who is looking for an American husband must have stayed up all night because the next day, she gave me a string of photos and her resume...giggling the whole time. So I am looking for her match...any ideas?
Tanzania Connects to Guayaquil
The more we travel...the more connected the world becomes for me. Who would ever imagine our Tansania trip would ever connect to Guayaquil! And yet, I am using the same set of felt bible story pieces here as I cut out while gazing at Mt. Kilamajaro...made by the same USA company. It feels like another comforting nod from God.
Last Day in Guayquil
When we left USA a month ago, I really thought we'd be working and living in an orphanage...wrong. Instead God...cause we sure had little say in it...gratiously placed us in the home and hearts of the Orellana family. And through Sonnia, we met with over 250 kids mostly whose parents were squatters. Using our teaching skills, we could create lessons ... hopefully foundation blocks for solid Christian lives...using crafts, games and storytelling that adjusted to the space, time frame and # of kids ...as we never knew anything for sure when we walked in the door. And God also gave us Tatiana...an able and spirt filled translator. The last group of kids were worked with were filled with kind and thoughtful kids. We got so many long, loving hugs as we said goodbye to the kids and the staff and the pastors...all thanking us over and over and wishing blessings on us as they walked us to the door. My warmest and biggest hug came from Sonnia....with tears racing down our cheeks, we whispered "Amigo" to each other. Tatiana insisted on driving us to the bus station, helping us buy our tickets and then walking us to our bus line. How lucky can you get?
Two Gringos on their Own
For the first time since we left USA...we're alone with just our loaded backpacks, peanut butter (and a few m&m's) and the survival skills we have learned...two gringos in a sea of Ecuadorians. We took the bus to Manta...transferred to another....and then later another and finally arrived in San Jacinto...a small fishing village with miles of almost empty beach very close to the equator. We are in probably the nicest hotel here right on the beach with a pool, hammocks and a full breaKfast for $40. We strolled down the dirt road that lines the shore thinking how valuable these homes would be in the USA. Local kids played in the waves...did they realize how lucky they were? We sure knew how lucky we were!!
