Mother Nature

This morning our group organized our seemingly endless documents, preparing them to run the bureaucratic gauntlet in hopes of attaining our year long residency here. Tomorrow the gauntlet begins. After all the photocopies and signatures seemed to be in order we boarded a bus and headed for a small communal living compound on the outskirts of Quito. The hour long bus ride was rewarding, as we ventured higher into the mountains the views of Quito below were quite breath taking. Dogs seemed to constantly be perched on the compound walls - the best place for them to bark at passers by. We arrived at our destination, a compound littered with greenery and garden. The residence here grow all organic foods and live off them almost entirely. Some food they barter for in surrounding mountain towns. We hiked a small set of switchbacks up a hill where one of the guys showed us how to harvest water from a desert plant. The plant can sustainably produce 8 litres of this sweet water daily for over three months, it grows everywhere, and needs little water itself and no care. Quite remarkable. From here we could see the round mountain which is the 'center of the world.' Sometime we will go right there and stand half in the south and half in the north. After we were finished there, and fed one of their typical meals we headed back down to our hostel. Beth and I had a meeting with Maria, a great and very practical lady who is the program administrator here. She informed us of our living arrangements for the first four months, and we will be able to live together with a family, and we will have two rooms. This is truly amazing as it was one of our main concerns. Thanks Maria! Praise God that we can stay together here, as we were praying for that! This evening Beth, Myself and a couple friends ventured out to a coffee shop and had some hot chocolate to warm up, as well as some empanadas. Delicious. It was relaxing.

Thats all for now, Love,

Matt

Blue Jumpsuits, Guido, and Quito

Beth and I have arrived safe in Quito, nestled high in the sierra. We arrived late last night, settled into our Hostel, and slept the night away. We the noises, smells, and scenery remind me of San Jose. Around 4:30 am, a car alarm started outside and it continued for around 5 hours. We woke up this morning, and went to the roof to see Quito in the daylight. The city was bustling on the streets below us, with vendors, beggars, restaurants, photocopy shops, and internet cafes all catering and calling to the hoards of Ecuadorians walking about. After breakfest, and our first orientation session, some of us ventured out onto those busy streets. Beth, myself, and a few others walked about, entering photocopy shops (I made 12 COLOR photocopies for $2.30) We went to a market, El Mercado Santa Clara, and began to get adjusted to congestion and haggling. The piles of fresh fruit made us drool, while the whole roasted pigs hanging about did not. On the streets, 'cat calls' - a very distinguishable type of whistle - where commonly directed at the girls. This is quite normal in Ecuador. Anyways, now Beth, Myself and some others and getting some down time in the Hostel and using the internet.


The flight down was rather smooth. We met two interesting ladies on their way to the Galapagos islands. It was a red head mother daughter team wearing matching blue jumpsuits. They were sweet ladies, advising us not to eat Guinea pig, and argueing whether the place they were landing was called 'Guido' or 'Guido.' It was amusing. They looked like they were having a lot of fun.

We are slowly connecting more with some of the students we didn't know as much, and reconnecting with some old friends, in particular, Emma. We began to get to know Emma last year, she is a new believer, and wonderful to have a long as a sister in Christ. God is good, and he is taking good care of us here as He always does. Bye for now, matt.

Wow, I Am Here

I have official stepped into the curious world of blogging. Reluctant for a long time, my need for a platform to communicate to family and friends about the happenings of Beth and I has led me to create this page. Sooo, everybody, this is where you will find little updates, occassional pictures, and simple hellos from Beth and I.

Blessing is always found in Christ,

Matt