Giving Thanks....

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

Oh how much I have to be thankful for this thanksgiving season! In many ways it doesn't feel like thanksgiving at all since thanksgiving is not an Ecuadorian holiday. I have classes tomorrow on Thanksgiving Day. I won't be partaking in sweet potatoes, turkey or pumpkin pie. I won't be spending time with my family. There are no pumpkins or capricorns, or that brisk fall air and the crunch of leaves under foot. But in some ways the absence of all things "thanksgivingy" have made this thanksgiving particularly meaningful for me. I have been reminded to give thanks in all seasons not just when we have a giant feast in front of us and are surrounded by loved ones. This Thanksgiving I have a second family to be incredibly thankful for, I have seen more than many will every see or experience in their lives, I have learned so much (most of which wasn't during classes!), I have been lifted up in prayer and supported by so many people, and my Lord has been faithful; pouring out his love, mercy, and truth on me. This Thanksgiving I enter his courts with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise! I am thankful and bless His name, for the Lord is GOOD! His mercy is everlasting and his truth endures for ever! Not every moment here in Ecuador has been fine and dandy... there have been hard times too, but he has been faithful through it all and has richly blessed me through the good times and the hard times!

Now for a look at some of those things I am thankful for:

I went to a boarding High School in Yachana (in the Jungle) 2 weeks ago with the director of my program and one other lady to lead theater workshops. This picture is looking from the main shelter where we lead the workshops to the girls dorm. I really enjoyed my time at Yachana despite having to get up early enough to eat breakfast at 5:30 am with all the students (coffee not included). Before leaving Quito I had just reached a point where I was feeling worn down from city life and was struggling with missing family and friends back home. Yachana offered me a place for rejuvenation physically, mentally, and spiritually. One highlight for me was one night when I woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of rain pounding down on the tin roof above my head and thunder crashing and the lightning turning the pitch black night into day. I stepped onto the porch and rested in the power of my God.

One night some of the students went to the nearby tourist lodge and performed a traditional dance. Afterwards we went to the bar where we were all served fruit milkshakes (Batidos) : )

I really enjoyed working with the kids. It was fun to see them develop even in the few times we met with each group! We had 4 groups total, above is 2 of the groups combined the last day we were there.



I am also very thankful for my brother Oscar. Last Saturday he accompanied me up the TeleferiQo (cable car that takes you up the mountain on the west side of Quito) in the rain and hail. The elevation at the top of the TeleferiQo is about double that of Quito and it was cold! We tried to stay semi dry huddled under an umbrella as we jumped over puddles and seeing glimpses of Quito through the clouds :)



We also had to take some jumping pictures while we were there :)



Later that day I went to the mall with a bunch of my friends from church where we were greeted by lots of Christmas Decorations including a giant Christmas tree. I decided we had to stop and take a picture!



The following day I went with my group to a crater lake: Quilatoa. The views were spectacular and I had a wonderful time with my friends from the program. And here I am met with another blessing; friends in my program!



Some of us hiked down to the lake.



And here we are met with another blessing: my director Daniel. He is always a phone call away if we are every in trouble or have a question. He has provided us with high levels of entertainment through his story telling on long bus rides, and he has opened up his home for group discussions on issues we have faced during our time here. He is continually challenging us to reflect and learn from our experiences both good and bad here. In addition, he has taken the time to show us some of the not so pretty parts of Ecuador, the parts where tourists don't go and many of the upper class Ecuadorians avoid as well.



While in Quilatoa we were each given some money we had to spend in the community. One of my purchases was this wooden nativity.... Christmas decorating complete! But more importantly this symbolizes what I am most grateful for this thanksgiving season... the love of my Father who sent his son to be born in a manger, live among humanity, suffer, die, and ultimately rise again so that we might one day live with Him!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright... another day is coming to a close and I am left sitting in my room sipping a cup of tea and reflecting on my day, my life in Ecuador, and the time I have left before I leave Ecuador (1 month 6 days). I decided since I am not in the states I didn't have to wait until thanksgiving to listen to Christmas music so I am currently also enjoying Josh Groban's Christmas album Noel for those interested : ) The last two weeks have been quite busy! I welcomed in the month of November on the beaches of the Galapagos Islands. It was actually cloudy most of the time and quite chilly. I left Quito with my program on October 29 and returned November 3rd. Since recounting my whole trip would be quite time consuming here are a few highlights:

1. Cliff Jumping



2. Walking through lava tunnels.



3. Hanging out with really large turtles... I even got to see solitary George. (The turtle shown above is not solitary George)

4. Laughing with Friends

5. Aquatic Iguanas



6. Lobo Marinos (Sea Wolves) aka Sea Lions... I got to swim with these guys!



7. The Chiva... our mode of transportation while on Isla Isabela.



8. Volcanic craters and lava fields. One day we hiked to some craters and lava fields. It was like another world up there looking over and walking on the lava fields.

9. Visiting a hospital on the Galapagos. While strolling the beach in the shallow water I felt something soft and squishy and moving underfoot. I quickly jumped and on my way back down landed on something hard and sharp which left 5 nice cuts on the bottom of my foot. I visited the little hospital on Isabella which was right beside our hostal where they cleaned and wrapped my foot. Our conclusion is that I either stepped on a manta ray or on a puffer fish. Definitely a memory maker!



10. & 11. I got to see Blue Footed Boobies AND Penguins!




12. Spending time in the lanchas! We split into 4 boats to go out to our different snorkling locations and visit some of the smaller islands.



13. Los Túneles. I think this place was my favorite of all the places we visited in the Galapagos. The scenery was stunning! Arches and all sorts of other rock formations sticking out of the water, turtles and sea lions swimming below. We also got to go snorkeling here.



14. Drinking hot chocolate on a chilly evening on the beach.



15. Watching a stunning sunrise as we said goodbye to the galapagos in a lancha on our way to the airport.

Since returning I have been kept busy with the day to day work of classes, homework and teaching English. This weekend I will once again venture out of Quito. This time, however, I will not be heading west to the Galapagos but rather east to the jungle. I will be leaving early friday (tomorrow) morning and returning on Monday. I will be going with the director of my program and one other lady to lead theater workshops at a boarding high school in Yachana. I am really looking forward to interacting with the students while continuing to build my experience and knowledge of both teaching and theater!

However in the midst of my traveling and adventures I relish the chance to spend an evening relaxing in my room reflecting on my experiences and the grandness of my savior! As I have been listening to Christmas music recently I have been particularly thinking about how incredible it is that the God who created the galapagos and jungle, and turtles and Penguins valued me enough to come to earth in order to save me! Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright... my savior was born!