Hello everyone.So I´ve been in Ecuador just over a month now since getting back from Colombia and I´ve been away from home for almost 11 months now.
This is me in a hole in a huge cathedral in Quito. We climbed up many stairs and sketchy ladders to reach the top where there is a beautiful view of the city.
On August 9th, my friend from Switzerland arrived in Quito. Her name is Debora and we met in the Dominican Republic during our Discipleship Training School in 2008. So to pick her up from the airport I went a couple days early to the capital to sight see with a volunteer (Emily) from the Ark Children´s Home. 
One of the coolest things Emily and I did was take a cable car up a mountain and then hike a little. We made it up to 13,650 feet! It was cold and you could feel the lack of oxygen, but the view was amazing.
Me and Emily also got to see the president of Ecuador!
I also got to go to the Middle of the World again... I´m standing on both sides of the equator and am in both the northern and southern hemispheres!
Debora, Jessica and I at Ser Como Tu (a Friday night youth group).
When Debora (the Swiss girl) and I got back to Riobamba we started looking for apartments. We were and are still both planning on staying until November. I actually just bought a flight for the 17th so see you all soon! The place we found is close to downtown and only costs $80 a month including water and electricity! We didn´t have any furniture, but the directors of the orphanage I volunteered at (Ron and Glenda Allan) lent us everything we needed! It is such a blessing having a bed to sleep in, a stove to cook with, and a couch to sit on!
It has been so nice having our own place because now I feel like I can practice hospitality. We had a night of intercession here with the ¨Jesus Family¨ (the street church members) and I hope to do it regularly. One night after a devotional at the Ark some of the child workers that spend the majority of their time on the streets came over. We were able to serve them hot chocolate and play Yahtzee with them for a few hours. One of the kids nick-named Chuki stands out to me. He´s always asking questions about the faith, like about intercession and fasting for example. You can see he´s smart and has a hunger for God. Pray for his spiritual growth.
Only in Ecuador: One night we decided to go to the main road where they´re doing construction and make a bon-fire. Some gathered fallen palm tree bark and others scraps of wood. I went to the gas station and filled a plastic water bottle I found on the sidewalk with gasoline. Then we proceeded to make a fire right downtown. We bought some french fries and talked until almost 2AM!
Apart from everything, Debora and I also decided to join a gym that´s just a block away. For only $15 a month there are 2 personal trainers that help you and there are dance classes at night. Only after 2 days of going I´m sore all over, but I know it´ll be worth it!
As for my future plans here in Ecuador I can´t tell you. God has been teaching me to live day-by-day and is still telling me to rest. So, pray for guidance and that I will know and obey his will.
God bless and have a great day.
