Life in Riobamba

Hi again. I hope you guys are all doing well.

This last week has been quite a blessing. I have been able to do more and enjoy my time here in Ecuador. To start off Debora and I have been able to bring some sort of food to the people in the little jail. This last time we went there was a whole bunch of people standing outside and one lady asked me who I knew that was in the jail. I told her no one and that we were just bringing bread for everyone. I think that kind of surprised her...

We also went to the Ark Children´s Home 2 days to volunteer. The first day we helped with babies and toddlers because there was a no show. The second day I was able to help with Christmas presents... pretty much we just sorted through old donations to see which were fit for giving. It was nice to be back there and I can´t wait for February when the family (the Allans) that run the orphanage will be in my city (Kelowna) so I can visit them there.

We had a prayer meeting on Wednesday night and were able to offer our house again. We´re learning more and more about hospitality in a Latino culture, which I believe is preparation for the future. It´s a lot more formal than I´m used to and you are expected to serve people the food or drink. There´s no buffets or helping yourself. The host serves the plates, hands around the dish of chips and makes the coffee for their guests. Compared to me and my friends this is a big step! Only my friends back home feel comfortable enough to go into my fridge and dig around for something to eat or cut themselves a piece of cake without asking! haha.

I also have been blessed with the opportunity to learn Haitian Creole. I´ve been praying for this for a long time and my prayer has been answered. Ever since my trip to Haiti in 2008 I´ve had a passion for learning Creole (a mix of French and African) and have hoped to go back. I randomly met a Haitian French professor that works at a university here at a restuarant that was willing to teach me Creole. I had one lesson already and loved it. It´s hard to find resources to learn this language and especially anyone who knows it and is a language professor (unless you´re in Haiti!).

Well, until next time. God bless and may His peace be with you. Chao.