First Day of Work

So today was my first day of work. I startd at 7:00 and worked with the toddlers... they are so cute, but a lot of work! Let's just say that I changed a lot of clothes from kids going pee or poo in their pants. I also bathed them, played a little, helped with breakfast and lunch, helped put them down for a nap and some other stuff. I think I'm working with the babies tomorrow... which by the way is my birthday! I doubt I'll be doing anything special, but I think my amazing time in LA will make up for that! Anyways, I'm thinking of taking some sort of spanish class if I continue to finish work at 1:30... however, I have no idea what I'll be doing to be honest. Dios te bendiga.

Safe Arrival in Ecuador

Hola a todos! Hi everyone! I have made it safely into Riobamba and haven't really felt any major side effects from the altitude. I have my own room, which is really quite big and very nice. However, I wish their was another volunteer here so I wouldn't be alone! Quiero que otra voluntaria venga para ser mi companera de cuarto. The temperature has been pretty nice so far, but you always have to wear pants and a sweater. Tomorrow I start my first day of "work" since today I mostly just played with kids and slept. The kids are so adorable and they are so fun to play with. I made it into town, which reminds me a lot of Guatemala... they have a lot of sweet stores so I hope to be able to go again since the bus is only 20 cents! However, knowing me, I'll probably get lost if I'm not careful! Los quiero mucho a ustedes y los extrano. Later.

Arrived in Los Angeles!

So I just arrived here in Los Angeles and am presently at my friend Emily's place. It has been a long day, but I am excited to be able to finally see something Disney related (downtown Disney) and to be able to go to the beach and just hang out.

It's nice and warm down here and I love the palm trees! Also, I will be leaving Monday for Quito, Ecuador and then I will have a couple hour drive to Riobamba.

Leaving Canada, Entering Ecuador

I just wanted to let you guys know that I’ll be leaving from Kelowna on Friday, September 25th. Me voy para Ecuador el 25 de septiembre. I’ll be visiting a good friend in LA for a couple days and then arriving in Quito, Ecuador on Monday the 28th. I’ll be picked up at the airport by the Allan’s (missionaries from Kelowna that run the orphanage) who will give me a ride to Riobamba where the Ark Children’s Home is located.

Riobamba is about the size of Kelowna (125,000 people) and high up in the mountains (9,000 ft). Therefore, even though Ecuador is on the equator the temperature is usually only between 5°C and 20°C. La cuidad está en las montañas y hace mucho frío allí.

I bought a one-way ticket and have a 2 year missionary visa so I will be staying in Ecuador until God calls me back to Canada (or I run out of money!) Volveré a Canadá cuando Dios me lo diga (¡o no tenga más dinero!) While in Ecuador I hope to improve my Spanish, but more importantly to serve the poor and love the unwanted. I also want to learn from the Allan’s how a ministry like theirs operates.

Thanks to everyone that has been praying for me and has helped me financially. I really appreciate it. Gracias a todos que han orado por mi y me han dado dinero.