We've all heard the arguments of which sport is undoubtedly the favorite among sports fans. In the United States, American Football, Baseball, and Basketball dominate the leading popularity of sports among sports fans. Football(Soccer) is not even a blip among popularity in the United States (unless you're a UCSB Gaucho!). Here in Ecuador, there is no such thing as another sport other than soccer. Don't get me wrong, they play baseball, basketball, and volleyball on occasion for fun, but football in Ecuador is more than just a game; it is a religion and a way of life.
It did not dawn on me just how important soccer is to the Latin community until I witnessed two very extraordinary events. When Liga, a professional soccer team from Quito, Ecuador, hands down the best in the country and a top contender in all of central and South America, played for the South American championships back in September, the game was played on a Sunday morning and every church I knew of, had moved service times to accomodate the spectacle watchers. This included the Catholic Church. No joke. It blew my mind that God was put on hold until after a game. The second event was when I went with my family to watch Liga play an away game at a near by restaurant to cheer on our team. It was raining and rather cold that night. Outside the restaurant and outside a nearby television electronics store, I witness people gathered in the freezing rain to watch the game because they can't afford to enter the restaurant or don't have a t.v. at home. I don't care who you are, that's dedication. I don't know too many people in the U.S. who would do that.
The atmosphere of soccer games in Latin America is absolutely intense. I thought Locos at Gaucho games were intense but UCSB doesn't even scratch the surface of the atmosphere of games here in Latin America. I realize that the Locos at UCSB is just that; college level fun. Let me tell you now though of the intense atmosphere at a soccer game in Ecuador (or in any other part of the world for that matter where soccer is life).
We're no different from the Ecuadorians in cat calling when players are not playing their best. However, an entire stadium, even fans will do that whistle when your cat calling a woman when a player is being thought of as playing, well, like a girl. It is tradition you stand through all times during play in respect for your team. I wondered where that tradition came from at UCSB. When your team scores, it is not uncommon to start a fire in the bleachers while singing at the top of your lungs your teams anthem. I kid you not, fires in the bleachers, and the police can't get to the sections because of the crazy fans. The fires are quickly put out but I can't even imagine doing something like that. In the two games I've been to thus far, I've seen fires started and then put out. Fans, those who have one, will bring in large drums to bang away at during the game to keep the stadium loud, and set the beat to the songs being sung for their team. Professional soccer players are treated like gods and walk on water in their hometowns. The atmosphere is absolutely one of a kind and different.
Quito is home to five professional teams alone, and Ecuador, for a country the size of the state of Colorado, has a total of twenty-four professional teams. In Quito is home to one of the best professional soccer teams in all of Central and South America. They are Liga. They are by far the most popular team in Quito and all of Ecuador for that matter, and have won the South American Championships numerous times and even have a few International championships under their belts. Most recently, they have just won another South American championship making them the best team in S.A. this year. Liga is who my family cheers for, and by default, who I cheer for. Games are a must see, and you don't miss them. If we're not at the stadium, we're at a nearby restaurant that plays the game cheering on with other fans who aren't at the game at the time. The Liga stadium actually is not too far from the Cathedral and where I live and so home games at night can be heard from where I live, and I even have a great view of when they set off fireworks. Soccer truly is a way of life here and a unique and incredible experience. I've been to my share of professional games in the U.S. and watched on television, but nothing I feel compares to the wild excitement of the most popular sport in the world.
Mayonnaise is used here to the equivalence of our use of Ketchup in the U.S. Ecuadorians use it for everything! It is the preffered condiment for dipping fries, it is heavily layed on thick with sandwiches, and put on as a salsa for all foods you eat. This is difficult for me as I am not a huge fan of mayonnaise. My extensive use of mayonnaise is simply for sandwiches, spread thin, and at times on hamburgers, spread thin. The thought of simply eating mayonnaise as a dipping sauce for my fries or as a salsa to cover my rice and potatoes is absolutely disturbing to me. I politely not use mayonnaise the way Ecuadorians use it, and when I order a sandwich, I ask for mayonnaise spread thin which always gives me strange looks. It is definately different but it is a favorite among the Ecuadorians.
As I have mentioned before, Catholicism is the dominant faith here in Ecaudor even though a lot don't practice it. This is especially among the young adults. In fact, I look around, and I don't see much difference from young adults here, and young adults in the United States. Relationships are just as common with public displays of affection as we would see in the the United States. I have even lost count of how many women I have met with children at such a young age (most confessing having had the child out of wedlock and were forced to marry as soon as they were found out to being pregnant). I'm getting a little off track with this, and I did not mention this to bash on the ideals of the people here, for they are not much different from what we see in some people in the United States, but to show what I have found to be what is more 'common' in the United States and not seeing that strict Catholic stereotype I've always heard about.
Where I do want to go however with the Catholic influence is within the Episcopal Church itself. Recently, around the beginning of October, the Cathedral and many other parishes around the city have begun classes for first communion and confirmation. Now many of you who know you're way around the Catholic faith, all faithful must first attend First Communion classes before being allowed to receive the Sacrament of the Great Eucharist. As you know, we as Episcopalians, the shunned cousins of the Catholic Church, do not believe this is necessary and we will never turn anyone away from the Lord's table who wishes to receive. This is not the case with the Episcopal Church here in Ecuador. As I have mentioned before, there is a very strong Catholic influence among the people and is to be expected as it is their history. It was by the Spaniards that conquered the native people of Ecuador and brought with them the Catholic faith. This influence has spilled over into other denominations of Christianity. It is most seen in the Episcopal Church in Ecuador through the first communion classes.
It would be unheard of for a child to be receiving Communion within the Episcopal Church here in Ecuador under the age of nine. The adults with their strong Catholic influence upbringing would take offense to this. It is around that time of nine years old that a child may begin the classes of first communion and take the steps to receiving communion. Here in Ecuador, the Episcopal Church's first communion classes are far shorter than the Catholic's and so each year, the Episcopal Church receives numerous Catholic children into the classes of first communion so they may begin receiving communion within the Catholic Church much sooner.(The Catholic church accepts the Episcopal certificate of first communion classes. The length of time for classes with the Episcopal Church is more or less a year long where as the Catholic Church's classes are around two years long.)
Chris and myself have voiced our absolute distaste in this situation. We feel that it is misleading of our church to be allowing these classes to continue when we do not abide by that rule nor is it a requirement of our church. We feel that it is not appropriate for a church to be misleading about who it is and it's clear structure of receiving the sacrament as outlined in the Catechism of our faith. It is our job as members of our church to portray who we are and be true to the full elements and structure of the church and not bend here or there to satisfy the lingering influence of history that has become of the people of Ecuador. I feel it is the responsibility of the members of the church to uphold the structures of our faith and not be misleading about it. If you are to be a contributing member, you need to fully commit to the ways and foundations of the church and not conform to misleading ways. Some traditions are not to be tampered with in my opinion, especially if those traditions are clearly misleading the ideal faith and intended mission of the church. Many of us Episcopalians have seen our church evolve and conform for the better...it is what a growing church needs to do to survive in an ever changing world. We have seen recently that even the Catholic Church has made astounding changes, but has never been misleading. I feel we need to return to the firm stance of being who we are and not changing the traditions that are not meant to be changed.
If there is to be an upside to this however, it is that Chris and I are taking the opportunity to share with the classes what the Episcopal Church is and teach them about us. We hope to see this as an opportunity to share the point of view of the Episcopal Church and hopefully bring new members to the Episcopal Church and build up the Episcopal Church in Ecuador.
Until next time, God's peace and blessings be with you all!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
A Government Coup with A Blessing from God...an Ordination
By now, most of you know and have been in contact with me in regards to the political unrest and brief government coup of Ecuador. Be assured, I was/am well during the situation and just kept put during the excitement. I thank you all for your prayers and well wishes during the situation which believe it or not, is still undergoing.
I know I promised this post three days after the event took place, and as it is now almost two weeks since the eventful day, I do heartily apologize. I'm finding it more and more difficult to sit down and write. I thought this part would be easy as I love to write and I knew that this year was going to be full of adventure. Well, as I was warned, and either I didn't believe or didn't listen, I have become very busy. But this should not deter me from my job to keep those supporting me here from knowing of my work and the going ons of my stay here during this year of God's work. If some of my fellow YASCers can make a new post every week, not mentioning any names in particular...Ann! (you're killing me by the way), I should certainly hold up to the same expectations as well.
Although things have settled down significantly, the country of Ecuador remains in a delicate balance. The people have completely lost faith in their system of public protection and they don't know how they will ever regain their trust. It's a scary feeling to think that the people whose job is to protect you from crime and other dangers of civilization, can become the very people they're supposed to protect you from. Quito, being the capital of Ecuador, remains in a State of Exception for an additional sixty (60) days which means that both the military and the police force are in charge of law enforcement authority.
The day began like any other. Thursday, September 30th, I awoke at six a.m. to begin my day of teaching at the cathedral and work at the diocese. When I arrived at school all was well, classes ran normally, but by the time recess came around, I left my class to see my fellow professors talking in hushed voices with somber looks on their faces as they ushered for me to join them. I walked over and the first of the news of the riots breaking out has reached our school. It was not long thereafter until the first student heard the news and it spread like wildfire. Classes were unable to continue due to the concern and worry of every student and the professors became occupied with settling and comforting the students, some of which were in tears, fearing the noises and news of violence in their own city and throughout their country. Parents began to arrive and within no time, all students had returned home with their families before noon. School normally ends at 1:20 in the afternoon here. When the last student left, the professors, myself included, began looking for ways to get home safely.
On this particular day, of all days, I had forgotten my cell phone at home and was unable to reach my host family on their whereabouts and what their plans were for the current situation. I wanted to call my host father to meet me at the church and walk home with me in case I may have come across trouble on my way home for who knows what reason: being a gringo, wrong place wrong time type thing, or what, but without my cell, I could not do this. I braved walking home, only living four blocks from the school and made it safely home.
My family was all perched around the television and I joined them, eager to learn of what was going on. I had checked my cell phone, and I had numerous missed calls; one from the diocese of Central Ecuador, the bishop personally, calling to check on my well being, the permanent placed Episcopal missionary from the U.S. and his family called to see how I was, and of course, the National Church, my boss, calling me to see about the situation and my well being. I was surprised by the concern of everyone and thankful for their checking in. I returned all the calls, and rejoined my host family watching the news.
As I sat with my family I learned of the terror unwinding within the country of Ecuador.
All branches of police had gone on strike after receiving word that their benefits were being cut or even diminished in some way by a new government bill. This began the rioting, and here in Ecuador, the riots began like all others, the statement of buring tires in the streets. Early in the morning, the President had left his home to address the rioters, explain the situation and the bill to the rioters in the streets. It was there he was attacked by the very police guarding him, his gas masked removed, and was exposed to various gases. He was taken to the hospital to be treated for the various gases. Throughout the day, the police continued to riot, taking control of the Quito airport shutting it down, and closing all major highways and roads throughout Ecuador. Thre was no entering or leaving by any means. With the police force on strike, public citizens took it upon themselves to begin looting and robbing major banks and stores, especially in the major cities of Quito, Guayaquil, Latacunga, and Cuenca saw the most violent string of robberies and crime with no police force to keep it in check or enforce. The police throughout the day continued to riot and take over various public locations, including the President's personal broadcast station to prevent him from communicating with the country.
Later in the evening, the police force attempted to kidnap the president from his hospital room, but was safely evacuated by the Ecuadorian military which had taken place of law enforcement within the country, and returned the president safely to his residence in Centro Quito. During the attempted kidnapping of the President, the streets of Quito near the hospital and Centro had become a warzone where the police, armed to the teeth, were exchanging fire with the Ecaudorian military force. It was a frightening day for everyone and for me. When the president returned to his residence, he immediately addressed the people of Ecuador and the protestors, with a vow to meet with their representatives and discuss a solution to the situation.
The U.S. Embassy sent out warnings and postings of advice throughout the day to registered U.S. Citizens within the country, and advised sitting tight in our homes and not explore for trouble. I did just that and maintained my distance until the situation was over.
Miracle upon miracles, the major parts of the riots ended the following day, and the Chief of the National Police force submitted his resignation to the president of Quito. Ten percent of the police force returned to work on Friday, October 1st, the following day, with the promise of the return of the rest slowly throughout the weekend as negotiations began with the police forces and the government.
That weekend of the first of October, I was due a visit from my boss at the National Church in NY and was wondering if he would be able to make it in. Surprisingly, the airport reopened Friday, and my boss, David Copley arrived. The reason for his visit was not only his check in with me, but for the next part of this blog post: an ordination service of three new priests to the diocese of Central Ecuador!
On Saturday, October 2nd, amongst the ugliness of the political situation in Ecuador, the Episcopal Church was able to celebrate the ordination of Chris Morck, and two other deacons of the diocese to the priesthood. Chris, who is the other American Episcopal missionary here in Quito, but a permanent missionary, was ordained a priest and celebrated his first communion that Saturday amongst a gathered faithful of three hundred or more at the Catedral de El Senor, in Quito, also the location of the school where I teach English. The bishop of Central Ecuador, Louise Restreppo, presided the service and was joied with two visiting bishops who also presided in the service. One was from Nicaragua, the other from a nearby diocese. Many of Chris's friends and relatives flew in for the ceremony, before the airport was shut down, including Chris' and my boss, the Reverend David Copley, from 815 in New York. It was an amazing celebration and a gift from God to allow the ceremony to continue amongst the current ugliness going on in surrounding Quito and Ecuador. What a momentous day it was and I was so glad to have been able to share the happy day with Chris and his family, as we have become fast friends during my time here in Ecuador. The family and I have become such fast friends and I have gained their trust, that they call on me to babysit their two young daughters when Chris and his wife Trish need a date night or have to work late. I have become like an older brother to the girls and we have such a great time.
Candidate Chris Morck with fellow candidate...Chris is the Gringo if you're wondering!
Candidates kneeling before the three bishops, taking their consecration vows.
Chris' wife Trish and their two daughters vesting the newly ordained Reverend Chris Morck
The Reverend Chris Morck with his wife and two daughters...Isabel, 4 and Claire, 8
The Reverend Chris Morck with Family and our Boss from NY the Reverend David Copley
The weekend with my boss was enjoyable. It was nice to catch up and visit and express my concerns, happiness, and overall well being with the YASC program in Ecuador. After Chris' ordination, we all went out and celbrated that night, Chris' closes friends, family, and our boss, and saw no problems amidst the unrest going on in the city. We were robbed after dinner saturday night, but God was looking out for us on that blessed day, and security at the hotel were able to recover our belongings, my wallet, with twenty dollars, (thank God I emptied it before we left for dinner of my credit/debit cards and $300 cash (rent was due), a friend's camera, and the other's wallets.
I joined my boss for church Sunday morning where we celebrated Chris' first solo Eucharist at his home church where he had been working as a deacon, and he said his goodbye's as the bishop of the diocese has assigned him to the Cathedral as the new rector. I will be seeing Chris a lot more!! It was no secret that my boss at the school, the Reverend Eduardo has more of a love for the children and the school than he does being the rector of the Cathedral, has asked to be assigned full time to the school as the administrator and Padre of the school and leave the care of the church in the hands of Chris. Padre Eduardo is getting old after all and cannot both manage both the cathedral and the school.
After church, David visited with me and my host family for a short while where my host family was anxious to meet him. They wanted to know what kind of man my boss was and thank him for his generousity and work with the church and for allowing me to stay with them. David inquired about my stay with the family, if there were any problems and generally wanted to know about my host family. It was a great visit, brief, and satisfying. My family reported how happy they were to have me and that they had no problems. I said my good-bye's to David after the visit, as he was returning to the U.S. that night, Sunday, October 3rd.
Well, that about wraps up this entry. It was an exciting weekend, with a brief government coup, an ordination, and an old reunion, I was blessed to be able to have experienced it all, and it has only enlightened me further on the extent of the situation of the country I now call home, and the ability to celebrate the blessing and consecration of new priest and close friend Chris Morck, just makes my time here all the more memorable. Until the next post, may the blessings and peace of God be with you all.
I know I promised this post three days after the event took place, and as it is now almost two weeks since the eventful day, I do heartily apologize. I'm finding it more and more difficult to sit down and write. I thought this part would be easy as I love to write and I knew that this year was going to be full of adventure. Well, as I was warned, and either I didn't believe or didn't listen, I have become very busy. But this should not deter me from my job to keep those supporting me here from knowing of my work and the going ons of my stay here during this year of God's work. If some of my fellow YASCers can make a new post every week, not mentioning any names in particular...Ann! (you're killing me by the way), I should certainly hold up to the same expectations as well.
Although things have settled down significantly, the country of Ecuador remains in a delicate balance. The people have completely lost faith in their system of public protection and they don't know how they will ever regain their trust. It's a scary feeling to think that the people whose job is to protect you from crime and other dangers of civilization, can become the very people they're supposed to protect you from. Quito, being the capital of Ecuador, remains in a State of Exception for an additional sixty (60) days which means that both the military and the police force are in charge of law enforcement authority.
The day began like any other. Thursday, September 30th, I awoke at six a.m. to begin my day of teaching at the cathedral and work at the diocese. When I arrived at school all was well, classes ran normally, but by the time recess came around, I left my class to see my fellow professors talking in hushed voices with somber looks on their faces as they ushered for me to join them. I walked over and the first of the news of the riots breaking out has reached our school. It was not long thereafter until the first student heard the news and it spread like wildfire. Classes were unable to continue due to the concern and worry of every student and the professors became occupied with settling and comforting the students, some of which were in tears, fearing the noises and news of violence in their own city and throughout their country. Parents began to arrive and within no time, all students had returned home with their families before noon. School normally ends at 1:20 in the afternoon here. When the last student left, the professors, myself included, began looking for ways to get home safely.
On this particular day, of all days, I had forgotten my cell phone at home and was unable to reach my host family on their whereabouts and what their plans were for the current situation. I wanted to call my host father to meet me at the church and walk home with me in case I may have come across trouble on my way home for who knows what reason: being a gringo, wrong place wrong time type thing, or what, but without my cell, I could not do this. I braved walking home, only living four blocks from the school and made it safely home.
My family was all perched around the television and I joined them, eager to learn of what was going on. I had checked my cell phone, and I had numerous missed calls; one from the diocese of Central Ecuador, the bishop personally, calling to check on my well being, the permanent placed Episcopal missionary from the U.S. and his family called to see how I was, and of course, the National Church, my boss, calling me to see about the situation and my well being. I was surprised by the concern of everyone and thankful for their checking in. I returned all the calls, and rejoined my host family watching the news.
As I sat with my family I learned of the terror unwinding within the country of Ecuador.
All branches of police had gone on strike after receiving word that their benefits were being cut or even diminished in some way by a new government bill. This began the rioting, and here in Ecuador, the riots began like all others, the statement of buring tires in the streets. Early in the morning, the President had left his home to address the rioters, explain the situation and the bill to the rioters in the streets. It was there he was attacked by the very police guarding him, his gas masked removed, and was exposed to various gases. He was taken to the hospital to be treated for the various gases. Throughout the day, the police continued to riot, taking control of the Quito airport shutting it down, and closing all major highways and roads throughout Ecuador. Thre was no entering or leaving by any means. With the police force on strike, public citizens took it upon themselves to begin looting and robbing major banks and stores, especially in the major cities of Quito, Guayaquil, Latacunga, and Cuenca saw the most violent string of robberies and crime with no police force to keep it in check or enforce. The police throughout the day continued to riot and take over various public locations, including the President's personal broadcast station to prevent him from communicating with the country.
Later in the evening, the police force attempted to kidnap the president from his hospital room, but was safely evacuated by the Ecuadorian military which had taken place of law enforcement within the country, and returned the president safely to his residence in Centro Quito. During the attempted kidnapping of the President, the streets of Quito near the hospital and Centro had become a warzone where the police, armed to the teeth, were exchanging fire with the Ecaudorian military force. It was a frightening day for everyone and for me. When the president returned to his residence, he immediately addressed the people of Ecuador and the protestors, with a vow to meet with their representatives and discuss a solution to the situation.
The U.S. Embassy sent out warnings and postings of advice throughout the day to registered U.S. Citizens within the country, and advised sitting tight in our homes and not explore for trouble. I did just that and maintained my distance until the situation was over.
Miracle upon miracles, the major parts of the riots ended the following day, and the Chief of the National Police force submitted his resignation to the president of Quito. Ten percent of the police force returned to work on Friday, October 1st, the following day, with the promise of the return of the rest slowly throughout the weekend as negotiations began with the police forces and the government.
That weekend of the first of October, I was due a visit from my boss at the National Church in NY and was wondering if he would be able to make it in. Surprisingly, the airport reopened Friday, and my boss, David Copley arrived. The reason for his visit was not only his check in with me, but for the next part of this blog post: an ordination service of three new priests to the diocese of Central Ecuador!
On Saturday, October 2nd, amongst the ugliness of the political situation in Ecuador, the Episcopal Church was able to celebrate the ordination of Chris Morck, and two other deacons of the diocese to the priesthood. Chris, who is the other American Episcopal missionary here in Quito, but a permanent missionary, was ordained a priest and celebrated his first communion that Saturday amongst a gathered faithful of three hundred or more at the Catedral de El Senor, in Quito, also the location of the school where I teach English. The bishop of Central Ecuador, Louise Restreppo, presided the service and was joied with two visiting bishops who also presided in the service. One was from Nicaragua, the other from a nearby diocese. Many of Chris's friends and relatives flew in for the ceremony, before the airport was shut down, including Chris' and my boss, the Reverend David Copley, from 815 in New York. It was an amazing celebration and a gift from God to allow the ceremony to continue amongst the current ugliness going on in surrounding Quito and Ecuador. What a momentous day it was and I was so glad to have been able to share the happy day with Chris and his family, as we have become fast friends during my time here in Ecuador. The family and I have become such fast friends and I have gained their trust, that they call on me to babysit their two young daughters when Chris and his wife Trish need a date night or have to work late. I have become like an older brother to the girls and we have such a great time.
Candidate Chris Morck with fellow candidate...Chris is the Gringo if you're wondering!
Candidates kneeling before the three bishops, taking their consecration vows.
Chris' wife Trish and their two daughters vesting the newly ordained Reverend Chris Morck
The Reverend Chris Morck with his wife and two daughters...Isabel, 4 and Claire, 8
The Reverend Chris Morck with Family and our Boss from NY the Reverend David Copley
The weekend with my boss was enjoyable. It was nice to catch up and visit and express my concerns, happiness, and overall well being with the YASC program in Ecuador. After Chris' ordination, we all went out and celbrated that night, Chris' closes friends, family, and our boss, and saw no problems amidst the unrest going on in the city. We were robbed after dinner saturday night, but God was looking out for us on that blessed day, and security at the hotel were able to recover our belongings, my wallet, with twenty dollars, (thank God I emptied it before we left for dinner of my credit/debit cards and $300 cash (rent was due), a friend's camera, and the other's wallets.
I joined my boss for church Sunday morning where we celebrated Chris' first solo Eucharist at his home church where he had been working as a deacon, and he said his goodbye's as the bishop of the diocese has assigned him to the Cathedral as the new rector. I will be seeing Chris a lot more!! It was no secret that my boss at the school, the Reverend Eduardo has more of a love for the children and the school than he does being the rector of the Cathedral, has asked to be assigned full time to the school as the administrator and Padre of the school and leave the care of the church in the hands of Chris. Padre Eduardo is getting old after all and cannot both manage both the cathedral and the school.
After church, David visited with me and my host family for a short while where my host family was anxious to meet him. They wanted to know what kind of man my boss was and thank him for his generousity and work with the church and for allowing me to stay with them. David inquired about my stay with the family, if there were any problems and generally wanted to know about my host family. It was a great visit, brief, and satisfying. My family reported how happy they were to have me and that they had no problems. I said my good-bye's to David after the visit, as he was returning to the U.S. that night, Sunday, October 3rd.
Well, that about wraps up this entry. It was an exciting weekend, with a brief government coup, an ordination, and an old reunion, I was blessed to be able to have experienced it all, and it has only enlightened me further on the extent of the situation of the country I now call home, and the ability to celebrate the blessing and consecration of new priest and close friend Chris Morck, just makes my time here all the more memorable. Until the next post, may the blessings and peace of God be with you all.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
A Busy, Beautiful Week...
Well, now here's an interesting title. To be honest, I'm not sure where to begin. Again it's been some time since my last post, but I found myself asking if it's worth writing a new blog post if it all sounds the same. Reporting on my work, reporting on various outside activities, my health, etc.
However, after talking with a fellow YASCer the other night, he put it into perspective for me. He (Andy Burns by the way), told me how great it was for him to write about even the insignificant things because not only does it help you vent (if it's necessary) or you're expressing a completely exciting piece of good news, you don't know who will be interested to hear what you have to say. It also helps to get the ideas flowing for a new post. (Written Monday, September 27, 2010)
(Friday, October 01, 2010)
Well now,I no longer have the problem of not having anything to write at the moment. I put this blog on hold for four days when I got busy with work this week. I've been running around all over the city with the diocesan attorney attempting to get my visa application complete. For those of you who don't know, I had trouble obtaining my visa before departing the U.S. because I did not receive the needed paperwork from the diocese here in time in the U.S. After submitting my visa three times, and being denied three times, I have finally submitted it for the last time and on Monday, I will have apporoval! It will finally be a relief to have that in my hands as that has been haunting me for the past two months. My visit here as a tourist expires in two weeks and I would have had to leave if I didn't have my visa by then. It's a huge relief to finally have that done. I was not ready to return to the U.S. but most importantly, I was afraid if I had to return and obtain my visa in the U.S. and then come back, I would not want to leave the U.S. due to homesickness feelings growing. But that won't be the case now.
With finally having a visa, I can now also get my Ecuadorian identification card. This will allow me to finally retrieve mailed items to me that have been sitting in Customs here. (If there's a charge for late pick up, I'm not going to be happy.)For some reason, the customs office would not accept my passport. They're reasoning was that because it was only a tourist visa stamp in my booklet, I was only temporary, should not be receiving mail, and also I wouldn't have to recheck everything through customs when I supposedly leave in three weeks...which obviously isn't the case. Anyways, it will finally be a relief to get the books, school supplies, and my contact lenses! I know the school library will be happy to finally get the supplies I've been promising them.
Work continues to progress. Each day is getting easier, I'm able to get through to the students much more quickly about being ready for class, and therefore can spend more time teaching and not disciplining. I had to break up two fights this week between students. One broke out in my classroom, the other out in the yard during my watch of recess. While breaking up one of the fights, one of the students fighting accidentally clocked me in my mouth. I got a small bruise, but it's all good now. No one said this job was going to be easy. I'm also finding lesson plans to be easier to organize and plan. It will be even easier when I finally get the teacher's edition of the text books the children are using, but for some reason, they're being delayed.
I began this week going hiking on Sunday afternoon on one of the mountains surrounding Quito. I was at the base of GuaGua Pichincha volcano, which was 5,000 feet above the city of Quito. I was at the elevation of 15,000 feet up there...I wanted to hike the peak, but that would be a two day and I need to make plans for that. But rest assured, I will climb it this year. If I thought it was hard to breathe when I first arrived in Quito, breathing at 15,000 feet was even more difficult. The air was really thin, I was light headed, and out of breath every twenty feet. The beauty though was absolutely incredible.
My brother, sister and I in a group picture...They joined me on my adventure! Only ones brave enough!
Me at the Edge of a Cliff...It's a long way down!
Part of the city of Quito from 15,000 feet!
My Sister and I hiking the mountain...
Base of Guagua Pichincha Volcano
I know many of you are anxious to read about the incidents of Ecuador's brief instability. I am not avoiding writing on the issue of Thursday's events and the day of political instability. I will be writing another (special post) tomorrow or Sunday, October 2nd or 3rd with all the news about Thursday and my experience with the day. You will understand why I'm waiting when you read the post.
Until then my friends, May God's Peace and Blessings be with you.
However, after talking with a fellow YASCer the other night, he put it into perspective for me. He (Andy Burns by the way), told me how great it was for him to write about even the insignificant things because not only does it help you vent (if it's necessary) or you're expressing a completely exciting piece of good news, you don't know who will be interested to hear what you have to say. It also helps to get the ideas flowing for a new post. (Written Monday, September 27, 2010)
(Friday, October 01, 2010)
Well now,I no longer have the problem of not having anything to write at the moment. I put this blog on hold for four days when I got busy with work this week. I've been running around all over the city with the diocesan attorney attempting to get my visa application complete. For those of you who don't know, I had trouble obtaining my visa before departing the U.S. because I did not receive the needed paperwork from the diocese here in time in the U.S. After submitting my visa three times, and being denied three times, I have finally submitted it for the last time and on Monday, I will have apporoval! It will finally be a relief to have that in my hands as that has been haunting me for the past two months. My visit here as a tourist expires in two weeks and I would have had to leave if I didn't have my visa by then. It's a huge relief to finally have that done. I was not ready to return to the U.S. but most importantly, I was afraid if I had to return and obtain my visa in the U.S. and then come back, I would not want to leave the U.S. due to homesickness feelings growing. But that won't be the case now.
With finally having a visa, I can now also get my Ecuadorian identification card. This will allow me to finally retrieve mailed items to me that have been sitting in Customs here. (If there's a charge for late pick up, I'm not going to be happy.)For some reason, the customs office would not accept my passport. They're reasoning was that because it was only a tourist visa stamp in my booklet, I was only temporary, should not be receiving mail, and also I wouldn't have to recheck everything through customs when I supposedly leave in three weeks...which obviously isn't the case. Anyways, it will finally be a relief to get the books, school supplies, and my contact lenses! I know the school library will be happy to finally get the supplies I've been promising them.
Work continues to progress. Each day is getting easier, I'm able to get through to the students much more quickly about being ready for class, and therefore can spend more time teaching and not disciplining. I had to break up two fights this week between students. One broke out in my classroom, the other out in the yard during my watch of recess. While breaking up one of the fights, one of the students fighting accidentally clocked me in my mouth. I got a small bruise, but it's all good now. No one said this job was going to be easy. I'm also finding lesson plans to be easier to organize and plan. It will be even easier when I finally get the teacher's edition of the text books the children are using, but for some reason, they're being delayed.
I began this week going hiking on Sunday afternoon on one of the mountains surrounding Quito. I was at the base of GuaGua Pichincha volcano, which was 5,000 feet above the city of Quito. I was at the elevation of 15,000 feet up there...I wanted to hike the peak, but that would be a two day and I need to make plans for that. But rest assured, I will climb it this year. If I thought it was hard to breathe when I first arrived in Quito, breathing at 15,000 feet was even more difficult. The air was really thin, I was light headed, and out of breath every twenty feet. The beauty though was absolutely incredible.
My brother, sister and I in a group picture...They joined me on my adventure! Only ones brave enough!
Me at the Edge of a Cliff...It's a long way down!
Part of the city of Quito from 15,000 feet!
My Sister and I hiking the mountain...
Base of Guagua Pichincha Volcano
I know many of you are anxious to read about the incidents of Ecuador's brief instability. I am not avoiding writing on the issue of Thursday's events and the day of political instability. I will be writing another (special post) tomorrow or Sunday, October 2nd or 3rd with all the news about Thursday and my experience with the day. You will understand why I'm waiting when you read the post.
Until then my friends, May God's Peace and Blessings be with you.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
And the Work Begins...
Well here I am again. It's been a little over two weeks since my last post and I do apologize for that. Work is beginning to mount up and I am seeing just how very busy I will be throughout the year.
To begin, I celebrated my 23rd birthday on Friday, September 10th. This was my first birthday outside the United States and my first where it was not celebrated with my family and friends. Birthdays in my family have always been spent with family or with friends. However, I had a great birthday. My new friends here took me out for a wonderful birthday. After work, we went to Centro Quito and had fresh fish and chips for lunch at an open air market. Afterwards, we toured the city, grabbed some beverages at various locations, had dinner at a fairly upscale restaurant, and finished the night with dancing early into the morning. I returned home around two in the morning eager for bed. I had three parties that day. My fellow teachers at the school threw me a party during lunch break, my family awoke me Friday morning in song with a cake (which we ate for breakfast), and at dinner, where my fellow teachers, friends, and I had dinner with cake to follow. What a great day!
School has begun here in Ecuador which means work has begun. School has only been in session for a week (school here begins on our Labor Day). My job is incredible and the students are amazing. I have to admit though, I don't know exactly what I'm doing! It makes me a little nervous but oh well. With time I'm positive I will find my groove and become very comfortable with what I am doing.
Day one was my first challenge. Here all public and private schools begin with a presentation of the students and teachers for the parents. It is a time when the staff are introduced to the parents and the students are presented to their teachers. In attendance was the board of directors of the school which included the Bishop of the Diocese of Central Ecuador. So began my first task. The Bishop, without warning from the Director of the School, the Rev. Eduardo, or my fellow professors, asked me to come forward and present myself as to who I am and what I will be doing this year. Mind you I have only been here five weeks and to make a presentation without warning completely in Spanish, was nerve wracking to say the least. However I made it through. I was rather impressed with myself as was the Bishop and my fellow professors. With the exception of a few mistakes like the wrong use of person in verb translation, I was actually understood. They confided in me that this was my hazing into my new job. Glad to know I am now official. It was a lot of fun.
Anyways, the students are a handful. They were able to smell my fear and those that have been with the school for more than a year knew that I was the new missionary English teacher. They played the usual fresh meat games and it took me a little while to catch on. (By the way, to my old teachers and parents reading this, I'm so sorry for the games we played with you and ran up your patience. I now know how you feel.) Part of the games the students played was not even giving me their real names. I finally caught on when one student made the mistake of introducing himself as Michael Jackson, the next wasn't even more original introducing herself as Angelina Jolie. I had to get a list of all the names of the students for each class. Was I ever this immature? Finding proper discipline is proving harder than I anticipated.
So designing lesson plans is also a new hurdle for me. Thinking up new activities each day to go with the new material is exhausting. Especially when supplies are so limited. Primarily, my responsibility to these students is to speak only English with them in class. This too is proving to be a challenge. They're comprehension with English is little to none especially the younger students. When they give me the blank looks asking me what I'm talking about, I'm so tempted to speak in Spanish with them. And to be truthful, I sometimes want to so I can practice with them. I know I need more of it.
My fellow teachers are some of the greatest people I will ever know. They are friendly and full of smiles. They offer help whenever needed. The director of the school, also the Rector of the Cathedral, is an incredible man. He's a little hard to understand but a great man none the less. Just looking at him you can tell how much he cares about the students and the work of the school.
Things with my host family are continuing to go well. I have really become integrated into the family and we are getting along great. I travel with the family when my schedule permits, visiting their family and some of their work they do in other communities. My diet continues to be filled with carbs and I don't remember what meat tastes like. I need to get a burger here soon and pronto!! My brothers and I hang out and through them I am making more friends. Soon I'll be able to make some of my own. On Friday's I usually travel with my two brothers to hear the eldest play with his band at a local scene here. That's one place where I meet a lot of people.
My language is still coming along. With every passing day I'm becoming less gringo although I'm still highly looking forward to that day when it all becomes clear and I will be more fluid and understanding in my communication with the people, my family, and friends. I'm a little impatient in this department as sometimes I get so frustrated with myself for not being able to better understand and communicate but this is the time when I turn to prayer and I reflect asking for God's help with patience.
Well, this is everything that has happened since my last blog post and now you're all caught up. I'm finishing the last details of my first detailed newsletter to go out to all my friends, family, home diocese and supporting congregations of my work. Below are some more pictures. God bless everyone and thanks for your support and prayers. Keep in touch. Until next time, God's peace and Blessings be with you.
Grounds of the Centro Educativo Episcopal School
A View of one of the Classrooms
Me with my fellow Teachers
Some Students at Play
Students in Class
To begin, I celebrated my 23rd birthday on Friday, September 10th. This was my first birthday outside the United States and my first where it was not celebrated with my family and friends. Birthdays in my family have always been spent with family or with friends. However, I had a great birthday. My new friends here took me out for a wonderful birthday. After work, we went to Centro Quito and had fresh fish and chips for lunch at an open air market. Afterwards, we toured the city, grabbed some beverages at various locations, had dinner at a fairly upscale restaurant, and finished the night with dancing early into the morning. I returned home around two in the morning eager for bed. I had three parties that day. My fellow teachers at the school threw me a party during lunch break, my family awoke me Friday morning in song with a cake (which we ate for breakfast), and at dinner, where my fellow teachers, friends, and I had dinner with cake to follow. What a great day!
School has begun here in Ecuador which means work has begun. School has only been in session for a week (school here begins on our Labor Day). My job is incredible and the students are amazing. I have to admit though, I don't know exactly what I'm doing! It makes me a little nervous but oh well. With time I'm positive I will find my groove and become very comfortable with what I am doing.
Day one was my first challenge. Here all public and private schools begin with a presentation of the students and teachers for the parents. It is a time when the staff are introduced to the parents and the students are presented to their teachers. In attendance was the board of directors of the school which included the Bishop of the Diocese of Central Ecuador. So began my first task. The Bishop, without warning from the Director of the School, the Rev. Eduardo, or my fellow professors, asked me to come forward and present myself as to who I am and what I will be doing this year. Mind you I have only been here five weeks and to make a presentation without warning completely in Spanish, was nerve wracking to say the least. However I made it through. I was rather impressed with myself as was the Bishop and my fellow professors. With the exception of a few mistakes like the wrong use of person in verb translation, I was actually understood. They confided in me that this was my hazing into my new job. Glad to know I am now official. It was a lot of fun.
Anyways, the students are a handful. They were able to smell my fear and those that have been with the school for more than a year knew that I was the new missionary English teacher. They played the usual fresh meat games and it took me a little while to catch on. (By the way, to my old teachers and parents reading this, I'm so sorry for the games we played with you and ran up your patience. I now know how you feel.) Part of the games the students played was not even giving me their real names. I finally caught on when one student made the mistake of introducing himself as Michael Jackson, the next wasn't even more original introducing herself as Angelina Jolie. I had to get a list of all the names of the students for each class. Was I ever this immature? Finding proper discipline is proving harder than I anticipated.
So designing lesson plans is also a new hurdle for me. Thinking up new activities each day to go with the new material is exhausting. Especially when supplies are so limited. Primarily, my responsibility to these students is to speak only English with them in class. This too is proving to be a challenge. They're comprehension with English is little to none especially the younger students. When they give me the blank looks asking me what I'm talking about, I'm so tempted to speak in Spanish with them. And to be truthful, I sometimes want to so I can practice with them. I know I need more of it.
My fellow teachers are some of the greatest people I will ever know. They are friendly and full of smiles. They offer help whenever needed. The director of the school, also the Rector of the Cathedral, is an incredible man. He's a little hard to understand but a great man none the less. Just looking at him you can tell how much he cares about the students and the work of the school.
Things with my host family are continuing to go well. I have really become integrated into the family and we are getting along great. I travel with the family when my schedule permits, visiting their family and some of their work they do in other communities. My diet continues to be filled with carbs and I don't remember what meat tastes like. I need to get a burger here soon and pronto!! My brothers and I hang out and through them I am making more friends. Soon I'll be able to make some of my own. On Friday's I usually travel with my two brothers to hear the eldest play with his band at a local scene here. That's one place where I meet a lot of people.
My language is still coming along. With every passing day I'm becoming less gringo although I'm still highly looking forward to that day when it all becomes clear and I will be more fluid and understanding in my communication with the people, my family, and friends. I'm a little impatient in this department as sometimes I get so frustrated with myself for not being able to better understand and communicate but this is the time when I turn to prayer and I reflect asking for God's help with patience.
Well, this is everything that has happened since my last blog post and now you're all caught up. I'm finishing the last details of my first detailed newsletter to go out to all my friends, family, home diocese and supporting congregations of my work. Below are some more pictures. God bless everyone and thanks for your support and prayers. Keep in touch. Until next time, God's peace and Blessings be with you.
Grounds of the Centro Educativo Episcopal School
A View of one of the Classrooms
Me with my fellow Teachers
Some Students at Play
Students in Class
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Work or Mini Vacation?
So here I am again. This time, four weeks in Ecuador. The time is going by so fast for me. At this rate, I'll be home in a blink of an eye. But I do not wish for it to move so fast. With time moving fast, work and much of what needs to be finished soon will soon be upon me.
What do I mean by the title of this blog? Well for starters, I really haven't done much work. School orientation for the teachers has begun and we are working hard to clean the school, arrange classes, write out lesson plans, revise rules for the students, etc. but I have not begun teaching. Schools everywhere in Ecuador begin September 6th in two weeks; including the universities.
A few weeks ago, you read that I had been doing work at a church in a neighborhood in Quito but was only for a weekend with a visiting missionary group from the United States. Well that following weekend, I traveled with that missionary group to a community by the name of Otovalo where we spent some time seeing the native people of Qichwa origin. Here at this community, is one of the largest Artisan craft fairs in all of Latin America. The native Qichwa people come from all over Ecudor and sell their hand made crafts of silver jewelry, llama and alpaca clothing and blankets, etc. It was beautiful. It's history goes back centuries and it was incredible to see. We were welcomed and did some work at a church there in the community however, it felt more like a small vacation. The missionary group and I, I felt, did more sightseeing and shopping at the market than we did work. We even stayed in a hotel with beautiful accomodations. It probably would have been considered four stars in the United States.
Upon my return, I met with the bishop. He asked how my 'short vacation' was. I expressed my concerns with how I am here to work. He assured me that it was necessary for me to have a little respite because when work begins, I will be incredibly busy I will wish I have a vacation coming. The bishop handed me a tentative schedule of the year and all the traveling to various parts of the country I will be doing. I can't wait! My first trip is next month to Pullo (Puyo), a community in the Amazons or near the amazons of native Ecuadorians. Much more to follow. The meeting with the bishop made me feel better.
I have also been continuing my classes of Spanish everyday M-F four hours a day. I have had two oral exams thus far and have scored a 95% on each exam. So apparently I'm learning the language, but it sure doesn't feel like it. When I talk with my fellow professors, I feel like I don't know what they are saying they are talking so fast. I pick up every second or third word despite my asking them to speak more slowly. My trouble with the language thus far is hearing where one word ends and the next begins. The way the Ecuadorian people speak here sounds like one long word; to me it seems like they don't enunciate. My tutor assures me I'm doing incredibly well and that with time it will come more easily and naturally. I guess I'm just a little impatient and worried I won't ever get it. But in reality, I really have seen an improvement in my language skills. I can now give directions to a taxi driver without looking like a gringo. Now I have a greater chance of not being taken advantage of with the price of a taxi.
My fellow professors are amazing. For the most part, we're all young. I'm not even the youngest teacher. Of the nine of us, six of us are under thirty and I'm the third youngest youngest professor. The three younger than me are 22 years old, a year younger than me. But they are well learned and love working at the school. Together, with the Rector/Director of the Cathedral School, we are preparing for classes to begin on the sixth of September. I working hard to design lesson plans and exercises for the students. I'm a little worried that my lack of experience teaching will affect my work. However, I do have textbooks to teach out of as well, but I need to add my own style as well.
Well, like I said, until school starts, there isn't much to report. Hence the briefness and lack of new information in this blog. I look forward to writing more when there is more to report on. Until then, God's peace my friends.
A View of a Portion of the City of Quito
Some Wild Llamas
More Quito
The volcano of Cuyambe where at the base sits the community of Otavalo.
Some Countryside of Ecuador
What do I mean by the title of this blog? Well for starters, I really haven't done much work. School orientation for the teachers has begun and we are working hard to clean the school, arrange classes, write out lesson plans, revise rules for the students, etc. but I have not begun teaching. Schools everywhere in Ecuador begin September 6th in two weeks; including the universities.
A few weeks ago, you read that I had been doing work at a church in a neighborhood in Quito but was only for a weekend with a visiting missionary group from the United States. Well that following weekend, I traveled with that missionary group to a community by the name of Otovalo where we spent some time seeing the native people of Qichwa origin. Here at this community, is one of the largest Artisan craft fairs in all of Latin America. The native Qichwa people come from all over Ecudor and sell their hand made crafts of silver jewelry, llama and alpaca clothing and blankets, etc. It was beautiful. It's history goes back centuries and it was incredible to see. We were welcomed and did some work at a church there in the community however, it felt more like a small vacation. The missionary group and I, I felt, did more sightseeing and shopping at the market than we did work. We even stayed in a hotel with beautiful accomodations. It probably would have been considered four stars in the United States.
Upon my return, I met with the bishop. He asked how my 'short vacation' was. I expressed my concerns with how I am here to work. He assured me that it was necessary for me to have a little respite because when work begins, I will be incredibly busy I will wish I have a vacation coming. The bishop handed me a tentative schedule of the year and all the traveling to various parts of the country I will be doing. I can't wait! My first trip is next month to Pullo (Puyo), a community in the Amazons or near the amazons of native Ecuadorians. Much more to follow. The meeting with the bishop made me feel better.
I have also been continuing my classes of Spanish everyday M-F four hours a day. I have had two oral exams thus far and have scored a 95% on each exam. So apparently I'm learning the language, but it sure doesn't feel like it. When I talk with my fellow professors, I feel like I don't know what they are saying they are talking so fast. I pick up every second or third word despite my asking them to speak more slowly. My trouble with the language thus far is hearing where one word ends and the next begins. The way the Ecuadorian people speak here sounds like one long word; to me it seems like they don't enunciate. My tutor assures me I'm doing incredibly well and that with time it will come more easily and naturally. I guess I'm just a little impatient and worried I won't ever get it. But in reality, I really have seen an improvement in my language skills. I can now give directions to a taxi driver without looking like a gringo. Now I have a greater chance of not being taken advantage of with the price of a taxi.
My fellow professors are amazing. For the most part, we're all young. I'm not even the youngest teacher. Of the nine of us, six of us are under thirty and I'm the third youngest youngest professor. The three younger than me are 22 years old, a year younger than me. But they are well learned and love working at the school. Together, with the Rector/Director of the Cathedral School, we are preparing for classes to begin on the sixth of September. I working hard to design lesson plans and exercises for the students. I'm a little worried that my lack of experience teaching will affect my work. However, I do have textbooks to teach out of as well, but I need to add my own style as well.
Well, like I said, until school starts, there isn't much to report. Hence the briefness and lack of new information in this blog. I look forward to writing more when there is more to report on. Until then, God's peace my friends.
A View of a Portion of the City of Quito
Some Wild Llamas
More Quito
The volcano of Cuyambe where at the base sits the community of Otavalo.
Some Countryside of Ecuador
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
My First Week
So here I am. One week in Ecuador! It went by fast. Life in Ecuador is very different from life in California. The sun is unpredictable; the weather can be freezing one minute and hot the next. (Mind you my idea of freezing is less than sixty degrees) In Ecuador, the temperatures are rarely seen below 55. But I’m unhappy below 70. Thank goodness I brought layers and warm clothing. I was hesitant at first thinking how close to the Equator I was going to be but then realized how high up in the Andes I really am. Quto sits 10,000 feet above sea level. The air is really thin here. I get winded over the simplest things like walking up stairs or making my bed. I’m still acclimating.
The people of Ecuador are very friendly. You can pass by and give a greeting and they will smile and greet you back. They are also, for the most part, short. I feel like a giant walking among them. I am by far the tallest person I’ve seen in a while. And that’s saying a lot.
I’ve moved in with my host family. The Sarango’s; Carlos, the father, Cati, the mother, and their three children, Jimmy who is 22; Erick, who is 18; and Genesis, who is 10. They don’t speak English at all which is both good and bad for me. It’s good because it will help me learn Spanish that much more quickly; it’s bad because we communicate by hand signals. They are amazing people though. They’ve welcomed me into their home graciously offering me whatever I need. I hope to be a part of the family one day. They expressed it is their greatest wish that I feel like a member of the family. I share a room with Erick. He’s great for a roommate. We are becoming fast friends. So are Jimmy and I, and Genesis, well she’s trouble. But she already sees me as a brother. She’ll come in and sit and talk with me for hours. She’s very curious and a ball of fun. She’s always smiling and cheerful. She’s trouble because she corrects my homework over my shoulder and makes my tutor for Spanish assign me more homework if she feels what’s been assigned for the day isn’t enough. I say good for her, bad for me. She’ll break a lot of hearts one day.
We eat all of our meals together. The family and I eat traditional Ecuadorian food. Food in Ecuador consists of lots of rice, potatoes, and meat. The staple of the Ecuadorian diet. Breakfast is always light; usually just bread and a boiled egg. Lunch is the biggest and most important meal. It’s big. It starts with soup, (usually potato or corn), then the main course which is rice (very important, served with every lunch and dinner), and meat, and maybe side vegetables, and bread. Lunch is most important because the Ecuadorian people believe it’s unhealthy to eat so much before bed, which is true. U.S. Americans can learn a thing or two by this. Juice is the common drink in Ecuador. The people here make juice out of everything. All kinds of fruits are used for making juice; Banana juice, watermelon juice, papaya juice, cantaloupe juice, etc. Juice is served with every meal. At dinner, the meal is light, just rice and meat.
I’m waiting for orientation to begin next week. That’s when my work will really begin. Remember, my job down here is threefold. I will be teaching full time as an English teacher at the Episcopal School, twice a week I will teach English to the diocesan staff, and lastly I will be working as lay support at a local church. I had my first taste of mission work this past weekend. A mission group from Massachusetts is here for the week and they, along with Chris, my regional boss, invited me along to work with them. We worked at Chris’ church in a very poor and rough part of town called Comitero Pueblo. The women helped prepare all the food for the following day’s bbq as a fundraiser for the church. The men built tables for the bbq, then afterwards, we cut out wall to lay electricity in the building. While cutting wall, I accidentally smashed my finger with the hammer and cut a knuckle with the chisel. I had to use electrical tape for a band-aid until I got home to properly clean and dress the wound. The church is very small and meets on the first floor of a two story building. The offices are upstairs. The building is tiny and falling apart. With work, it will be good as new. The mission group from Massachusetts will be working at the church all week. This upcoming weekend, we will be traveling to Otrovalo for some work to be done. Otrovalo is two hours north of here and is a small indigenous community. I’m not really sure of the work we’ll be doing but Chris has relations with this community. I’m only with the group on the two weekends they are here. I’m in school during the week and cannot be with the group. It’s good, because I have my own work to do and even more to prepare for, and I especially need to continue with learning Spanish. At the moment, it’s my number one priority. The group will be leaving to go back to the U.S. on Monday.
Well my friends, I think that’s it for now. This was my first week. I will have more to come. Count on it. My next post will probably come next week sometime when I return from Otrovalo. Until then mis amigos, may the grace and peace of God be with you. Blessings.
The people of Ecuador are very friendly. You can pass by and give a greeting and they will smile and greet you back. They are also, for the most part, short. I feel like a giant walking among them. I am by far the tallest person I’ve seen in a while. And that’s saying a lot.
I’ve moved in with my host family. The Sarango’s; Carlos, the father, Cati, the mother, and their three children, Jimmy who is 22; Erick, who is 18; and Genesis, who is 10. They don’t speak English at all which is both good and bad for me. It’s good because it will help me learn Spanish that much more quickly; it’s bad because we communicate by hand signals. They are amazing people though. They’ve welcomed me into their home graciously offering me whatever I need. I hope to be a part of the family one day. They expressed it is their greatest wish that I feel like a member of the family. I share a room with Erick. He’s great for a roommate. We are becoming fast friends. So are Jimmy and I, and Genesis, well she’s trouble. But she already sees me as a brother. She’ll come in and sit and talk with me for hours. She’s very curious and a ball of fun. She’s always smiling and cheerful. She’s trouble because she corrects my homework over my shoulder and makes my tutor for Spanish assign me more homework if she feels what’s been assigned for the day isn’t enough. I say good for her, bad for me. She’ll break a lot of hearts one day.
We eat all of our meals together. The family and I eat traditional Ecuadorian food. Food in Ecuador consists of lots of rice, potatoes, and meat. The staple of the Ecuadorian diet. Breakfast is always light; usually just bread and a boiled egg. Lunch is the biggest and most important meal. It’s big. It starts with soup, (usually potato or corn), then the main course which is rice (very important, served with every lunch and dinner), and meat, and maybe side vegetables, and bread. Lunch is most important because the Ecuadorian people believe it’s unhealthy to eat so much before bed, which is true. U.S. Americans can learn a thing or two by this. Juice is the common drink in Ecuador. The people here make juice out of everything. All kinds of fruits are used for making juice; Banana juice, watermelon juice, papaya juice, cantaloupe juice, etc. Juice is served with every meal. At dinner, the meal is light, just rice and meat.
I’m waiting for orientation to begin next week. That’s when my work will really begin. Remember, my job down here is threefold. I will be teaching full time as an English teacher at the Episcopal School, twice a week I will teach English to the diocesan staff, and lastly I will be working as lay support at a local church. I had my first taste of mission work this past weekend. A mission group from Massachusetts is here for the week and they, along with Chris, my regional boss, invited me along to work with them. We worked at Chris’ church in a very poor and rough part of town called Comitero Pueblo. The women helped prepare all the food for the following day’s bbq as a fundraiser for the church. The men built tables for the bbq, then afterwards, we cut out wall to lay electricity in the building. While cutting wall, I accidentally smashed my finger with the hammer and cut a knuckle with the chisel. I had to use electrical tape for a band-aid until I got home to properly clean and dress the wound. The church is very small and meets on the first floor of a two story building. The offices are upstairs. The building is tiny and falling apart. With work, it will be good as new. The mission group from Massachusetts will be working at the church all week. This upcoming weekend, we will be traveling to Otrovalo for some work to be done. Otrovalo is two hours north of here and is a small indigenous community. I’m not really sure of the work we’ll be doing but Chris has relations with this community. I’m only with the group on the two weekends they are here. I’m in school during the week and cannot be with the group. It’s good, because I have my own work to do and even more to prepare for, and I especially need to continue with learning Spanish. At the moment, it’s my number one priority. The group will be leaving to go back to the U.S. on Monday.
Well my friends, I think that’s it for now. This was my first week. I will have more to come. Count on it. My next post will probably come next week sometime when I return from Otrovalo. Until then mis amigos, may the grace and peace of God be with you. Blessings.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Arrival and Beginning Work
You know, I remember when I was a kid, I was excited to go on my first plane ride to anywhere. I remember thinking how cool it would be to fly among the clouds and see the world from an aerial advantage. Let's just say this; I did not feel the same way about traveling to Ecuador. After having now flown many, many times, I forgot how exhausting it is to fly. The most exciting thing about flying now is takeoff when the jet engines take off and your thrust against your seat at takeoff. I guess unexpected turbulence can be somewhat entertaining if you imagine you're on a roller coaster. Also, people don't talk to each other anymore. I have found we are a very keep to ourselves society. My flight from Sacramento to Houston consisted of no conversation. People just read or ate or did whatever occupied their attention. Anything to avoid having a conversation with your neighbor...heaven forbid. I was a little more understanding with the flight from Houston to Ecuador as that had less people who spoke english and I just figured it was more of a cultural thing. Whatever happened to courtesy food on flights and an in flight movie to help pass the time? I accumulated in one day close to sixty dollars in service fees. To watch a movie on the plane, it cost me seven dollars. For each plane trip! Also, good thing I ate before each flight because they don't serve complimentary snacks anymore. Just beverages. Ridiculous! Anyways, on to more great news.
I arrived in Quito! Coming in at night was absolutely beautiful and I can't believe how big it was! It was lights as far as the eye can see. Because Quito sits in a basin ten thousand feet above sea level in the Andes, the city is three miles wide and twenty seven miles long. From what I've seen thus far (which is the airport and the view from my room) the city looks very enticing. I can't wait to adjust to the thin air and go out exploring. Chris Morck, a local permanent Episcopal appointed missionary, said we'll do some hiking and exploring throughout the year.
I'm currently living with Chris, his wife Trish, and their two lovely daughters Isabel and Clare. They were very kind to put me up for the week until my host family returns this weekend and I move in with them. Trish works with a program assisting refugees from Colombia. Chris, who will be ordained as a priest in October, works with various programs throughout the diocese as well as being assigned to a local church here in Quito. The Morcks are from the diocese of Massachusetts and Chris has just transfered his canonical residence to the Diocese of Central Ecuador. He will be ordained in the Episcopal Cathedral here in Quito!
I got in last night at eleven o'clock but with the time it took to get through immigration and customs, we didn't end up getting back to Chris and Trish's until one thirty this morning. Now for the interesting news. Chris had arranged for me to begin my language training immediately so my tutor was here first thing this morning at eight thirty. I can tell you right now that I am exhausted. I have a terrible time sleeping on planes and with my traveling to places these past few days, I am going on very little sleep. I'm looking to going to bed early tonight.
My tutor seems incredible though. Her name is Rosa and she's from the Galapagos Language School. It seems her way of teaching is in three hour blocks, five days a week. We spend the first hour doing grammar and vocab and in the last two hours we conversed and she made me use Spanish! I just got here so you can imagine how ridiculous I sounded. Being immersed in the culture and language though, and with her training all in Spanish, I have no doubts that I will be speaking Spanish in no time.
I don't begin teaching for another couple weeks. School here in Ecuador starts in September. However, this does not mean that I am on vacation. I still have my work with the diocese to begin and this Sunday I will learn of the work I will be doing at the Cathedral. Orientation for new teachers at the school also begins in a couple weeks so I will be very busy very soon.
Well that's about it for this blog. I just arrived so I don't have much to say yet. But very soon I will have another post up and also as soon as I go out and see some of the city, I will have pictures posted as well. Until then, take care my friends. God bless.
I arrived in Quito! Coming in at night was absolutely beautiful and I can't believe how big it was! It was lights as far as the eye can see. Because Quito sits in a basin ten thousand feet above sea level in the Andes, the city is three miles wide and twenty seven miles long. From what I've seen thus far (which is the airport and the view from my room) the city looks very enticing. I can't wait to adjust to the thin air and go out exploring. Chris Morck, a local permanent Episcopal appointed missionary, said we'll do some hiking and exploring throughout the year.
I'm currently living with Chris, his wife Trish, and their two lovely daughters Isabel and Clare. They were very kind to put me up for the week until my host family returns this weekend and I move in with them. Trish works with a program assisting refugees from Colombia. Chris, who will be ordained as a priest in October, works with various programs throughout the diocese as well as being assigned to a local church here in Quito. The Morcks are from the diocese of Massachusetts and Chris has just transfered his canonical residence to the Diocese of Central Ecuador. He will be ordained in the Episcopal Cathedral here in Quito!
I got in last night at eleven o'clock but with the time it took to get through immigration and customs, we didn't end up getting back to Chris and Trish's until one thirty this morning. Now for the interesting news. Chris had arranged for me to begin my language training immediately so my tutor was here first thing this morning at eight thirty. I can tell you right now that I am exhausted. I have a terrible time sleeping on planes and with my traveling to places these past few days, I am going on very little sleep. I'm looking to going to bed early tonight.
My tutor seems incredible though. Her name is Rosa and she's from the Galapagos Language School. It seems her way of teaching is in three hour blocks, five days a week. We spend the first hour doing grammar and vocab and in the last two hours we conversed and she made me use Spanish! I just got here so you can imagine how ridiculous I sounded. Being immersed in the culture and language though, and with her training all in Spanish, I have no doubts that I will be speaking Spanish in no time.
I don't begin teaching for another couple weeks. School here in Ecuador starts in September. However, this does not mean that I am on vacation. I still have my work with the diocese to begin and this Sunday I will learn of the work I will be doing at the Cathedral. Orientation for new teachers at the school also begins in a couple weeks so I will be very busy very soon.
Well that's about it for this blog. I just arrived so I don't have much to say yet. But very soon I will have another post up and also as soon as I go out and see some of the city, I will have pictures posted as well. Until then, take care my friends. God bless.
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