Worship, Crepes, & History

We met at 8:00 and Barbara D'Aversa led us in devotions based on Hebrews 13:1-3. In this passage we are encouraged to show hospitality to strangers and prisoners, for in doing so we may entertain angels unawares. Barbara related it to these little children here who were strangers to us, and some of whom are imprisoned in bodies that do not allow them to play and learn the way other children can. In showing hospitality to them, we are the ones who have been blessed. We closed with a prayer that we might be a blessing to them, as they have been to us.

At 8:30 we left for Clark and Melinda's English Fellowship Church. As we drove to church we noticed that some of the lanes of the main boulevard were blocked off, with bikers and walkers exercising along the road. Clark said they close it off from 8 to 3 every Sunday to encourage people to get out and exercise. Neat idea.

Our couples goofing around after worship.

Group photo.

After worship, we drove to an area in downtown Quito that had more markets which carried things similar to what we found yesterday. Some of our group hadn't found all the gifts they needed to take home to family and friends, and some of us just hadn't spent all our money yet. We succeeded in rectifying both of those problems.

After an hour of shopping, Clark took us to a delicious restaurant called Crepes and Waffles. It was clean and safe to eat everything on the menu, including the salad bar, and it was very inexpensive! Fourteen of us ate for less than $200!!! Again, we pigged out and left feeling like we didn't need to eat again for the rest of the day.

Clark then drove us to the old section of downtown Quito. We walked the narrow cobblestone streets to the Grand Plaza which is surrounded by buildings built in the mid 15oos , including the Presidential Palace. In the center of the square is a lovely park filled with Quitoans enjoying the day together, watching a street performer, sitting on the benches, and walking along the streets.
We were allowed to climb up and look into the Presidential Palace.

Then we walked a couple of blocks to tour La Compania de Jesus, a great Baroque church that had detailed carvings and decorations which were covered in 24k gold. It was very ornate and glistened from across the room.

We continued up the hill to another basilica, but it was closed so we were unable to go inside.

We returned to FHC about 4:00 and immediately went to work with the babies and toddlers. Craig and I went to work with the toddlers. I spent 2 hours wiping oreo cookies off of hands, reading the same book half a dozen times, and watching Barney in Spanish.

At 7:00 we had another delicious dinner... well, it was 5 hours after our huge lunch! And now that I have finished kitchen clean up and this blog, I will lead a communion service for our group.

More tomorrow. By the way, no one has guessed the identities of the people in the indigeneous picture. We will not reveal their identities until someone guesses correctly.

-Pastor Andy (actually ghost written by Kathy while Pastor Andy "supervised")

The Martins have replaced PA with more productive roomies. :)

Otavalo

Our day started with devotions on Mark 10: 13-16. I have always considered receiving the Kingdom of God as a little child meant with an open mind, random abandon, and joy. After seeing these children at the orphanage who receive so much care and love but do nothing to earn it, has put this passage in a whole new light. Just like these children,we have done nothing to deserve Gods love and grace. We need only trust in Him, and then receive it. There are no strings attached; we don't have to do anything do get it; it's ours for the taking.

After breakfast and devotions, we became tourists. We boarded a big bus at 8:00 and drove out of Quito, down hills into valleys, and up the other sides, over and over, for 2 hours. The vegetation changed from sparse and arid areas near Quito with sandstone cliffs, some with large caves in them, to green and lush fields up the hillsides. We saw at least 4 volcanoes on the far edges of the valleys, but usually their peaks were in the clouds so we couldn't see them well. The closer we got to Otavalo the more lush the vegetation became. We passed hundreds of hothouses where roses are grown for export. Finally we stopped at a place that overlooked a lake, where some indigeneous people in their native dress were waiting to be paid to have their picture taken with us. Some turned out pretty funny.

Guess who? The answer on tomorrow's blog.

Here is PA with Juanita the llama.

When we got to the Otavalo market we split up into 3 groups of 4, each with 1 person who could speak Spanish. We shopped for an hour and a half, amid stalls of brightly colored woven fabrics, sweaters, ponchos, finger puppets, wooden carvings, etched gourds, etc. Each booth was attended by indigeneous people in their native dress. We were told is is impolite to take their picture unless you buy something from them, and then if you ask permission most of them will let you. There were many who came up to us asking for money. We had been told not to give them any, so we just said "no".

As we entered the restaurant, there was a little boy herding ducklings!

At 12:30 we met back at the bus to unload all of our bags of goodies, and then headed for the "expensive" restaurant that Clark had told us was good. It was not good, it was great!!! The entrees were $5 - $7, and huge, and the beer $1.50 for a large bottle that most of us shared. There was live music to add to the ambiance.

After a delicious meal, we walked back through the market to pick up a few last things, then took the bus to a town to the north named Cotacachi. It had a a street full of very nice leather shops. Don and Al bought a belt, and Pastor Andy almost bought a leather cowboy hat, but we couldn't talk him into it.

PA and Russ were disappointed that they were already full from lunch. This particular establishment serves cuy (guinea pig), which is apparently a delicacy in Ecuador. ???

We got back on the bus and made the long trek back to Quite, up one hill and down the other. We had a light meal of a green salad, bbq'd chicken, and fresh bread from our local panaderia a block away.

It was a great day!! We miss you all, and hope you are all safe and well.

Love,
Kathy Wood

El Mercado

This afternoon, many from our team went to a large open-air market to purchase fruits and vegetables for our meals. Though the pig heads were interesting to look at, we did not bring one home...

Pastor Andy bargaining for our dinner

Anyone want a few plantains?

Casa Vaughn

Kathy, Jennifer, Craig, Cindy, and Barbara spent time at Casa Vaughn today caring for the infants. Since there are 16 babies in the house, helping to get all the kids fed was an interesting experience! At nap time, several of us assisted the tia with preparing food for tomorrow's menu. Cindy and Craig learned how to peel apples with large knives (they don't have peelers here) but were teased by the tia for wasting too much fruit :)

Some Friday Pictures

Friday started with Al repairing things. He started with the oven in the guest house.

Melinda and the FHC office staff.

The view from FHC. Breathtaking!

FHC's Preschool.

The kids from Casa Fe were doing therapy when we visited this morning.

Here are all the generous donations from St. A's!! After this, we divided them between the two locations and Clark and Melinda will be delivering the items to La Tacunga tomorrow.

They have a llama!!

Al is still at it!!

Right now it is 4:00 local time. After taking a tour this morning, we divided up and worked in the three different houses. They have one for babies (Casa Vaughn), one for toddlers (Casa Harlowe), and one for older kids (Casa Fe). Al and Russ fixed stuff.

Right now the majority of the group is going to the open-air market to get fruits and vegetables. They should have some interesting pictures to share. :)

Al is still fixing stuff. Jennifer is with the babies.

Stay tuned...

Donations

Here we are with all of the donations you sent for the children!

Pictures!

We are having trouble getting our pictures onto the computer, but we finally figured something out. Here are some pictures of the trip.

Waiting to leave LAX.

In Quito. On the bus to FHC!

Here we are arriving at FHC. Look at all the bags full of gifts for the children!