iTortillas! Part 2

The mum was very nervous.  Imagine a millionaire who lives in a mansion coming to your home to see how you live on a normal day... that is what we did to this family. 

 

 

This is their only cooking source so after she lit the fire, she let the comal heat.

 

 

We "helped" make the tortillas by rolling them into balls and then squishing them between our hands.  They small and thick tortillas; reminding me of unleavened bread.

 

We made mum so nervous she let the comal get too hot and we burned the first batch, adding to her nervousness, I'm sure.

They tasted good!  You can see how thick they are...


 

When we're watching something else, mum picks up the broom and sweeps the floor.  The fact that it was dirt made no difference.



 

I enjoyed this day.  It reinforces what I have been told - our sponsorship matters.  These are real children, real families and real differences in the lives of those we touch.

Medali is 9 years old, from Peru. Please join me in praying for her a sponsor.

iTortillas! Part 1

It was a perfect day.  Slightly cloudy but enough sun and blue skies to make the day ideal for me.

We were all set to experience "A Day in the Life of a Child" with Compassion International.  That means we were going to visit a home of a Compassion child and experience what they do on a normal day.

Those who know me, know how my heart soared when "making tortillas from scratch" was one of the chores we would learn at this particular home.  I wasted no time signing up for this home visit. 

We piled into the back of a little pickup and headed up a dirt road to our home.   A bumpy steep dirt road. 
 

We walked the rest of the way to their home, passed the outhouse.

Two of the daughters, both in their Compassion project, were pretty shy to begin with.

The family wasted no time in bringing a table out and creating space for all of us to participate, learn and experience a small part of their every day life.

Half of their kitchen was covered but the other half was destroyed by weather.  The front is completely open and the back, as you can see in the above picture, has a 3/4 wall and an opening covered by plastic to stop the wind from creating a wind tunnel.

Mama got everything started, adding to the corn flour that was ground by hand, an egg, salt, sugar, lard, butter and milk (from a bag).

After she washes her hands, little girl gets right to work mixing the maza.

Here is their water source.  They have a hose connected to the spicket and they keep their reservoir filled and dip water from it to wash their hands, food, clothes and of course, to prepare to drink.

I was perplexed by the rooster who was tied up... it's because they have a new hen and they don't want the rooster "chasing" her off.  So, the hens get to free range and the rooster looks on.

They have a papa, mama and baby sheep:

Some hens eating some grains while many more hens scratched around in the corn field/squash patch.

Since we were here for a couple of hours, I have too much to share with you in one post. In addition to pictures, think about their water source... doing laundry on a stone:

Washing your food with unclean water and then eating it:

and not being able to do anything about the sickness that goes with having unsafe water.

I think about that when I turn my faucet on and clean safe water pours from the spout - I don't have to boil it first. 

#compassionecuador2013

Waste

Waste, everywhere I look. Water, food, money, time.

I'm angry. Angry that people are so oblivious to the needs of others. Angry I can drink water with ice. Angry I can flush toilet paper. Angry I can do so much with so little... If I choose.

Then The Light shines and tells me I am doing my part. I am making a difference. He wanted me to be born in the USA and not Ecuador, Haiti, Uganda or any other third world country. I am right where He wants me. As long as I continue to be obedient, I am where He wants me.

Be patient with me, friends. I have some adjusting to do transitioning back from thinking & seeing Compassion releasing children from poverty in Jesus name to seeing waste everywhere my eyes rest.

One thing, the next time you eat out & can't finish all the food; if you don't take it home to eat it yourself, box it up & give it to someone on the street in the side of town you don't normally drive in. Or maybe you do & you can picture a face right now of someone you know would appreciate the food.

Thanks for grace.

Joy

 

#compassionecuador2013
#itsnotaboutme

Te amo mucho

I lost track of the number of hugs, kisses & te amo (I love you) my Roosbell gave me.

If you've ever had a "fake hug," you know the kind that is weak... A little pat... A side arm squeeze; then you know when you've been "love hugged."

How many nearly 13 year old boys do you know who would "love hug" someone they just met? Me neither.

On our first evening together, my boy showed me his folder that held all of his letters from us. He quickly pulled out the first one that had a picture of us (Jav was a babe in arms & all 6 kids were still at home.) and I was able to show him the Spanish written was by my hubby! He was so excited to learn that.

He showed me an honor award he received from school, too. It was time to go & he was to bring it all back the next day.... But he forgot. Boo!

He told me that when he got back to his hotel, he put all of his pictures & letters from us in the new binder I had for him. Wow.

We spoke on many subjects: school, dreams (he wants to be a plastic surgeon), fears (drugs & alcohol), girls (I wasn't that excited to hear he has a 15 year old girlfriend), money (thinking of getting a job), chores...

He loves math. Yellow is his favorite color but his soccer team is blue (Go Barcelona!).

I feel like I can write him so much better now. To hear first hand the difference letters make... And to meet your sponsor in person, well, it is life changing! For both the child & for the sponsor.

I'm leaving a part of my heart here in Ecuador; but I am ready to come home.

 

#compassionecuador2013

The Visit

Butterflies in my tummy made it hard to fasten my earrings.

Tears so close to the surface a kind word or living understanding look had them spilling over the rim.

He was in the last bus and the 30 minute wait seemed to take forever.

And then he was there! Waving & smiling & hugging & kidding.

We spent the morning in the pool. Raced the length of the pool... He is a very good & fast swimmer! Visited while we tossed his new soccer ball back & forth (He loves it Paco!). The time passed quickly and soon it was time to eat lunch. I knew that it was almost time to say goodbye when lunch came but he showed me how to stay in the moment.

He thought my notebook with tons of questions was funny... Pretty soon he'd say, "next question?"

After eating roasted chicken, rice & veggies, I pulled out the gifts.

His aunt was shocked at the suitcase for the family.

He opened the backpack & with each item, he wanted to know the reason or story behind the gift. Hugs & kisses were lavished upon me with each gift. It was amazing.

Way too soon, it was time to say goodbye. How do you say goodbye to someone you may never see again.., someone you pray for everyday & just met them in the flesh?

We held each other tightly; thanking God for the opportunity to be with each other in person. I cried a lot. He cried a little. His aunt just kept saying, "thank you."

I bumbled through a farewell prayer. Blew my nose in the pool towel. Gave as many hugs & kisses as I could in moments.

He waved all the way to the gate. I'm talking arm raised as high as it could go, waving to me.

Then, he was gone.

And I wept.

#compassionecuador2013

¡Glory a Dios!

Meeting Roosbell tonight is something I will never forget.

He saw me first and was waving & waving. As soon as I saw him, I knew it was him.

In 5 years since we started sponsoring him, he has grown into such a young man! So polite, pulling the chair out for me.

He just kept hugging me & kidding my cheek. Again & again. He held me so tightly, like he just didn't want to stop. We cried together, held each other & got reacquainted in person.

His aunt came with him & she speaks quite a bit of English. We have a wonderful translator, too.

We had a nice dinner & just kept hugging each other.

Tomorrow, we will talk more, get more personal, speak of spiritual matters & play! Soccer & swimming are on the agenda for sure.

What a wonderful experience! Praising Jesus for this opportunity.

 

#compassionecuador2013

CSP 137: King of Kings Church

We were greeted with confetti & hugs. The smiles were true & lit up their eyes. Each mum has a story. A story that led them to this Child Protection Center (CSP) . There are 40 pairs & their ages vary just as they would at home.

After a greeting from the pastor & director, some of the mums danced in costume for us. They did a beautiful job... choreographed & shyly smiling as they sang praise songs.

Seeing first hand where they come and weigh the babies and fill out the growth chart, similar to what we have at home, and where they learn how to care for their babies, how to make things that will assist them in making an income; like chocolate!

The meal was delicious, steak, papas, beets (yes Moma, I thought of you and yes, I ate them.), carrots with a yummy vinegar dressing.

I made a new friend, Janet. She is the cook for the project. We conversed in Spanish & I did well! I thought I surely misunderstood her so got one of the Compassion ladies to translate for me and sure enough, I got 80% of it. That's a "B" by the way.

I made many new amigas & held sweet Mateo so his mum could eat her lunch. Precious.

Visiting Blanca's home was humbling & special. Romans 1:11-12 came to my heart as we mutually encouraged one another.

Blanca's house was recently destroyed int weather and the church & Compassion came and in one weekend made a new house for her & her baby Darling.

Blanca couldn't speak through her tears as she felt so loved. It was a very special time moment for me when I was given the opportunity to pray a blessing on her.

You see, she does laundry for a living. Other people's laundry. 12 items for $1.75. On a good day, she makes $5. Child care costs her $1/day... it doesn't take a mathematical genius to figure out that she's fighting an uphill battle.

Oh, when I say she does laundry, she DOES laundry. See the picture with the concrete sinks? Yep, right there is where she and her sister work their fingers to the bone; literally.

She also lives on a mountain side. The wooden ladder and dirt steps make a hard climb for anyone; let alone for a mum carrying her babe, laundry &/or groceries.

Join me in praying that God brings her a different job. She loves Jesus so much and is trying so hard to provide for her baby. Being a single mom is hard anywhere... it's especially hard in third world countries where help is hard to come by. How wonderful Compassion is here to train, educate & assist financially in many ways.

Before we left, the mums surprised us with a gift they had made... Scarfs! They put them over our heads & there were smiles on everyone's faces.

 

#compassionecuador2013
#itsnotaboutme

Above the Clouds

There are certain places I can be and am just stumped that anyone could doubt there is a Creator... The ocean, the mountains and now, flying above the clouds.

Just look! Here I am, in a huge flying machine that has me staring at the ocean THROUGH the clouds! Not through fog, but from way above the clouds.

"Sometimes He comes in the clouds."

My Help Comes From the Lord

Javi let me borrow his Bible for my trip because mine is like 10 pounds and his is maybe 1 pound.

The coolest thing about it? Seeing what he highlighted. If he remembers no other scripture for the rest of his life, he won't go wrong if he clings to Psalm 121!

What comfort this brought me this morning. Perhaps, it is what you needed to receive; as well.

Blessings.

 

#compassionecuador2013
#itsnotaboutme

Headed Out!

Well, the hard good-byes are said & done. As I sit in the airport waiting for my delayed flight, I count my blessings.

My Bible Study was exactly what I needed this morning. I am being obedient. I am willing.

As I look to the cross, I keep my eyes focused on the One who I am following.

Without the tangible things that bring me comfort: my own Bible, my quilt, my pillow; I am forced to turn to Jesus to provide everything I need.

It's an exciting & scary place to be and I wouldn't want to be anyplace else.

 

#compassionecuador2013
#itsnotaboutme

Mutually Encouraged

As I sat in the pew yesterday, listening to my Daddy preach, I went from where we were reading in Acts to Romans 1:11-12.  As I prepare spiritually for my trips to South America, I am listening to verses God is bringing my way.  Here is Romans 1:11-12 is several different translations.  I haven't decided which version I am going to memorize yet...

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith."  Romans 1:11-12 NIV

"I thank God through Jesus for every one of you. That’s first. People everywhere keep telling me about your lives of faith, and every time I hear them, I thank him. And God, whom I so love to worship and serve by spreading the good news of his Son—the Message!—knows that every time I think of you in my prayers, which is practically all the time, I ask him to clear the way for me to come and see you. The longer this waiting goes on, the deeper the ache. I so want to be there to deliver God’s gift in person and watch you grow stronger right before my eyes! But don’t think I’m not expecting to get something out of this, too! You have as much to give me as I do to you." Romans 1:8-12 The Message 

I am greatly touched by The Message.  The words seem to jump off the page and resonate deep within me. 

Young's Literal Translations says it like this, "for I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that ye may be established; and that is, that I may be comforted together among you, through the faith in one another, both yours and mine."  Notice the word changed from encouraged to comforted.  Love it! 

I think I will try and memorize Romans 1:11-12 in Spanish; as well. 
^"Tengo muchos deseos de verlos para impartirles algún don espiritual que los fortalezca;  mejor dicho, para que unos a otros nos animemos con la fe que compartimos."
 
"I want to see you and share with you the same blessings that God’s Spirit has given me. Then you will grow stronger in your faith.  What I am saying is that we can encourage each other by the faith that is ours."  Contemporary English Version

"For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you,  that is, that we may be mutually comforted by one another’s faith, both yours and mine."  NET is very similar to Young's Literal Translation. 

In the message yesterday, my Dad reminded us of our church families' mission statement:

We at C Friends Church exist to bring the love of God to those in the church, across the street and around the world and to help those in the family of God to grow and mature and use their spiritual gifts in ministry.
 

Thank You, Jesus!  The verse He drew me to and the words in our own mission statement repeated and drove home my take-away... We are ministering every single day.  We don't have to go to another country to fulfill our mission but wherever we are called to be on that given day, share a spiritual gift with another so that they can be blessed and then we both will be encouraged and comforted by our own faith.  That is so totally awesome! 

South America Bound

I dug this bad boy out of storage today and gave him a nice hand washing in the bath tub.  This guy toured Europe with me and was there for all sorts of experiences way back in oh, 1998!  He also went with me on two solo backpacking trips and one with my childhood friend Jules.  

Then, I got a "real job" and a "boy" friend or two and well, on down the road to marriage and babies!  This little mister has just been waiting and waiting for the dust to get blown off and hit the trails again! 

Y'all know that I'm headed to Ecuador in March to meet our sweet Roosbell.  I'm working on a quilt for him and have been getting odds and ends along the way to take to him in the backpack we got him.  It's good they have that suggestion (keep the gifts to what fits in the backpack) or else I would go  a little overboard. 

Now, for the new announcement....

I am headed to Peru in May! 

Hopefully, you joined me in praying for God to work out what He wanted and now we're trusting He has done just that.  I am going with a group from our yearly meeting and we'll be there three weeks.  No, I haven't wrapped my head around leaving my family for that long and I know y'all pray for peace as the time approaches. 

As soon as I heard of this trip at Yearly Meeting after the Peru/Bolivia presentation, I was excited!  I immediately started thinking and praying about the opportunity to go to Peru and truly experience daily life there among other young Friends.    After discussion, discernment and prayer, I felt led to apply so that I could forge bonds with Peruvian Friends, become friends in every sense of the word, deepen and strengthen my walk with Jesus and then come home and tell all about it!  I feel that part of my responsibility is to be an active advocate for Peruvian Friends.  I see this advocacy role lasting my lifetime.  I will become involved with the yearly meeting in making sure we always remember our Peruvian (and Bolivian) Friends regardless of how much time has passed since we had YM Friends living and ministering there.

This fits with my long-term goals; which is to be a voice for others who are not able to speak for themselves; whatever the reason may be.  I pray this trip will help me see daily life in a different setting and that my heart will feel more and thus put actions to my feelings.

 

The song,

"Get all excited; go tell everybody that Jesus Christ is King!"  sings in my soul!!!