Bienvenidos a Cotacachi!
We arrived in Ecuador a little more than a week ago knowing nothing about the journey ahead. Not much has changed, but what has happened has been great. We have each been assigned to a family within the church to get to know and help out. Adam and Katelyn work in local restaurants, chopping vegetables and such. Tiana is a master craftsmen that lends her hands and feet in shoe making. Marc whittles wood into stools like Michelangelo molds marble. Maddy makes many marvelous moneybags. Our new families are very welcoming, generous, and find amusement in our efforts to communicate in Spanish. Soon we’ll be professionals at charades. When not working, we get to see many of them in bible studies, youth groups, and throughout the town.
We’ve been exploring the nearby cities, markets, and landmarks in our free time. We cannot figure out if there are more species of street dogs or types of fruit that we have never seen before. We’re on the lookout for a fruit that cracks like an egg and looks like brains (a recommendation from our new Canadian friends at church). Another oddity is that the locals put their dogs on the rooftops. We always get a thrill when the dogs spring out from the darkness snarling. And then there’s Brownie the horse. He hangs in the public park by day, and sprints past us through the streets with the dogs by night. We’d usually be scared of brownie, but we’re already on edge from the rooftop dogs. The only thing that gets between us and the animals are rocks and not sticks. Never sticks. Some dogs like sticks and should be avoided at all costs.
Our time in Ecuador continues to bring us laughs, make us fearless, and keep us on our toes because we never know what happen next. We mean this in the most literal sense. We’re learning that God has our back in every situation, regardless of a language barrier or unfamiliar surroundings. God’s love is being revealed through the amazing families we are now a part of, the welcoming community, and our beautiful surroundings. And our faith continues to grow as He guides us through the uncertain. Please pray for the healing of our numerous bug bites (not malaria!), the families who welcome us here and those we miss back at home, our confidence with speaking Spanish, and of course, the other deputation teams.
vomit count: Maddy- 0 Tiana- 0 Marc- 0 Katelyn- 0 Adam- 1. Cause: unknown.
Caio!
Team Russia, please send us chocolate to the address below. yoro. we’ll be waiting. on our toes.
Heiko Erndwein c/o Team Ecuador Casilla 10-01-284 Ibarra Ecuador