Come In

Dear friends and family, past, present, and future,

¡Feliz dia!

I am in Ecuador. July 31, 2007 marked my first night and I´m dumbstruck when I see today´s date. 6 weeks? Really?

When I first arrived, a veteran volunteer told me that his days in Ecuador dragged on, but weeks and months flew by. Now I sit in the front office at work, scribbling notes in a small book filled with prayres and Spanish vocabulary (parsley is ¨perejil¨), waiting to head out for another interminable day.

I love these days, these long, sweaty days that send me home dripping, drained, and satisfied. Evenings smell like sunscreen diluted with salt water and children´s dirty hands until a cold shower, rice steam, and lime juice take over. I prefer neither clean nor dirty, and I sleep best when I´ve bathed in both.

Nights are cool and windy, though I´m told this will change when the rains come (November-April). The sun is intense. There is no font bold enough for this word.God is here, in people. Bueno,

God is everywhere in people, but I see Him here, now, sweating, laughing. Six other volunteers share my days and theirs over dinner, and five more live in another house nearby. Family.

My neighbors also. Señora Patricia and Co. above all. Nine people live in that open home. Be patient - I will give them to you as best I can in the coming weeks and months. Know that I am well loved here. And that I am blessed.

Monday-Friday take me to work. Two jobs, morning and afternoon. At 8:30a I start my day with Hogar de Cristo, working in their micro-credit program. This job will change dramatically in the next few weeks, so I´ll say more in time.

Afternoons call me to Semillas de Mostaza, an after-school program in my neighborhood that hosts 50-140 kids daily, depending on the time of year. It is my greatest source of joy and frustration. Children´s lies sting more than others, and their growth tastes rich and sweet. Again, I will say more.

I am learning to pray here. A slow process. Singing helps tremendously, as (strangely) do bumpy buses.

Brief, piddly, insufficient. Yes, I know, but it is something! Tell me what you want more of.

Your letters! Thank you, and for your prayers also.

Today´s intentions: Jefferson, that he stop getting in his own way and can learn to behave as well as he so desperately wants to.

The Farewell

Hey all!After these last few weeks of goodbyes and trying to take in all of Ecuador, it´s about that time to head off to my buddies wedding in California and then head home to MN for a few months.

We have made the most of our last few weeks with farewell parties, our boss getting married and enjoying last conversations.

I want to thank all you guys who have been praying for my journey here in Ecuador through the ups and downs as I sent out updates whether or not you wanted them or not, I kept sending, cause the more the merrier for prayer.

A special thanks to all of you who gave financially to my time here because it would not have been possible without that blessing. I have seen God work in many ways and that was also one of those experiences to see that God provides and works through us.

Especially during my painting time with my dad for those of you who live in Waseca, MN, atleast for a few minutes or more, I´d love to catch up and just see how you´re doing. So stop by if you see me painting in the following months.

Take care and Godbless and thank you again for all the prayers and support on my year long journey here in Ecuador.

Blessings.SAM

what you don´t see....

seeing things on the surface...
everything can parecer muy bien... looking at a picture, for example, or even the video I made for the clausura of Santiago...
but that is hardly a representation of reality. My kids can look great in a picture, afterall, they are beautiful children of God...
but can you smell them? Can you tell that they haven´t been bathed in days, maybe even weeks?
can you see the scars hidden under their clothes, whther on their bodies, their precious bodies, which were originally made to be Temples for the Holey Spirit? How is it that their parents didn´t get the memo??
or can you see the scars on their hearts?
can you know the reason why and how their moods can change so quickly and their eues go cold?
can you know the details of the stories they so desperately need to share...but for carious reasons can and will not?
can you know their potential inside? that they, too, have dreams and aspirations, even if they don´t know how to spell them....


just some thoughts after seeing and being with so many of the kids here...
but on a more uplifting note... Jesus has risen, and we have been so blessed to be able to celebrate with each other and with the people here. We miss you all, but know that we are in your prayers, just as you are in ours! Thank you so much, as always, for your ever continuing support. Happy Easter week!

Love and peace,
Mara :)

*RIP John Clemency