Quito-
Early. That’s my summation of the first three hours of my morning. I got up at 6:30 when Edla came in the room and I was pretty much a zombie all the way to Mission Reconciliation.
We got to the church earlier than pretty much everyone and got to greet them all as they got there. It wasn’t as big a crowd as I expected for the Presiding Bishop to be there, but maybe that was the point. Lots of important clergy I’d never heard of and the girls danced (which was actually really great).
It probably wasn’t as important to me as I was the only one in the group who was both a non-Spanish speaker and a non-Episcopalian, so I had doubly no idea what was going on (can you double no idea?).
After that, Mission Emaus for lunch, presentation of the stuff (TV, amplification system, blender, DVD player) that they were able to buy with the team’s donation, and finally the VBS.
Anita was great with all the kids. She had this whole room of children totally silent and still. Then we did music. In the States I would have considered it a disaster (Julie: “I don’t sing!” Danny: “I don’t speak Spanish!”) but the way it worked out, I’d say I was pretty proud and it was successful and fun, especially considering we translated all the songs like 20 minutes before.
Then it was the “whole world in His hands” project. Not enough glue, not enough directions, TONS of fun. Little Jefferson was who I mostly hung around with the “help” and it was nice just to chill with him, not even really having functional conversation, but a super-functional relationship.
When all was said and done we took probably a thousand pictures with everyone. We’ll get to hang out for a little bit tomorrow, but it felt like good-bye already. I’m going to seriously miss Anita and Maria José and Jefferson and Don Rodrigo.
Finally back to the hostel for 40 minutes to rest before dinner. We tried one place but Dario, Angela and their group were already there. We talked to Dario for a bit and then went about two doors down to Pincho’s. We’re such Americans. Half of us ordered Cheeseburgers and Coke and Coleman got 4 orders of ($0.99) BBQ wings.
Cameron and Roberto came halfway through and we had lots of fellowship.
Then back to the hostel. Debrief was pretty cool. Everyone talked about what they learned about God and about themselves. We pretty much discussed how much God can do through us even though we can do so little on our own. And of course the old man with the guitar was a big topic. (This 83-year-old man at Emaus played classical guitar and he and his daughter sang Ecuadorian songs for us. Most of us had no idea what they meant, but he opened up to us about how our gifts of time and effort inspired him and reminded him of the love of God).
Overall, not much work today. But I have a different perspective on life and faith by actively looking through others’ eyes and at how they can teach me.
Oh- and tomorrow I’m going to be a Godfather for Luis from Mission Emaus when he is confirmed. Big deal, kinda scary, and puts me back in the contemplative mood. Wow.
