Update from Andrea M.
After getting to know our new friends a little bit over the weekend, and acclimating to the altitude and culture, Monday marked the beginning of our work with the church. This included painting the exterior of the church, the sanctuary (which still had damage from a recent robbery), the kitchen, and a children's classroom (in murals!); as well as cement work on the roof, and some other odd jobs.
The progress was really amazing for the first day. Drawings for the mural were almost completed, damaged wall was scraped and stuccoed, windows and doors were caulked, and the roof was prepared. It's a blessing to work along side our brothers and sisters here.
Some ladies at the church cooked us a real Ecuadorian style meal of chicken, rice, fries, and aji sauce. After a short rest at our cabins, we returned for the first day of English club. Around 17 students showed up, and we started with an ice breaker game. Then we broke into groups and made friendship bracelets, did vocabulary worksheets, and played more games. The goal of the club is to immerse the students in English.
It's always hard to part ways for the night (here, it's customary to go around and say goodbye to everyone with a hug before leaving), but we finally made it back to the Meyer house for dinner, and stayed there until just before bedtime.
The beautiful view of Mount Cayambe from our cabins.
Casa Hotchkiss/Maxwell
This is where we eat Cayambe-style breakfast every morning. They also serve interesting flavors of ice cream, such as coconut and alfalfa. We haven't tried the alfalfa yet.
The front lot of the church, as we set into the first day of work.
David discusses plans for the kids' classroom, which will be painted from floor to ceiling in Bible story scenes. This room is small, but about ten feet tall.
The interior and exterior of the church needed some patching. The "scars" in the sanctuary from the robbery will finally be covered, and the whole kitchen will get its first paint job inside and out.
A conversation among us Americans and Ecuadorians is always full of challenges in communication, but always fruitful. We're all learning a lot, and finding ways to get past the barriers. More importantly, our bond in Christ is deeper than language can give.
The view from the roof of the church, where much of the work is taking place.
Making friendship bracelets at English club was a good way to start conversation and learn some more specific vocabulary.
The guys bonded over games at English club.
Each night, at the end of English club, we'll share testimonies, with David as our translator. Here, Trevor shares his.
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