Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Two Roads Diverged


I have been putting off writing this blog for a while. I knew that it would probably open up all kinds of questions and concerns, and I wasn't really sure how to even go about writing it. But then I thought about all the wonderful verses of scripture God has reminded me of lately encouraging me to trust Him (Prov. 3:5) and that in His power all things truly are possible (Phil 4:13), so here goes.

We will be returning home to the States in June. Many of you know we were not supposed to come home until next summer, but some recent changes with our mission board has made it apparent that they will no longer be doing work among Mestizos (Hispanic city dwellers), and so after prayerful consideration over the last 5 months we feel God is calling us to back to the U.S. to work with Hispanics and area churches.

When we signed on with the mission board now over 2 years ago we knew God had called us to work with Hispanic Urban Professionals, and we felt like Caracas,Venezuela was where God was leading us. Unfortunately we were not able to enter Venezuela due to difficulties obtaining a work visa and the rising costs of food and necessities in that country. This was a huge discouragement for us, but we were very grateful and excited about the opportunities that awaited us here in Ecuador. Recently we learned that any area with a concentration of 2% or more evangelization would see a removal of personnel from that area. This means that we would not be able to return to Quito either to work with the people here. There were also many other changes that factored into our decision as well.

We know where God has placed our heart and desire concerning Latinos of South and Central America. We also know that the talents and gifts God has given us are best used among these people. We do not fault the board for focusing on underevangelized areas of the world during these tough economic times. We know that the direction the board is taking is certainly warranted in these difficult times we live in. We also know the burden God has placed on our heart for Hispanics, and so we cannot leave that call God has placed on our lives. We merely find ourselves looking to fulfill that call in a place we never dreamed of going...our own country.

And so we will be returning to the States in June and spending a few days with family. I will begin a new job in West Palm Beach later this summer and Ken will take the 18 months he needs to complete his on-line seminary degree through Liberty Baptist Seminary. Through this all we will continue to do mission work through local churches and the state Baptist association to see more Hispanics reached for Christ.

Please pray for our children and ourselves as we make this transition. Although we are thrilled to be near family and old friends again, we will miss the friends and "family" that we have made here in Ecuador. Please also continue to pray for our mission as many other families are making similar decisions in the face of so many changes. It is a bittersweet time for us, but we rest in the Lord knowing that He is in control of the future.

I leave you with one of my favorite poems by Robert Frost.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

I Want Candy

Here is a video collage of the photos from Cade's 4th Birthday. Enjoy!

Monday, May 10, 2010

The Road to Shell

Last weekend was Mother's Day and I wanted to spend it with my family, but in order to do so they had to take the trip down to Shell with me. I knew I would be working this week at the Hospital de Voz Andes del Oriente, so my family came with me to spend a relaxing day (or so we thought) in the jungle.

Let me start by saying that the rainy season is not the ideal time to take a trip to Shell. There are lots of derrumbes (mud slides) and the roads can be fairly treacherous when it rains. That withstanding, we were able to see many of the sites that in my mind are uniquely Ecuadorian. We have 3 favorite towns that we have given nicknames to. One is known lovingly as jean town. Here it is called Palileo, but ask any Ecuadorian where to go to buy any brand of jeans you want and they will tell you this small town located midway between Ambato and Shell.

Here they sell jeans in all styles, sizes, colors, etc... They also sell every brand of jeans, Lees, Levis, Gloria Vanderbilt, etc...Yep, for $10 you can get some GV or other designer jeans. Just pick out any of the many jeans they have to chose from, go to the counter and tell the salesperson what brand you want them to be. They will open a large drawer with hundreds of labels in it and then sew whatever label you want everyone to see on the back. Not bad if you don't mind the jeans only lasting about a year.

Another favorite place is called Baños. We like to call it Taffy Pull City. This little oasis is known for their thermal spas (It is located at the base of Volcano Tungurahua). They are also known for their homemade melcocha (taffy). What makes it unique is how they pull the taffy. They use large hooks in the doorframe to pull large globs of taffy right in the doorway of their stores. It takes over 20 minutes for them to pull it into the right consistency. This is both fascinating and slightly disgusting at the same time. They pull the taffy out in large bands and then slap it against the door frame. Having a male dog I don't think I need to explain the disgusting factor in all this...Anyway, I think I'll just take their word that it is delicious.

The town I still have not stopped in, but I want to is Salcedo. That is the ice cream town. For some reason every store in this town, and there are several, sells a certain type of ice cream. It is so popular here that they even have a monument to this particular type of "helado" made with anywhere from 2 to 5 bands of flavors. They have special cups they use to pour one flavor at a time and then allow to freeze, add a layer, freeze, etc... The most popular one has mora (blackberry), guanábana and piña (pineapple). Yummy! I have tried this helado in Quito, but I have been told it is even better in Salcedo.

The only downside to this trip is the long length of it. I have made it in typically 4.5 hours, but lately due to protests by the indigenous and more tourist traffic it is taking 6 to 7 hours. The poor kids were so tired of sitting in traffic and not going anywhere I almost suggested they get out and play while we waited for the cars to move. At one point I was forced to do the unthinkable in the U.S., but extremely common here. I think this photo pretty much sums up what they had to do. If any of you witness my boys doing this in the U.S., please forgive them. I'm trying to break them of it....

So if you find yourself on the road to Shell, get some ice cream in Salcedo, check out the jeans in Palileo, and watch some expert taffy pulling in Baños. I do suggest however, that you schedule those bathroom breaks!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

So long for now


Today we had a "despedida" (farewell party) for one of our missionary families here, the Brooms. They have been dear friends of ours here in Quito since we arrived. I remember when I first met Kathy and Paul and we realized that #1 they had served in Venezuela (the place we felt God had called us) and #2 they were from Alabama. I knew we would be good friends despite the fact that they pulled for Auburn, and we of course for Alabama. As Paul said tonight, only in the mission field will you find two families that are Alabama and Auburn fans be such good friends!

We are sad to see them go after serving with the mission board for 15 years now, but we know God has some wonderful plans for them back in Alabama. They talked about how they had left a piece of their heart in Venezuela when they had to leave almost 3 years ago due to a new law saying no children born in the country (their middle child, Nathan, was born there) are allowed to leave without the permission of the government. They had seen the Lord move in a mighty way there and I know it must have been very difficult for them to say goodbye to all of their friends and the nationals they had grown to love like family.

One thing I believe many people do not understand about living overseas is how different our lives are here versus there in terms of relationships. Relationships are everything here. Ask any missionary what they would rather do, go shopping, see a movie, or hang out at someone else's house and play board games, hanging out wins every time. I cannot count the number of times we have gone to their house and vice-versa just to hang out and eat together. Living in a foreign country has it's hassles for sure, but it really does make you appreciate so much more other people that share your heart language and culture. And so we will miss the Brooms and the things they have taught us about the importance of relationships and being there for others. I know this is not really goodbye for us, just so long for now....