Chick-Fil-A

Here is a not so subtle shout out and hint to my hubby while he is in Alabama.  Don't forget to bring the doggy bag home honey!

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Perhaps one of scariest things about going to a foreign country is dealing with the police and or military of that country.  I remember when we were in Costa Rica I was mugged at broad daylight and couldn't even get the cops to come to the scene of the crime.  People have told me if you live in Mexico the last thing you want to do is call the police.  In the US that's actually the first thing you want to do. 

Anyway, we had our first "run in" with the police when we had only been here a little less than 2 weeks.  We were driving down the street at a pretty slow enough pace when a traffic cop stepped out in front of our vehicle from behind an obstructed part of the corner of the street (think moving cars and trees in the median).  Ken had to swerve to avoid him, but he did not hit the cop.  This cop was furious and had the next officer down at the next block pull us over.  Now with our limited Spanish we tried to explain that we were sorry that Ken did not see him.  This officer wanted to make a huge deal that Ken had a Costa Rican license and his US one wasn't on him.  Frankly it doesn't matter for the first 90 days as long as it is a valid license.  When we tried to explain ourselves the cop just kept insisiting that he couldn't drive with the Costa Rican license and the International License we also had on us.  We called the mission and one of the nationals that works with us, Daniel, spoke to the officer for all of about 1 minute.  The cop handed us back the telephone and told us to drive carefully.  I later learned that this was of course a shakedown and Daniel called the cop on it letting him know that what he was doing was illegal and that we had of course not broken any laws.

Fast forward to yesterday.  Ken has left for the U.S. and I am taking Kayleigh to ballet, late as usual.  I tried to park in a space that was on the small side, Connor looking out the back window, Kayleigh looking out the right side.  I realized I wasn't going to get in the space after 2 attempts (my back right tire kept hitting the curb because of the angle I was trying to get in), so I gave up and pulled off.  As I was leaving the street guard came walking down to guide me in and I just waved her off because I knew I wouldn't fit and by this time I was really late and needed to drop Kayleigh off at the door.  I drove around the street and stopped at the ballet studio, helping Kayleigh get in the door and telling her I'd be back at the end of class.  Right after pulling out a lady in a white car started to honk at me and said something about "saliendo" (leaving).  She pointed to me to pull over, so I pulled over thinking that maybe one of my tires must be low and the air was "leaving" (how they sometimes say your tire is getting flat).  Well, my tires were fine and I got back in my car.  She came up to me yelling in rapid Spanish saying I had hit her car and then left and she was going to call the police now that she had my license plate number.  Now I was completely confused.  I asked her what in the world she was talking about.  She pointed to the front of my car and said I hit her car and left.  I told her I left because I couldn't fit my car there.  I did not hit anyone!  She went around to the front of my car and pointed to a huge dent that has been there from another missionary incident over 1 year ago.  I laughed and told her that was very old and I would have known if I touched her car.  I did not do it.  She of course continued to threaten and when I asked what was wrong with her car all she could point to was a couple scratches on her back fender that could have been done a long time ago.  I recognized what this was about as she tried to demand my name and phone number.  I've heard other stories about this.  The old "let's hit up the foreigner for some cash".  I told her that just because I was a foreigner did not give her the right to say something that was not true.  She proceeded to call the police and I prudently drove away with the kids.  I then proceeded to take the car home and get a taxi to go get Kayleigh after ballet, still somewhat shaken and praying for God to settle my nerves.

What bothered me the most was the long night of wondering if the police were going to be pounding on my door soon.  I know that sounds crazy to your average U.S. citizen, but it is not so strange for us missionaries.  I personally know of 4 people who have been incarcerated until they proved their innocence in separate incidents here in Ecuador.  One man had a car accident where someone elso ran into him but then fled the scene.  He was in jail over a week.  Another man was placed in a jail cell with hardened criminals all because he lived in the apartment of someone who had lived there long ago and that other person had been a criminal.  It was a case of mistaken identity, but the police didn't care.  They arrested him anyway until the lawyers could prove the missionary wasn't that man.  It took 10 days.  I know of a young girl in high school that was placed in a city jail for some issues dealing with her student visa.  She has had to leave the country now as a result of that.  In many countries like this one you are guilty until proven innocent.  It is a very hard concept to wrap your head around until you see it for yourself.

Anyway, I talked to someone in our mission's office and explained the situation.  Fortunately the car is registered with the mission so I have some protection through that, but it still is disturbing to know that someone can go to the police and file a warrant for your arrest without just cause.  I will never take for granted again the wonderful feeling of being innocent until proven otherwise.

Who Will Go?

In two days Ken takes a trip back to the states for the Global Impact Celebration (GIC) missions conference at our home church, Shades Mountain Baptist.  He will have the wonderful privilege of speaking with the middle and high school students of the church.  Ken and I remember it was just 3 years ago at our annual GIC that we heard the call placed on our lives.  Please pray for the many lives that will be touched and that those God has called will be obedient to follow.  Please also pray that our church members will take an active role in being a part of missions as they search their hearts in how they will respond to the Great Commission call.

  "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."                                                                              Matthew 28:19-20

Carnaval 2010

Today is the celebration of Carnaval for all of South America.  It is a time of parties, parades, food and mischief in the streets.  I am told that most everyone goes to the coastal cities to celebrate which would explain why Quito is like a ghost town.  I love it!  We can eat at any restaurant (that hasn't closed for the holiday) without a wait, and shop at the Megamaxi with no lines.  I took the opportunity to make a King cake like I used to make in Alabama for Mardi Gras (the same holiday in Mobile/ New Orleans).

Yesterday we went to the Martinez house to celebrate the mischief side of Carnaval.  It is custom to throw water balloons, dunk people with buckets of water, use foam spray (which has a pleasant fruity smell), and even douse people with flour after they have been soaked.  Let me first say thanks to all my friends for not picking on me too bad since I have a nasty cold.  I was able to get some really neat photos to share though.  This photo is a personal favorite of mine.  To the right is Kathy Broom and to the left is Kelly Martinez.  Check out the Ecuadorians in the background watching the two gringas in all out foamspray war.

The kids really got into the fun, but my favorite was watching all the adults act like children to get the better of each other.  If anyone didn't have sufficient water, foam, or flour on them they were automatically made the target for the group.  I almost felt bad for poor Jonathon Jackson when the girls went after him as he arrived at the party all clean and dry......like I said, almost....

I hate that I had a cold.  I would have loved to get Ken good like Kelly is getting Rick here in this photo to the right.  Ken however, would have none of that.  He claimed that he had to stay dry for his trip to the grocery store he was making later.  Baahumbug!  As you can see, Cade, Connor and Kayleigh got into the action with enthusiasm.  It took 3 showers to get all of the flour and foam off of Kayleigh. 

Haiti

I wanted to share this video with everyone.  It was made by a missionary with HCJB, Martin Harrison, that lives here in Quito.  He and 6 other missionaries went to Haiti 3 days after the earthquake to help the people in the Baptist hospital there.  If this does not give you a great burden to pray for these people I do not know what will.  Please remember that long after the press leaves, the people of Haiti will still be picking up the pieces of their shattered lives.  Pray that with the Lord's help they will be able to build again upon the Rock that will not be shaken.

Personal Space

I am told that it is a well known fact that we Americans (US citizens) are known for liking our space. I remember when we first arrived in Costa Rica it took me some time to get accustomed to people getting in my personal space standing in line or when they greeted me with the customary hug and kiss the air next to the cheek. Of course if you have already met someone once then this usually becomes an actual kiss the cheek and not the air. In certain parts of South America and Europe you kiss both cheeks.

I have actually grown to enjoy this custom as I feel especially in church that it really shows more of a genuine love for others over our personal space. I have been told that this will be quite awkward when we go back to the states as we will reach in to give the hug and kiss and our friend or acquaintance will pull back a little bit awkwardly at the action. I am saying this for Ken's benefit as he goes to the states the end of this month, so if he reaches in to kiss your cheek please don't take it the wrong way. He's just glad to see you!

But perhaps my strangest experience of having my personal space invaded occurred this last Thursday on a long bus ride back from working in Shell. Let me first set up this scene for those of you unfamiliar with travel in countries outside of the US. First of all I will say that compared to many of my friends in Central America, the buses in Ecuador are actually much like a Greyhound and are fairly comfortable. However, there are a few things that make it virtually impossible to relax for the entire duration of the trip. For example, we spent the first 2 1/2 hours of the trip zooming around the narrow 2 lane roads on the Andes Mountains with sheer drop-offs of several hundred feet and passing trucks around blind curves with double yellow lines. Now I understand why they have a curtain partition between the passengers and the driver. As a side bar to that, if you get motion sickness do not forget your Dramamine like I did. The little sign that offers a bag for people with sickness is just that, a sign. There are no bags.

Of course, what would a 6 hour bus trip be without a few side stops along the way, like every 5 minutes? You see, if you want to take the bus 20 minutes up the road you can. Just flag the driver down and hop on. Hey, not at a bus stop?....no problem. Just tell the driver to pull over and he will be very obliged to do so. Did I tell you that this trip is typically a 41/2 to 5 hour trip by car? Anyway, one bonus is the frequent visitations by people selling things. I don't mind the food people coming on for a quick 5 minute trip to sell some chips, drinks, tamales, bread, etc....but I can honestly say that this is the first trip I have ever taken where I was urged to buy teeth whitener, a booklet on how to control diabetes, 2 different types of ginseng, and a pill to help me sleep (that would have come in handy if I wasn't so concerned about losing my bag on my lap). We also were provided entertainment by a clown with a freaky, gravelly voice that really reminded me of why I don't care too much for clowns in the first place. He wanted us to give him money so he could go and entertain children and people in the hospital and help them get better. (¿En serio?, seriously????)

But I digress. My comfort zone was invaded when an elderly Quichua woman got up too early for her stop. She apparently didn't want to walk back to her seat or for that matter take any of the other numerous empty seats near me in the front, so she sat in my lap. Yes, that's right, she decided to sit in the gringa's lap.

Now I have been in many unusual situations in the last 2 years, but this one just left me absolutely speechless in both my native tongue and Spanish. I really didn't know what to say to the poor old soul. "Hey, I know you're comfortable, but my legs are falling asleep." So, I just sat there with her riding contently on my lap for the next 5 minutes until her stop came up.

So the next time you are standing in line at the post office or the check out of Wal-Mart and someone is just a little too close, take a look and make sure it's not just some kind old little Quichua woman looking for somewhere to lean until she can get through. It might be the kindest deed you've done all day!