I think the biggest challenge to having a blog is staying creative. Here's a brief update of what life's been like recently in a bit of a different format...
What I just ate for dinner:
I just made a killer lasagna, which was a nice taste of home and which is why this is the first question on my update.
One word that describes the last month:
Superbusy
Best thing that's happened to me recently:
On the 6th of February, I was able to accompany, serving as the translator, a very international group of 7 people representing 5 continents to a rural indigenous village about 3 hours from Quito outside of Latacunga. The group represented "La Red Ecumenica del Agua" (The Ecumenical Water Network). We visited a site where the indigenous community has been building a water canal to supply their villages with clean water. We learned about the dynamics of the water canal and how the presence of large companies that export various crops has affected the well-being of the communities and their access to clean water. It was fascinating and being the translator for the group was great.
I also bought a 2012 agenda which I'm surprisingly excited about.
Biggest challenge thus far in 2012:
Transition with the refugee project. The current coordinator of the refugee project is transitioning out of her position as she plans to return to the US. I'm in the process of taking over more responsibility and becoming the main coordinator of the project which is very exciting but is definitely a transition that includes an increase in workload.
What I'm most looking forward to in the near future:
Spending a week in the jungle. Another volunteer group is coming down from the states in about a week. I'll be their guide/translator again and we'll be spending another week in the jungle working on the same construction site where we were last year. It was a highlight for me last year and I'm looking forward to another great trip.
I also bought a plane ticket to visit the states in July. I'll be back from the 4th-16th to celebrate my Mom's ???th birthday (I'll let you ask her) and to be at Derek Swartz' and Chelsea Reiff's wedding. Definitely looking forward to it.
Biggest accomplishment thus far in 2012:
Learning more or less how to get our churches website running (granted I'm using "weebly" which basically creates the page for you...but still...). I had been trying to figure out the best way to get our website functioning and got some help from Roger Farmer (a member of a recent group from Central Plains Conference that visited Ecuador). I'm pumped to keep updating the website. For now, you can check it out here:
http://www.anabautistasenecuador.org/
There isnt much on the website right now...but I did just write an article for those that are interested:
http://anabautistasenecuador.weebly.com/iglesia-menonita-de-quito.html
Most fun I've had recently:
Playing indoor soccer on Wednesday evenings and riding my bike around instead of taking the bus.
Toughest decision I'm facing right now:
Whether or not to stay in Quito past my 2 year commitment. I'm on the fence...any advice?
Best thing about the neighborhood that I live in:
Stores are close by and the sense of community with my neighbors. Within a two block radius of my apartment I have the following options of different stores: 3 fruit/vegetable stores, bike shop, internet cafe, 5 small convenience stores, meat store, clothing store, 2 bread stores, 2 laundry mats, 3 car mechanics (I dont have a car, but they're there if i ever need them), CD/DVD shop, copy shop, shoe/clothing repair shop, lunch restaurant and to top it all off, a big community park.
My neighbors/local store owners are also a highlight. It's nice to know people and it's nice when people know you.
Hardest thing about living in Quito:
Bus pollution. Especially as an avid biker, the bus pollution is terrible. Big clouds of black smoke.
Music I've listened to most recently:
Beirut, I've been enjoying listening to the album "Riptide" on my youtube playlist.
Best new habit:
Drinking a glass of water with lemon after getting up in the morning. In our most recent refugee workshop, I invited an Ecuadorian friend of mine who owns a natural foods store to talk to us about nutrition. He recommended a glass of water with a fresh squeezed lemon in the morning to start the day, and since lemons cost practically nothing here, I'm giving it a try.
Also watching "Democracy Now" in the morning while I eat breakfast.
Best way to relax despite a busy schedule and hectic city life:
Lie in my hammock for at least 10 minutes and look at the mountains.
Best advice that I've read recently:
The important thing is not to think much, but to love much; and so, do that which best stirs you to love.
Saint Teresa of Avila
People say, "What is the sense of our small effort?" They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time.
Dorothy Day
