A Few of My Favorite Things
It’s funny how time flies, but while the time is flying, it is also going by really slow. Adjusting to a completely new environment has felt like time is crawling and yet flying to the point that we are still working on Freedom’s visa and we only have about a week before his tourist visa runs out. Also, I have to go to the Civil Registry office possibly for the 8th time to get my ID card again because now it has to say “married” on it and to “legalize” the marriage registry because that couldn’t be done at the time of registry, and a couple of other things that require separate visits and “turnos.”
And yet, it is Christmas time already… and we don’t have a tree. It’s pretty funny actually because we know exactly where to find the natural trees that we like. But when you don’t have a car you kind of make an account of where you have to go and you budget your walking/energy output, add the taxis or buses you have to take, factor in how interested your kids will be in the venture and you opt to do other, more important or more-interesting-to-your-kids things. And so we have a garland with berries and wooden flowers for decorations this year. Wooden flowers are these seed pods that come from a Cedrela tree and it’s similar to decorating with pine cones. I’m pretty sure next year we will be better prepared as far as decorating goes. The really great thing is that our kids don’t mind. That is pretty different for them and I’m thankful. I think this year, we are all more focused on meeting people, finding new places, and exploring new favorite things. This was the advice my missionary friend gave me, “find new favorite things so you will be less homesick.” Great advice. Reminds me of a song in The Sound of Music…
“I simply remember my favorite things,
and then I don’t feel so sad.”
We have been able to find many new favorite things and people. In fact, we are excited to begin a new year working in collaboration with Youth World and Education Equals Hope (e=h). Already, we are fans of this organization and the masterminds that put it together. The outlook on short-term mission teams that will come to do ministry in the Spring alone has given us plenty to plan for. There will be eight teams from February - April and we are starting to dream about how we can assist them to reach the community they are helping. Also, we will assist in team-building art sessions with these young missionaries. I love it because the teams are half Ecuadorian and half American which is also a way to collaborate, learn a new language and step outside comfort zones.
As for our weekly activities, we are putting together a schedule of which ministry sites we are going to be visiting for after-school art sessions. These sessions will enrich their already existing tutoring sessions with art education. Over the years e=h has developed relationships with various churches in impoverished neighborhoods in order to fuel them with resources to reach their own communities. These are called ministry sites and they are located in different regions, even as far as the jungle communities. We look forward to discovering where we fit in best.
I think the best news is our new favorite place: English Fellowship Church. We sure miss our home church in Georgia, but we are very thankful for what EFC has brought to our family. At first, I thought we must attend an Ecuadorian church in Spanish. We must immerse ourselves in the culture and language. In fact, we found one that was young, hip, and with amazing worship. But we saw a change in our kids each time we visited EFC. The church is simple, nothing fancy at all. Not the sound system, lights, or sounds we are used to.
And yet, our kids have really enjoyed the youth and kids ministry. Without any bells or whistles, this church has been able to reach our kids. It’s such a gift to see them happily go to their activities. But EFC is also unique because it is a church for the international community. There are Chinese bible studies, groups for the Arabic community, a Quechua service, and a Spanish service. The service in English is special too because it is a community of Ecuadorians practicing English, missionaries, ex-pats working here, or anybody passing through on a visit.
There is a vibrant homeschool teen night stemming from this church that meets every other week. Usually, we can find a ride for Jonathan, but if we are volunteering, it takes two hours, three buses, or $20 Uber rides. That’s one way. We usually do a bus/Uber combo. But it’s one of those things…
“We should really go and buy a Christmas tree, but we have teen night this week. Yeah! Let’s do teen night. Besides, there’s plenty of time to get a tree, right?”
The cherry on top of our favorite things is the handmade cards. A month ago, we led a card-making workshop to give a small group of people ideas on what to sell in a market. Being that we are not very craft-oriented, (some artists aren’t great at crafting, it’s true) we weren’t sure what to expect. But several in the group really made some beautiful designs. Far better than my examples. It just goes to show, sometimes all you need is resources and an idea.
Other favorite things include:
Finding the art district in Quito, La Floresta
Seeing our son Jonathan light up when he finds a new mural or sees his favorite graffiti artist’s work
Hearing our daughter Kayla’s new poems
Mora (blackberry). Mora anything. (juice, yogurt, or jelly)
Biscochitos- they are a crunchy, buttery, biscuit you eat with caramel or mora jelly.
The mountains and the skies that go with it.
The little girl down the street, who sits in a wheelbarrow while her mother sells fruit. Heart-wrenching and beautiful.
We hope this season is filled with a few of your favorite things. Savor them and breathe them in because that’s what really fills you up with a beautiful life. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The Rodriguez Family serving in Ecuador
