We have arrived in Quito, Ecuador! We wouldn't be here without you. Thank you for sending us. Sorry for not getting an update out earlier, and for not responding to the many emails that we have received. Our internet was just installed last night. This update will give you a brief idea of what we have experienced since our arrival.Quito, Ecuador welcomed us with a weight loss program. Due to the summer embargo limitations, we had to shed 160 pounds of our "stuff" before we could board the plane in Chicago. The boys traveled very well and enjoyed the flights hoping for more turbulence.
Our first day was spent with fellow missionaries/ neighbors at the OMS quest house. We experienced some cultural things as we journeyed out to eat lunch (Taco Bell) and run some errands because we didn't have any keys to get into our new home. We did try a new fruit, the granadilla. Not the most eye appealing but had very good flavor.
Jonathan found out that there are scorpions here and spent most of the day looking for one. With no success, he made a plan B. Asking the street guard to help him find one. He memorized his request in Spanish and told the guard that he would like a scorpion and would pay 50 cents for one. He hasn't received one to date!
On Thursday, we went by the house again to see if the house help was around and thankfully, she was there. She let us in and showed us around our new home ~ complete with dog (Shadow) and cat (Pancho). We spent the afternoon unpacking our eight 50 pound bags. It didn't take long!!! This is more house than we will ever need. Please plan to visit during the next 7 months as we will have plenty of room for you. Quite a change from our upstairs apartment in Gibson City.Next, off to the grocery store to stock the frig and cabinets. We cannot adequately express the feelings of incompetence that we felt walking up and down isles while being escorted by Kelly (OMS missionary). She had to drive us there. The grocery store is actually part of a mall in which you park in an underground parking. She had to explain everything! She had to read labels to us because we couldn't read them ourselves. We never thought that buying soap would be so mind boggling ~ we arrived home with 8 different bars and realized that not one of them was a deodorant soap. Not to mention the roads and hair-raising traffic to and from. Thankfully, we were not driving.
Friday we spent the day cleaning and listening to the different trucks going by selling things that we may need. The trucks selling propane gas rides up and down the streets beeping, the fruit trucks actually has a loud speaker (not that we would know what they were saying) and we have yet to catch a water truck.
Today - Sunday we attended the Family Bible Church (the actual name is in Spanish). It was a great service and the pastor spoke on tithes and offerings. No, it is not a bilingual service.... all in Spanish. Everyone was very friendly. After church we went out for lunch to a Mongolian restaurant with the other local missionaries and local OMS ECC coordinators. After the meal, the waitress all treated us to a complimentary Halls throat lozenge.... no reflection on the food. Each day, we are quickly reminded of just how much we have to learn. This week we are working towards figuring out how to pay the rent and telephone bill. We also hope to begin our language training very soon.
During our first 5 days, it has been easy to wonder if we are just in way over our heads. However, one passage that the pastor shared today, which spoke to us was: Philippians 4:13 & 19 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." and "And my God will meet all your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus." What a wonderful reminder. We are here to serve Him, and He will provide, just as he has in the past.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy
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