Little faces smiling shyly.  Giggles.  The sound of running feet.  Pencils scratching away at an assignment.  Timid voices trying out a new language. Laughter.

Recognizing familiar faces in town.  Inviting people over for dinner that don’t speak our language.  Having people show up for dinner.    Trying new foods, new recipes.   Having more people than seats.

The smell of breakfast.  The pages falling out of his Bible.  Gathering exoskeletons of locusts.  Chubby hands.   Almost grown up girl hands.  Hands holding a guitar.

Coffee and prayer.  Papers and prayer.  Paint, boots, and prayer.  Walking the streets with prayer.

My family.  Friends.  Strangers.  People.  Who we are, where we’ve been.  More importantly; where we are going and who we are becoming because of who we know.  Or don’t know.

Opportunities to introduce someone to my Savior?  They are everywhere once you begin to look.

We are back in town to use the internet today.  Our first Spanish lesson was great.  Not that I did well, but our instructor is going to move along at a quick pace and we’re going to learn a lot!

Tonight, my first Ecuadorian cooking lesson courtesy of Julio’s wife, Gina!  When I asked she giggled and stared at me.  Once she realized I was serious (through a translator) she agreed.  Then she went around telling the workers that she was going to teach me to cook.  Even if I learn nothing, the relationship building will be priceless!

A great thing happened yesterday as we were leaving the internet cafe.  We met Debra and Thomas Moore from the United States.   They are moving here to Misahualli from Ambato this week to serve the communities along the river.  After driving us home, they stayed and visited with us until 11:30.  Just hearing the people of God  (especially punctuated with a southern accent and hugs) made me feel so comforted.  Amazingly, they are bringing a team from Homerville, Georgia to the jungle very soon.  For those of you unfamiliar with south Georgia, Eric’s family is from Homerville and Fargo. Meeting someone in the jungle of Ecuador who knows people from the swamps of south Georgia is nothing less than a God thing!!

I have a calendar, a meal plan, and Bible Study schedule. So far those things are going smoothly.   The laws here are changing and educational reform is on the way.  We don’t know what the government here is going to allow JKC to do about the school.   No preschool will be  allowed on campus, so schooling Elijah at home is the obvious alternative.   The girls may be homeschooled with supplemental classes on campus because the older children will have to travel to Tena for distance learning.  When and what Eric and I will be teaching at the school is still flexible and God is intent on demonstrating that it is His will that guides our steps.

And so I follow monkeys and learn about the plants and weed a small garden left by a previous intern.  We laugh with the local kids and I practice my Spanish on them and embarass my children.  I try to focus on who God is and what He  has shown  us and that we are here to serve Him in whatever capacity He chooses.  I am reminded that my job is to listen to my Father.

Wow, my first blog ever!

 Hola to everyone and much love!  I am so happy to tell you that we are all alive and well here in Ecuador. We miss you all back home.  Yesterday was quite an incredible day.  Relationships with  Luis, Julio, Dario, and Oswaldo are starting to blossom. I’ve been working construction with them on the cabin that Amy, the kids, and I will eventually be moving in to. The guys are all so very helpful, kind, and generous with their time, effort, and smiles. They are by far the hardest working humans I have ever had the opportunity to observe. They are multi-talented, very skilled, and if they don’t have something on hand to complete the job….they build it. Improvisation is their friend. They waste no time unless it is on me and my poor, poor spanish language aquisition.   Luis and I worked on the (calefon) hot water heater for an hour or so yesterday. We decided that a block in the plumbing line was causing a pressure issue and not allowing the valve to release the propane pilot light ignition for heating the water. We removed the blockage and….. Eureka! We’ve got hot water now after three weeks without.  High fives with Luis!  I enjoyed problem shooting with him inspite of the language barrier.  It was a humbling, but a good experience.

  Amy has been swamped with keeping house, kids, and ministry updates in order. She’s a trooper! I’m glad she’s good at all that ’cause I’m not.  No car means no drive thru. There aren’t any drive thrus anyhow.  Everything to do with feeding the family is labor intensive and takes tons of planning.  From getting groceries to food preparation…it’s a major undertaking.  Madeline and Abigail have been a tremendous help with household chores and “Elijah watch”.  The girls and Elijah have spent several evenings playing with the Davalos kids. Their realationships are starting to open up as well. It’s nice to watch them laughing and smiling so much.  Two interns will be arriving on Saturday. They will be here for the year.  We are looking forward to meeting Keri from North Carolina and Tyler from California. We are starting language classes on Friday with Eunice at the hostal in Misahualli. Excited!  We are also planning to start a weekly outreach to the peoples in Pununo…a ten minute walk from the cabin. Please pray for this outreach.

“For a mere moment I have forsaken you,

But with great mercies I will gather you.

With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment;

But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,”

Says the Lord, your Redeemer.

Isaiah 54:7-8

I know He loves me…He loves you…seek Him!

Eric

Ready for a Recipe Challenge?

Would you like to win a Cooking Contest?

(All entries win a Heartfelt Thank You)

Three Categories…Breakfast Lunch and Dinner!!!

Here is what we have access to almost always:

Whole Chickens Rice Dried Black Beans Brown sugar (molasses tasting)

Potatoes Cornmeal Dried Kidney Beans White Sugar

Onions Corn on the Cob Dried Canary Beans Vanilla Extract

Garlic Pineapple Dried White Beans Saltine Crackers

Cucumbers Bell Peppers Vinegar Canned Tuna in Oil

Tomatoes Oatmeal Tortillas Quinoa

Hot Peppers Milk Bananas Lentils

Carrots Lemons Apples

Vegetable Oil Salt Tangerines

Butter Pepper Oranges

Powdered Oregano Chili Powder Cilantro

Dried Basil Dried Thyme Eggs

Nutmeg Bread Coconut

Pasta Flour Chicken Bouillon

Soft White Cheese (similar to ricotta) Eggplant

Mozzarella

What we might can find or can get in limited quantities:

Parmesan Cheese Fresh Beets Celery (very small and skinny…has flavor of celery)

Honey Fresh Turnipish things Nutella

Sweet Potatoes Fresh Greens (Kale-ish) Pancake Syrup Italian Salad Dressing

What I cannot get that you might assume I could:

Canned Vegetables Frozen Vegetables

Stewed Tomatoes Peanut Butter

Spaghetti Sauce Ranch Powder

Cheddar Cheese Sour Cream

Ranch Dressing

Insane is the only word that comes close to describing the ride home from Banos.  Apparently, these guys are on the clock and it takes 3.5 hours one way.  Our driver must be a clever fellow.  If he exceeds the speed limit, he gains enough time to stop for a leisurely lunch at the roadside stand in Puyo. It did allow us time to converse with the local vendors and meet a traveling textile salesman from the coast.  A fellow evangelical believer, he was thrilled to practice his English and invited us to meet his family in February.  I am amazed at God’s provision, His faithfulness, and His willingness to use those that are willing, even when we fall so short.

It is beautiful and wet here, and we are looking forward to serving the people and seeing what God has in store for us to do! The day after our arriving in Misahualli, a team of 20 college age volunteers arrived. They were such an encouragement to us.  Watching them work, laugh and play as they embraced our family was such a help as we began our transition to life in the jungle.  With their help, we have almost completed the building of a small swing-set for the school as well as making progress on the cabin that we will eventually live in.

We have had the opportunity to visit several villages and have had our hearts pricked every time. Some things transcend language barriers: laughter, the love of a mother,  fear.  More than once, I questioned bringing our children into this environment.   Now, I see at least a glimpse of how the Lord is blessing them and using us. 

We see small children around the age of 6 carrying their infant siblings around in a sling; so they are unable to play. I see Madeline’s heart as she struggles with seeing children with no childhood.   I saw her willingness to abstain from play, for an hour holding an infant without any thanks, so that the other child could play unhindered.  The older women exchanged glances and gave me a look of approval.  I see my oldest child becoming a woman of strength and integrity as she learns what it is to have and to give, and I am blessed.

Taking a bus sounds so easy.  Unless you can’t read the signs at the terminal!  Fortunately, it is extremely cheap and the people here are so patient and kind to us.  We have made trips into Tena for groceries and a 3 ½ hour trip down to Banos to escape the stiffling heat and see a bit of Ecuador.  Once in Banos we located our Hostel, grabbed a map, a headed out.  We were rewarded by meeting Senora Mercedes and her daughter Claudia in one of the booths. Claudia had met a missionary before, and looks forward to us visiting again and bringing her Christian literature in Spanish. 

At the cafe where we had breakfast we met the owners, an Ecuadorian man, his Danish wife and two children. Without inhibition, Abigail and Elijah join the children on the playgrounds and sidewalks.  With a smile, they join in, not even knowing what the game is.  Abigail and Emma became quick friends, and Elijah and Olver played quietly at legos while to rest of us had time to talk and visit. They have promised to come and visit us here in the jungle in October, and extended an invitation for us to spend Christmas with them in Banos. The best part? They are unbelievers.  We are so thankful for this opportunuty.  We will be praying that the Lord guides our steps and words with this family, so that they might become part of the family of God.

The girls ascended the trail quickly, following the lead of their classmates and the college team.  With mud nearly clearing the top of his muck boots, Elijah wasn’t making as much progress.  Fearful of being left behind, and angry at his limitations he alternated between crying and obstinate outbursts as we dutifully made it up the mountain.  The hour was strenuous, without doubt,  but worth the trek.  Not only were we revived by the sight of God’s creation, we were reminded of our smallness in all of this.  Much like Elijah, we struggle in getting to where the Lord sends us.  We whine, kick and cry about about being hot, discouraged and bug bitten.   However, we know that God keeps His promises.  He changes not, and His Word is true. There is something much greater than that waterfall at the end of our journey, for those of us that believe and love Him.

It’s called the rainforest for a good reason.  It is quite moist in this part of the world.  In fact, it’s pouring right this very moment. Sounds so good on the tin roof of this cabin.  Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful rain.

Reality is still setting in.  After twenty days away from home, here in this foreign land, the honeymoon phase is drawing to a close.  We’re all coping with the changes in our own distinct and separate ways, but as a family we are beginning discussions as to how we can be used by GOD here in this different and quite unique setting.

Hola and greetings from Misahualli, Ecuador!!!!!!!

Boy Howdy! The Studebakers are missing you and pray that all is well back home.

In the past few weeks we have began building relationships with everyone possible.  From the Coyle and Davalos families (missionaries) to Julio, Dario, Luis, Eddison, and Oswaldo; locals working here at the mission site.  We have been to town a few times for groceries and such.  During these small excursions we have had the opportunity to start friendships with local business owners like Juanita, Isabella, and Eunice.  Jon and Jorge, cabianeta (taxi)  drivers have been so helpful, patient, and nice. We’re quickly learning that we need to become more proficient in our speaking of Espanol. When this comes, so will stronger relationships with the locals and our ability to better serve them in a Christ-like way.

A mission team from Fort Meyers, Florida, left about a week ago.  It was so exciting to work with the team (here at the site) building a playground.

We also had a wonderful time venturing with them to several villages near Misahualli. It was fun to minister to the children and adults through skits, games, smiles, and hugs.  A special treat for me was meeting, Isaac, the leader of one of the villages. I informed him that his name means “laughter”.  He, no doubt, laughed and smiled and shared so much with Amy and I.   What a blessing !

Between food preparation and scratching bug bites, we’ve had the opportunity to see a 400 year old tree…..ENORMOUS!!!!….and a powerful awe inspiring waterfall we got to stand under after a one hour hike  into the jungle….with Elijah…..MUDDY!!!!!

GOD is awesome….so awesome!!!

Did I mention….GOD is awesome???

With Love,

Eric

We haven’t heard the kids laugh like this in a long, long time.  They played ALL day!

The grocery store was overwhelming today. It took over 3 hours, and we still have to purchase more when we get to Tena.  Not being able to read the labels was a real time stealer.  I thought I would be able to navigate based on pictures.  No such luck.  The mayo comes in a pouch, the milk in boxes on the shelf, even the produce was largely unfamiliar.  Deoderant costs over $6!!!  I am so thankful that Sherry took time out of her day to walk me through it.

We won’t be able to get packages delivered by the postal service.  Even our friends here in Quito don’t have that luxury due to theft and the expense. However, when people come over on mission teams or to visit they can bring things to us. 🙂

Our phones won’t be ready until next week, and they will be for use in Ecuador only.  Eric and I will try to get the magicjack up sometime this week. Skype should be an option once we are set up in Misahualli.  It looks like we will be staying in a different cabin because the new one isn’t finished yet.  We’re just thankful it’s not a tent!

Here is a photo link to our facebook account if you haven’t seen the pictures yet.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=oa.268716969899384&type=1

So All May Know