Time is a funny concept...

Time is a Funny Concept

6/11/12

            On Friday, Santiago and I hung out and talked for a bit before going to his church service. There weren’t many people, but it was a good service. Santiago translated into Spanish that I could understand, and the songs were really powerful. One of my favorites is called “Suenos De Morir”, which you should stop reading right now and go look up on Youtube. It’s a song about the dreams of Jesus before his crucifixion. It’s awesome.

After the service, I was so tired because I didn’t get sleep the night before, and for some reason, I’ve been more tired than usual, even though I’ve been getting a lot of sleep and keeping myself healthy. I think it’s because the sun is a lot times hotter, so my body gets exhausted quicker. Either way, I could barely sit up, so Santiago fed me fish and potatoes because I was falling asleep at the counter. Then I went to sleep around 10 and had to wake up at 4:30.

On Saturday Santiago and I left for Pifo around 5 in the morning. We took a bus, and I was able to sleep for a bit until we arrived in Quito, where we took two more buses to get to Pifo, which is about three or so hours away. Once we got there, we called Susie, the missionary, to try to find the church, which we did, and we waited for her to come. At around 8:30, they gave us (all of the people who were at the meeting who wanted to help at the camp this summer) breakfast, and then we played a few games. I’m not good with camp games, so it was a bit uncomfortable, but afterwards they started the meeting. The meeting was really good, although I couldn’t understand the pastor much. He spoke fast, but they gave us a packet in Spanish, and I understood the entire thing, aside from some words (in which I asked Susie what they meant). I have to remember my “wins”, not my “losses”!

            After the meeting, my head was killing me. I was trying to understand a meeting in Spanish for like three hours. Although I learned a lot of words, I was tired already. Susie and her husband, Glenn, then drove us to their house in Cayambe, which was about an hour away. It was BEAUTIFUL. The landscape was amazing (see pictures on Facebook), and the weather was perfect. The whole time we talked… in Spanish. Even though they speak English, I thought it would be better (for Santiago and for me) to just have all of us speaking in Spanish. It was a challenge, but it was good.

            Then they took us to lunch in this cute little restaurant, with good food and good prices (like a few dollars for a huge meal!). We ate the typical rice, chicken, beans, and soup. They also gave us each a banana.
            Susie and Glenn’s house was beautiful. It was an apartment that overlooked Cayumbe, which was filled with mountains, llamas, and colorful houses. We had a lot of fun getting the tour of their house and of Cayumbe, and we were so grateful to be able to spend the day with them. After all of the touring, they took us to hang out at the playground with some of the church kids that they work with. I got to see my second rainbow (see pictures on Facebook), which was beautiful.

            After that, they drove us to the bus station, and we headed back home. There were so many parties going on, and we heard so much loud music! We got back home, and I made a sandwich for dinner, while Santiago cooked eggs and his favorite (and my least favorite): rice. Everything here is about the arroz (rice), and Mom, if you’re reading this, I never want rice again.

            I fell asleep super early that night and woke up at 8am to get ready for church yesterday. Madeline was walking by the house at that point, and when I saw her, I yelled her name. She came in and waited for Santiago with me. We talked for a bit and then walked to church after Santiago came. I got to eat my Zucharitas (Frosted Flakes) for breakfast!

            First we went to a bible study, which was awesome. The subject was all about tiempo (time). I really like the youth pastor. He speaks clearly, and sometimes he will try to speak in English for Madeline and I (or any other English speakers that are present). This time it was only Madeline and I, and there were four other people there, as well. He asked me questions, which was startling, because normally when I’m in a service, it’s just the pastor speaking, not us responding. First he asked me what a church was, in which I responded it was fellowship. Then later he asked what kind of advice I would give about waiting. I explained (in Spanish) the importance of waiting, and I gave a little story of my own about things I had to wait for, including Ecuador.

            It’s funny because I’ve been learning how time is definitely an interesting concept. In America, time is most certainly valued. Everyone’s always rushing and feeling like they don’t have enough hours in the day to do what they need. In reality, we DO have enough! We just don’t always utilize it properly. In Ecuador, I think they realize this, and that’s why they don’t always arrive on time. Being on time isn’t as important here, which honestly, I kind of enjoy! I’m not punished for being late while I’m here! Time is certainly a funny concept.

            The church service afterwards was frustrating. Santiago was trying to repeat the words of the pastor, but the pastor’s voice overpowered his, and so I understood nearly nothing. At one point, I just gave up and decided to read the Bible and my Daily Bread.

            We went to Santiago’s for a bit afterwards, and then back to my house for lunch. We made Ramen noodles (the beef kind), which was awesome. We were supposed to go watch the big deal soccer game (Ecuador vs. Columbia), but we ended up staying inside and just talking for a bit before going shopping for some beef for the hamburgers Angelica was going to cook. I also put money in my phone so I could call my mom and send texts.

            We got back, and Angelica started cooking the hamburgers. I played with Rebeca for a while. We just laughed and played with her baby dolls. She was adorable. I liked bonding with my little siblings. =) While I was playing, Santiago was helping Angelica. We both were doing things that we were good at: I was playing with the kids, and Santiago was helping cook. It definitely felt like a family moment.

            Once Madeline arrived, we all sat down and ate hamburgers and fries together. After dinner and lots of talking, Santiago and I talked for a bit and finally finished translating Rebeca’s children’s book (The Mouse and the Blackberries or El Raton y la Moras). I fell asleep around 10:30 or so.

            This morning I woke up around 10 and cleaned up a bit after yesterday’s little party. Then I ate a peanut butter and jelly for lunch and ate my new favorite chips: YUCA CHIPS! I love them so much.
           After eating, I went outside to do my devotionals, like usual, and then Santiago came over. Right now we are about to walk to his house so I can post this and so I can Skype with my parents!

        Chao for now! =)