In His Name for His Glory: Sabado

I wrote this post yesterday and thought I has published it, but Natasha asked me where my post was from yesterday?? ooppss well I did write one! but it got published late!

A man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9

I know this fact to be true, but often I set my heart on things then I am disappointed when they don't happen. But in the end Gods way was so much better than what I had wanted! I was reminded of this today, in an everyday life circumstance......

Natasha and I had made plans to go to a large market out of the city, but tomorrow is election day. Here in Ecuador you must go to vote, and you must go to vote in your original district. So that means that everyone is traveling out of town, the ticket booth in the bus stations was backed up probably around 360 ft. (a football field) and there was two lines! So obviously we were not going to be leaving town today, and I was disappointed. I have been looking forward to going, and I was all packed up and ready to go! Natasha was trying to make the best of it, but I was being a "fun sponge". So because she is such a wonderful person, and because she didn't want to put up with me all day! She found a park we could go to! So we headed out for a walk through the park this morning, we ran into some girl's from a university who needed to have a conversation in English with someone from another country, so we helped them out, so we talked with them for quite awhile and they recorded our conversation! Then we ran across a mini market!! It was so neat! We both were able to buy some gift's and souvenirs, we are getting pretty good at bargaining for items too! I had a vendor teach me how to tie a scarf I bought, she was laughing at me! They all wear traditional clothing, it was such an amazing experience! Its amazing how when you walk into a new place and see all these new things, its kind of overwhelming! But then as you get accustom to seeing these things, the crowds become people, the vendors become individuals, situations become opportunities, creating memories, conversations, and once in a life time experiences! People become souls, created in the image of God. We seen some traditional dances and street preaching. Then on the trole ride back, the bus before us broke down, so we they all crammed into the next two troles! It was so crowded! I was smashed with about 6 different bodies surrounding me! It was a little awkward, but as we thought back to our first bus ride, we had to laugh! Even our personal space has diminished by quite a bit! We are not in North America anymore! We didn't have a camera with, so you all will have to use my word description.....

We have become especially close with one tia, she has sort of taken on the role of being our mother "conscience", making sure we are dressing warm enough, and eating correctly. So she and her husband took us to the valley, well one of them! They are a very godly couple, it was such a blessing to spend time with us, and they absolutely spoiled us! I shouldn't eat for a week after today! They took us to a traditional eating place, they cook the food out front!

Pork anyone?? I have heard that pork is one of the worst things to eat at a stand... well we havn't had any problems yet!

Yum! You can't see it to well, but it was absolutely delicious! Pork, pork skins, hominy with a fresh salsa, fried banana's, a sort of yellow potatoes, avocado and corn on the cob. We just about emptied the plate, feeling rather full! But then they took us to an empanada restaurant, and we had, empanada's filled with a sweet cheese and raisins, they were also amazing! But wait, we were not done yet! So then they took us to a mall that use to be a cattle ranch, it was so beautiful, and HUGE! It was so much fun to spend time with them, I'm convinced people thought we were their grandchildren visiting, but Natasha wasn't convinced. But we both miss our grandparents, so it was a very special time for us! We had to stop for an American dessert, because that is her husbands favorite, so we had a raspberry and strawberry tart, with ice cream! AiAiAi ya I know!