Covi

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water in My name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Mark 9:41

We sent off this little guy with lots of kisses and hugs this morning! We will miss him so much!

:) ok give us a break! Not everyone wakes up looking like they do in movies!

We love you!!

After a couple hours with the baby's we headed with our neighbor, Kayla, to Covi. A refuge for children to come before or after school and eat a warm meal, and have someone who cares for them. Two tias take care of the home and they serve anywhere from 60-100 children, Monday-Friday. One lady just started doing this from her home, she served children off the street for 9 years from her house until she was given this land right in the park! It is so perfect! The children can play and be right there. Since the older children are in school in the morning we played with the younger ones until lunch. I seen some amazing little soccer players! I could have watched them all day, they were way out of my league! I enjoyed a little girl who made me a grass ring to wear (until it fell off), and braided my hair, in turn I swung her round and round until I had quite enough of that! We played and swung and enjoyed these children, I enjoyed seeing the way the tias care for them. Doing what they can to make a difference. I have been so humbled by all the service I have seen poured out on others in Jesus name. They have no earthly reward, but their reward will be so much greater! They simply say look what God has done!

Today was International Women's Day! I have never heard of it before but it is quite a huge thing here! A little boy gave each of us a rose, it was so sweet! Then after lunch we were doing dishes from the first group eating and as the older children came they came back and gave us hugs and "Ecuadorian" kisses, telling us "feliz dia de  la mujer". It was so special!

Near by the park....

Playing on the playground.

A little class they had.

Soccer!!

This was a very interesting game they were playing with a large piece of elastic. It was like a cross between cats cradle and hop scotch! We never did figure it out but it was neat to watch.

So after serving the older children lunch and cleaning up we headed back for an hour long bus ride, but I fell asleep so it wasn't to bad!

This evening we went to La Ronda street, it is very well know here! It was a good cultural experience! It is so beautiful, it feels like you are in Italy.

They had puppets, musicians, vendors all along the street!

Here we are buying some chocolate!!

There was live music in almost all the restaurants! It was so neat!

Here is a typical Ecuadorian drink, it was really delicious! We tried a few traditional things.

O yes, and if you run out of space to park just use the side walk, after all this is Ecuador........

Super Shopping!!

Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

This morning dawned a bleak cloudy day, but it warmed up beautifully and it was another gorgeous day in Quito! Much to my delight! and Natasha's because she knows how I get being cooped up! So after breakfast, bottles, diaper changes, baths, and countless instructions we were off with three of the toddlers to enjoy the morning in the sun! Enjoy I did! Not to mention the empanada! I managed to sneak down to the corner store while Natasha was pulling the wagon down the hill...... much to her delight! :) We enjoyed soaking up the sun! But then we had to head back for lunch. After lunch I was feeding one of the handsomest little boys a bottle and was watching him as he was nodding off to sleep and apparently so did I, because I woke up when I knocked a bottle off the arm of the couch and seen everyone laughing at me! They informed me it was very cute, I guess that was suppose to make me feel better... We managed to stick around and talk to the tias way after lunch was over! But it is always so great to talk and visit with them!

So at 2 pm I headed to the office, I scanned one file and waited over 1 1/2 hours for it to save to the computer! So I said, that enough of that! So I talked to some people and we got a flash drive to save the files to so hopefully that will make some space on the computer so the files will save faster....I hope so! So I scanned another file then left because Natasha and I had a pretty big project to tackle next......

Shopping! That's right, now this sounds like a project I just might love! The group that is here is going to the dump to do a program and serve supper. But they need all the food....so they sent us! Because we such seasoned Quinton's, of course! So we set off with our shopping list and went down the little "corner store" and bought 80 rolls, but when we took them back to the orphanage, they said, we needed more! So we went back and bought 40 more! Total $20

So then we headed to Super Maxi......

We bought 100 styrofoam cups, 200 napkins, 120 slices of turkey, 120 slices of ham, 120 slices of cheese (yes we counted the packages!), 2 cases of milk (liter bags, unrefrigerated :), 5 large bags (everything comes in bags here!) of hot chocolate mix, 2 large bags of mayo, 1 bag of ketchup, 1 bag of mustard, and 5 kilos of sugar! Then we hopped in a taxi and brought it all home! Mission accomplished!

Ya I think she looks a little proud....

So we headed back down to the baby's for the duration of the evening.

Word has it this little guy will be going home with his mom tomorrow. Please pray for him and definitely for his mother.

 Things get a little out of focus at times around here but we usually manage to have fun anyway!

Really Natasha? another picture?

We will defiantly miss this sweet little boy, we hope and pray that everything will go well for him and his family!

You would think we would get use to these sort of things...

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever. The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

I couldn't choose just one verse so I decided to share them all, this passage was such a blessing to me this morning, I hope it will also be a blessing to you. May we marvel and the wonder and might of our God, because His mercy endureth forever!

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What a morning!! We set off to go to the other orphanage  we arrived at the gate half an hour later, but were told that officials were there, so they asked if we could come back in an hour.....

Well it wasn't quite safe to sit and wait in that neighborhood, so we hopped back on the bus and headed to kill time at the mall, but the mall didn't open for another hour! So we walked around the block....checked out a little bakery, but they didn't have any bread so we settled on an ice cream bar! Finally it was time to head back! So we hopped aboard the bus, feeling quite satisfied we had figured out the whole bus thing! We were saving money! But there was a guy on the bus with a boombox and he was passing out cds trying to sell them, well it must have distracted us both because suddenly Natasha says, did we go to far? We start looking around and don't even know where we are! So we hop off, cross the street and wait for a bus going back! I can't believe we missed our stop! We have never done that, well until today! So finally we get back to the orphanage but they are still there, I had a feeling they would be! Officials are always there all day, and besides this is Ecuador! There is no way they would be gone quickly! So we hopped back on the bus, again...... so after two taxi rides and five bus rides before 11 am we were back to where we started! Its quite a feeling to be locked out of a gate....but one of my favorite little boys came running up to the gate to say Hola! It was totally worth the whole morning to see his smiling face and excitement!

I don't know if someday's are worse for us being noticed in the crowds or if some days we are more self conscience about it, but today I was totally tired of being whistled at, stared at, hollered at, and one guy walked by me making kissing sounds! really?

But the afternoon didn't get anymore dull.....I was boiling some dried corn after lunch but forgot about it, so I am resting in bed and suddenly Natasha is leaning out of the kitchen window hollering BRIANNA!!! so I jump out of bed and out the door, I go by the kitchen window and realize what is going on. The house is full of smoke and reaks.... I would definitely say smelling smoke is not one of Natasha strong points....So we cleaned up the mess and left the doors open for a couple of hours but it still smelled distinctly of burnt corn this evening.

So when we headed back to the orphanage, we arrive at the gate but all the stickers of where to ring were gone. Well we don't know which button to push and there is 6. So I start ringing one by one, no answer, no answer, Hola, in an unfamiliar voice...I think this is not the right one but since I got an answer, "lapuerta por favor", he didn't open it, so I try again, and I got the office! So in we went! I had another busy afternoon in the office!

By the time I was finished, I wasn't feeling the best so I went to find Natasha to get the keys to head home, but I ran into a tia instead and she asked how I was doing. Well I could say bien, but then she would wonder why I left and didn't stay to help so I decided to tell the truth and say my stomach was bothering me. So she had to make me a remedy to drink.....

Natasha came in then and I told her what was going on and all she could do was laugh! So then the tias had to figure out what was wrong and apparently its because we eat to much beans and they can make you stomach feel heavy, sore and uneasy...

So I drank it down it smelled like pizza because of all the oregano, but it tasted like salt and something else.....there was so much oregano in the bottom I had to chew it! All I could say was "no que rico!" and everybody laughed! Because I didn't know the affects of drinking the concoction I decided to head for home anyway.....but I have to say my stomach was feeling better this evening!

Day 49.....

This was my constant reminder throughout the day!

I will praise Thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto Thee. Psalm 138:1

Well this morning I noticed my favorite little boy had his first hair-cut! He is 6 mo. he can't even sit up!! But wow, does he ever look handsome!

I gave him, his bottle and he fell right to sleep!

I don't do it on purpose but I always fall in love with the little boys!

One tia went on a medical appointment and then Natasha went with the other tia to the pool so I was left in charge of the 5 babies. I was a little worried about bottle time, you know how everyone wants to eat at once.....but another volunteer's parents are visiting so I had some wonderful help all the way from New York! Twas Grand! All the baby's were fed and happy when the tia's came back.....well mostly anyway!

Then I went down to see the older children, and I spent some time with the little guy who has autism. It is amazing how much he is improving and he just has his cataracts removed so he can see! It was so much to see him playing by himself and being a little boy!

Then I met the little bunnies.....after they came back from school.

I was sitting between them trying to encourage eating but it wasn't working to well....so we just had fun instead! :) Then Natasha came and took me home!

But surprise she wrapped her arms around me and gave me a hug and kiss before I left.....this little princess still has no idea who I am.

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This afternoon I was back at the office! These files are coming along nicely! I had to wait an hour for my last file to save on the computer so I was working on my Spanish! I managed to ask all my questions, and understand all my answers! So when I went back to the baby house I proudly told Natasha and the tia's the days and months in Spanish! Yes, I feel like a preschooler showing off my new found knowledge!

Then I ran to the fruit market at the corner and I stepped inside and this little lady started talking, going on and on and I didn't have a clue what she was saying! So I stood there smiling, looking confused and after 5 minuets of talking the owner looks at me and says, "you have beautiful eyes". Wow, I never would have gotten that out of what she said! O well, I guess I still have a lot of learn!

So we ended our evening making our travel plans for the next couple weeks, its going to be busy, but the time here is going fast....only 1 1/2 months left for me and Natasha only has 3 1/2 weeks....

oh el Lunes

Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

Often we don't feel capable of performing the task that God places in front of us, but it may be the very reason that God has placed you where you are. If you will be willing to stand by faith and follow Him, you will never know the impact that it may have!
Queen Esther changed history.

This morning we spent a lot of time in the office, there is a group of physical therapy students here from Boston, so we were able to get a lot of office work done! Natasha was awarded the job of trying out information of adopted families and I worked on files! But I got 6 done in 2 hours so I was greatly encouraged! But as I went through all these papers, pictures and ID's, my heart broke! I can't imagine being a photo in a adoption file, the mom who isn't there....seeing the places where some of these children lived.... seeing photo's of siblings that they will never know! But knowing that there is an unfinished story yet to fill these folders....one of love and belonging.....one day soon hopefully someone will be typing my name into a folder as a sibling of a little girl.....she will have a picture of a family that loves her, and can't wait to bring her home! So many stories yet, God is writing the endings! So many already have beautiful endings....but so many are yet to be written.....Will we stand up in the place that God has us to make a difference in one of these precious lives? I never thought that God might ask me to be an advocate on behalf of a little girl. I never thought I would be here today. But God led, and this is where I am, my family feels quite inadequate for this huge step of faith, but we know that this is what God has done.

This afternoon we were able to meet a girl from Germany who is staying with us tonight, then going to Latacunga for 2 months but we will be staying with her there when we go visit the other orphanage next week. So we were able to spend the afternoon with her, showing her a tiny bit of Quito..... I went to pick up my sandal that I had fixed and I was putting my sandals on to leave and it broke......so I dropped one off and picked one up!

The afternoon we were back in the office! But I was making some progress, and it was so much more enjoyable with Natasha working in their too! Otherwise I was all by my lonesome.....I would be talking away and she wasn't even paying attention, but at least I didn't look insane because people walking through, thought I was talking to someone......

They offered us some hot chocolate, which we gladly accepted! When we got done drinking Natasha asked what we should do with the mugs and they gave her some dish soap and told her to go wash them in the bathroom sink.....with cold water....but then our friend from Germany told us to be thankful for water because she has been getting water from barrels on the coast, and washing her clothes by hand!

Sky Scenery....

These are some early morning and late night photos we have taken around the orphanage and our house.

When reading "The Cross Centered Life" by C. J. Mahaney. I was inspired to read the Bible, by seeing everything as either pointing the way to the Gospel, or pointing back to it. I have been surprised by how much I am able to see this is true! When I started looking for it, it just jumped off the pages at me, and I see how God is continually pointing us to the Gospel.

And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands. in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh  hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Colossians 2:10-13

This evening Natasha and I decided to have a "cookout" redneck style, so we speared our hot dogs on a knife and roasted them over the gas burner..... It was great! Not quite like grilling but much better than boiling! We enjoyed them with our Campbell baked beans (I didn't even know Campbell made them!), chips, and cabbage! We are developing quite an addiction to ice cream too! We had it twice today! I have never eaten ice cream this much......this is not a good thing!

Jumping on the trampoline is becoming one of my favorite after supper activities! It brings back a lot of childhood memories for me, and its good exercise after the ice cream! I even did a flip the other night, Natasha was a little worried (so was I!), its been quite a few years since I have done one of those! I had just realized that two little boys were watching from upstairs.....

So here's to all the hours I have spent on the trampoline, childhood, memories, fun and beautiful nights!