Showing Your Faith

Today on the way to the daycare, I saw a sign on the bus that said, "Somos Catolicos. Por Favor respecta nuesto fe" which means, "We are Catholics. Please respect our faith."  It really got me to thinking about expressing my faith more.  I have found that people here in Ecuador are very open with their faith and show it everywhere.  I had written in the past about shrines everywhere and religion all over the place, and that notion still rings true.  I can not get over their open displays of religion and faith in very public places.  Can you imagine a public bus in the US asking you to respect their faith and having a shrine on the bus or pictures of Jesus all over the bus?  People would sue so fast you would not even blink.  The other thing that amazes me is that none of the signs of faith and religion are ever vandalized.  Pretty much everything else has writing on it or is spray painted, but never do you see a shrine or picture on the bus destroyed by human hands.  Some of them are fading from the amount of time they have been there, but never vandalized.  I am going to make a conscious effort to not hide it when I pray before meals and bring up my faith sometimes at lunch to talk to other people about their beliefs.  That is one thing we have not talked about much with Ecuadorian people.  Hopefully they can teach me a few things and I can teach them a few things.  Our faith is such a huge part of why we came here and we want our kids to learn through our example, and that seems to be the one area we have not addressed with the people here.  I plan to make that my goal for these last few weeks.  God has helped us through this journey and through life, the least we can do is share that experience with others.

Slowing Down

We had a fantastic week in Santo Domingo.  Thursday, during the home visits, we had two peace corp volunteers translating for us. Both Melissa and Maggie were able to accompany Jared and I on the home visits in the morning. In the afternoon, they were able to help Jared and I translate during our community education program (see pictures below). It was really nice having translators who could speak fluent Spanish. We were able to pick up on some missing pieces on some patients that were missing because of the communication barrier. Most importantly, we were able to have meaningful conversions with some of the patients. 

One patient we saw during the home visits had an incomplete spinal cord injury about 1 and 1/2 years ago. He is able to sit up in bed but needs assistance to get there. The problem is that his family works all day and doesn’t have much time to care for him. Towards the end of the treatment, he started telling us that “we”, meaning people in general, get into a huge hurry all the time. He said that we get in such a big hurry planning and working in the day that we forget about thanking God for the day and all that he has given us.

This man inspired me because he has very little but he has the presence of mind to thank God for what he has. Particularly, God seemed to be sending a message to me. I realized that I had been so busy trying to fit everything in the last 3-4 weeks in Santo Domingo, that I am simply rushing through the end of my experience. Maybe, I need to take a step back these last couple of weeks and not try to control so much.

 Jared talking to the audience and me demonstrating bad body mechanics

 Audience Participation

 Lehiah's (2nd from left) Going Away Party at Maggie's Apartment

Happiness

Have you ever gotten up in the morning and just knew it would be a great day?  Well today I woke up and knew it would be a good day.  I was just so happy this morning.  Many people greeted me on the street with smiles and salutations.  Nothing really big and crazy happened, it just was a good day.  The kids I saw are making progress, the rain stopped before I had to walk home, my kids had a good day with Matt, Matt got all the laundry finished and we had a good dinner.  After today I realized sometimes wether things are good or bad are all in how we perceive them and in our attitude towards them.  This day with a bad attitude could have been bad or just the same old thing, but I enjoyed it.  I am going to try to make all my days good days with a good attitude and maybe some ice cream.

Baños

We went to the most beautiful place this weekend.  It is called Baños and it is amazing.  There are so many waterfalls and the mountains are gorgeous.  The little city is very nice too with many places to eat and little shops to shop in.  Matt even bought a new hat and haggled to only pay $10 for it.  When we were walking in the street we saw some cuy, which is guinea pig and looks so gross being cooked on a stick.  There are hot springs which we ended up not getting to go to, but maybe we will return and get to go.  The kids and I started off the trip by ourselves by taking a bus to Quito and then another bus to the meeting place.  I had the backpack, the suitcase and both kids alone which was a challenge, but true to their nature someone helped me get on and off of all the buses and a girl even waited with me to help me find the right bus.  When we got to the meeting place they were having a work meeting with the families from the special needs school.  They ended up presenting me to the families and telling them how much the kids love me.  It was a little embarrassing, but I survived.  After that we left in the 12 passenger van 1.5 hours later than we were supposed to, but got to Baños around 11:30PM.  The people we went with from my work found us a hostal for $7 a person and we headed to bed.  The next morning we met up with Matt and Jared who came from Santo Domingo and had breakfast.  We all then headed out to see the amazing waterfalls.  Pictures do not do this place justice.  On the way we stopped to do the zipline which I did Superman style.  It was awesome!  The waterfalls were wonderful and we had a fun time with everyone.  After getting a late lunch we headed back to take naps and then went out to see the viewpoint of the city.  It was a little bit of an adventure trying to find it and we had to ask multiple times for direction, but we made it.  Matt took the kids back to the hostal after getting dinner and I headed out dancing with my co-workers and Jared.  We had a really great time.  After closing the place down we went to the hostal and talked for a long time.  Everyone had questions for me about what I think about Ecuador and the people and physical therapy.  I got to practice a lot of Spanish and they said that my Spanish was very good.  It was really helpful to practice it more.  After sleeping for a little while, Matt, the kids and I went exploring in the city and saw a procession in the street with a Mary figure among other cool things.  All in all it was amazing and I would recommend going to Banos to anyone that can. 

AMAZING

There is me flying in the gray jacket

Gorgeous

The cave you have to climb through to get behind the waterfall

Cuy

Tired out.

Going Out of Town

Since we have been here in Quito, we have tried to travel to fun places on the weekends if possible.  We always take the cheapest route which is the bus, but it is usually the longest too.  Well the people I work with at the special needs school are nice enough to take us out of town this weekend in their large vans.  I am so excited to spend some time outside of work with them.  We are going to go Salsa dancing which is the last thing on our list to do before we leave.  I will probably not write until later on Sunday and hopefully I will have some good pictures.  We are off to another Day Adventure.

Bravery

I am a firm believer in instilling bravery in our children.  Yesterday Lucas took the big step and went into the 4-5 year old classroom without Melayna and I.  He loved it.  He was so nervous about it at first though that he kept asking what to do if he wanted me and just kept talking about it and then getting quiet.  He felt a little better after I taught him how to say "I need help" and "I don't understand." Yesterday morning he wanted to eat breakfast with Melayna and I and then he kissed me and off he went as brave as could be.  At the first break time he told me he was having fun and at the end of the day he said, "Thank you for having me go to class by myself."  I am so happy we decided to have him go on his own, I only wish we had done it earlier in the time here.  Both he and Melayna had a great day yesterday and today.  I think they needed the time away from one another.  There are so many things in life that need bravery and I think that if you start kids out young, the future scary situations can be a little easier.  I also think that daycare for my children (I never thought I would say it), and spending weekends away from Matt and I and going on vacations with my parents has really laid the framework for Lucas and Melayna to be brave and be able to go out on their own.  When they are with Matt or I all day everyday, it is hard to get them to do things on their own and try new things, but without us they both are totally different.  Don't get me wrong, I love having a lot of time with them and love being a stay at home mom, but I firmly believe that kids need to be away from their parents in order to truly gain independence and bravery.  I also want to add that making things "better" all the time does not help with bravery and confidence either.  The other day Lucas had a big tower made and one of the babies at daycare destroyed it.  Lucas was devastated and got hysterical.  I took him outside and we talked about it.  I told him that sometimes he will work really hard at something and it will not work, it will break, someone will make fun of it or break it and the best thing to do is take a deep breath and start over.  Then two days later Melayna broke a "creation" he made and he came to me and said, "I am really mad she did that, but can I do it again and put it on the table where she cannot reach it?"  I have never been so proud of him.  He is growing up I just hope not too fast.  So if I could give any advice to young moms, it would be to take time away from your kids and help them gain confidence and bravery by not being there all the time and not fixing all the problems they have.  You will not regret it and neither will they.

100 Posts

We just hit the 100 posts point.  We have learned and seen a lot since that first post.  Here is my top 100 list of things learned and observations made in no particular order.
1. Ecuadorian people are hard workers
2. Ecuadorian people are generous
3. To get a seat on the bus, carry a child
4. Don't judge the house by the wall around it
5. Take time to really listen to your kids
6. Be thankful for time with your loved ones when you have it
7. Technology is awesome
8. Ecuador is beautiful
9. There is no Easter Bunny in Ecuador
10. Mail can be VERY slow
11. Soup is soup no matter what you put in it
12. You really can eat soup and rice twice a day for five months
13. There are never too many bananas
14. Old men are usually hard to understand in Spanish
15. There are five different words for everything
16. There are also five ways to pronounce each one
17. The bus can take you anywhere
18. The bus is so cheap
19. It can be 40 degrees in the morning, 80 degrees at 1 and 45 degrees at night
20. The sun can come up at 6 and go down at 6 EVERY day
21. My kids are very adaptable
22. Lucas can hike for 5 hours at 5000 meters above sea level
23. A cold can really put a damper on your ability to walk up hill here
24. A 10 minute walk really means a 25 minute walk with kids
25. You cannot use a stroller on the sidewalk here
26. Exercise can be defined as walking up hill for 40 minutes
27. And if you are carrying a 30lb kid you can work out your arms too
28. You can make friends even though you do not speak the same language
29. There is no maximum capacity for the buses here
30. Having company is the best
31. Physical Therapy is much more laid back here
32. In fact everything is more laid back
33. Cars, computers, toys and clothes are really expensive
34. Food and gas are cheap
35. Pizza never tasted so good
36. Kids pick up language faster than adults
37. Potty training can really stink
38. I love having time to read books
39. You need to drink more water to be hydrated here
40. Milk tastes like cream
41. You can keep milk in a bag on the shelf for months without it going bad
42. Guanabana and pear juice are delicious
43. I don't hate beans as much as I thought
44. A cold shower is never a good idea
45. I love hot water
46. You can give a child a shower with water from the tea kettle
47. Peanuts covered in sesame seeds are like candy
48. Homeschooling is difficult for me to make interesting
49. Melayna is a love bug and a princess
50. Lucas is a great big brother
51. New situations are scary, but totally worth it
52. Kids do not need a bunch of toys just the right ones
53. All kids need hugs and affection
54. Being a single mom is very difficult
55. People here are very affectionate even in front of others
56. Everyone "kisses" to greet one another
57. Never underestimate a comfortable couch
58. I miss meat and never thought I would say that
59. Ice cream is cheap
60. I like mango because it is so good here
61. Parks in the city are a blessing
62. The kids here wear lots of layers of clothes even in hot weather
63. Carnival is a lot of fun
64. You may have to jiggle the key a lot to get the key to even budge let alone open the lock
65. The light switches take some jiggling and it may or may not ever come on
66. Lucas loves sports now and is getting a lot better at soccer
67. You will never get Lucas to walk faster
68. Lucas cannot do anything else while watching TV
69. There is usually a 15 minute window after a set time when you will be met
70. Chocolate tastes different here
71. Your whites will never be white again
72. A thin mattress is better than a sagging one
73. Sagging mattress are good for catching Melayna when she falls out of bed (it only happened twice)
74. Melayna can consistently nap for 3 hours a day
75. She can go 5 days with a very minimal nap also
76. Lucas cannot sleep past 6:45AM (usually 6:15AM)
77. Lucas is addicted to Angry birds
78. Melayna can do the same puzzle 10 times in a row and still want to do it again
79. I love Sudoku
80. The sidewalks are covered in land mines of dog poop
81. Dogs go wherever they want
82. Everyone has dogs
83. Wet shoes really stink in all manners of the word
84. It is awesome to see your child learn to read, but also a trial in patience
85. I need a date night with Matt
86. Kids can watch the same movies over and over and still enjoy them every time
87. The fruit cheremoya is delicious
88. People can live with very little and still be very happy
89. You have to put your heart into things if you want to get anything from them
90. Kids are very forgiving
91. Being served dinner has its benefits and its drawbacks.  I will take cooking for myself.
92. You have to try to see the good in some people and in others it overflows and you can't miss it, but nonetheless, there is always good there.
93. A smile can go a long way
94. Compliment people often
95. Thank people even more often
96. Take lots of pictures
97. Let your child take pictures and you may be amazed by what they see as picture worthy
98. Write to people when you are apart because it can make their day
99. Answer God's call to do something in your life, whatever it is, it WILL be worth it
100. Your mom with NEVER stop worrying about you and that is an awesome feeling

So thankful for everything we have learned.

Lucas' Favorite Meal

So today we had a rice based soup with corn on the cob in it, rice, and noodles with lots of cooked broccoli, carrots, peppers and onions.  He devoured it and said it was his favorite meal here in Ecuador.  All you have to do is cook some broccoli and that boy is happy.

Nothing is really new today and no big reports.  Jared did get asked to treat a kid which I was not aware of and the child has osteogenesis imperfecta which means his bones break really easily.  When I found out he was treating him I went running to make sure he was aware so he did not accidentally break a bone.  That was exciting, but he already knew so he was being careful.  No broken bones.  Other than that things are just trucking along.

Feeling Comfortable

So we are now at that point in a new situation where it is no longer new and we can go through the day and know what to expect most of the time.  The kids at the special needs school know Jared and I and we can predict what each and every one of them is going to do or say when we get there.  We know what kids to leave room between when walking by to avoid being kicked.  We know which kids want a hug when we get there and which want a high five or a hug.  We know the personality of them all and what to work on with each one.  We know them by their smiles and by their hugs, and we even know some of them by their smell.  Walking home today I realized we really know them and they know us.  That is a good feeling.  I am so glad we decided to stay here for a long period of time because we actually feel like we fit now and we are starting to see progress with our kids.  What a wonderful reward for our efforts.

Easter

We have found Easter to be a very different experience here.  There is no talk of an Easter bunny, there are no signs or sales about Easter, no egg dyeing, no Easter egg hunts, no plastic Easter eggs, no Easter baskets and no one dresses up on Easter.  We were amazed that we were over-dressed for the mass today and there were no more people today than any other day.  They focus heavily on their penance and on Good Friday and the sacrifice of it all and then Easter is a very subdued celebration.  It was hard for the Easter bunny to find anything to make a basket with this year, but the kids loved the little bags of cereal, gummy bears and chocolate bars.  So this morning the kids got up and looked for their treats hidden separately and then we got ready for church.  When I walked in the bathroom this morning, Melayna said, "Wow mom, that dress is really pretty!"  She sure can make your day.  After church, we all went to the pool for a little bit and then just spent the day hanging out.  Lucas and I ran laps around the neighborhood racing each other.  He is getting so much faster.  It was a very fun relaxing day for us.  Our host family cleaned all day and then went out to eat for dinner, but that was all.  It was just like any other Sunday, but we are still celebrating the resurrection.  Happy Easter everyone.

The Easter bunny came!!!

Look at the loot

Not sure what Melayna is doing

That is better

After church photo

Waiting to go down the slide

The slide

Melayna's new suit

Playing with daddy

Check out the swim cap

Checking on the chickens and rooster in the front yard

Our housemates

Santo Domingo Update

Not much going on today, so I wanted to share some photos that Jared and I have taken in Santo Domingo the last few weeks. Keep the prayers up as we are coming down the home stretch.

 


Matteo

 Patient interview with Mercedes

 After treatment

 Jared and I trying to use our brains

 After Treatment

 Street in Santo Domingo near our apartment

 Typical Patient's House in Santo Domingo

 

Good Friday

Today we went into Quito to witness the Good Friday procession, which is by far the most exquisite display of penance I have ever seen.  Thousands of people gathered on the precession route to watch as thousands more people processed through the streets of Quito wearing purple penance robes with masks carrying religious reminders of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice.  There were also at least twenty people dressed up like Jesus carrying full-sized crosses on their shoulders and backs.  Some even tied the cross to their shoulders.  Others were dressed as guards and followed the cross carriers.  There were also people carrying large crucifixes on a bed of flowers like you would carry a Queen in the old days.  This procession went on for over three hours, which just blows my mind.  I have no idea how they could carry such weight for such a long time.  It really hit me right in my gut to think about what Jesus did for each and every one of us.  We could never repay Him for the sacrifice.  The people of Quito and surrounding areas came out in large numbers and bought religious merchandise and flowers in great numbers and brought their items to church to be blessed.  Matt and I were truly humbled and amazed today.  What a blessing to be a part of this day in this amazing culture!
By the way Lucas took all of the precession pictures and a few others.  Also we just forgot to blog the last two days, but nothing new happened.

A rose rosary

People going in and out of church to have things blessed

Innovative baby carrier

The penance robe and mask

Waiting to start

Thanks daddy!

ICE CREAM

The procession

A cross carrier

This one is the size of a light pole

Four people carried this one

Sun Protection (Lucas is artistic)

Another rose rosary

Lucas loves the birds

Lucas liked this street vendor

Our host family got a new puppy

Our host mom and two of her nieces

Cultural Epiphany

Last week when I was in Santo Domingo I had a cultural epiphany. Jared and I were waiting in the truck while Mercedes made copies of some documents (our copier is having some trouble.) Anyway, a five year old boy walked by and stopped right in from of an ice cream sign. He started pointing and apparently was talking to himself for a few minutes about the various ice creams that he wanted. It dawned on me that Lucas does the exact same thing when passing by these signs. It took the behavior of a five year old to realize that despite the obvious differences in culture, we have a lot of similarities. I guess when you are an outsider; it is easy to focus on the small things that are culturally different.

As I get a little better with Spanish, I am finding that my patients in Ecuador are really very similar to the States and there seems to be the exact same mix of patients. Some patients are very motivated and will do everything you tell them to do, others will do some of what you tell them, and still others find it difficult to do anything you tell them to do. Some patients are afraid to do anything and other want to push themselves a little too hard. Sound familiar?

I would argue that one of the best services you can do for yourself and other people, is to focus on these cultural similarities when visiting another country. Sure, you will want to keep the differences in mind so that you don’t do anything stupid. However, over the last week, focusing on the similarities has helped me to relax a bit.

We continue to make progress with patients in Santo Domingo. This week will be cut short a bit because Good Friday is a national holiday. We will try to squeeze as many patients as possible in a 2 day period. The extra day off will be a good chance to reflect on holy week and to see the processions in the streets of Quito.

Miss you guys - Matteo