The best day in Ecuador.

One morning, our second work day and last day in Cuenca, my sister and I worked with a few groups from our team, Geovanni (the local pastor) and Alex (or "Abuelo"). After about an hour of nothingness, as low-labor work was minimal and women culturally do not participate in heavier work, I made a joke to my sister in reference to some sewing work and the boys caved in to let two weak girls assist in the hefty construction. I proved myself well by mixing cemento and Giovanni actually replaced one of "the men" with myself. We dug a small 100'x1'x6" (ish?) trench along one side of the small blue tent church. This was in order to prevent flooding into the church, as it rains heavy and often in the mountains. In the process, James, a fellow team member and co-worker, busted a water pipe, which put us about an hour behind in our labor efforts. Soon it was time to leave for lunch, so our muddy work crew clung for our lives to the exterior of Geovanni's beaten truck as he drove us through the rough and flooded mountain streets. After dinner our team left for the hotel to clean and going shopping; while James, John, Jessie and myself (the "super crew") chose instead to join Geovanni and Abuelo back at the church and complete our construction project. Abuelo taught me how to line the trench molding with concrete and later to patch. I learned quickly and took pleasure in showing up James and John ("sons of thunder"). I had so much fun working in the mud, and at times rain. Abuelo and Giovanni called me "China" after some strong women's wrestler. I resented the title at first, but soon realized it was more appealing than Grandpa or Fatty as other's attained nicknames. It was about another three hours of work and finally we were finished. Giovanni and his wife, Christine, wanted to reward our hard work and effort and what they considered a sacrifice of our fun time to serve and to give. We cleaned up some and relaxed in their house, and then we piled in the truck and after a 30 minute drive to a large shopping market. Geovanni took us on am astounding tour of the most beautiful and breath-taking sites in Cuenca. We traveled into the mountains and up to the highest spot in Cuenca. It was the most inconceivable view of the entire city. Here Abuelo actually proposed to my sister. Had it not been a ridiculous request for a twenty-eight-year-old man, living in Ecuador to ask an eighteen-year-old girl from the States, whom he has only known for five days, it would have been quite romantic and maybe even perfect, also if not for us six bystanders and James with his video camera. We also saw a grande speed-rushing river and some statue things. We walked the mall and had pizza and ice cream, which was relatively delicious. If you are ever in Latin America, especially the Dominican Republic or Ecuador, you must try the coco helado (or coconut ice cream). After dinner we bundled ourselves into the cab of the little truck, as opposed to Giovanni, Christine, Jael and myself in the front, and Jessie and the three boys rode in the back. John sat on James’ lab with Christine and the car seat in the second row, I sat straddling the gearshift, and Jessie perched on Abuelo’s lap and mine, with Giovanni driving. It was a remarkably, absurdly, fun experience. The three in the rear played this great game of “Let us pull Jewel’s hair!!”, which made for an interesting ride. We took Abuelo to a light night seminary class at the university, which was a quite magnificent building as well. Sadly, we arrived at Hotel Tomebamba, after hours of fun, and it was time for goodbyes. I cried and Christine said I as the only vaster to ever make her cry, which… oh my word, made it even more emotional! Goodbyes are so difficult, especially when one knows there is little chance of ever meeting again. I had built such a strong relationship while serving with Giovanni and Christine, such stark connections. While in the truck we shared our testimonies and fears and dreams. I really opened up and shared about God’s calling of service upon my life and about my real fears. Christine was so encouraging and through her, God taught me real faith. Faith that He will reveal His will to me. Faith that He will guide me. Faith that He will be with me wherever I am, whether El Salvador, Haiti, Kenya, or Cambodia.

Look forward to more.


Cemento work with Abuelo.


Giovanni's truck.


The boys trying on a poncho at the market.


Our amazing group shot (-James): Jael, Christine, Abuelo, Geovanni, John, myself and Jessie.


Where good memories were made.


That fun game in the truck..


James and John getting close in the back seat.


Getting comfy with Jessie and Abuelo.