Recent Keyword Activity

Embedded in my blog I have a stat counter which provides information on who visits my blog.. anyways, earlier tonight I had a visitor from Cuenca, Ecuador that located my blog by searching "Geovanni Saltos" on google.com. It would be interesting to know if they found who they were looking for!

Just a picture..

This is one of my favorite pictures ever.. I had forgotten about it until recently.  I think I probably posted it the day it was taken, but here it is again.  It was taken in Kansas, last July.  Kiara, then almost 6 months, is my goddaughter.  I had just met her 2 or 3 days prior to this.  We were hanging out in our hotel room on my laptop and when I realized she was looking at me, I tried taking a picture.. but it turned out like this!

Here is another similar occasion from a later date:

I wonder how she's growing now...

A Photo Journey..

Here are just a few more pictures from my trip through Kansas.... or "the Wesleyan missionary adventure" as George referred to it.




This is the house where George grew up with 9 other siblings. George's brother described his family as: "Farmers that have never farmed." His father said "I'm kind of hillbilly." This house has alot of character.






Geovanni & Christine's 3.5-yr-old daughter, Jael - what a cutie. She has her moments, as do most 3-yr-olds, but she really is a sweetheart!







This is Grandpa Dale (Sheree's grandfather) whom we lived with 3 nights in Table Rock, Missouri.  I remind you of the conversation with Abuela about baby Nathan.











This is just a monkey we found on the dock at the lake. He looks alot like George Wuertz, the missionary to Racar, Ecuador.  Thank you George and Sheree for everything you did to make my trip so good.  You're the model family of what I hope to do and be.








This is Kiara Sofia Saltos-Lehrian, my goddaughter, and I on August 11 - the day we flew to Kansas City. Only Kiara and her sister, Jael, slept on the plane, so we hung out while their parents napped the whole afternoon. She is a beautiful little girl, and I look forward to watching her grow and sending her gifts!

No matter how it is said.. this is it - the end of the road.

Another aeroplane

Another sunny place

I’m lucky, I know

But I wanna go home

Mmmm, I’ve got to go home

"Home" by Michael Buble

I've seen enough to say that I know

that this old world is not my home...

I am ready to go home

I'm packing my bags and I'm hitting the road

I'm packing my bags and I'm hitting the road

Yes, I'm gonna run, I'm gonna run for my home

To stand in the sight of the Living God

That's where I'm longing to be

"Home" by Shawn McDonald

Well I'm going home,

Back to the place where I belong,

And where your love has always been enough for me.

"Home" by Chris Daughtry

No matter how it is said.. this is it - the end of the road.  It's been a good trip, a great experience.  I have met so many wonderful people (Mark & Marcelle, the Rothfusses, Frank & Marvia, Jerry & Michelle, Dr. Arlo, Wayne & Juanita, Ron & Bev, Pastor Dave, Sheralyn, Aunt Sherry, Melanie, Dale & Norma, Terry & his wife, Nick & Stephanie, George's parents, Pastor Bob, Rick Hawthorne, the Conley's...)  I have been challenged, and stretched out of my comfort zone.  I have traveled.  I have been exhausted.  I have learned alot about myself.  I have entered many new sanctuaries of worship.  I have served.  I have seen a new side of missions - the home side, the support side, the life of furlough.  I have loved aspects, and not enjoyed others.  I have ridden in more mini-vans than I could count.  Though I am sad to leave, I am ready to be home, in my bed, my bathroom, my kitchen, my closet, my family.

To sum up the last few days..

After leaving Lakin (muy flat!) we traveled almost 4 hours to Philipsburg.  Angela (Dr. Arlo's wife) drove us halfway, and Geovanni really loves hospitable people and he took advantage of her generosity in the van and kept 3 spanish worship cds, and every piece of food he could find.  Pastor Rick then met us, and took us to his home.  Rick and Sheralyn have 4 children - Rachel (16), Abbey (14), Ben (13) and John (10).  The kids kept us very well entertained, and one afternoon I woke up from a short nap on the couch in a pile of barbies and barbie horses.  Rick pastors a very very small church, but the people I met were some of my favorites.  Friday was Geovanni's birthday, and we had an amazing meal at Ron and Bev's, then spent the evening on their 4-wheelers.  I hadn't been on a 4-wheeler since probably 4th or 5th grade, so it was alot of fun.  I honestly was worried for my life when I was riding with Abby, and strangely calm riding with John, who kept it below 16mph.  Yesterday afternoon after going to Pizza Hut and touring their local "Wal-Mart" (more like little Big Lots), Wayne & Juanita, and Ron & Bev drove us to Concordia, where we met Dwane & Rita and 2 others at Trappers restaurant.  When we walked in I thought the only options on the menu would be deer, duck, raccoon, varmin.. but it was very nice!  We stayed the night in a hotel so we could be close to the church, and arrive for the 8am service.  Tonight we are staying in another basement.. and the Ecuador-travelers of the Concordia area are coming for a cook-out at 6. 

PS: I have never seen a sunflower field before.. until I came to Kansas.

Thanks Dr. Arlo

Well it appears as if I have allergies. I have had allergic reactions t unknown things, but never seasonal allergies. Yesterday we toured Jerry and Melissa’s farm, and I probably encountered some nasty weed or environmental curse there, because yesterday evening I was miserable. My eye(s) are cherry red, swollen, gooey, watering, and painful. I really had a hard time sleeping last night, but made it up this afternoon with an 8-hour nap. We left this morning for Lakin, KS and are now in the home of Mark and Marcelle Hammel. Upon seeing me, Marcelle called their family doctor immediately, and I had an appointment 10 minutes later. Their daughter, Maloree, and I are ironically friends! She was a counselor at Fairmount camp last summer, then we worked security together at Orlando ’07. I saw her at the convention and I was like.. crazy! So anyways, she took me to see Dr. Arlo (who I also met at the conference 2 weeks ago) so I felt very blessed. He prescribed Xyzal allergy pills, $80 eye drops, Benadryl, and Ibuprofen. After sleeping the day away, and applying cold washcloths, the pain has decreased some. Everyone went to church, so I’m resting on the couch. I've slept 9 hours this afternoon. AMAZING! It’s not fun to be this miserable in someone else’s house, states away from my own home, but I am very comfortable here.

Mark and Marcelle Hamel

THIS is Kansas.

Nothing more...

...nothing less.

In the middle of the middle of nowhere..

...and I need a pharmacy.





update (as of 9:00AM, Wednesday):: I'm miserable and ready to come home.

On the road again!

baby Nathan
We celebrated Daniel’s birthday on Saturday, unfortunately the hottest day of the year in Kansas City. I played one game of volleyball with Geovanni and George, and mostly George’s siblings, and it was very warm. Geo and Christine went out on the town with George and Sheree, so I watched Kiara and Jael for the evening. Kiara went to bed early, but I was Jael’s boss for quite a few hours. Nick and Stephanie were watching Stephanie’s 3-year-old niece and five-year-old nephew, and Jael wanted ALL the toys, but luckily Kyle and Kali’s personalities aren’t as strong as Jael’s, so it went surprisingly well. I fell asleep in bed with Jael when I put her down, then colored until Kiara woke up hungry around 11:30. Geovanni said I am the first person to put Jael to bed (besides mami and papi.)
Yesterday was our first Sunday service in a church (due to the conference last Sunday.) Geovanni and Christine did a 5-minute dealio in 2 services at Heartland Christian Fellowship. I sat through the same service twice, but enjoyed it both times. Four of five songs were new. The pastor was away, but recorded a 8-10 minute introduction video for their new series on LOVE. Then a missionary couple (raising support) shared about their heart’s desire to go to Mongolia. For Daniel and Nathan’s convenience, Sheree did not attend the first service and it was widely assumed that I was George’s spouse (even by those who know Sheree - but have not seen her recently.) When Sheree did come, it was widely thought that I was Sheree's sister. At least 12 people have told me we look ‘so very much alike.’
Yesterday afternoon we traveled 3.5 hours to Manhattan, Kansas to the Wuertz’s home church - Westview Community Church. Jael did not like that her parents were on stage and she was not allowed, so we spent the service in the nursery. We stayed 1.5 hours after service for desserts and socializing. Everyone gathered around Geo, Chrisitne, George and Sheree to pray, and it really was a touching moment for everyone - especially the four. Then we stayed the evening with Jeremiah, D.C. and baby Uriah. We have become quite accustomed to an irregular eating schedule, for example: breakfast at 8, lunch at 3, and dinner at 10; or breakfast at 10, lunch at 12, and dinner at 4:30. It was another late night, and we started Transformers around 10:45, and only Geo stayed awake. The Saltos do not have an alarm clock, so routine goes that I wake them every morning, and often return to bed, then Geo wakes me up later.
This morning we returned to Westview to have breakfast with Pastor Bob and his wife. They then counseled Geovanni and Christine in regards to an issue in Nueva Vida Iglesia Wesleyana in Racar. I decided that Pastor Bob is amazing, and his church is very well discipled. After about 1.5 hours the church staff came to pray over the Wuertzs and the Saltos, and when I said I was from “IWU”, Indiana, one of the pastors (Rick Hawthone) got very excited because we realized that he and my father were very good friends growing up. I called my father to tell him, but he wasn’t as enthused as Rick or myself. Whatever… party pooper! We talked less than 2.5 minutes and he was bored and ready to hang up. Thanks Dad, miss you too!
We said sad goodbyes to George, Sheree and Nathan, then a nice, deep-voiced man drove us halfway (2.5 hours) to Colby, where we met Pastor Gene, who then drove us another 2.5 hours to his house in Colby. I have also decided that I really like Gene, and his wife Joy. Gene reminds me of my uncle, Andy, for whatever reason. We are staying in their house for 2 relaxing days, and I expect we will have fun. Tonight there was a group of 20ish over for a cookout and the weather was gorgeous! Earlier today it was up to 109, but it was a very comfortable 85 outside tonight. The people in Colby (those at tonight's cookout) have been the friendliest people I have thus far encountered in Kansas. Everyone has been so great, but these people.. 10 out of 10!
As I sit here I am watching Herby in Spanish with English subtitles. It's the best way to learn! It's storming now which will hopefully cool the temperature for tomorrow, because plans are to visit Lance and Melissa's farm, then possibly go to the community pool. Our trip is nearing an end, but we still have many places to go. Seven days, and 4 or 5 more cities! Which means 4 or 5 more families, 4 or 5 more churches, 4 or 5 more houses, 4 or 5 more car rides... Always an adventure! I’m anxious to see the new places, but I am also very content resting in one home. I have had an amazing time with Geo, Christine, the girls, George, Sheree, and the boys; and I will be very sad to leave. I hope to return again to Ecuador next summer.
As for now….. dos horas!!

Hillbillies, Churches, and Mansions.

After another long drive we have finally returned to the casa of Nick and Stephanie, George’s brother and sister-in-law in Oakland Parks, Kansas City. Which means I have my own room, but we all share a bathroom. This afternoon we visited George’s parents where he grew up in a small country house with 9 siblings. It was a very hot hot day. We thought it would be fun to roam the pastures by foot and find the baby cows. It wasn’t that much fun, and I don’t remember seeing more than one cow (a black cow named Obama), but I can’t complain.  Everything we had for lunch (the salad, potatoes, carrots, green-beans, meat..) was grown in their garden.  Lester, George’s father, was very friendly. As we were walking the land he said, “I’m kind of a hillbilly” pointing to his push-mower, which was protected from the weather by a rather large bucket, and I couldn’t argue with him, it was a very “hillbilly” thing to do, but life looks fun for them.  Nick said his dad is a farmer that doesn't farm.
Yesterday was our first real speaking engagement, aside from the Kansas district of the Wesleyan church convention. Christine and I spent the afternoon making 3 tres leches cakes, which ended up looking rather unprofessional, but tasted amazing. They asked me to share a short testimony about my experience in Ecuador. I basically spoke completely unprepared, but a few people were very receptive. Our purpose in traveling and speaking is to gain prayer support, encourage supporters to GO, and raise financial support for George and Sheree to make a 4-year commitment, as well as financial support to build a community center on the church’s new lot in Racar. The building will be used to meet many of society’s needs in Racar (ie: computer classes, English classes..), hoping to not only raise a strong future generation for Christ, but solve some problems of today (ie: alcoholism, lack of education, weak familial support..)
We spent the evening with a family who spent a week or two in Ecuador almost 3 years ago. Mrs. Conley’s father prepared a “Hispanic” meal, thinking it would be a nice treat to have food from the homeland, but.. it really wasn’t Ecuadorian style food - a nice gesture though. The house was gorgeous, very unfinished, but truly a dream-house. Nick, Stephanie and I spent the majority of the evening at a table just us, which was nice - getting aside for awhile.
Tomorrow is Daniel’s birthday party. We’re going to a nice park for pizza and cake, and hopefully shade. 40 people are expected to come, so it should be a lot of fun. I’m hoping Jael is well-rested and entertained, and remains tranquil when Daniel receives lots of toys and gifts, and she receives none.
I really want to share a little conversation that took place between Abuela & Dale (Sheree’s grandparents in Missouri) just before we left Wednesday. Setting: Abuela, Dale, and myself watching the updated stock statistics on the TV in the living room, Nathan sitting with Abuela.

Abuela: Nathan you really are a good little boy..

Dale: Not like Daniel.

Abuela: I think Nathan has gas.

(Nathan begins to cry)

Abuela (10 seconds later..): Oh hush! Your mommy better come soon to stop this cryin.

Dale: He needs his diaper changed.

Abuela: Oh you hush too you don’t know what he wants..

Dale: You said he was poopy.

Abuela (stern look at Dale & Nathan): Now I said he had gas!!

Dale: Oh… bahahaha

Yea.. it was good times. I miss those two and their antics; their cold, dark, creepy basement; and their lake.

Aside from an abundance of Spanish lessons, these things I am learning in Kansas:

-Do not give your children everything that they want, and do not allow your child to continually have their own way. You will be their only friend, because no one will want to treat your child the way that you do, no one wants to hear them whine, and no one wants to give them everything.

-When I told people about this trip and they responded “Kansas!? In July!?”, they meant to say: “It’s REALLY HOT.. you should consider North Dakota or Vermont.”

Another day goes by in Missouri..

From L to R:: Sheree & Nathan, myself, Geovanni, Jael, Daniel, George, Christine & Kiara
Another good day in Table Rock, Missouri.. Daniel woke me again this morning to play until George awoke with Nathan, I then returned to my bed in the dark basement and slept until 12:15, when George brought Daniel in to take a nap. We went to a 3:00 dinner show in Branson at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, and it was quite exciting.  While we ate they entertained us on primarily horses; raced pigs, chickens, ostriches, and wagons; and dramatically performed the history of the wild west.   The tickets were $48 each, but Sheree's grandma has connections and was able to find us tickets for $12.  Jael and Daniel loved the action and the animals and took turns sitting quite impressively tranquil on my lap. Afterwards we went to a really pretty outdoor mall.  We rode a tram from the parking lot to the opposite end, then walked back in the shade.  We stopped once for ice cream, once to buy a small gift for Sheree's grandparents (who bought our show tickets), and once to use the restrooms in the Bass Pro Shop - my brother's favorite store (it wasn't the same without him.)  Geovanni has once again begun his internet quest to find the perfect used Chevy Dimax truck in Ecuador, which keeps the two of us up late at night.  He has all these particular wants, which are actually pretty important for driving in the often-turbulent streets of Racar and Cuenca, but make if difficult to find what he wants.  In the morning we are leaving for Kansas City, which really should only take 2.5-3 hours this time.  My intentions are to wake up early enough to take a swim in the lake with Daniel and Jael.  

As promised, here are pictures of the basement treasures::

A doll hanging from a hat rack.. who does this??

They obviously use this machine alot..

A creepy people-bunny family that haunts the basement..

A really cool lamp..

In order to avoid any potential offending.. these are all nice things, just done in the wrong way or in the wrong place.

Tito, we're not in Kansas anymore....

I guess traveling through Kansas includes a 3-4 day stay at Sheree's grandparent's lake-house near Branson, Missouri. We arrived around 9:30 last night. George thought it would be a decent 2.5-3 hour drive, and it was definitely 7.5-8. We are on a mini-vacation now. Geovanni woke me up this morning at 9:30 and after breakfast and a shower, we went swimming off the
dock. After lunch Daniel and Jael took naps, and the five of us (Geovanni, Christine, George, Sheree, and myself) went out on the boat with Sheree's grandpa and the two babies (Nathan and Kiara). The lake is something like 13km long, and the water was beautiful and a perfect temperature. George taught me how to water ski, and eventually I was pretty decent! They tell me I will be sore tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure I'm stronger than they think. In the pictures to the right you will see baby Nathan on the boat, a view of the lake, and in the third, George is attempting to to assist Geovanni with his skis - a job that took both men.
Sheree's grandparents are very amusing. They say the darndest things.. really. Everytime Sheree's grandpa speaks he follows his sentence with "tell him" and points to Geovanni. Geo really does understand a decent amount of English, but doesn't speak any because he is afraid of making mistakes. The house is also interesting. There are huge mirrors (like 7 ft in width) in almost every room. The basement is full of interesting things that I will definitely be taking pictures of (expect that post very soon! haha). I'm sharing a room with Daniel in the basement. I slept two nights with Jael at the hotel and they were two miserable nights. That girl is 3-years-old, but she took up more room than I think Sun Ming Ming would have.  Se mueve mucho! (She moves alot!)  At one point I think we were sharing a pillow, I know I found her foot in my eyes and/or back alot, or her head was on my stomach.  So needless to say, I prefer Daniel.  He woke up around 7:00 this morning and I played with him until 7:30 when George woke up to relieve me, and I went back to bed.

Here is what our itinerary looks like.  There is alot of traveling between distant cities to speak in churches and reconnect with supporters of the ministry in Ecuador. 

July 23: Travel from Guayaquil to Kansas City
July 24: Rest at Nick & Stephanie’s house
July 25: Travel to Hutchinson
July 25-27: District conference
July 27-29: Vacation at lake house with Wuertz’s (Table Rock Lake, MO)
Aug 1: Day to reconnect with Conley family in Kansas City
Aug 2: Celebrate Daniel’s 2nd birthday with Wuertz’s and meet George and Sheree’s families
Aug 3: Visit Heartland Christian Fellowship for the morning service then to Manhattan in the afternoon for a special Sunday evening service at Westview Community Church
Aug 4: Someone drives us to Colby, KS
Aug 4-6: Spend time in Colby with Gene and Joy and do a special mid week service at Colby Wesleyan
Aug 7-8: Travel Thursday morning to Philipsburg, KS and do a special service
Aug 9-10: Travel Sat morning to Concordia for the Sunday service
Aug 11: Return to Kansas City - Jewel flys to Indiana, Geo & Chris fly to Arizona

It should be interesting...

Blogging in Kansas...

Blogging from Hutchinson, Kansas...
It's been an interesting trip so far. I had no idea what to expect. When I flew in I was a little worried about connecting with Geovanni and Christine and our ride (Aunt Sheree) from the airport, but it was very easy and I landed at a gate just 10 away from Geovanni & Christine in the same terminal - no problems at all. Their plane was late, so I anxiously waited an additional hour (3 hours total). As I sat on a bench close to Geovanni and Christine's gate I noticed a woman pacing at the same gate, and an hour later she sat and asked me if I was Jewel. It was our ride! We stayed 2 night at George's (missionary to Ecuador) brother's house in a suburb of Kansas City. We basically did nothing at the house for 2 days except rest and talk and eat. The homeowners worked until 6pm, so day 1 we sat in these stranger's homes.. we didn't know them.. they didn't know us. We were quite hesitant to make ourselves at home, but eventually it came easier. We made 1 venture to Wal-Mart with Sheree's (missionary) aunt, Aunt Sheree. Geovanni has never been to Wal-Mart.. has never been to America, so I helped him find nice shorts and jeans in his size. Jael (Geovanni & Christine's 3-year-old daughter) has attached to me, and will no longer allow Christine or Geovanni to do certain things like fix her hair, or strap her into her car seat. It's only been 2.5 days.. so it's still fun! My Spanish-speaking abilities have been greatly challenged as Geovanni refuses to attempt his English, and Christine refuses to translate so I can learn and get better. Yesterday evening we walked about 1 mile to a beautiful little park (I know.. I haven't taken ANY pictures yet!) and I played with Jael. They have never seen squirrels before -- culture shock! Jael was so funny at the park because the other children were speaking English, and she understands some, but doesn't agree that anyone else should be speaking English, especially me! We drove 3 hours today from Nick and Stephanie's house to Hutchinson. We are staying in a really nice hotel called Grand Prairie Hotel and Convention Center for a big conference of the Kansas district of the Wesleyan District. There are alot of people here! There is a nice indoor waterpark called Kansas Splashdown that I will probably experience alot of with Jael over the next 2-3 days. Geovanni and Christine are speaking some, so I will watch the girls alot. Jael is napping now, and Kiara just woke up. Kiara is even more beautiful than her pictures. She has her hungry/sleepy moments, but is a very happy and smiley baby. I will probably be sleeping with Jael tonight, Geovanni and Christine in the other bed. George and Sheree should be arriving late tonight from Kansas City, so it will be nice to see them again too in the morning. We lost our itinerary so we really have no idea what our schedule for the next 3 weeks looks like. A man came yesterday to Nick and Stephanie's house and said hello I'm Dwane and I'll be driving you to Hutchinson tomorrow, what time do you want to leave? And we were like.... tomorrow? Ok. haha. No idea what is going on... we just go with the flow and follow whoever is leading, which eventually will be George and Sheree, who should be very familiar with our itinerary, Funny story... I accidentally left my charger in Indiana. Geovanni has a very similar phone, but also forgot his charger. Christine remembered her charger, but forgot her phone. So basically.. the 3 of us are worthless. Hopefully it won't be too inconvenient to find a Verizon and pick up a charger.. haha. Because we would really like to have a phone while we are traveling. Let alone.. period. haha. Until next time...