My Class

I only went to teach at Pascuales one day last week. I had originally planned to go to a town called Milagro, an hour away from Guayaquil, to help a friend teach an English class at his church on Tuesday and Wednesday. But Tuesday morning I woke up feeling pretty terrible, and it just got worse as the hours and days passed. I had a high fever and bad chest cold, and my body and stomach just ached. I do not really know what was wrong, but by Saturday I was feeling much better...well, I was at least tired enough of laying around that I got up and went to a place called La Isla Del Valle with a friend. It is a community like Pascuales, only with way more people and with less money. My friend and I led worship for each class of some of the most beautiful children I have ever seen. Dark, dark skin with huge, dark almond-shaped eyes....they were gorgeous. I would have photos, but I was told it was to dangerous to bring my camera. There is a small group of amazing people who come to this community every Saturday, teach kids who want to come about the bible, feed them, sing with them, and play with them. I was shocked when I came with my friend to find such a random group of people working there; A 40-something year old man, who is the pastor, a couple women well into their 60s, a 19 year-old college student, and a mother of 3 who is probably around 35. It was beautiful. We loved, we prayed, then we took the 45 minute bus ride back home. Back to my topic that I originally began with; today was my first day back in Pascuales. I am still struggling a lot with feeling that I am not doing any good for anyone there. It is a battle every morning, until I walk through the door and am greeted by the youngest class (with whom I spend the most time with) as they shout "Ñaña!" (ñaña is a more loving term used in Ecuador to mean sister...it is based off of one of the original Indian dialects) and I find myself trapped in the center of a cluster of small little Ecuadorian children that do not reach above my waist. After our first lesson I again am reminded of why I come here; As I sit around the kids eating their snack, and as I sit and eat whatever Bartola puts in front of me, one by one the kids break off pieces of their crackers or maybe a piece of a boiled egg. Whatever they have, they share with me. Jayz (pronounced, Ya-eice) is one of the kids that obviously loves me the most. (I think I can say that without sounding completely self-absorbed). I think she feels close to me because one, she really wants love and I really love her, and two we are the only ones in the school with light skin and light hair (she is constantly playing with mine and trying to put her hair pins in it). She had a little piece of meat for her lunch along with her cracker. After a small nibble she hung the piece in front of my face as to offer it to me. I smiled and told her that I thought she should eat it, and as soon as the rest of the kids around heard I did not want it, 8 hands shot out straight under the meat. Well at that point Jayz turned away and enjoyed it herself.

I love my class. Even if they cannot sit still for more that 5 minutes, and every time I am left alone with them they go CRAZY and run around, jumping on the desks, drawing on the walls, and tables and literally destroying everything they can get theirs hands on...but we have an understanding, and I think we love each other, alot. I am still in Ecuador, but I miss them already.

And The Light Shines in the Darkness

Christ was in the beginning with God, and "All things were made through him, and to him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him [and who still do receive him] and who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:2-5, 11-13

I was able to spend last Thursday in Quito. The most memorable, thought-provoking part of my trip was the 9 1/2 hour journey back to Guayaquil on a TransEcuador bus. As we drove past miles and miles of forest, banana trees, and other exotic plants, we passed by the villages were they strip off the outer shells of rice. As we came to these villages the scenery changed to a short stretch of bleak dingy bamboo houses. They were all up on 6 or 7 foot high stilts to prevent flooding in the rainy times, and because of the rice feilds. The colorful arrangement of clothing, from skirts, to little kids underwear was the only object shining forth any kind of life in contrast to the dark browns and trash thrown everywhere. My heart hurt as I thought about the people who lived in these houses, who walked across the weak hand-made bridges that were supported by 6 feet of thin bamboo strips tied together. I watched little kids playing barefoot in the mud, kicking around an empty soda bottle while the stray dogs ran around on the porches, and the women hung more clothing out to dry. I cannot help but think that the people who live here understand so much more about life than I do; that they are somehow closer to the truths of God by simply living than I am by reading them.

In Romans 10, Paul says that whoever confesses with his mouth and believes in his heart that Jesus was raised from the dead, than they will be saved. "For everyone who calls on the name of the lord will be saved." But then he goes on further, "But how are they to call on him whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?...So faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Romans 10:13-15,17

As I thought through my experiences so far on this trip, I thought, who would WANT to live in one of those villages? Who would want to live in a place like Pascuales, where the school I work is located? It seems so difficult to live in a place like that. No bathrooms, no heat, no refrigerator, no nada. As I sat down to eat lunch with Bartola and Sarita in their house today after class, my heart became even more awed at the strength and faith of this woman; who lives here so she can run and teach theis school, as well as help pastor the church for this community. Today little Sarita brought out the photo album, which was filled with old photos that had been glued onto pieces of paper in a notebook. I was privileged to see the life of this woman. From her children as small babies, to the swimming competitions of her two disabled sons. Her faith, her love...so much more, so much closer than I can even imagine. With my broken Spanish I apologized to her for not being able to help much, assuring her I want to and promising that when I come back I will bring back more Spanish, and better curriculum to teach the kids. She just smiles and assures me that just being here is bigger than I know. "because," she says (in Spanish, of course) "you are here to serve God, and that is love, and that is the greatest thing you could bring here to us."

Today I was able to play some games with my kids. In the small space out in front of the school room we ran around, jumped and danced (seeing as how my limited Spanish allows me only certain commands such as "corremos", "salta", and "bailamos". It is such a blessing to be here, and know these people, and these families. As little Rael reached into his dirty apron pocket and pulled out an old cracker that had made its home next to a chewed-up pencil and other living grime, he handed it to me and lit up with such joy when I thanked him and ate it. The so-called "sacrifice," sickness, heart-ache, it is all worth it.

"If you have a father, or if you havn't one..."

Today I met Alma, a street woman. And we prayed for her son

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied"
and blessed are those who do not have enough money to buy vegetables to eat
blessed are those who are sexually abused by their doctors because they cannot afford a real one
and blessed are those children who do not realize the place they are in, and can still run and play with such joy
blessed are those who do not know how they are going to make the next payment because there is just not enough money
and blessed are those who pray, who pray and have faith to move mountains
blessed are those who have given their lives for others
blessed are those who are beaten and spit on by the system, by Christians, by businessmen, by the merciless ones who see nothing more than a person who needs to get a job.
blessed, blessed, blessed, are those who, through this mess of life cling to the hope that is in our father. Our hope of redeeming grace, our hope to rise to a better life.

What I am going to miss most about Ecuador

I have about 6 and a half more weeks here.
If circumstances were different, and I was not committed to another year in downtown LA, then I would try to figure out how to stay here. So, in a moment of sentiment, the things I will miss (in no particular order):

• the 20 minute fight through crazy Ecuadorian drivers and the constant breathing in of heavy fumes of smog on the way to my school in Pascuales every day


• being ambushed by the mob of children when I walk into the school room every morning while they shout with smiles in their cute little latin way, "SENORITA KATALINA! SENORITA KATALINA!"


• using smiling to make someone trust that I love them because there is no other way I can say it


• the fresh fruit from the mercado


• the boat rides to the island


• my famliy that is starting to grow here


• the dirty reality of poverty on every corner and in every forgotten slum that makes me want to jump up and get a thousand degrees so I can be a doctor, an architect, and school teacher, a pastor, a musican, a fishman, a seamstress, a painter...and help teach people to dance and sing, and pray. And let them cry and not be afraid that they will be hurt again.


• The ability to worship God in a foreign land, with foreign music and witness how he can still teach and grow and work his spirit in me, d remind me that his power and his plan transcend the barrier of language


• I will miss walking around with barefeet and skirts everyday


• greeting people with a kiss


• saying "chao"


• being humbled by my inabilities and helplessness
• the frustration of not being able to communicate any better than a child in kindergarten


• the fresh orange juice


• 7 hour conversations with people that are so common day to day


• the way of life of being "tranquilo"


• the spanish worship services held outside my window that keep me up every night


• the kids

"If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all" - Isaiah

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For,
“Yet a little while,and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith....But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

-Hebrews 10:32-39

Today was my first day teaching in Luz y Libertad. The minute I sat down to work with my first group (the 3, 4 and 5 year-olds) I was overcome with a sense of hopelessness; a fear that they would not understand anything, and that if all they got out of my two months with them was how to say the words "zero" correctly, then it would be a waste. How does that have any earthly or eternal value? Our hour came quickly to an end and I felt worthless. I could not understand what Bartola was asking me, and since I was the only english speaker in the school I was at a loss. I moved on to the second class of 7 and 8 year olds. There were about 10 of them and they greeted me with a "Buenos Dias" as soon as I walked in. (The small classrooms are all seperated by dividers) They understood and were able to pronouce the numbers much better and I was able to get through to number ten, assign homework, and at their request draw and write flower, car, and house in English. The third class was the 9 and 10 year olds. We had a lot of fun. By this time I was getting the hang of it, felt more comfortable and was excited by the fact that I was teaching by trial and error. There was no one to show me how to teach these kids enlish, and no real lesson plans, so I would just try different things and ideas until one got the point across. After and hour with these guys, I moved on to defenitly the most lively and oldest class, the 11 and 12 year-olds. There are 5 of them attending right now, and one girl who came just to take the english lesson. They were crazy at first but then we warmed up to eachother. We praticed our numbers from 0 to 20 and then how to introduce themselves - "My name is...." They enjoyed that one very much. My goal for this class by the end of my two months is to get them to be able to think of and write one sentence on their own in english. I do not know if this is a simple or difficult goal, because I have never done this kind of work before, but I will find out. At the end of class one of the boys (who was causing the most trouble) asked me when I am leaving, and if once I go back to the stated if I would come back to the school. Of course I told him yes, and I do plan to come back. Whenever I can.

It is amazing the weight that can fall on people when you are working in such an impoverished place. There can be such a sadness all around that these kids seem to be so attracted to and so comforted by a smiling face...even if we cannot understand eachother.

The last part of Hebrews 10 talks about so many of the people I have had the opportunity to meet and serve alongside of in Ecuador. People whose faith and confidence are obviously in the Lord and his promises for our lives. He is preserving them, and I pray that my life would one day be as humble and full of such grace as theirs.

Mis Amigos

Yesterday I went to La Universidad Catolica con un amigo. I went to an accounting class and a macroeconomicas class. Despues, we went to have lunch dowtown.

We met two little friends who sat and played with us as we ate.

Mas Photos

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think

It is an odd thing to serve as an answered prayer to someone. I came to serve in Ecuador, not knowing exactly what ministry or church I would be working with. I was presented with many options before I came down and became discouraged when what I wanted to do was no longer an option for me, unless I knew spanish fluently. I wanted to work with people who were ministering in the slums and with the street kids, but the people actually doing that work would not have time to accomadate a wide-eyed gringa who meant well, but would just be a lot of work that they would rather not make for themselves.

So I prayed.

There was an option before I came down here about working with a school in a poor neighborhood called "Pasquales". There, a Christian Ecuadorian couple had started a school. (many of the children could not afford uniforms or books, so they would not attend any school). Bartola y Fran saved up there money until they could buy some cement. And now they run a school that is in much need of everything you could think of. Including teachers. The missionaries who connected me with them said they did not know if there was anything to do for me there, but I may be able to just come and observe a day or two during my stay here in Ecuador. So this morning I showed up at the school and met bartola and 5 of the youngest students: caralita, saralita, rael, kenya y marina. We sat down and talked and I told her I would be here for two months. She said she has been praying for someone who could come and teach english to the students. And what do you know, here I am, frustrated because not knowing fluent spanish was keeping me from serving, yet she hasn't been able to find a fluent english speaker to teach english classes. They have all the material, but none of them know english, or even how to pronounce the words. So begining on Wednesday I will be spending my morning and afternoons at La Luz y Libertad (Light and Liberty) school giving english lessons, helping run crafts, and I will work with one special needs child for one hour everyday. After school is out I will be able to walk about 5 minutes with Bartola and her three kids to there home and help her take care of them, take them out to play and spend time with the neighborhood kids. I will also be able to go on visitiations with her to her neighbors. She even offered me a place to stay in her small bamboo home, where the only running water for everyone comes out of a spicket that they have to walk to.

I do not know why I always forget that God provides and looks after our lives...and that he knows what he is doing.

La Isla Santay

The island from the boat

Saturday was my first day on la isla. Taking a taxi down al mercado y the market itself was something to see, and smell. There is a big market where the rickety old boat we use to get to the island leaves from.

It was Dia de Los Ninos, so this Saturday was one big party for the kids. As we pulled up in the boat I was shocked at the perfection of the island. There were spaciouscly scattered bamboo homes in rows on the coastline and the center of the little village was a big school that was built. Once inside the school we met a prayed and sang some worship and had devotions (all in spanish) and then we split up into small prayer groups. After this was done we spent the rest of the day entertaining dozens of little children and appeasing their wants of lots of candy and snacks. We left for the island around 8AM and returned to the market around 4PM. There were about 10 of us left and we were appointed to carry a large amount og long, heavy bamboo from a spot next to the market, to the loading dock and onto the boat. They needed more bamboo on la isla to build and fix up some things. (Next Saturday the group is going to mostly work on reparing homes and more labor oriented tasks, like building roofs and hauling sand.) After the island, about 6PM by now, we all shared a meal at the local Mcdonalds then all went home to shower and get ready for the church service that began at 8PM. Despues el servicio I walked around with some people and got to see a littlew bit more of the city. And I got to have my first "shawarma".

My first sunday in Ecuador was spent at church, watching a Futbol game of Ecuador vs. Peru (Ecuador lost) and going to the movie theater. The city of Guayaquil is very, very similar to Los Angeles in alot of ways.

Tomorrow, por fe (by faith...an expression my ecuadorian friends use excessivly), I will be going to a vrey poor neighborhood named "Pasquales" and try to see how I can help there.

As of day three I have learned:

1) I love Ecuador
2) My hair dries curly in extreme humidity
3) We either die as a result of sin, or we die as a result of giving up our lives to Christ
4) I need to get more sleep, and pray more

i met some missionary girls from Quebec who did not know English, so we spoke to eachother in spanish...one of the most random situations...
So with 17 new bug bites, I am so excited for more

yo llego

I arrived. I just spent my first night in Ecuador. The trip was exhausting but I was able to use my spanish. Especially on the connecting flight from Panama to Guayaquil, because no one who sat around me spoke english. SO I ended up making friends with Jonathan Torres, a Guayaquil native and business man (who is also Catholic). He was really interested in what I was going to be doing in Guayaquil as well as the states. We also talked alot about Jesus y Maria and the differences in our beliefs.

I was greeted at the airport by my roommate Isabel's missionary friend Dave Erdel, as well as the pastor who goes to the island, Quicke, and three friends he brought along. We drove through downtown Guayaquil and made a few stops because Dave needed to take care of some things.

It amazed me to see as we were pulling out of the airport, a little girl run up to a group of 3 scruby looking kids on a side walk with a small box of KFC. They just eyed her hungrily and happily accepted the gift she had brought for them. I saw many different groups of children like this. They are much more dirty looking than if you saw a young kid who roamed the streets in dowtown LA. There would be little baby's just hanging around on the sidewalk. A little girl ran up to me with beautiful brown eyes and braids all in her hair asking me in spanish for any coins. I just looked away to Dave for help, I didn't know what I should do. He reached into the change holder in his van and handed her a couple peices of candy and apoligized for not having any change today. She thanked him and skipped away.

Once I got to the house I will be staying in for the next few days I sat and talked with the missionaries. I heard tons of shouting outside and found out that they do AWANAS at the church across the street. Or Owansa in spanish. I of course snuck over to watch the children and then sat in for a little while in their youth group-like worship. I was shocked to see some of the most fashionable young people. So, I escaped quickly and talked a while with Isabel's sister Marina and her mother who stopped by.

I am leaving in about 5 minutes now to head to La Isla Santay with Quicke. It is "Dia de Los Ninos" today (Children fo Ecuador day), and we are throwing the kids a big party....really I have no idea what I am doing but I know it will be great. And I can only use spanish...

It is hot and very humid here, and at about 5 this morning I woke up to rain. Everyone greets you with a kiss on the cheek, and leave you with a very chic "caio".

I love Ecuador