A week (and a half) in review

Sorry I haven't kept you all up to date on my exciting adventures in Ecuador. I'll try to sum it as quickly as possible while still entertaining you all.

My first day (Thursday June 2) we had a Youth World meeting in Quito. I met the other interns for El Refugio as well as the interns for other Youth World ministries and most of the Youth World Staff. WE went grocery shopping and then headed out to El Refugio. It took about 45 minutes to get here and we crossed the equator four times. We're just outside a town called Calicali which is seated on the equator.

Friday morning I helped Anjelica clean the kitchen to prepare for our busy summer retreats. It's kinda interesting having someone order you around in a language you don't speak. But, we managed. I was even able to tel her about my family and job in the states. :) That afternoon, we left to go help with a mountain bike race in Zuleta. We had to take three buses which took almost four hours and then we had to ride in the back of a pickup truck that smelled like horses for another half hour and finally arrived at Zuleta. We set up our tents and went to sleep... or tried to. I was the only chica there so they gave me my own tent... a one person tent that was too small to even sit up in. I was also given a "mummy bag" to sleep in. Well, I found out the hard way that I'm claustrophobic. I couldn't zip up the sleeping bag because I felt suffocated and with it unzipped, I was freezing. I woke up Dani who was in charge of the event and told him I needed to go home that I was claustrophobic and having a panic attack... Well, needless to say, going home wasn't an option. After about two hours of trying to figure out what to do, I slept in the car. you know, a Chevy Aveo is much roomier than one would think. The next day we worked at the race recording times that bikers came in. It was tons of fun, but I was not thrilled about the prospects of sleeping in the car again and though there was a hostel about a half hour away, Dani had scared me with his comments about how the innkeeper would want more money from me because I am North American. So, we called the intern director (Paul) and met him half way between Zuleta and Quito.

Sunday I went to church with Paul and Beth... in Spanish. I figured out that he was talking about the friends we keep and gossip (chismoso) and premarital sex. But that was really all I got out of it.

Monday we met with the director of operations (Howie) and the director of guest services (Howie's wife, Mary-my boss). We toured the property and were orientated. We also crossed the equator to eat lunch. Meals here are typically soup followed by rice and some sort of meat. In this case,the meat was liver. It wasn't horrible and I would have finished it, had Howie not told me what it actually was. After that, there was no getting the liver into my mouth.

Tuesday we toured camp again and went on most of the ropes course. We also went on the zipline and my brake person conveniently stopped me too soon sending me back to th middle of the zipline necessitating a rescue. Good times. I almost peed myself on the high ropes but managed to survive. But now at least I know how to handle said crises when the inevitably arrive when we have campers.

Wednesday was my "solo day". We get one day month that we are supposed to go and commune with God and nature. It was a little awkward because I have been "solo" for most of the time I've been out here. The only people on property when we don't have teams is the director and his family and the office guy, the security guard and the other two interns. But, I went for a hike on the mountain and read and prayed. I forgot to ask for a key to the tree house ladder so I just sat on my jacket next to the tree house, wishing I could go in.

Thursday we took a bus into Quito for our last weekly YW meeting. We don't meet when summer programming is under way. I also had my first Spanish lesson where I learned that I know virtually nothing. Awesome times. Our classes are all in Spanish so my brain felt like mush after two hours. Then we went to Paul and Beth's house and had Pinchincos which is pretty much meat kabobs and potatoes with this delicious cheesy garlic sauce. I watched their boy, Jack (20 mos)drink the sauce rather than dip his potatoes in it.

Friday morning I got my first experience in the kitchen. We made lunch for a group that was coming to the property just for the day. We had llapengachos- potato cheese pancakes.. super yummy. After lunch I took the bus into Quito with another intern and did some grocery shopping. On the way back, we got on the wrong bus and had to get off. Then we got on another bus, which was also not going to Calacali and had to change buses again until we finally got on one that took us home.

Saturday and Sunday I spent in the kitchen cooking for a small church group. My Spanish is improving and I only ask "que" every other time Anjelica asks me something. :)

Better Late than Never

I said my goodbyes, cleared security and boarded my plane Tuesday morning; and before we had even taxied out I had fallen asleep…. Twenty minutes late I was awakened by the voice of the captain explaining that during the engine firing sequence, the left engine had failed to start properly. After returning to the gate and determining that we would need another plane, deboarding, walking to new gate and standing in line for forty minutes, it was determined that I would miss my connecting flight in Atlanta. I decided to stay in Minneapolis and try again tomorrow.

Wednesday morning I boarded the plane for Atlanta, fingers crossed that the plane was functional. Flights went according to schedule and I left for Quito at a little after 7 on Wednesday night. I arrived in Quito around 2300 and after clearing customs, I headed over to the baggage area to get my things.After about an hour of watching them unload everyone's bags but mine, I started to get worried. My bags had gone to Atlanta without me on Tuesday and I was told that they were waiting there for me to board a flight to Quito and they would be on that same flight. So, you can imagine my shock and panic when I couldn't find them and didn't speak enough Spanish to communicate that to the people in the baggage claim area. However, I simply showed my claim ticket to a couple of the ladies working and they pointed me in the direction of my bags which had been pulled off the conveyor and put in a corner. Paul, the intern director was waiting for me outside and we quickly headed to his and his wife's house for the evening.

T-39 hours

We leave to drive to Minneapolis tomorrow, chill with some friend and then at 1130AM Tuesday I'm off to the southern hemisphere. I'll try to post pics and updates weekly, but I;m not promising anything. Internets are limited on the property so I don't know how often I will be online. check back often to hear about the awesomeness that is Lisa-lynn inn the EC :)

40 days to go

I'm 40 days from my departure date: Tuesday, June 1 @ 1130 AM.
I'm 100% funded for the entire 3 month trip :)
I've begun "running" almost everyday to get my lungs in shape for the thinner air at 9,000 ft.
I have yet to spend much time working on my Spanish :'(
I lack discipline in certain areas, as you can tell.

Please pray that I would be disciplined in my studying and that my body, mind and spirit would be prepared for the tasks at hand in Quito.

Thank you all for your prayers and financial support!

I'll see you on the other side of the Equator

Money...check
Plane Ticket...check
Vaccinations...check


Leaving in T-64 days!

Blessing my socks off!

Support letters were sent out about two weeks ago and my amazing friends and family continue to amaze me with their generosity! Asking for support was not something that came easy for me. I had originally intended to use personal funds to finance this trip but unexpected circumstances prevented that from happening. One friend made a generous donation and encouraged me to reach out to my brothers and sisters for support. I was very hesitant at first, as I am a very independent person. However, this same friend expressed his concern that I was not allowing people who love the Lord to serve Him by giving. And thus, the support letter was written. I have been so blessed by all of the people that have sent in support and are praying for me. This truly is a partnership and I cherish your commitment to me and to God. Thank you all so very, very much.

68 and Rainy

So I've begun planning my trip already. For those of you who don't know me, this may come as a surprise, but I've been known to pack my house 6 months before moving so planning my packing less than 100 days out is totally normal. Its barely in the double digits above zero here in the Magic City but in Quito it's a rainy 68. With its elevation of over 9,000 feet, and location only 15 miles from the equator Quito has quite mild weather year round. The temperature varies between 55*F at night to 78*F at noon. It has two seasons: Wet and Dry...unlike Minot which has four seasons: Winter, Winter's almost over, Construction and Almost Winter. The wet season in Quito is considered winter and the dry is considered summer. Summer lasts about four months, from the end of June to September. So, it seems that the common misconception that our summer is their winter is not necessarily true. I will arrive in Quito at the end of the wet season and enjoy most of the summer there. With new restrictions on how much baggage you can check for free on international flights, it's nice to know that I will be able to pack lighter as a parka will not be needed.

Please stay tuned for more facts about the exciting world (barely) south of the equator.