Friday Fun

Having had a few hours of sleep under our belts (more around 5), we woke up slightly drowsy as expected from flying and driving and getting in late. However, our anxiousness was able to keep us awake leading up to our morning training session.

But, as God's timing would allow, plans changed in a matter of minutes! Morning training moved to the afternoon, and we readily began our first day of sightseeing (of three) before beginning our missions work!

First stop: Pululahua Volcano (Yes, spell check says it's not a word, but alas it doesn't know Spanish as well as we do, ha!). This was breathtaking. The beauty of the landscape and the history of how this came to be was a testament to how seemingly insignificant we are in the world as a human being, YET God chooses to be personal in his love for us: that is the TRUTH, not just an emotion that we feel.

Rodrigo and Franklin, our tour guide and bus driver, then took us to the "New" equator, where using GPS is the exact middle of the earth. Here we were on tour with Miriam showing us all of the unique tricks and fun experiments that can only be completed from the equator. From balancing an egg on a nail (which, 4 of us have become certified "experts" in, myself included haha), showing how water drains in different directions, to trying to walk blindfolding along the equator line, we were fascinated with every last one. There still is that 8 year old kid inside us moms and dads!

Next was probably the most adventurous part of the trip, which I dare say is not for the faint of heart. Our team needed a quick pit stop for some sustenance, to which we decided to try an Ecuadorian favorite/delicacy....... Guinea Pig!
As far as I can recall, everyone had at least one bite in some way (we ordered 3, totaling $76!!!!!!) Needless to say, regardless of many's hesitance to try, most seemed to enjoy it! Fun fact: Andrew Zimmer, the host of the food show "Bizarre Foods" actually ate at this same local restaurant while filming for one of the episode! Easily the most unique part of our journey thus far.... and as you can see by the pictures the most amusing as well...

Stomachs eased momentarily, we walked to where the old equator monuments and such were erected. This area is almost like a tiny city, with shops and restaurants throughout. When the French came to Ecuador to find the equator in the 1700s, this is where they calculated it was, only off by about 200 meters or so, which for you math folks out there is pretty good for no calculators or GPS. The team scarfed down some "American"-esque food for lunch, Cheeseburgers, chicken, french fries, etc. before returning on the bus to head back to the dorms.

A quick siesta (that's a rest/nap all those keeping track at home) and we arrived back at the dorms, to change and head out to the soccer field to train for around an hour. In Ecuador, the sun rises at 6am and sets at 6pm almost every day, so by the time we got out to train we only had around 2 hours of sunlight left! Nevertheless it was a productive session that really tested our bodies ability to handle the high altitude. Prayers that the adjustment continues to get better as the days progress!











Dinner served in the dorm was followed by a brief worship song lead by Cap and Bible Study by Blake, who spoke on two passages in Romans 8 and Ephesians 2 regarding God's incredible love for us. Paul in Romans explains in verses 31 and onward that His love towards us cannot be taken away, nor can we be separated by any means whatsoever. God's love also doesn't save us from the pain and trials of our everyday lives, but DELIVERS us through those hardships, giving us something to cling to in our time of need. An incredibly powerful message that was paralleled with Ephesians 2:4-10 that tells of our role as "God's handiwork," with the identity and affirmation that we have been saved by GRACE. What an amazing thing to ponder and reflect on this week for our team (and for you reading this as well). We have been so fortunate to be in this new environment to witness and talk about such truths, but that can continue at home as well, and we hope to grow closer together as a team and with Christ knowing these truths to be of absolute certainty.

Our evening concluded by the team and staff of the dorm playing a game of "family." This game is a matching identification game where players choose a celebrity to be, anonymous to everyone else, and others have to guess who each person might be after all the names are revealed. Laughter, joy, and just time to bond was a great way to close out our first night of new experiences.

Tomorrow is another exciting day: climbing to 12,000 feet (we are already at 9,000) and then heading to a local market to practice our "bardering" skills. More to come tomorrow! Until then, hasta manana!

Nate Curry