Missonaries Cuss

That will be the name of my future book and the sequel will be called Missionaries Cuss, Too. Actually I haven't had too much of a problem with that lately but I've been thinking about that concept for months. I'm not perfect. Sorry to let some of you down... Dad. Just kidding. But seriously, I really do think we tend to put expectations and sometimes unrealistic ones on missionaries or persons of the cloth. I feel so clever using that one... wait is that only for catholics? Any ways, you know what I mean. I resently had a situation come up that affirmed that for me. Other "chirstians" had problems with me, and the funny thing was they were just as responsible for the lack of communication as I was. But I am the missionary so I'm naturally the one at fault. And also one of the wonderful cultural differences here is blame shifting, they're great at it. They didn't knock over the cup, it fell on it's own... se cayo. (I'm sighting Mike for that one, so he doesn't get mad that I stole his words, not that I've ever seen Mike mad). RRRRRRRIGHT.
This all brought me to the conclution of "how much is too much and/or when is enough enough?" and I thought to my self "when I have to ask that quesiton, that's when it's enough!" (Sorry this maybe be a little vague if you aren't getting my prayer emails.) But then agian life is so complicated. No I'M so complicated and a big fat chicken.
Speaking of animals, I'm moving soon! Moving in with two really awesome girls and two very stupid cats. I know they are stupid because they are cats. I met one the other day, I hate it already. Oh and have you seen Meet the Parents? Well like in the movie one of the cats is potty trained to pee in the toilet downstairs but the other goes in the sink! How freaking gross. They must think it's cute or something, I'm never using that bathroom.
VBS went well last week and Pan de Vida. I really love coordinating. I'm kinda good at it too. I think having years of expirience bossing my siblings around must have helped.
Just did lice treatments today (see 2 blogs ago), but I'm pretty sure I was just taking off huge chucks of my scalp instead. I didn't see any piojos so maybe I just had bad dandruff?! How annoying.

Some wires, a lizard and a cockroach

For Kelsey's last week here we went to the beach. It was just her sister, Rebbecca, Kelsey, joined later by our frined Lukas and myself. Fearing for our lives, our "house dad" called his uncle to make sure we got good quality lodgings and were taken care of, as we were to arrive early in the morning. Well we made it safely and then picked up by the uncle, after calling a few times (I bet he was sleeping until we called). Then we got to the most wonderful hostel I've ever stayed in! It was amazing starting with the name "The alpha and omega" and only got better from there. The night lady, which was the day lady too, wouldn't come to the door so we rang for about 10 to 15 mins. Then she proceed to take us to the room which is hands down the dirtiest place I've ever stayed in and I'm comparing that to camping in a tent. It was a pretty muggy day even though it was only 5:30 a.m. and the room was with out air conditioning, luckily I spotted a fan. The fan probably hadn't worked in 4 years, and good thing it didn't because it had about that many years worth of dust and cob-webs on it! I tried it none less, against Kelsey and Rebecca warnings. So the first real night of sleep I was awoken by a loud "whisper" of "Kelsey, Kelsey!" and then a "I don't want to freak you out, but...". So I tore out my ear plugs and sat up! I asked what was going on and Rebecca was trying to inform us that there was a huge bug coming out of the wall. But upon further inspection it was just a bunch of wires. Why she was awake at 2 a.m. looking for bugs I'll never know. The next night was even more interesting. Before going to bed Rebecca spotted a huge gecko on the wall near her bed. We tried to convince her that'd be fine and it wouldn't crawl on her but she wouldn't budge. So I did the only that a person would do in this situation, I threw a lemon at it. Now why did I have a lemon you ask? Good question, you see earlier that night we had been dancing and after fighting off latin salsa kings from inappropriate dance moves, we moved to the sand to just dance by our selves. Thinking to my self "I really shouldn't dance in the sand, there's probably glass" I ignored my good judgment and proceeded to take off my shoes and dance. Well not one minuet later I found my prediction to have come true. Now bleeding from the toe and feeling like a heal, I limped to the bench to wash and inspect the wound. And of course the guys from the bar ran over to help brining me napkins and a few lemons, because why wouldn't I pour fresh lemon juice on my open cut!? Ok back to the hostel. Well it wasn't my best shot, but I was literally an inch from that lizard thingy and couldn't see why it wouldn't run like any normal lizard would! So I took my other lemon and this time pegged it right in the head! Haha! So it moved about 5 inches this time, in between the window panes. Well I guess she was ok with how much we'd been able to move it so we went to bed. Then I was awoken again by a "Kelsey, Kelsey," I then heard "can you come down here so I can kill it, I need moral support." followed by "No, but could you shut the window, so more of those don't get in? Thanks." rolling over I asked what was going on and there was Rebecca sitting up in her bed just have a staring contest with a huge cockroach! So I've heard stories about these things that they don't die very easily, so I found the heaviest thing I could an attempted to kill the darn thing. Well it ran and I screamed like a girl but in the in I was the victor. I am not going to lie I pretty much felt like a warrior after that night.
The other day I was supposed to teach English early in the morning. I was sick the night before with a cold but thought to myself "it's only for an hour, I'll tough it out and then be done." Why aren't things ever that simple? So I get to the meeting spot, I bit late to meet my companion but still on time for class. Well normally if you were in the US we'd just have left to the class on time, but being in Ecuador we had coffee for a half and hour. Okay, that's cool, just an hour and a half and I'll be home. Right? Wrong. So we get to the class 30 mins late, and no one is there! There was a prayer meeting the night before until 3 a.m. so then he wasn't even sure any one was coming. About 15 minuets later a few start to show up. Alright an hour and 45 minuets. Then they finally try to open the door (which is a roll top store front), and continue to try and do so for an hour!!! Then I just couldn't take it any more. I said look guys I'm sick and I really just don't want to wait here any more. So I'm going to wait a few more minuets and then go. I passed out all the assignments and just as I'm about to leave they pull out a huge saw and say "no, no just wait"... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! Now maybe I'm not being culturally sensitive but WHAT THE HECK?!
So I need to buy pants. But it's expensive here and want to know something really depressing? I'm the biggest size they sell in the normal stores! It's not that I've gained that much weight, it's just that the sizes run way smaller 9 = 14 in women's. And the last pair of fat pants I bought doesn't even fit me! Geez.
I'm really loving my new job working in the north of Quito, I don't have to teach and it's so amazing! I'm not really looking forward to teaching but hopefully I'll be able to handle it a bit better this year. If there is a school. If you haven't gotten my prayer update email... you might want to get on that I explained more in detail about what's going on with the school. I'm not working at the girls home like I would have liked to but God knows what's going on and so I'm just going to wait it out. I'm still holding on to my dreams of some day working with girls coming out of sex trafficking and prostitution or just any kind of slavery, but am willing to work with the job that I've been given... even it isn't always fun or my ideal situation.

Is louse plural for lice?

Delousing yesterday. Yes you read me correctly. So the first time I noticed lice on a kid was yesterday, it was really bad. I was hugging her close for a bit because she was. As soon as I saw it my head started itching. I don't know if it's all IN my head or just all ON my head. (Funny because I'm pretty sure it's the same either way in Spanish).



A guy short changed my $0.05 (no 'cents' button?) on the bus. He kept arguing with me that it was the right amount, but I've ridden (?) this bus like a million times, he's soooo wrong. Okay, I know doesn't sound like a lot but that's one fifth of my next bus. Jerk.





So I'm starting to not be able to remember English words. They say that's a good stage in learning another language. Only problem is I usually don't know the Spanish counterpart. Uh...



I'm in a weird place right now. No, not Ecuador. I mean in an odd transition and I feel like maybe (or for sure) I bit off more than I can chew. Ministry stuff isn't working out the way I thought a few weeks ago and everything is up in the air. I want to explain but I honestly don't really know yet myself. More on that when I find out.



Got a unexpected trip to Columbia. Sorry mom they didn't have any coffee for sale or I would have bought you some. It was pretty cool. Probably one of the few times blonde Californian girls were smuggled over the border. Oddly enough we were searched a few times coming back into Ecuador, but never asked for papers.

I feel like a rollercoaster

One minute I'm up and the next I'm in a complete loop (or am just loopy). I'm probably like this back at home but I can hide it better.

This last week has been awesome, God's really answered prayers! So where to start? So I met this couple, with I'm pretty sure are the cutest kids in the world, who's been living in the downstairs apartment in the ER building and was chatting with them about their plans for Ecuador. They are helping their aunt and uncle at Casa Gabriel, a ministry here in Quito for street boys. They also want to start a girl’s home for girls rescued out of sex trafficking and similar situations. Right now the only one that exists is secular and it's only for a 3 month period. They have a vision to start one for these girls that is Christian based and that would educate and help them learn a legitimate trade. The girls currently there range in age from 12 to 18. I asked if I could join them in going on Sundays (the only day they are allowed to talk about God). It was perfect because that's the day I have free in the afternoons. Only now I have a hang up, I am no longer able to stay in the ER building which is closer to where this place is and by the time we'd be done I wouldn't be able to bus back to the house I live at. I know it's going to work out, I've been praying about helping in a ministry like this for about a year now. I’m just not sure how it’ll work out yet. I'm so excited to see what's going to become of this! Once I go visit I’ll be able to really tell you all about it.

I wanted to join this 20's Bible study on Tuesdays in the north but again have no way to get back to the house. So on Saturday I was at a party for Day of the Child (I swear they have days for EVERYTHING here) for children with disabilities with one of my friends. I happend to meet someone who goes to the same church and he offered to give me rides! Praise God! So when the group starts back up after summer break, I'll be able to go and get home safely.

Oh and the party for the kids was great. I was asked to be with the hardest kid there (of course, I always have to do things the hard way) but he was super cute. He was a BIG little guy and wasn't really aware of everything around him, social cues and what-not, couldn't really talk, but man could he dance!!! I had a blast with him! We almost won musical chairs but I didn't want to be to completive and squish the other kid, so we let them win.

It wouldn't be blog of mine with out a good bus story. Sorry but the only thing I can think of is that a guy was picking his nose right before taking the money yesterday. Sorry I know that story kinda blows. But please don't be snotty about it, ok? Next time I promise I'll pick a better one.

Still teaching. Still doing house visits. Still have to scream my head off, and yes I did take all the advice given to me, but I have the feeling that people in charge don't really give a crap. Not sure if that's about my class or just in general. Whatever. It's just something I'll have to endure through. House visits, as it turns out, aren't always with single mothers, but some of their husbands are out of the city or country. They are hard to do, it's really hard to sit and do almost nothing for 3 to 4 hours... believe it or not. I don't know how much longer I can do it... or not do it? LOL. Any ways, I was feeling really bad for myself today, and after calming the ocean pouring from my face I went into to teachers lounge to sit and wait for my companion for visits. This week is spiritual emphasis week and the teachers were in there talking and crying. Not sure what was said before I entered but listening to the prayers that followed, I figured I'm not the only one having a hard time. I mean how does one deal with kids whose parents aren't there or who's teeth are visibly rotting out of their heads?! How are those kids supposed to pay attention? I feel like some of the problems are so easily fixed, but where does it stop? There are so many problems that could be helped a lot with just so little. And some only God Himself could help. How much am I supposed to do? After all I can't help everyone... right?

Poverty sounds awful, but it looks even worse.

Random Day

Workers day today. People were striking in the streets, I would think today of all days you'd want to not strike... just saying. We had the day off, well sorta. Long story, you wouldn't like to hear it. Ran it to this random guy we meet last month, Kelsey said he was totally into me. Apparently he asked us out dancing but said that he had a friend for her. Then some guy tried talking to us in English, while following down the street. So I thought it'd be super funny to start talking in French. So then he starts talking to us in French, we don't respond but I was laughing my head off! Who the heck is this guy!!! So much for trying to be clever. So the class I was supposed to teach (even though I was scheduled off today... ?) got cancelled so we went to a little cafe to get some coffee. And EVERYONE kept staring at me! Then the really drunk old lady who was chugging half a gallon of yogurt with her bread was really into the stories I was telling. She kept laughing and making motions to me when I would tell an interesting part. I'm also positive she knew no English what-so-ever! She also started waving at me at one point, for no reason. Then this guys walks in to the cafe with a dried cow head, you know the kind you'd mount on a wall? He sets it down and ordered some bread... I was telling a really creepy story but couldn't help busting out laughing. Then we arrived early to pick up the teenagers for the sleepover we are having right now. Don't ever, ever arrive early in South America. Especially when you are wearing sandals and a skirt and it is raining. 1 hour. I still can't feel my feet. The "wedding singer" just got done shouting his songs so now hopefully I'll be able to sleep.

Hospital

I guess I should give you a little back ground as to how I got there. Oh and by "there" I mean Vosandes, a big missionary hospital in Quito. So you remember the "death soup" right? Well after eating that, I never quite fully recovered and combined with a few other sketchy meals must have been what did me in. But who really knows?

This last Tuesday I started feeling funny, not like I wanted to tell jokes but more like I wanted to throw up on the guy smoking next to me. He would have deserved it too. We were at a soccer game, Quito vs. Uruguay and apparently every sports fan in Quito loves to smoke. I might have had a fever then but it was cold and raining in the outdoor stadium, so I couldn't really tell.

The next morning I dragged my self to work and got dragged to this lady's house so she could make breakfast, we were supposed to be doing house visits. Then she showed me her garden and guinea pig farm. I fell on the muddy mountain side. But what else is new? That was the 5th time falling for me last week, a record even for me. Well by this time I was really feel bad, pretty sure I had a fever. Asked to go by a store for medicine. We didn't. Went on one house visit but I sat in the chair and had no energy to get up and play with the little kid. So I went home early and suffered through one of the worst colds I've had in a while.

Next day, Thursday, I went to the doctor. But in my sickened stupor didn't think to ask for an English speaking doctor. So not every thing was really taken care of just the main cold but not the underlying stomach stuff, which wasn't so bad (or so I thought). Friday, woke up before my alarm, sicker than a dog! Oh and Friday I was supposed to go to Manta to visit Nick and the orphanage he's working at. So off to the doctor's I went, again. Worst day ever. Fast bumpy ride there. Sick all over again upon arrival. Then from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the worlds smallest exam table. After jabbing me several times to find phantom veins I'm finally IVed and a few tea spoons short of blood. Then after not being able to get my fever down (which took them until mid day to finally catch with thermometer) they sent me over to the hospital for over night observation and to figure out what was going on with me. Oh yeah, I'm sure you've guessed by now but I didn't go to Manta.

Get to the hospital. It's perfect, like out a movie. I'm looking down the halls filled with sick and well people walking or being pushed up and down it. All that's missing is some tinsel and some huge tacky Christmas ornaments hanging off the walls. A nice woman helps me when something falls over of mine. A baby walks around for 5 mins whispering "papa" the whole time. I mention this to the clerk who gets up looks around then sits back down uninterested, oh Ecuador. Baby found by mother. I want a coke at this point, I think "I hope I can have coke with this." Mayra rolls her eyes at me because she's more frustrated than I am at how long the sign in process is. Guy walks in with two pizzas and a coke. A cold coke. They never had cold coke here! I sighed. Then off to my room in a wheel chair, I kinda liked it, not going to lie. My room was alright, normal but no T.V. I was glad, it'd probably more annoying that any thing. Didn't sleep much that night, monitor kept going off and the buzzer was out of reach, nurses, blood drawn, in and out or pain, fever/chills, medication, roommate that sounded like Darth Vader when it slept, yes it.


Now Christine has reassured me that I'm not strange for thinking this, but I've always thought it'd be kinda exciting staying in a Hospital! But she did bring up a good point, in all of these day dreams being sick isn't really the main point. Well Christine, it's not worth it, I'll tell you that right now. They don't always come when you want them to or bring you want you want and you're still sick the whole time. In fact once I told a nurse that I was very cold and wanted another blanket, so she promptly pleaded off the warmer of two blankets off my bed and started to leave saying I had a fever and needed less heat! I swear if she was on my IV side I would have choked her out!!! I begged and got my old one back but no new one's.


Friday was the worst, Saturday not much better. It was pretty much the same as Friday night's list of events sprinkled with a visits from the family I live with. Mayra looking after me all the while.

Sunday was better, I wasn't as bad but still not better. They said I still had to stay. Got moved to a new room with better chairs and a balcony and a roommate from the states who had a worse time of it than I did! So apparently I'm not good at resting because I bent my IV needled in an L shape inside my elbow. So because they ruined every other part of my arms they had to insert a new on in my hand! Every finger movement brought a shot pain up my arm. You should see my track marks and bruises now.

They let me go back to the house on Monday. I'm not perfectly well but on the mends, I guess. I guess some good things that came out of it. I got to practice Spanish, although the vocabulary I picked up I hope I won't have to use in very many social situations! I'll never wonder what it's like to stay in a hospital, ever ever again. Probably never prayed "God help me" more times in one time period, I really had to depend on Him not just talk like I do. And the best thing of all: I GOT THREE HOT SHOWERS!

My life, it's kinda like a bad movie with some funny parts

So I just had the most awkward situation ever. I came back to the house after working and one of the workers here (they always seem to be having construction of some kind) was trying to talk to me. I thought he was trying to tell me something about my room and when I walked in to ask him what's up, he followed me and closed the door slightly and sat down and started to chat away! So I got my stuff to make lunch and walked out, then he heard the "boss" coming and told me to "shh" and walked quietly back to work! Then after that he came back and wanted me to sit down and talk with him. After asking my name and saying it was nice to meet me officially he reached over to give me what I thought was a customary greeting (a kiss on the cheek) but he gave me an awkward hug and tried to hold on for a bit. Then I didn' t know whether I should laugh or run away... so I pushed away and asked for his name and then promptly got up to make lunch while he talked to me, instead of doing his work. So here I am hiding in my room (oh by the way I have my own room with a bathroom now, if I forgot to mention that) waiting for 6 o'clock.



I saw a old guy with really swollen hands on the bus today. Well mostly just the fingers, but not like when a person has arthritis. I wonder what it was? I always see such strange things on the bus. I need to keep a bus journal.



So on Good Friday I ate this soup that they only have for Easter (Pascua) called Fanesca. It's 12 ingredients to represent the 12 disciples of Christ. I helped make it but mostly sat around and watched a Moses cartoon in Spanish. Well the soup was great. I loved it when I first ate it, but about 10 mins after eating it I pretty much hated it. So after praying and taking one Imodium I sat through 4 and half hours of church (a total of about 5 and a half hours of being there altogether). One of the worst days of my life. The poor kid that walked in while I was in the bathroom after eating what I now call "death soup" is going to have nightmares for life. I couldn't even yell at him to get out right away because I was puking. Such is my life.

And a strange life it is at that. I mean I've been thinking about it and it almost seems like it's not really my real life. Just a fake one for the time. I mean it's a year. I kinda started a new life here but then go home and restart all over again. It's a weird concept. I don't think this makes much sense.

I need to get motivated to speak Spanish, I've gotten lazy. I think was in a bit of a funk. Feeling really out of place here not sure how I fit in being white and not speaking much Spanish.

Oh and that's another thing, being a minority. Such a strange experience. I mean there is no settling or feeling normal. I get mistreated or worshiped. I'm not sure which is worse. I stick out like a sore thumb, and I'm always conscious of that fact. People rip me off, cut me off in lines, or ignore me because of how I look. The other day I blew up a cab driver because I thought he was ripping me off (turns out he wasn't) because half of them always try. I won't even mention the stupid cat-calls and whistles. I hate it.