Lizzie's time in Guayaquil

So it has been a week since we have gotten back form Ecuador.  I still have so much going through my mind and I am still processing lots of things.  When people ask about my trip, it is hard to come up with a few words to describe it.  The first things that I tend to say are "amazing" and "life changing".  I wish I could tell people about every smile, hug, person, and experience, but if I did that you would be listening to me for days! 

I loved everything about my trip! But I think the thing that I loved the most was the people I met while I was there.  Every person we met was so kind.  They all had such joy in their faces.  It  was amazing to see how most of these people had next to nothing but they still had so much.  It is hard to think how when we don't get to go shopping as much as we want or get the newest iPhone or other tech toy, we get upset ao easily.  When I see how these people don't have running water, a loving family to come visit them, or shoes to wear on their feet, it makes me realize how INCREDIBLY lucky I am and I wonder why I am not more happy with all I have.  

I was sad that the trip was over, but I realized that this is really only the beginning! I love the direction in which God is leading me.  I love the friendships I have made and strengthened over this trip. I continue to pray daily for the amazing people I met on my trip and I will always cherish the memories I have made with them! 

Lizzie (right) and Jane helping Blanca to fit some pairs of shoes.

Lauren's week in Ecuador :)

My week in Ecuador was full of memorable experiences.  Everyone I met was so kind and they made each made me feel very welcome.  One of the most memorable experiences was interacting with the patients at Damien House.  I really enjoyed spending time with and getting to know each and every one of them.  Their stories were very inspiring and I loved seeing how God is so important in their lives.  Another memorable experience was driving through Duran to the after school programs.  It was difficult to just sit in the van and watch as we drove through the dirt roads and shacks people called home.  The children were all very full of energy and they loved the one-on-one attention--I will always remember their bright, smiling faces!

The unforgettable experiences I had in Ecuador have truly impacted my life.  Seeing how little the people have and how simply they live has really encouraged me to believe that material things don't make us happy.  Although the patients at Damien House were happy to receive a new pair of shoes or a new outfit, I truly believe it was the kind, loving attention we gave them while helping them chose the shoes or outfit that put the smiles on their faces.

I really enjoyed every moment of the time I spent at Damien House and the after school programs.  Although the language barrier was slightly challenging, I worked through it and I really enjoyed the conversations I had with my new friends.  I can't wait to return next year! :)  

Lauren at Manos Abiertas, the after-school program in 28 de agosto.

Beth's experience in Ecuador!

It was such a beautiful experience to lead a group to Damien House. It seemed so surreal - all these months of dreaming, planning -- and then we arrived?! What?!? haha! My role was so different than anything I've done yet in Ecuador, so it was still a lot of new for me.

I loved my one afternoon, I believe it was Wednesday, where I literally just spent two hours with Alcides and Fortunato as they chatted and Fortunato made his hammock. It brought back so many memories of the first time I experienced Damien House, in the fall of 2008! Four years later, did I ever dream I would have volunteered in Ecuador for a year and now brought another 10 people back to experience the magic of Sister Annie and Damien? I'm so blessed.

Speaking of Sister Annie, it was a huge blessing to be able to spend time with her that week. I've known Annie since junior year of college, but didn't really get to know her until later in my volunteer year (probably April 2011ish). Her sparkle and enthusiasm radiated throughout our group, and it was so lovely to see her in action all week long with the patients at Damien.

Huge shout-out as well to the group. You all accomplished so much - going out of your comfort zones with food, speaking Spanish, processing the difficult situations, and taking responsibility to do something about injustice in the future. I couldn't be more proud of where all of you are going in your life journey (Kata and Ana Maria, this includes you!) and cannot wait to see all the incredible things you continue to do in life. The reflections we had in Ecuador amazed me beyond words. Thank you.

And lastly, to all the supporters of our trip - my family and friends, the people at St Joseph's Parish, and all the connections we made along the way. The many donations, contributions, emails, text messages - it's wonderful, and I cannot thank you enough!

Have a blessed day, everyone!

Peace,
Isa (Beth)

My afternoon with Alicides and Fortunato.

The leaders - me, Ann Marie, Annie and Kathleen!

Jane's reflection about Damien House!

            It's been officially more than a week since we've returned from Ecuador. Can you believe it? Everything I see, hear, smell, or taste reminds me of Ecuador. It triggers a memory -- a beautiful memory that makes me smile, then cry (because I miss it so much). It seems to be the little things that I miss... those little memories are the most precious. Like...

• ·        Spanish murmuring around me (that I don't understand). It's weird hearing English -- funny, right? I grew so accustomed to the Spanish language that now English seems foreign.
• ·        All the kisses. I love how Ecuadoreans greet you with kisses on the cheek! It's such an intimate, friendly gesture that I miss dearly.
• ·        Pedro's hugs. Pedro was my buddy during the week. He is 92 years old and perhaps the most suave person I have ever met. I loved hearing his stories and sharing my own stories with him. He really made an effort to speak articulately so that I might understand him. A special bond formed between us... and the hug he gave Liz and me at the goodbye party was the best hug I have ever received.
• ·        Driving around with Manuel. Manuel was our designated driver for the week. He took us around town and joined us at meals. He was sweet, charming, and friendly -- and an AWESOME driver (it's tough to navigate the streets of Guayaquil!).
• ·        Sister Annie's contagious energy and positivity. There are no words to adequately describe Sister Annie's charismatic personality. One day she hopped into the van and said, "Woo-eee! I have a lot of energy today!" Our response: "Annie, when do you NOT have energy?" :-)
• ·        Reflection on the roof. Above our guest house was a beautiful courtyard terrace that overlooked the city. Each night we had reflection there. It was the perfect spot for meditation -- especially with the HUGE Jesus statue in the distance.
• ·        Practicing Spanish with Anny. Anny was a guest house employee. We helped her with her English and she helped us with our Spanish. Oh... we shared so many laughs, especially when it came to pronunciation.
• ·        The guards greeting us at Damien House. So sweet. Some of the male patients work as gate guards. It was such a wonderful sight to see them open the gates for us when we arrived... especially because they never stopped smiling.
• ·        Helping the children at Semillas with homework. Math was our favorite subject, and most of the kids' as well. We loved math because it involved a universal language -- numbers. This made it easy to communicate with the children.
• ·        Counting Barcelona jerseys. There are two major fútbol teams in Guayaquil -- Barcelona (yellow) and Emelec (blue). Sunday, Barcelona had a game and a TON of Ecuadoreans were sporting their yellow jerseys. We counted over 400 people wearing Barcelona gear! Barcelona ended up winning the league championship. The streets were full of fans celebrating the team's win.
• ·        Pretending to be "monos" (monkeys) with Ricardo. It was difficult to understand Ricardo, so we came up with inventive ways to interact with him. He particularly liked it when we pretended to be animals.
• ·        Wheelchair racing with León. Boy, that man can move FAST! Us girls didn't stand a chance against his speed.

            And most importantly, I miss the SIMPLICITY of life in Ecuador. No deadlines, no stress, no extravagant things... simply LIVING, embracing the moment and going-with-the-flow. It's refreshing. Simplicity is one little way I can try to live in solidarity with the people who changed my life.  

The motto

(Source)

           

            I never realized one trip could influence me as much as our trip to Ecuador has -- and in such a short amount of time. I will never forget the people I met, the sights I saw, and the things I learned. My heart is fuller, my faith is stronger, and my thirst for justice and service is unquenchable. Ecuador... you will forever hold a place in my heart.

Abrazos y besos (hugs and kisses),

Talia (Jane)

Ah! This picture captures the moment so perfectly. Lizzie and I talking to Pedro and Sister Annie dancing in the background :-)

Pretending to be monkeys with Ricardo