Buenas Noches Amigos!

I am so sorry I haven't written in a little over two weeks. I have been so busy, and haven't had much internet access. Last I wrote Ecuador's police force had broken out in riots and we Americans were all shut up behind locked doors. We weren't sure if they would succeed in overthrowing the president. I should have written a quick note since then to give you all an update and let you know that I am still safe. I apologize for keeping you in any suspense.

Quito felt quite uneasy and less safe for a few days after I wrote you last. We stayed inside for the majority of those days and took extra precautions since there was no police force to keep theft at bay. After a few days, the president regained control and set the national military over all police duties. This policy will remain in effect for 60 days as a precaution and a punishment for the police. The only noticeable difference between the military and the police protecting everyone is that the military has much more power than the police. Such as, if I was robbing a house the military could shoot to kill me on sight with no questions asked, whereas the police could not. (Good thing I'm not planning on robbing any houses.) We all just have to be a little more careful to not appear to be making any trouble. Other than that, things seem completely back to normal. I am so grateful for all of your prayers. :) I know so many were lifted up on behalf of my team and this country. Dios le pague (May the Lord repay you for your kindness). :) We are continuing to pray that the president would be given wisdom to know how to deal with the requests of the police.

A few days after the riots, each member of my group and I moved to our homestays with separate Ecuadorian families throughout the city. I have been with my family in Eastern Quito for two weeks now, and I have loved it. There is just a husband and wife, Juanita and Dario. They are around 30 and have been married for a little over one year. They are incredibly sweet. My living situation was arranged specifically for me because I do not have as much Spanish knowledge as the other short-term kids. Juanita is actually American. She came down here as a missionary five years ago and met Dario. I am constantly amazed by her and the strength of character she must have to give up everything in the States and marry someone in a foreign country with a different first language. (Can you imagine the misunderstandings that could come from that?) I have been so blessed to learn from her quiet strength.

Dario is fully Ecuadorian. He is from a small indigenous community in the Oriente (Amazon jungle). He has an incredible God-glorifying story as well. His family of seven lived in poverty until he became a sponsored child through Compassion International when he was young. He now works with Youth World as a missionary, serving his own country. Whoever would have thought that I would live in the household of, and be personally blessed by, someone who was once a sponsored child. I think it's the coolest thing ever. How encouraging is that to those of us in the States that sponsor children overseas?? They may grow up to be men and women who bless countless lives in their own countries as a result of your faithfulness. Dario has been such a joy to know and has helped me soo much with my Spanish.

The last thing I want to share with you all is about my internship at the orphanage, For His Children. I have been working there for two weeks now, and I could go on and on and on about it. Most of my stories will have to wait until I am back in the States and can talk face to face though. Basically how this orphanage works is there are several different houses where different age groups live. So there is a house for infants, for 2-3 years, 4-5 years, and so on. There are also separate houses for the special needs children.

This orphanage receives their children mostly by police bringing children they find abandoned in trash cans, on streets, etc. What is truly sad is that the orphanage only accepts children under the age of three, so those who are any older (i.e. seven, ten, fourteen, etc.) have lived at the orphanage since they were babies, never having been adopted. The houses are run by Ecuadorian women the children call Tias (aunts). Things are run a lot like a summer camp, with designated times for every activity, and the children's names written on every object and clothing item. My job is to do whatever the Tias ask me to do. Most days so far that has been with the special needs children, with varying ages from around 7-16. (I had marked specifically on my application that I was comfortable working with them.) About half of these children are so disabled that they cannot talk and can barely move their limbs. I enjoy taking these precious children of God on walks outside in their reclined wheelchairs and singing them little songs like Jesus Loves Me. They may not be able to understand me, but the stimulation of my voice and touch is incredibly important to their health. Other things that I do at the orphanage besides playing with the kids include feeding them, helping at the preschool, doing dishes, laundry, and other chores that need to be done in any home. Working at the orphanage has been challenging in every way - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritally, but very rewarding at the same time.

Like I said, I could go on and on about each one of the kids there and what a blessing they have been to me already, but I'll save my stories. Every time I blog I feel like I just barely scrap at the surface of everything that goes on here, but yet my notes are soo long! :) I hope they're not too painful to sit through. ;) In a week and a half I will be half way through my time here in Ecuador. It's amazing how much I can feel for these people and this country in only a matter of five weeks. Though I miss you all, I am thriving here and looking forward to the weeks to come. I am not allowed to post pictures of the orphanage online, but you'll get to see them when I'm home. You can also go to their website and see pictures by searching google for For His Children Ecuador. One specific prayer request I have this week is that God would give me energy. I have been pretty exhausted lately and that affects how much I can engage with learning Spanish, and with the children and tias at the orphanage.

I hope and pray you are all doing well in the States and around the world. Feel free to email me if you want and I will do my best to respond. :) Hopefully my next blog will be in one week, so it won't have to be as long as this one. :) I love you all and am so thankful for each one of you. May you feel God's presence close to you and find your joy only in Him this week.

Sincerely,

Jenni