Out and About

We've had a bit of a social time over the last few days! It feels like all our christmases have coincided. Friday we went to Vilcabamba and had lunch with Jason, a SIM team mate, Saturday was down to Landangui for lunch with Ulric, Natalia and Lelia (of French café fame) and a swim which Evie absolutely loved and Sunday, a picnic in the park with Patricia and Antonio and kids, from church. The Botanical Gardens are just outside of Loja and its a really peaceful place, lots of trees and herbs and little paths meandering through it all. We almost lost the Aerobe but John climbed under a serious barbed wire fence to rescue it. Having a few days like this helps with the loneliness that we feel, which while inevitable, is still hard as you work through the process of trying to build new relationships in another language and culture. Can you pray that we'll be patient in this process and also that we'll keep up the effort of making connections with people? Thanks!

Cycling in the Andes

A pretty regular week, but I did go riding three times. Mariana, the girl I go riding with, tends to take us up mountains which is not too hard to do when you are surrounded by them. But seeing as these are the Andes, they aren't very forgiving. I felt like I was going to throw up the other day as I tried to keep pushing upwards but in the end I decided it was better to just get off and walk for a while. There are benefits, the views are generally spectacular. Thanks God for making such an amazing world!

Discovering Gonzanama

It actually doesn't take too long, it's quite a small town! We spent a few days with our SIM team mates out there (Thurs - Sun), accompanying them on a bible study they do with a family with 8 kids, driving out to El Fundo to do a community consultation and generally finding out what they are involved in to bring the message of Jesus to this area. We also visited the local cemetery which was really pretty with flowers scattered all around and a great view of the Andes stretching away into the distance. This is an amazing country.