We recently spent a week in Ecuador. Our trip down was quite memorable and by that I mean miserable. We started the trip out on very little sleep after having a two day long yard sale. Things got real interesting when the airline did not allow us to bring the car seat on the plane. For me (James) I was disheartened. On the other hand, Katie was in a six hour wrestling match. 

Right before take off. The last time Katie smiled until we landed. Hannah's look... well she is thinking, "They aren't strapping me in! I'm free!"

We made it to Ecuador. Katie's beautiful smile returns. Hannah was exhausted!

We had a layover in Panama where the air conditioning was not working in the airport. After lacing up the gloves again, we boarded the plane for Ecuador. We finally made it!

We landed in Guayaquil and drove several hours to Cuenca. Cuenca is a beautiful city located in the Andes.

Cuenca, Ecuador. 

 We stayed with the Sills family. They are great hosts, guides, and friends. After taking a day to rest, we traveled to Incapirca to visit the ruins. 

Incapirca, Ecuador

Incapirca, Ecuador on a very windy day!

When we left, we visited the training center in Tambo. When I walked into the church and training center, I saw both Pastor Felix and Manuel (a pastor who lives several hours away). They both greeted me with open arms, literally giving me a nice big hug. Right before we left, we met a Japanese lady, who knew Japanese, English, Spanish, and Quichua. She was a Jehovah’s Witness. We took a couple of minutes to share with her about the correct Jesus. We left that day, tired, overwhelmed with the need, but encouraged with all the work God is doing up in the mountains.

A blurry picture of Felix showing off a nice bed in the training center. 

The family at the training center in Tambo. 

We spent the rest of our time in Cuenca seeing the sights and sounds of the city. We went to the museum which doubles as a cultural center for the city with more Inca ruins. We went to the market to buy produce and I even went a got a cup of coffee! 

A nice cappuccino 

We went to the mall one day because their version of Wal-Mart is there. The store was like Wal-Mart in what they offer with less interesting people!

Before we came home, I was prepared with the required policies for car seats. The flights home were not as memorable. However, it was significantly better!

Beautiful smiles and straps the entire way!

A couple of funny things about our trip:

1.      1. We need a pressure cooker. It took us 4 days to cook black beans. That’s right 4 days. Because C2. Cuenca is almost two miles in the air, water boils at a lower temperature and things take longer to cook.

2.      2. We will be eating a lot of fresh produce. We bought $20 worth and it was all I could carry (and I’m incredibly strong, ok maybe not but we bought a bunch of stuff).

Wide angle lens required for $20 worth of produce.

3.      3. Ecuadorians love Hannah. Who doesn’t right? They loved seeing her and she loved them doting on her. My language was not good enough but I’m sure a couple of them talked about her chubby thighs. Thankfully she is only a year and half and those comments are still ok,

4.      4. We have much to learn. We need to learn language, culture, cooking methods, and relearn how to drive.

For all of you who have supported us, prayed for us, and even asked us how we are doing, thank you. We are setting final dates and times to leave for language school, mid-August but that is for another post.