Oh, the places you`ll go!

Waiting for the bus

"Out there things can happen

and frequently do

to people as brainy

and footsy as you. 

And when things start to happen,

don´t worry.  Don´t stew.

Just go right along.

You`ll start happening too.¨ 

-Dr. Seuss

Training Camp adventure!

I`ve been living out of that big backpack for the last two weeks.  We traveled to Quito (again) to meet Joaquin (YL coordinator for Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador) who came to lead our Training Camp talks.  Then we headed further north to our camp site at Hacienda El Refugio.  It was a great weekend with a total of 48 leaders and student leaders ready to learn, train, and put into practice the vision and mission of YL. We also had a ton of fun hanging out, playing games, and building teamwork.  It was incredible to see how God is raising up other leaders throughout the country who have a heart to see teens know Jesus.  The YL Ecuador family keeps getting bigger and bigger!  We left camp feeling uplifted and focused on building genuine relationships with kids through contact, camp, Club, campaigners (JAMS), and Christ. 
     While everyone else headed back to their homes, Ivan, Joaquin, and I headed to the airport.  We flew to Cuenca (southern end of Ecuador) to meet with interested adults and YL leaders to continue to share the vision.  We stayed with an American family and so I got to have a small taste of home for a day (fresh coffee, English conversations, and coffee bread!)  Cuenca is a beautiful city!

Downtown Cuenca

Of course, no trip would be complete without something unexpected happening.  While walking downtown in Cuenca, we ran into one of the YL leaders who had been at the training camp.  He was on his lunch break.  An hour or so later, we get a phone call from the leader asking if Ivan, Joaquin, and Dayana (Area Director for Cuenca) would be willing to talk on a tv show about YL in Ecuador!  Sure, why not?  It turns out he is a camera man for the tv channel Unsion and they had an open slot for a program about families for an interview.  We headed to the tv station and Ivan prepped for his interview while I stayed behind-the-scenes as his loyal entourage.  They were able to present the vision and mission of YL and detail where YL is already in place within Ecuador and make a special invitation to those living in Cuenca to check out the local YL Club.  One thing is for sure, life with Ivan is NEVER boring!  After a quick time in Cuenca, we headed back to Quito, went straight into two other meetings with various people to talk about YL and finally got to rest in the afternoon.  The following day, we continued on in our visa saga.  We paid for my visa, and turned in my passport.  We were told to come back in one week to pick up my passport (with the new visa inside).  We spent a few days in Quito, running errands, visiting with Ivan`s sisters, and meeting with several YL contacts.  On our way back to Shell, we stopped in Ambato to visit my aunt (and her family).  Finally, we arrived home to Shell, with just enough time to wash all our dirty laundry, clean house, and repack our bags!  Tomorrow, once again, we get on the bus to Quito to retrieve my passport and then we head out to Colombia for Tricolor (YL meeting with leaders from Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador). I`m not sure I knew what exactly I was signing up for when I married Ivan and moved here.  Through all the chaos and activity, I am learning to find my rest and calm in God.  To take advantage of the small moments and to enjoy the journey. 

View from the plane, entering Quito

"You`re off to great places,

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So... get on your way!¨ 

-Dr. Seuss