We're home!

It was a long day, but we made it. And what a great homecoming. We were surrounded by family and friends as soon as we stepped off the plane. After lots of hugs, we were whisked home to a banquet fit for a king of all of our favorite foods. And more family and friends. It was really great.

We are indebted to so many people that took care of literally everything while we were gone. They handled absolutely every minor detail and that was a huge load off of us. We didn't have to worry or think about anything.

It feels so good to be home. I think my dog and cat even remember me.

Ciao from Ecuador

Well it is very hard to believe, but our bags are packed and we are headed home at 3AM. It seems like only last week that we were discussing if this trip was even possible.

We have seen incredible things, met amazing people and made some great new friends. This trip was a success in so many ways, I can't even begin to list them all. I know that going back home is going to be a shock to all of us. Life is much simplier here, and I love it.

I will leave you with my favorite quote of the trip. We were with Dan Maloy from Extreme Response one day and we were asking where he was from and such. He told us he was from Akron and we were all surprised. We travelled thousands of miles from home and the guy we are riding with used to live 20 miles from us. Adam asked Dan which place was more fun to live in, Ohio or Ecuador. Dan thought for a moment, and then answered "I enjoy life more in Ecuador." Isn't that great?

Even though this is an amazing place, I don't think it is just the fact that he is in Ecuador that makes life more enjoyable. I think it has a lot to do with living on the mission field. I know I just wake up different here. My first thoughts are not about work and stuff, but more about what God might have in store for us today. I think more about people and making the most out of the day rather than just getting through it.

I can't wait to get home and start applying some of the things that I have learned here.

Adios from the middle of the world!

Eggs

Yesterday we went to the Equator. We conducted a hole bunch of experiments, my favorite was balancing an egg on the head of a nail. No one else really did it they all just did it for a quick second, mine stayed for ever. And i got this Egg Master's Diploma. Ain't it perty. As my cousin Rachel would say, Ain't it perty-fully.

Matt

Pululahua Crater and True Equator

Yesterday we went with our friend Michelle to do some sight seeing. She took us to the Pululahua Volcano. The volcano blew over two thousand years ago leaving a massive crater. There is a village in it now. It is the only inhabited crater in the world. I can't even describe how incredible it was. We stood at the top and looked down into the crater at this beautiful, quiet village. There was a path that went down to the village. It went straight down the side of the mountain. The people ride horses or donkeys to get back and fourth. Within the last few years the first and only road into the village was built. The crater has its own weather system. It was breathtaking to watch the clouds come over the side of the mountain, sweep over the village and then come back up the side we were on and sweep over our heads. I felt honored to be able to see this unique part of God's creation.

Our driver suggested we visit a museum and the sight of the true equator. We had visited the equator monument a few weeks earlier. We learned that the equator site that we had visited was determined in 1738. It is located 200 meters from the actual equator. I think that is amazingly accurate for 1738 technology! The site we visited was determined in 1995 using GPS technology and is the true equator. We took a tour and our guide showed us some unbelievable experiments.

She took a wash tub about three feet into the southern hemisphere and put water and a few leaves into it. She then pulled the plug. We watched the water drain in a clockwise motion. She then set it on the equator and did the same thing . The water and leaves drained straight down. She then moved it about three feet into the northern hemisphere. We watched in awe as the water drained in a counter clockwise motion.

Next she showed us how you can balance an egg on a nail head. Steve, Matthew and Michelle were able to do it. It really can be done but only on the equator!

We then stood on the equator, held our arms out with thumbs up and eyes closed and tried to walk a straight line. Some did better than others. As I lifted each leg to move I could actually feel the centrifugal force pulling me to each side.

It was astonishing to learn about and see the effects of the earth's rotation and gravity at the equator. We ended the day with dinner at a restaurant. They had delicious empanadas. Another incredible day in Ecuador!
Michelle

ellie's blog 2

We went in a volcano today. We were so close to the clouds. This volcano blew up and made a big hole. Now there are houses in the hole. There is a path that you can go down and go up.

We also went to the equator. We saw a thing with a bunch of water and leaves and the water went different ways. There was this 170 year old house and about that, there was guinea pigs in a cage and spiders underneath. There was a giant snake that was dead.

Ellie

Last Day at Nuevos Amigos

Today we went to Nuevos Amigos Christian School for the last time. Steve had some software to install on the computers. We haven't been there for over three weeks. We were excited to see the staff again. Steve worked on the computers and we talked with Rosio and Ricardo. We gave them money that the kids at RiverTree have donated over the summer. They need a desk, chalkboard and some other items for the 2nd and 3rd grades they are adding this year. Ricardo will use the money towards purchasing those items. We are so proud of the kids at our church and how they partnered with us to help kids just like them!

We were able to take pictures of Vianca for a friend of mine who sponsors her. In the picture she is holding his latest letter to her. People, please write your sponsor children. Whether you sponsor through Compassion, ChildReach or some other organization. In my opinion the children value the letters far more than the money you send each month. One look at Vianca's precious face and you can see that.

Our kids played with some of the neighborhood kids. It was fun to hear them laughing and giggling. Every once in a while they would run by the room I was in and I would hear them speaking Spanish to the kids. Things like corre (run) or arriba (up). Ellie really can roll her r's - it's funny. Anyway, it was sad to know our time there was ending.

So our van arrived and we packed up and headed up the hill. When we came out to the street where the van was parked the kids began hollering "Eric!" I looked up and there was Eric running full steam down the hill with his arms open and a huge smile on his face. Eric is mentally challenged and one of the sweetest children we have met in our time here. He stopped for a moment with the kids and then pushed them aside saying "madre!" He then came running to me and gave me a huge hug.

Once we said our goodbyes we piled in the van and drove away with Eric waving and giving us two thumbs up. It was the perfect end to our time at Nuevos Amigos. We will not soon forget Eric and his enthusiasm for life. What a gift.

Michelle

-To our friends from the ChildReach team - the area where we dug up grass and rocks is now a cement patio! We have pics to show you.

Old Quito

What a day. We went to the oldest parts of Quito. From the 1600s. The first place we went was the oldest cathedral. It had two gigantic bell towers 250 feet to literally the very top about 25 stories. We were at the very point on top. And let me tell you that the ways to get up were the scariest ways EVER invented. So, first was an elevator which was of course broken. Then some regular stairs. Then of course a staircase attached to nothing, no more than two foot wide. Then how bout this, a bunch of ladders. Oh and hey, the top floor wasn't even finished. It was just rebar ready to be cemented. Here's a pic of me at the very top. And of course I was the only one to go up to the top. My dad took this pic from the 24th floor, I'm on the 25th.

So the second tower was more of an adventure. To get to it you had to go across a bridge which went across the top of the cathedral. Then at the end we had to go up a ladder to the top. My mom decided not to go cause there was no railing. She turned around and noticed there was a whole line waiting, she decided to go up. Here's the bridge.

The next place we went to was the president's quarter's. This place was so heavily gaurded. There were army with shotgun's, machineguns, grenade launchers, pistols and rifles. It was like they were waiting for the dang Venezuelan army to come and attack.

After that came the Metropolitan Park. It is the biggest park in Quito. It is located on the top of a mountain. We walked some trails, played on the park and had a blast.

By: Matt