1/4 done

Hey all, so Saturday was the 1/4 mark. It seems to have flown by and at the same time soooo much has happened. Its been a long time really. haha. I apologize for not updating sooner, last week was pretty busy all around. If I remember correctly, the weekend of the 10th was pretty lax. Saturday the Inca's took me to Ambato, there home town about an hour away. They had big thermal heated pools there so we had a good time there for several hours. The water was yellow, which was slightly disconcerting until they told me that it was naturally that way... thank God for showers haha. No seriously, it was all good. Then upon return Fernando and I went to the youth group at the church. Another great time as we played games, sang and listened to a good lesson on living this new year to the fullest by finding our peace and joy and Christ and not in the circumstances that life throws our way. Sunday we went to church, which each week gets better and better as I understand and become more and more comfortable. Afterward, I just relaxed all afternoon. I watched some soccer with Juan, read, wrote a bit. Talked with Rosa and Juan. Fernando is generally busy with school work as he has a series of huge tests next week.
Last week was pretty busy then. Monday was Ethan's and Mark's last day and Lynford took us out to pizza hut, so clutch. haha. Not portofinos but some good American food. Haha. Tuesday, Rosa and I went to the market to buy produce. The market is freakin huge and filled with fruits and vegetables I've never seen before. We bought plenty, including guanabana (best fruit ever) and mangos. The mangos here are incredible. That afternoon Rosa and Guillermo took me to Centro Historico, the old, historic area of Quito. We saw a number of cathedrals plazas and statues as well as the government headquarters (the white house of Ecuador). I would post pictures but unfortunately I don't have my camera with me. Another time. The rest of last week and this week have been packed as we finished the wall (the door will be ready in a week) and building a closet under the stairs. Again, I would post pictures. I was actually about to write last Thrusday but we lost power, in fact 70% of Ecudor lost power for most of the evening. It was a good night though as I spent time with the Incas. This weekend I kept plenty busy as I helped clean the house on Saturday, followed by youth group that evening. I'm slowly learning all their names and its getting easier and easier to talk, although i'm still a bit slow to understand and speak. Sunday was again Church and a relaxing evening with the family, however, as Juan and I ran out to get bread for dinner, the neighborhood lost power for about 10 min. haha, just to keep things intersting.
This week is off to a fast start. haha. We are starting the second floor and oh what a project this will be. Monday we recieved a bunch of materials and set up the rebar for 4 of the columns and today we filled them. 4/15 done. haha. There is still a lot to go but over the next 2 to 3 weeks, it will all go up pretty fast. God has definately had his hand in it all as everything has gone smoothly without any injury. He has provided everything we need thus far. He has definately been working in me. Each day, despite my lack of sleep at times or soreness, he refreshes me everyday and fills me with joy to help and work. This week has been great so far. it rained more or less for 5 streight days, on and off last week but the last couple days here have been beautiful. I continue to thank God for his blessing in everything and he has definatley carried me along. I'm doing great and my Spanish is coming easier and easier. I still need to learn more vocab and work on my grammer but overall its getting better. Sleep is something of an issue. I've had some trouble sleeping at times, i'm not totally sure why. But somehow God has continued to give me the energy and strength that I need. Pray that he will continue to to do that as well as that he will give more confidance to talk to people. Its tough because my Spanish isn't great and it is difficult to understand them at times. Because of this, I don't talk as much as I want to. Thank you. Thanks again for your continued prayer and support. I love you all and can't wait to recount it all when I see you again.