A whole LOT

Hey all. So I know, I know I didn't post last week. I apoligize, work ran late and my time for calls and posting got cut short. However... Everything was a complete success. The group from the States arrived Thursday night and we worked real light on Friday as we finished preparation for the pour. Saturday was an absolutely perfect day, clear sunny and plenty warm. We had more than enough help and got it all done in 5 hours, less than planned. It turned out perfect. That night we had a fun time with the kids during youth group and the kids loved having all the American's there. Sunday was a good time, after church a lot of the kids hung out and we played soccer and american football. The later didn't go over so well but it was great fun all the same. haha. All the next week we spent tiling and painting the sanctuary and the bathrooms. I learned how to plaster cement, lay tile and crout tile. It was great and with all the help we got it all done. It looks fantastic, completely different from before. Last Monday, my family had the whole group over for dinner. It was busy but great all the same and the food was great. I got to stand in as 1 of only 2 translators, which is a lot more difficult than it looks. My brain doesn't change correctly always and found myself speaking to the Americans in Spanish and the Ecuadorians in English on numerous occasions. haha In the end it was all good and everyone enjoyed the evening. It was great being able to speak English, but according to my family, at the expence of my Spanish. haha. This Monday was there last day of work and we worked to the wire to finish everything up but we got it done. Thanks to God.

Last weekend was incredible. I went with Fernando and Juan to Ambato, a smaller city 2 miles south of Quito. It is well known for it lush and plentiful flowers and fruits. Saturday we went and saw the city of Ambato. It was much more tranquil than Quito. Being Valentines day, I got to talk to Heidi, she even tracked me down in another city. haha. I loved it though, as always. Sunday however was even more amazing. We went to visit Los Banos, a city about an hour from Ambato. It is gorgeous and very popular among tourists, for good reason. It sits at the base of a currently active volcano, Tungurahua, which was mad cool seeing the smoke pour out of as we approached. Becuase of this it is plesently warm and has tons of natural heated pools, fueled by the hot springs from the volcano. It is an absolutely gorgeous city. As you head out there is an route called Avenida de Cascadas, avenue of waterfalls. It is one of the most beutiful places I've ever seen. It winds through the mountains following various rivers and the are tons of waterfalls, absolutely gorgeous. On top of it all, I went bungie jumping over a river. OH MAN!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!! haha I loved it!! It really was intense and deffinatley had butterflies before and after but I loved every second of it. All in all it was an incredible day filled with excitement and absolute beauty.

This week has been real relaxing. We worked Monday to finish everything up but for now there isn't anything to do until next week when we remove the supports from the floor. So Tuesday I met Fernando in the center city after he finished his English class and we spent the day visiting measeums, the bascillica and other cites. It was a real good day with lots of fun. Yesterday Juan, Fernando and I went and visited a couple malls in the north part of Quito, the rich area, haha. We had a good time and we went bowling and played pool. It was their first time and was funny to watch. We had a real good time though. This week has been a good time to relax and experience more of Quito.

So all is well here. God has continued to bless me and my time here. I do miss home a lot but I continue to be filled here. The last couple days my stomach has been bothering me a bit as I think some of the food is catching up to me, though not bad. Don't worry. Just pray for this that it will get better and not worse. Continue to pray that God will provide me with His work and His guidance while I'm here. Thanks as always for the support and prayers and love. I miss and love you all and can't wait to get home in less than 5 weeks.

The bascillica. Impressive, gorgeous and yeah, we had a good time running around there. haha

Me in front of a waterfall in Los Banos. Absolutely gorgeous and yeah, yeah I slipped and my feet were wet the rest of the day. haha

Tungurahua. Awesome. It was real cool seeing a live volcano spewing smoke. Got blessed with a clear shot too. Mad cool.

And yeah, I jumped. haha. INCREDIBLE. I would advise to anyone to do it. But yeah, I can now say I jumped off a bridge.