One more time around

"The end of all things is near," well thats what it said in the Lord of the Rings and so it seems at times here. However, that is not the case. As these last weeks wind down, only 3 days left, it gets tougher and tougher to leave. There is so much here after 3 months that it is hard to leave. The construction and what we completed on the church (wall, door, columns, floor, stairs, tiling, painting, cleaning...) So much has changed and its been great to watch it grow. Even harder though are the people and relationships here. The family I am staying with in particular Fernando who has become a best freind and a brother, the people I work with everyday, the youth and the kids at the church and of course the pastor and the rest of the congregation along with everyone else that I have come to know. The list is sooo long. On top of it all the coutry is just gorgeous, soooo much in such a small country. To leave this and the nice weather and return to freezing temperatures and snow seems cruel at times. All this and so much more makes leaving here so hard. However, God is slowly giving me peace with leaving as there are people waiting for me at home, work to be done and of course, the hope of returning.

I apologize for not writing last week, I was a little short on time. To be honest the last 2 weeks have been more relaxed. Last week was filled with 1/2 days of work as we slowly prepared for the wedding last weekend. The wedding was a huge success, the first at the church and the first for the pastor. Every thing went great and it was a thoroughly enjoyable time. It was very similar to in the states, though in Spanish of course. It was held outside on an absolutely gorgeous day. The reception afterward was held on the second floor and everyone enjoyed it. Sunday was church as normal except our normal pastor (pator Luis) was visiting another church so the youth pastor, Franklin, gave the sermon. This week has subsequently been filled with last rendezous. Monday Fernando and I went and spent the afternoon in the center city, seeing a couple cites but otherwise just walking and talking. Tuesday and Wedsnday I spent with the contractor (Marcos) and his family. He has 2 sons and a daughter all in high school and just a really great family. I really enjoyed being able to spend time and talk with them. I'm really gonna miss that family. Thursday, I went with Guillermo and Rosa to Mindo, a town about 2 hours away. Unfortunately it was real cloudy, a rarity and we couldn't see much. We did however see a bunch of hummingbirds. Usually the town is filled with them and butterflies. However, becuase of the clouds and the lack of more time we couldn't see the butterflies and the waterfalls that help make the town so beautiful. Today was pretty relaxing, tonight we will go in to see the city at night. Tomorrow we are going to visit another city, Otavalo and then in the evening there is a going away party for me at the church. Sunday is church and packing and early Monday morning I leave for the airport. My flight leaves at 8:30am and after a layover in Atlanta I get into JFK around 8, assuming all goes according to schedule but you know how flying can be. So yeah, that is how my time is wrapping up here. I am really excited to see everyone back home, I really am. Its just tough leaving another family back here. Thanks again for all your prayers and support, they have been a huge blessing and aid here. God has used your help to do really awesome things here. Thank you. I love you all and look forward to seeing you all soon.

Hummingbirds (coibri) from Mindo