baños.

Last weekend on our way to Baños, we drove right by Tungurahua, an active volcano that is still sending up smoke and ash. At night as we drove back, we could see fire in the crater.

We also hiked to see Bailón del Diablo, a beautiful waterfall, and we took a cable car across a valley - the best part of the day.

samuel.

Again today a little boy named Samuel pointed to my nose and said, "¿Porque tienes cosa acá?"
"Porque me gusta. ¿No te gusta?"
"No, porque es diabólico."

fútbol.

Last night I went to my first professional soccer game. We saw Liga Deportiva Universitaria play against Nacional de Medellín (Ecuador vs. Colombia) for the Copa de Campeones. Apparently it was a huge game. There were performers, and the presentation of the team included a fireworks display accompanied by a roaring, boisterous audience and tons of confetti falling from the rafters. Unfortunately Liga lost 0-1, but I must say - that's the most fun I've had so far in Ecuador.

supermaxi.

We went to a store today similar to Marsh/Kroger/Jewell-Osco. It's called Supermaxi. We call it Supermaxipad.

mitad del mundo.

When you stand on the equator, the force of the gravitational pull makes you weaker.

differences.

So far I've noticed that a few things are different down here on the equator:

• There are no enforced traffic laws (Quito may be the epitome of reckless driving.).
• The water in the toilet flushes clockwise (something to do with the rotation of the earth).
• Toilet paper must be throw in the trashcan (I can't get the hang of this.).
• Gas is $1.58.
• Everyone stares at us everywhere we go.
• Rottissery chicken is eaten with plastic gloves.
• There is a long wall that men use to relieve themselves, and it smells when it gets hot.
  

laurita.

Today I met some of the missionary kids. Little Laura pointed to my nose ring and said, "¿Porque tienes?"
"Porque me gusta," I said, "¿No te gusta?"
"No."

hello from ecuador.

I made it. After a long day of delays, missed flights, and rescheduling (which landed me in first class!), I made it to Miami to meet up with the NILI crew.

Ecuador has been nothing but amazing thus far. Quito is absolutely gorgeous. This is what I saw when I sat up in my bed this morning and looked out the window.Amazing. Who gets to have a mountain in their backyard? I do.

We've been on a busy itinerary since we arrived. Last night there was a welcoming party - they even set up a game room for us with ping-pong, foosball and a flat screen (We're not exactly roughin' it.). We had language placement testing this morning along with class scheduling followed by a trip to a humongous mall that had everything from grocery stores to clothing shops to a live band on a moving stage that traveled up and down from floor to floor. And the people are amazing. They're so sweet and so patient with the language barrier. And the weather is perfect - sunny and cool.

My assessment - so far, so good. I already feel like I belong.

leaving on a jet plane.

Indy to Atlanta to Miami to Quito. On Friday the 18th I'll be traveling from 8:30 in the morning until 10:00 in the evening. My grandfather has informed me that this is a day of bad luck - the Battle of the Bulge, in which he fought, ended unofficially on January 18, 1945. Thanks, Grandpa.

This semester I'm studying Spanish at the Nazarene International Language Institute (NILI) on the campus of the Nazarene Theological Seminary of South America in Quito, Ecuador.

God's hand has been prevalent in the preparations of this endeavor, and I've never been more excited for anything than I am now. I'm expecting great things from a great God.