Off and Running

hola todas!
i hope this posting finds you well as the summer season is quickly ending for you guys up there, sorry to say, but i imagine that there is still time to take part in one last adventure.
i have officially completed the first week of my full time work in the morning and afternoon, i actually learned a lot both about my job and a little of what i can expect from this year.
let´s just say that it started out rough, but by the time friday came my attitude became more positive and hopeful that God is going to reveal some amazing things through the many challenges and opportunities He will present.
thanks to the amazing support of you guys through prayer and email response i am motivated to take a hold of this adventure that God has laid out.

as far as my job goes, i will outline more of that the next week.
i´m actually heading to my first soccer game in a few minutes here in ecuador, so i´m going to make this a very short email, but i will update more this week sometime about more specifics.

i wanted to say best of luck to all those starting school and to everybody in their jobs who usually go back to school at this time, but find that this year is a little bit different...i am of course talking about people like me!
man, that is weird.
i wish blessings from God unto you life.
sam

Getting into the Swing

buenas! (August 15)
i imagine that nfl season and fall sports are getting underway in the U.S., definitely a different feel here because school is in full bloom and this is one of the coolest times of year for Ecuador!
it is offically two weeks since we arrived here in ecuador and it sure seems like we have been here much longer than that.to go back to the basics, there are eleven of us rostro de cristo volunteers, 6 girls and five guys, where we are split up into two houses which are about a mile apart in an urban barrio city of about a quarter million people who either do not work and have their own animals and just survive, people who migrate to the major city of guayaquil everyday for work or do service or construction within duran...its the fourth largest city in ecuador.
so, the area i live in is one of the newer, which means poorer here, areas...no paved roads just rocks and dirt and most people live in cain shacks or cement houses which are about the size of a living room.the house us volunteers live in is like a mansion in comparison where we have guards and a fence around us because it is a relatively dangerouis area because of the poverty and because peopole know we have money simply because we´re norteamericanos.
rostrodecristo really stresses health and well being because if we get sick or whatever, what good is that for the community because we´re won´t be able to be with teh people or be active, so trying to live like the people live here is near impossible.
so, this week we´re just spending time walking around and talking to people, my spanish is getting better where i can carry a simply conversation for a limited time, i´m working at a after school program right now everyday with tons of kids and many helpers fro mthe community.next week i´ll be startin my other job in the mornings.
PRAYERS: 1. That the people of duran will look to Christ for all inspiration and hope.2. Us volunteers to see our purpose for us being here...(I´ve asked myself this question more than a few times)3. Spanish ability for all of us in order to communicate clearly, creative ways of communication.4. Us volunteers to be able to keep Christ as ouir center in the midst of differenes.
thanks for all responses, i would love to hear from ya´ll when you get a chance, i check this about once a week or so.enjoy the rest of the summer season before the school season!bendiciones.
sam

After First Week

Hola de Ecuador! (August 8)
I am doing alright here thus far, but I am beyondoverwhelmed with everything thus far...trying tolearn spanish, living with other people, the poverty, avery welcoming culture and everything in between.
I don´t have much time right now because we´ve been kind of on a tight schedule because our incountry director, kevin, has been showing us around the area.its been a little crazy.first time I have been able to check my email forthree weeks because I had an orientation inWashington DC and there are a limited number of interet cafesarouind here, and none close to my living area which makes it a big effort to even get to one.
thanks to everyone for your support and prayer thusfar, keep praying for an understanding of thespanish language, the ecudorian culture and to be focused on the face of christ.
believe it or not but i haven´t taken any pictures yet, nobody really has because we´re trying to respect the culture since we don´t even really know these people yet.
we have many contacts though and we´ve met many community members because volunteers are here every year so they know what we´re all about.it´s been very challenging practicing spanish, the people are very nice about it but they still talk super fast! plus, in this area of ecuador they slur and mumble over all their words...which makes it more difficult.
ok...more later...thanks for the prayers and all!
i´m definitely going to respond later to the personal emails later when i have more time.
many blessings!
sam