The Least of These

[I (Lindsay) have now completed my Spanish language review and am volunteering during the day.]

Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'

And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

- Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV)

The past few days, I have experienced a touch of what He meant by``the least of these´´ in my volunteer work at a Catholic-run home for girls and older folks. In the morning specifically, I have been working with folks who are older, who do not have much money, and who do not have much mobility or control over their bodies. This means that they own very little, have to wear a diaper, have to be washed, and have to be fed. Basically, these folks have been taken in by a group of nuns and are cared for daily.

I never appreciated my ability to chew, to bathe myself, to have privacy, or simply to move around on my own. Take a moment, rub your tongue over your teeth, and appreciate these beautiful bones that help you chew your food. Aren´t they wonderful gifts?!

Last Thursday, I was asked to assist in bathing these older folks and it was one of the hardest things I´ve had to do in my life because I was forced to face this difficult phase in life. Why do the nuns do this each day? Perhaps to improve the last phase of life that these older folks live and to love these people that maybe are forgotten. Honestly, I did not want to face this difficult life phase. It made/makes me very sad. But I also realize that these people have lived long lives, and still are present, living. They simply don´t have their faculties about them as much any more. To love on them and treat them like people, like God´s children is a responsibility. Just because I have abilities and have my faculties about me shouldn´t mean that I deserve more respect or love.

Through this work, I am gaining a better understanding of LOVE. I have understood that it can be tough to love someone who is difficult or irritable emotionally. But is loving those who are physically challenged or incapable also difficult at times? It was difficult for me because I did not want to think about this phase of life. (I know, selfish thought.) But even this phase is still life. How much have I been loved and am loved every day? Do I appreciate this love or recognize it enough to allow it to overflow from me in difficult situations? Do you?

I so eagerly wanted to know these folks´stories; however, many of them do not have their mental capacities any more, so they cannot hold a conversation. BUT, I could care for them, love them, touch them, look into their eyes and see their history, and pray that they would experience the Lord´s LOVE still.

It is not pleasant, it is not pretty, but it is life, and we all have to live it. This past week, I faced ``the least of these´´ and I can´t say I enjoyed every moment, but I did hear my Lord say, ``This is what I mean by `the least of these´.´´ I was saddened at not being more honored to show love to them. I am confident that I am a child of God like all of you, but I certainly did not feel like the ``righteous´´ to which the scripture above refers. However, I am learning and pray that God is making me more humble, appreciative, and loving through each of these experiences.

Cuy (Guinea Pig)

Cuy (Guinea Pig) is a food here.

Yes, I know, it is also that little cuddly animal that lived in a cage in your house when you were 10, but here, it is a food, and we tried it this past Friday night. It is roasted and it often appears as though it was caught in mid-stride, and cooked just like that.

It tastes like salty chicken, and because you pick its body apart to eat it, it was tough for me to eat easily. Mark enjoyed it, and even tried the brain, which was not as tasty as the body...

Lindsay´s uncertain...

La mesa entera (the whole table)

La gente (the folks)

Mark is ready, head and all!

Afterwards...pile of bones.

Well, bones and meat in Mark´s stomach.

We then, went to Turi, which is a mountain overlooking the beautiful city where we live. ¡Viva Cuenca!

Parque Nacional Cajas

This past Sunday, we hiked...again, and this time, our legs were not sore. In fact, we feel great today-Monday (the day after). Perhaps, this is a sign that we are accustomed to the altitude finally...or the hike was simply easier than last time.

Parque Nacional Cajas was indescribable. Mark continously stopped, looked around, and said, ``This is beautiful!´´ We did hike #3 (estimated at 6 hrs, 55 minutes). We began at 9:10 and ended about 3 pm, with several breaks along the way. Hopefully, the pictures (below) will give you some idea as to how beautiful it truly was. We saw various people on horses or donkeys for the first hour and then we saw NO ONE for the next 4 hours. It was peaceful, romantic, memorable! We would both love to return, if we have time.

Video of our lunch break may be seen here.

Looking forward at the start of the trail.

Looking back at our start: the tiny ranger station in the distance.

We were to follow a very long trail, marked by these little blue markers on rocks. It was actually VERY easy to follow and we did not need a guide in any way.

Need I say more...we were in God´s country.

Following the trail...

Can you spot Mark? He is wearing a gray jacket.

Deep breath...(it was cold, hence the hat)

Waterfalls surrounded us throughout the hike.

More waterfalls.

Lindsay feels insignificant among these towering mountains.

These trees were like those from the Brothers Grimm fairytales.

Up close, you could see the red bark peeling off...incredible!

Almost finished!

The last sign, indicating the starting point, if we wanted to have another go!

#30

Folks have asked what has been the hardest adjustment so far, and for me, it has been being away from family and friends. I definitely took for granted the ease of picking up my US cell phone and calling anyone at any time.

So I have to admit, I was nervous about spending my 30th away from family and friends. Our Schwarz family gave me a beautiful birthday celebration in January before our departure, and I can still see the smiles of the family and taste the smooth chocolate cake on my tongue (one of the best cakes I have had). Our Hauser family will celebrate when we visit in August, which I look forward to immensely!

To my surprise, I actually was more sad a week before my birthday than on my actual birthday. I anticipated feeling lonely, but Mark decided to cook dinner for not just me, but the entire family of 20.

Mark and cuñado (brother-in-law) peeling avocados.

The final product: tuna salad-stuffed avocado on a bed of lettuce with a side a achote-spiced rice. YUM!

Thus, I was surrounded by the family with whom we are living and the smiles, (Happy Birthday song, in Spanish) was a nice taste of home.

To see a video of the family singing to me, please click here to be linked to youtube. I love Mark´s expressions in the video!

One thing that is a little unusual is that after they sing Feliz Cumpleanos, they then sing a song (``Te estas poniendo viejita...), which roughly translates into,``You are becoming an old person...´´ A different culture, but with a sense of humor! Of course, I don´t get hung up on age, unless it prevents me from doing something fun. The number 30 is actually quite a fun number.

Vilcabamba During Carnival

Our time in Vilcabamba, Ecuador. First of all, for both of us, it was one of our most favorite places in the world!! A city of about 1000 people (about 4200 when including the surrounding valleys), it is an excellent option for those wanting to relax.

It is known for having some of the best water in the world and so is home to numerous centennials (folks over the age of 100!). Although, you can not drink the water from the tap, the rivers apparently give long life if you bathe in them.

Outside the dates of Carnival, Vilcabamba is a sleepy town. However, during Carnival, thousands of people pour into the city to celebrate the holiday. In fact, they hold a desfile (parade) the first day.

I love that this float says, ``Fuera Gripe Porcina´´ (``Away Swine Flu´´) Here´s to Lisette in the ISA office for that one :)

This is Wilson. He works with the owner of the horseback-riding company through whom we rented horses. He was in the parade and apparently is well-known in the town because he was on the posters for Carnival.

We avoided getting bombarded with bombas most of the time, but we did receive carioca (foam spray) in the face a couple of times. The first day, we rode horses through the mountains, starting off in the center of town.

Once we got to the mountains, the view was breath-taking...

Looking down into the valley.

Yes, moms, we were that close to the edge, but it was beautiful. We kept telling ourselves that the horses wouldn´t want to fall, so they are careful.

Lindsay in the left-hand corner.

We hiked down to a beautiful waterfall. Can you find Lindsay in the picture? (I´m wearing a green jacket.)

Mark was bold enough to take a shower in the frigid water!

The last day, we decided to rent bikes (no pics because we were mojados-soaked). The first part of the ride was fun, with a few buckets (baldes) of agua being thrown at us. The second part of the ride was not as tranquil. We chose a route that was filled with people and their very large buckets of water, which they poured on us (and everyone else) over and over and over and over. Needless-to-say, we took a shower on bikes.

We returned to the hostal to shower and replace our ropa mojada (soaked clothing) with dry apparel. There, we met a really cool couple from Idaho who has been living in Guayaquil, Ecuador teaching at an English school. They were married, in their early thirties, and had normal jobs (teaching, and sales) in the US, when they decided to move abroad to teach, after attending an international teaching fair. They said the pay is pretty good, and it is a way to travel for free. In the next four months, they will be moving to Vietnam to teach at an English school there. Pretty cool!

Culture...Shock?

There are many things about the Cuencan/Ecuadorian culture to which we have had to become accustomed, but the hardest thing is the continuous fear of being hit with water balloons...yes, water balloons.

Since our arrival, the community has been preparing for Carnival, where stores close, and people pour into the streets to have a gigantic water / water balloon fight. Oftentimes, folks will throw some flour, raw eggs, instant coffee into the mix too. And if you don´t want to participate, well, too bad.

Walking calmly down the street one Sunday afternoon, we were looking for a panaderia (bread shop) when WHAM / SPLASH! A water balloon splashed onto my back. It was thrown from a passing car, and well, I, as the gringa (foreigner), was a target.

Carnival technically begins this Sat, but for Cuencanos, it begins in early January...

This weekend, we head to Vilcabamba where we will engage in friendly water balloon warfare. Prayers are greatly appreciated!

In Shape

In shape? We thought we were! We hiked in the mountains about two hours from Cuenca this past Sunday with the outdoors group Club Sanguay. It was beautiful!! (See pictures below.)

About being in shape...our legs are still sore (Thurs) from the 4-hr hike on Sunday. We climbed about 1000 meters of the Cerro San Pablo near San Fernando, in the state of Azuay, Ecuador.  Much of it was like stairs of steep rock. Our legs were burning and we were out of breath like everyone else, including a 70-year-old man who went with the group. We are still recovering and expect to be in great shape by the time we hit the Rockies in the US.

We hiked to the top of this mountain.

Mid-hiking, Lindsay´s hair had a mind of its own

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During lunch-time break, Mark found a cozy bed for a siesta.

Martin (host brother), Lindsay, Mark break with the group for lunch.

We were to hike to the very top via a rope, but it was too wet.

What goes up must come down...it was a steep walk on the way up, so a ``butt race´´ on the way back down.

View from above, and zoomed in of our starting point: the building with our bus awaiting our return.