Culture to Culture

When one of our work teams was here we took them to visit Otavalo, an Indian market place. We also visited Cotachachi or "leather town" as we call it. While we were there a parade of the towns people passed by. We tried to find out what they were celebrating, and finally Israel said, "I think because it is a small town, they just have lots of festivals to keep everyone happy and busy." The thought occurred to me how similar our cultures are, because in the town we raised our own kids in, I think they had a festival for every season of the year. And yet, there is the same tension of the colliding cultures, for example the young boy about three rows back in his t-shirt from a North American store. We have our festivals to preserve our cultural traditions and without even realizing it, we have absorbed an entirely different culture into our midst.

Seems like only yesterday...

A new group arrived last evening and while we were at church with them today in Calacali, the Ecuadorians who are here training to be facilitators decided to help us celebrate our Anniversary by toilet papering our house. As always, if you click on each picture you can get a better look at the image. Many of us probably consider this a "North American" tradition but I have to tell you they did a very thorough job of covering the front of our house. When we arrived home they were on the other side of the mountain cheering for us. We feel very loved!

The Culprits!

"Hit the Ground Running"

We returned to El Refugio on June 15th and literally hit the ground running. We arrived at the same time as our largest group of the summer (49 people). Geneva Youth, from Illinois has been coming every summer for the last seven years and we have had the privilege of spending time with them the last three summers. Sterling, the Youth Pastor, does an amazing job with the students and every time their bus drives out we are sad to see them go.

As part of their VBS the group put together a craft project where the kids made beaded necklaces that told the redemption story. Danielle is the one who translated the story and instructions to the children from Calacali.

Howard helped out with the craft project as well.

VBS also included field day activities. Jonathan is kneeling down next to one of the children.

Kim and Robin McCart come each year and serve so faithfully with the group. They are known as counselors to the kids and fellow leaders to the church. For Howard and I they have simply become our friends who we love dearly.

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are??? Dr. Seuss

Our final event before we headed back to Ecuador was Danielle's graduation from High School on June 13th. We were blessed to be a part of the Desert Christian Home School graduation. Fun time for our whole family. Seems hard to believe our youngest daughter is one step away from college. Danielle has been accepted and plans to attend Fresno Pacific University, majoring in Liberal Arts so she can teach elementary education. She received the President's Scholarship for her GPA and her score on the SAT. We are so proud of her!

"Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!" Dr. Seuss

Biola University's graduation was our next event. Kevin graduated with a BA in Fines Arts
Magna cum laude.
And yes that is a chartreuse tie he is wearing :)