We made it

After 2 flights and 12 long hours of traveling we made it to Quito. Upon arrival we made our way through customs which took around and hour and a half to two hours, while donning masks given to us on the plane incase of swine flu (that was for calvin and mike). After customs we loaded a truck with all of our luggage and in the midst of that we recieved our first glimpse of poverty. A young boy, no more than 6 or 7 years old approaches me with his dirt covered hands stretched out towards us asking us for money. What to do? We were told not to give money because it is often used to feed an addiction to coca-paste. So for a few moments I stood there feeling guilty and not sure of what to do- knowing I shouldn´t give him money, but not wanting to be passive. I realized that I had a bag of goldfish in my bag, so I gave them to him. I didn´t feel I did enough, but I didn´t know what else to do.

After that we got into the truck and went to the house we are staying at. The city at night is amazing, although rundown to various degrees. The city is a long strip wih both ends on mountains. The house we are staying at is on the south-end of the city, so our view is spectacular. I´ll get some pictures of it tonight.

Today we didn´t get to do too much. We were all feeling really tired from the long day of traveling and the high altitude was also playing with our bodies. So we slept in till about nine then made our way down to the church where some people played basketball and soccer with some of the kids. Still feeling short of breath from the high altitude I sat on the side and just watched and took pictures. We then made our way back to the church where the kids all got a snack and then went home around noon. Some ladies of the church prepared us lunch which was really good.

I´ve heard it said from almost every person who has gone on an overseas mission trip. But these people have so much less than us, yet they are so much happier than we are with what they have and they are so much more generous with what they do have. The children here are thrilled to play with a worn out basketball on hoops with no nets while Americans aren´t happy unless they have the latest video game, and even then- they´re still yearning for the next new thing.

The language barrier isn´t as bad as I had thought it would be. I´m remember a few more things than I thought I would, and many people here know atleast a little English. So communication, while difficult, is still possible.

I´m excited to see what the week holds and I hope that we get to do a lot of work in the next couple days. Along with touching the lives of people at the church- I hope and pray that in someways I can help people on the streets, even its as simple as buying them a soda...

In Christ,
Nick Martino