Attention:

I know this is going to be a shock for everyone who is aware of my phobia of kids, but I am loving VBS. The team is split into two groups, and everyday some people go to VBS and some go to construction. Personally I like the construction part of missions because I love seeing the end result of what you have done, and let's be honest I am an accounting major and it is probably the only time ever that I will be able to do manual labor. So just imagine my face when told I would be working with VBS this week. BUT as usual God knows what's up and I am loving it. Basically I (attempt to) play soccer and do arts and crafts, AND my spanish is improving so much because of it-in a way it would not if I was doing construction.

Today was awesome btw-after work we went to the highest point in Quito (14,000) we were above the clouds-so cool-except for the no oxygen part because I was breathing like a 500 lb woman.

The Scoop

Ok, so today we went to the equator! imagine that equator, ecuador, get it?

But seriously today we had a debriefing about what exactly SIFAT is trying to accomplish in Ecuador. Really interesting. You always know that there are underdeveloped countries all over the world, but to be honest rarely do I think about the reasons for their underdevelopment. Obviously there are plenty of reasons like corruption of government and lack of resources so I will spare you the details about that. I just want to focus on the area that SIFAT has seen a way to aide people in Ecuador.

Ok so I am not as well-educated with this as one probably should be so don't quote me or anything, but apparently Ecuador used to have the highest inflation rates in South America (and that is saying something). To try and fix this problem, the government switched over to US dollars. Instead of fixing the problem, it caused unemployment to shoot through the roof. This has lead to a huge immigration of Ecuador's population to Spain (it is more than 30% of the Spanish population). The problem here (well besides the obvious ones) is that in this great immigration, children are being left behind. The parents go over there leaving the children abandoned and uncared for. These parents are not heartless, I know that is how I am painting this pictures, they are victims of poverty and desperation. NO JUDGING until you are in the same situation.

So here is where SIFAT steps in:

Seeing the need for care for these children, SIFAT has started building daycare centers all over the city (this is a young dream, but one that it is slowly but surely succeeding in). They have trained neighborhood mothers to give them the skills to educate these children. The Ecuadorian government gives SIFAT $10,000 a year to pay the mothers and feed the children. Keep in mind that equals out to about 100 a month for each woman and 80 cents to feed each child three meals for five days a week. With the different teams that SIFAT brings in they help construct these daycares/churches. This cuts down labor costs by about 30%.

Again SIFAT amazes me with their simple genius. so interesting.

I am thankful for:

Ipod earplugs to avoid screaming babies

Getting one of the last vegetable plates on the airplane

Having a hotel above and beyond my expectations

Having amazingly supportive parents whom I love (and are probably one of the few people reading my blog, thanks guys!)

Random Facts:

In Ecuador you can’t flush toilet paper-ironic right, and yes, yes I have already had to reach my hand down into that stupid bowel.

Altitude is 10,000 ft

I ran over a woman's toes at the airport . . . oops

God has given me such an amazing opportunity here to practice my spanish. Of course it is also an opportunity that is going to make me feel painfully awkward . . . because you know . . . that is the way He works. (why? because He likes to torture us to make us grow, no worries, He knows I overexaggerate). Seriously the people here are awesome, and I can't wait to learn/see more. Promise future posts will not be so boring and random, oh wait it's me so they probably will!

Thanks for being awesome!

Oh and feel free to email me at jlynnsimons@gmail.com

Yikes! I leave tomorrow! I have officially stuffed way too much stuff into my poor bag, downloaded new music, and made way too many packing lists. I will probably be forgetting my toothpaste and some kind of important cord, but I am sooooo excited for this trip! Hopefully I will have internet and will be updating on here with pictures and info stuff. I just wanted to thank everyone who has been so supportive of this trip and of me. I love you guys! ¡Hasta luego!