Two Weeks Update
The school where I work is called Fundación Esperanza. It was started by an american couple who live here in Quito. The school is integrated between regular and special-ed kids such that the regular curriculum classes (babies-2nd grade) usually have both types of children. There are also three classes for older special ed kids—two which practice basic skills needed for self sufficiency and one solely for kids with dehabilitating Cerebral Palsy.
I do a little bit of everything from walking and equilibrium excercises with disabled kids, to working in the kitchen, to working on the web page, to helping bring the donations from Conocoto – about an hour away.
I do excercises with one child, Juan-Carlos, who was born with a birth defect that effects his eyes. Though he knows how, he is afraid to walk because of his limited vision. I walk behind him and gently push him forward, guiding him away from the chain link fence he tries to latch onto every time he is within reach.
I’ve also been spending a lot of time with my host families. People in the school have also taken care of me as well. I feel like I have a lot of family here.
Reading back through old journal entries from 2003 I am reminded of how God’s changed me but also how those same inconsistencies and infidelities are really not that far either. Some of the same the same fears, insecurities, and tendencies as I had when I was here have shown up, but then to face those is part of the reason I decided to come back. God is teaching me a lot about being an unselfish and consistent servant, but I have a lot to learn. I whine to myself sometimes about my own time invested in this place but some of the people at this school have been here for many years.
Things are obviously often not comfortable. My gut reaction is to seek comfort in certain people or even in food but God is pushing me past those chain link fences.
I am really happy to be here during the World Cup. Ecuador Vs Germany is tomorrow. The whole country stops during the world cup. The president declared Ecuador’s first game a national holiday. Everyone (including those in school) will be watching the game. I’m pretty confident Ecuador is going to beat Deutschland. ¡Sí se puede!
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