Well yesterday was my first Birthday and first Mother’s day away from home.  Even though I missed my family I had a Happy Birthday here in Ecuador.  On Saturday morning my Ecuadorian friend was supposed to come early and we were going to go see the Basilica Church and the Panecillo that I’ve been wanting to do since I came.  So finally mid-morning when she hadn’t come, instead of not going I went by myself.  The Basilica is a catholic church of Neogothic Ecuadorian architecture that was started in 1884 and is still “unfinished” because local legend is that when the Basilica is finished it will be the end of the world.  I wish that my camera could have captured the rich beautiful colors of the stained glass windows that line the entire church.  The outside of the church is so interesting; as long as you look at it new things keep catching your eye and the inside of the church is just beautiful.

You can actually walk up to the top of the steeples of the church and see all of Quito, but with my heart issues I’m doing as little walking/climbing as possible; besides I figured I could see the city from the Panecillo.

The Panecillo means little bread and it is a high hill in the middle of Quito where you can stand and see city as far north and as far south as you can see.  The history on the hill dates back to the indians in 1553 but the new Madonna statue was created in 1976.

This is the hill from a distance so you get a picture of what it looks like

Not much attractive about this statue

City as far as you can see – what a difference from when we were here in the 60s

A local resident taking in some rays

When my HCJB friends heard that I had spent the day alone at first they were sad and then one of the ladies said “Robbyn is never alone – everyone in Quito is her friend.”   That is true ; where ever I am I seem to find people to talk to.  Every taxi driver is my friend before I reach my destination and on the Panecillo I made friends with an elderly Ecuadorian couple that hadn’t been up on top of the hill for more than 10 years and were just about as amazed at how the city has grown as I was.  But my most exciting new friendship was an Ecuadorian police officer.  When we started to talk he wanted to know where I had learned to speak Spanish like I do – so I told him that I was raised in Ecuador because my parents were missionaries with HCJB and now I was here as a missionary.  He told me he was baptized catholic and believes there is a God but doesn’t go to church; and wanted to know if I’m catholic.  When I said no then we started to talk about the difference – that getting to Heaven is a gift of God, not something that we earn but by trusting in the Son of God, Jesus who came not just to die to cover our sins but rose again, and is coming back.  Well that is the abbreviated version of the conversation so the seed was planted; pray that the Lord will send someone else in this police officers life to water this seed or even that I might get another chance. One of my HCJB friends said that police officers are not supposed to take their pictures with people ; I don’t know about that – because here we are.

I got back home a little after 4 oclock and at 5:30 my new friends from HCJB took me back to the Panecillo to a very nice restaurant with a beautiful view of the city.  It was delicious food, wonderful company and it was fun to watch the city change as we ate and visited.

When I got home my mom, dad and grandchildren Skyped me to wish me Happy Birthday – that was the perfect end to a wonderful day; it was the icing on the cake.

May 1st is Labor Day in Ecuador so we all got the day off for the Holiday.  Pat and Betty, two HCJB nurses from Hospital Vozandes have been good friends to me since I’ve been here and showing me the ropes.  Pat especially has been helping me with all of my medical issues, helping me in the hospital, going to doctors with me, etc.  Well, they invited me on Labor Day to go to the equator, which I quickly accepted.

The equator is really only 15 miles from HCJB but with traffic and construction it took us a good 45 minutes.  The cobble stone road is gone, the llamas are gone, the little mud huts are gone; it is traffic circles, homes, businesses, shopping malls, golf courses, all the way there.  It’s like no where I had ever been before.

The equator is now a city called Mitad Del Mundo (Middle of the World).  Of course, like any good Ecuadorian city it has to have it’s Plaza de Toros.

The Bull Ring

And a Catholic Church

And lots of little tourist shops where you can find any kind of Ecuadorian tapestry, artwork, postcard or tourist trinket and lots of restaurants.  Anyone want this Ecuadorian delicacy?  - It’s Cuy (Guinea Pig)

Guinea pig on the spit

There was beautiful music and typical Ecuadorian dances from the different regions of the country

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They moved the monument 21 years ago when it was determined through satellite technology that the original Equator monument was in the wrong place.  So supposedly now when you have one foot on one side of the yellow line and the other foot on the other half of the line you are in the Northern and the Southern hemisphere at the same time.

This is from the top of the monument. There is a very interesting museum inside the monument that shows all the different Indian tribes in the country, but no pictures allowed.

Talk about being two places at once.

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It’s always windy on the equator.

It was nice to get out for a bit and see a some of the country.  I had a very nice and very relaxing day.

On the way home I took a picture of some Ecuadorian transportation.

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Sunday Pan de Vida (Bread of Life) ministry was interesting; about an hour before time to feed 48 children and at least that many adults it started to rain.  By the time it was time to eat the downpour was torrential.  So we quickly set up tables and chairs for the children and the adults had to eat with their plates in their laps – but the food was still, tasty and nutritious and they all got to hear about Jesus.

Yesterday I had a followup appointment with the doctor and he was pleased at how I am responding to the medications.  I am having some side effects but they seem to be doing what they are meant to do – so that is WONDERFUL news.

Today was SPECTACULAR !!!!!!!  The mountains were out in all of their glory.  I’m gonna post them BIG – so you an get a good look.

CAYAMBE

ANTISANA

COTOPAXI

There is nothing more beautiful than God’s “artwork”.  :-)

Well, I truly had hoped that the doctors would find something on the angiogram yesterday that could be repaired and then I would just need a bit of time to heal and then be as good as new.  That was MY plan but NOT God’s.  There were no blockages – nothing obvious; so for now I will continue with the new medications and wait to see how my body responds and what further treatment will be necessary. The most wonderful thing is to know that God knows the plans that He has for me and they are for my good; not to hurt me but to give me a future and a hope.  There is a reason why God has made these medical needs and my being in Ecuador to coincide with each other and I know that His plans are always perfect.  Through this God has brought many new people in my path; doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, etc. etc. etc.  Pray that my life will radiate God’s love and for opportunities to share the confidence that I have in Him.

Inaquito church continues to blow me away as they are having a campaign this month on Forgiveness; our forgiveness of others and Gods forgiveness towards us.  Last week there were 16 people that came forward to accept Christ in one service and the Sunday before there were 6 in one service (and there are 5 services).  God is still at work in these people and it is so exciting to see Him move.  Friday night prayer meeting there were at least 900 people in attendance.  I feel so blessed to be here.