LIVING IN ECUADOR - OUR NEW ECUADORIAN FAMILY

One of the most memorable movies I have ever seen is "The King's Speech."  For me, it was a reminder that when one operates in their gift, they can touch any life, from the famous and rich to the unknown and poor, from the untouchable to that one person who wants more than anything what you have to offer, in spite of any fancy degree or qualifying certificate. And, because of your gift and true passion to give, a lifetime friendship can be the most rewarding end result.

In the short time we have been living in Cuenca, Ecuador, we are daily reminded that if we are willing to give of our time and talents, we can touch the less fortunate or that one person who wants more than they currently have, and in turn we are the ones who are blessed. 

I am not an English teacher, nor do I have any credentials that would qualify me worthy of teaching.  My husband, however, is a graduate of a NY College with a teaching degree in English.  He does have a God-given gift of teaching and also valid qualifying credentials to teach!  Today, we attended a twice-weekly Spanish Chat Group which we usually hit and miss because of our daily busy schedule.  A few weeks ago, I received and responded to an e-mail sent out by the two organizers of this chat group.  Because of the organizers' e-mail and my quick pro-active response, Bo and I now have another precious Ecuadorian family in our lives and two more hungry Ecuadorian people who attend our weekly "English Classes" held at our home.

I remember when we were living in Honduras and several Hondurans we met were hungry to learn English.  Bo and I were able to give them English teaching books and had on-going daily conversation to help them along.  When we left that country, one of the friends we were blessed to know cried when I gave him my personal bi-lingual Bible and told him that I hoped he would one day speak English fluently.  I will never forget that moment because I know that his life was forever changed.

Since leaving the USA 14 weeks ago and letting go of all our stuff and the daily rut we were in, all I desire to do here is to somehow make a difference.  What is that for me, personally?  I can give away what I have to someone who wants it.  Do I need a degree or a piece of paper that says I am a teacher?  NO!  What I do need is the God-ordained gift and ability to do so and to carve out precious time to make it happen.

Someone in "Chat" said to me today, "I met an Ecuadorian who really wants to learn Spanish, but I don't have the time.......  Can you talk to him?"  Another person told me that she has an English teaching certificate but doesn't know how to get things going here to teach English and would I let her know if anyone needed help.  There are some Ecuadorians here who truly want to learn English, just as there some ex-pats who truly want to learn Spanish.  It takes a desire and a real commitment on both parts to make this happen - a student who has the desire and is committed to learn and a teacher who is gifted and committed to teach.

The woman who's e-mail I quickly responded to is an English Teacher in Cuenca, but she doesn't speak fluently and needed help passing two required time-sensitive 4-hour exams in order to keep her current position.  She also has another exam in the fall that will be even more critical for her livelihood.  Bo and I accompanied her to her home that weekend to support and guide her (not take the test for her), and she passed with a high score and expressed so much gratitude.  The following week we helped her with another written and oral exam, which she also proudly passed.  Today her family has more than embraced us and thanked us for our help.

Mother and one daughter are now attending our weekly English classes at our home, and they have embraced us and we are now a part of their family.  This is always the best end-result blessing.  On Saturday, this loving family fixed a special meal to thank us and to honor Bo's birthday.  We were so touched.  It was an afternoon of love, laughter, and delicious Ecuadorian food.  We shared so much (Oh, how thankful I am that I can speak Spanish), and we ate too much.  It is another special time here that we will remember fondly, and we know we will be sharing more wonderful times together apart from English lessons and exams.

We're thankful to Sandra and Wayne for sharing this need and giving us the opportunity to be the ones to help this family.  Because of it we now have new Ecuadorian friends who consider us family and we can look forward to more good times ahead.

Our Ecuadorian family (Pancho, Erika, Jimena, Mari, and the dog kids) adorn and honor Bo for his birthday!  (They spoiled Bo beyond words!)

Jimena, Erika, Mari, and Pancho.  We love them so much - and they love us!!!

Erika doesn't want to learn English.  Mari does!  So, Mari comes weekly to our home with her mom to learn and improve their English.  (Aren't they beautiful?)

 

COOKING IN ECUADOR - LEARNING TO MAKE HUMITAS - A WEEKEND OF FRIENDSHIPS AND FEASTING!!

On Friday morning, DHL Express delivered our apostilled marriage license from Oregon.  So, "express" was a one week turn-around, and now we're another $170 out-of-pocket in this visa process.  Not too bad, I think!  We're thankful we had a family member who was able to take care of this for us in one day.  We've also decided to move forward in an expedient manner and have all our documents re-translated by someone more reliable since there were so many errors on the translations farmed out by our not-so-expedient expediter. So by Thursday, we are hoping to have everything notarized and ready for attempt #2 at immigration, which we'll continue on our own.  The immigration office will be closed through Wednesday (updating of computers and who knows what), and we really need a break from this process anyway.

Michelle (isn't she too adorable?) has her first English Lesson and can now proudly say her ABC's.

We had a fun Saturday with our friends who came over, first to have Dora's 10 year old daughter begin English Lessons, and secondly for Dora to teach Bo and me how to make Humitas from scratch - and I mean scratch!  We so enjoyed meeting and hanging out with Michelle who is hungry and excited to speak English, and she is inquisitive and adorable beyond words.  In one hour, she was familiar with the alphabet, and after much repetition she was able to proudly say her ABC's.  All afternoon and evening she would ask Bo or me, "How do you say__________in English?"  She's going to be a quick learner like Danny because she wants it that much.

After our English lesson, Pedro headed for his brother's to borrow a grinder for the fresh choclo.  Bo, Dora, Michelle and I headed for the 9 de Octubre mercado to buy Humita ingredients and to learn new tips on where and how to shop more economically (Dora showed us which tienditas and vendors to hit).  Our Ecuadorian friends are always educating and helping us with all our questions about shopping and cooking.    We shopped, headed back home, and then spend the rest of our afternoon and evening making Humitas from scratch and then savoring them with cafe con leche.  I must say, Dora's humitas were the best I've EVER eaten yet (sorry Sr. Zoila, but you still have the lead on Tamales so far).  Until recently, Dora owned and operated her own restaurant, and humitas was one of her specialties.  Each of her Humitas were incredibly moist, abundantly filled and generously packed with cheese, perfectly seasoned and mouth-watering delicious.  We ended up making about thirty or more so we would have lots of leftovers.  Dora said they're better the second day.  She's absolutely right!!

Today, Sunday, We had a full-house again for another English lesson and a big "Bo's Seafood Chaulafan" feast; Pedro, his sister and family, and Dora and Michelle.  They each repeated their ABC's until their tongues were curling and their eyes were crossing.  How we laughed and then clapped together when progress was made so quickly.  At the end of today's lesson, there was a genuinely expressed desire from those who sincerely want to learn our language.  Without that 100% desire, we'll see who continues to come faithfully.  For now, it's been an enjoyable weekend having even more Ecuadorian friends coming over and being hungry to learn from each other.  Erika who is 18 and in college, and her mom Lola wants to help Bo with his Spanish. Just being around our Spanish- only speaking friends has personally helped me to improve my Spanish tremendously as I carefully listen and continue to learn new words and sentences.

Yes, after our immigration and passport week, this weekend was refreshing, inspiring, and Ecuadorian delicious!  It's days and times like this weekend that remind Bo and me why we are here and continues  to give us the motivation to push on persistently and patiently in the tasks ahead.

Dora takes us to her special vendor friend who helps her cut and prepare the choclo and husks for humitas. (Photos top and bottom)

The choclo is cut and bagged, the husks are bagged, and we next head to the cheese vendor stand. (Photos top and bottom)

Onward to Dora's favorite tiendita to buy the butter, sugar, baking powder, manteca, and anis.  (Now I know where to get my quality butter for so much less - yea!!!)

And an egg vendor!  Here we can buy 36 eggs (Una Cubeta) for $3, or a bag (una funda) of eggs for $1.  We bought una cubeta.

We meet up with Pedro back at our apartment, and while he sets up the grinder for the choclo, and Michelle applauds his success.......

......Dora begins to melt the butter and manteca and prepare the other ingredients.

Team work cracking the eggs!

Preparing the fresh cheese with some Achiote.

Now, this is what I called a generous cheese-filled choclo husk......

.......wrapped and stacked and ready to steam!!!

They were cooked to perfection and delicious beyond words!

Michelle wanted to capture us feasting on Humitas.  It's a bit out of focus, but not bad for a 10 year old, and she surely captured the joy of the moment. 

Does this look like a couple who experienced their first Visa rejection visit at Immigration and then had a meltdown at the Passport extension office (okay, I had the meltdown, not Bo)?  We're just happy because we love our Ecuadorian friendships, and every day in Cuenca is another adventure!  (Photo by Michelle)