In FAITH We Go: Catch Up!

11/13/12
I've done a terrible job of journaling! We've been so busy and by the time we get back to our hotel, I'm too exhausted to do anything that requires my brain. To backtrack, we returned to Jonathan and Stephania's orphanage two times now. The first time we went, we met a 13 year old girl named Nicole. She was pretty stand off-ish to us. Then all of a sudden during our second visit, she warmed up completely, was so sweet and talkative. She told us that she was unadoptable, because she still has a relationship with her parents and she could technically go back to them sometime. So basically in order to get adopted, her parents would have to sign her off. Can't help but wonder what the situation is there. One of my favorite moments was when we spread out some poster paper and drawing materials, and the kids went crazy. I am pretty sure the adults there never have the time or take the time to interact with them that way. Then Nicole asked us to sing Justin Bieber....Carrie was all over this ("If I Was Your Boyfriend...."), it was so awesome how much they loved it. Next thing I know, I'm singing Adele to the kids with Carrie and everyone is snapping their fingers and dancing. So fun! I'd never have the courage to sing in a normal situation, but the kids could care less about my terrible voice. They just loved it. And so did we!

Before our second visit back, we made a stop at a music shop where you can buy ripped CDs for $1, hahah. So we bought her Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Michael Jackson, Adele and a South American album by the group, Mana. These were some of her favorites. She was DELIGHTED. Unfortunately, we did make some not so great observations about this place after returning a couple of times:
-We walked right in from the street without anyone checking us in. The first time, we were there for two hours and we saw not a single adult. So, a) what if we were bad people and were alone with the kids, or b) what if something happened to the kids during that time period when no adult was around (an accident, hunger...etc)?? Frustrating.
-The second visit had a weekend tia. She was super not friendly. We brought them a water filter, and when we greeted her, we told her we wanted to show her how to use it and set it up in their kitchen. She brushed us off and asked if we could wait until she showered real quick. Sure. Over an hour later, when she comes back, she gives us the cold shoulder and just asks us not to take pictures. What about the clean water for the kids you live with??? We had meanwhile decided to stop waiting, and we showed all the kids how to use it, and asked Nicole to be in charge of cleaning the filter. You would think there would be warmness towards the people who visit these sweet orphans. Nope. Perhaps it threatens her job security? Sad, but very possibly a true reason for her hostility.

Anyway, so a few nights later, Carrie was going to meet a friend at a local school event, and we decided to tag along. It was a K through 12 school and it blew us away. They were having a Harvest Festival, and we seriously felt like we were in the USA. Everyone was speaking flawless English AND Spanish. Turns out, it was essentially an American school, and the population of students were generally from middle to upper class families. The reason we saw so many diverse faces (white, Asian, Latino, black...etc) is because there was huge influx of Missionaries a few years back, from all over the place. And now, 20 ish years later, they all live there! We spoke to a Canadian guy who told us all about it. Pretty interesting. It was an odd experience, feeling like we were anywhere but South America.

11/14/12
I can't help but feel totally gross. None of the veggies are safe to eat, there's been minimal fruit, and even bottled water at some places is questionable. So what does that make my diet? Let me tell you: bread, eggs, rice, bread, potatoes, bread, Sprite, Ritz crackers, Odwalla bars, bread, potatoes, CARBS CARBS CARBS. I feel so mushy, fat, unhealthy, and my digestion is all off. There's no place to feel safe jogging, and the grounds on hotel rooms are pretty much filthy, meaning I'm not getting exercise. If I don't take advantage of exercise and greens when I get home, someone PLEASE punch me (Megan??).

ANYWAY, we've spent the last two days in Santo Domingo. Extreme poverty....actually worse conditions than in Cupa, but in a prettier spot, which offsets it. Meaning, it is super green, but the people's homes look like they could fall apart any minutes. They look like shabby treehouses...not like they are made in trees, but made of wood slabs thrown together, tons of bugs inside, no bathrooms- all bathing is outside, somewhere. We delivered 35 water filters to this community. All, except for 9 of the filters, were delivered house by house. Those 9 were presented to a group in a community meeting. It seems that everyone in this community has constant diarrhea, among tons of other issues. Aching legs, backs, heads, etc....We met a young boy who is always exhausted and feeling bad. We were later told that they had taken him to a clinic, and they believe he has a parasite in his brain....a parasite which was most likely in his drinking water. We met an old man who was dying because he had not gone #2 in months. Another problem which could've been prevented with clean water. We met another girl, 20 year old mother of three. Her eldest child was 8. Do the math!! In my opinion, these people seemed more grateful for the filters, and totally aware of the need for them. I am sure that the main reason for this is due to Map's approach when entering communities. They hire a local health promoter, who they educate about all of the issues, and this person lives in the community. With the help of Map, they organize weekly meetings, they visit all of the families, keep them educated and stay aware of their conditions...helping them to help themselves, as opposed to seeking/waiting on outside help. It is an awesome approach and the main reason why I am super pumped FOA is partnering with Map.

11/17/12
It's official. I am sick, and I went to a clinic, to receive a shot. In. My. Butt. Yep. I said it! I mean, it really completes the story, doesn't it? There are so many things that could've led me to get sick, the air quality, something I ate, the zillions of kids and people I've been around, the endless traveling (we went to Cotapaxi and Apatug, stunning, will write later). But I was getting a fever/chills/crazy sinuses/achy head and tummy....turns out I have some kind of bacterial infection. Given my being super prone to being sick, I feel it was inevitable. I was freaking out at the clinic, because I personally couldn't help but wonder how sanitary it was, if we were having clear communication with the doctor given the language barrier...etc....and I will admit, I nearly cried when they told me they wanted to give me a shot. And of all places.....the most humiliating place possible. Alas, I survived (so far) and I am still feeling terrible. Luckily, I have today and tomorrow to rest and lots of medication to take, so I can hopefully be better in time to deliver 8 filters to schools in Machachi. And that's a wrap, for now.

P.S. Still not getting used to all of the freaking dogs, dead and alive. The tons of kids that everyone has. The smog. The trash everywhere. TVs everywhere. Smog. BUT. Really amazed by the work that we are blessed to be helping with, so humbled by the lives that I've witnessed, and so immensely grateful for what I have.