Un semana grande en Ecuador

It is the end of a big week here in Ecuador--big as far as events, that is. Wednesday was Sam's 8th birthday. He was baptized in Quito. The Quito OSSO volunteers came, as well as the primary president from the ward, and the first counselor and some others from the ward there. Alison and Ethan gave great talks, with Alison interpreting for the Spanish speakers. It was really nice to have Alison and Ethan there--they really helped to make the event special.

On Thursday we flew to Cuenca, in the Andes in the southern part of Ecuador. This is where we are volunteering for the next six weeks. Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador, and very old, founded in the 1600's. It is beautiful, with old colonial buildings, and cathedrals. There are a lot of new developments as well. It is cool here, probably in the high 40's at night, and during the day to the 60's, maybe the low 70's. We usually wear a jacket, except in the middle of the day. It rained a lot in Quito, and it has rained a good amount here as well. It is raining now.

We are living in OSSO house here in Cuenca, a combination of two attached homes that OSSO (Orphanage Support Services Organization) rents for the volunteers. There are 13 volunteers, all young women, besides ourselves. The Roseros, who manage OSSO here in Cuenca, and their two children, also live here. We have our own apartment area for our family. Everything is organized, with committees for the things that need to be done here. I have been told I will probably be on the food committee, which is fine. Except for Sundays, there is a woman who cooks lunch, and everyone is responsible for our own breakfast and dinner.

Osso volunteers in several orphanages in the area. They also have their own orphanage, opened in February, with mostly special needs kids. We started volunteering on Friday, and Mike, Annie, Shawn and I counting each as a volunteer. Rachel, Ruth and Sam can go with whomever they choose from us four and our assignments. I think in the two days we have been there it has been a little hard for them (Ruth and Sam) to take care of the special needs kids, but I think all of us will enjoy them. I have been with the special needs kids both days. We split our days into mornings and afternoons, and so far Shawn is the only one who has volunteered for all four sessions. Like everything, he does what he chooses to participate in at 110%, and this is no exception. Yesterday he got to change his first diaper (on an 18 year old boy, one of the special needs kids). We also had some visitors from the local university, mostly young women, and he certainly was an attraction for them. I must say, he seemed extremely manly, there with his muscle defined arms, feeding one of the older kids. What a man!! Sam was also very sweet, playing with the special needs kid his age. He migrated by himself up to the regular nursery, with orphaned kids age two and under. I found him there, spoon feeding one of the kids.
Another big thing is that Neil got his mission call. No, he has not told us where he is going--the punk! He says he wants us to guess.

Neil left for Honduras on Thursday, May 29th. He is a project supervisor for Amigos, in the Lempira region of Honduras (This is where Alison went one of her years as a volunteer). Right now he is who knows where in the northern part of Honduras (La Ceiba, maybe), and had to meet the other project supervisors in San Pedro Sula on June 6th.

Hopefully the next post will be about Neil's call. At least, that is what I hope!

Hasta luego!!
Familia Reed