We're here????

We are safe and sound in Shell, Ecuador. "I don't believe it" doesn't even begin to describe how we feel right now. Our drive down from Quito was long...we were traveling with kids, you know! It took us 8 hours to get here, although the drive itself is just over 5 hours. We stopped in a town about two hours from Shell where there is a nice, new supermarket. It was important that we apply for our "Mega Maxi" shopping cards before we will be allowed to buy anything. We did do a little bit of shopping but didn't get much. I (Becca) will probably make a trip up there every month or every other month to get items that can't be found in Shell.

It was a beautiful drive. We've been down that road before on previous visits to Ecuador but we were amazed at how much the road has improved. Even compared to Costa Rica, we found this road very nice. There has been a lot of devolpment in Shell in recent years so it was hard to recognize the Ecuador that we had seen 6 years ago. But it did all seem vaguely familiar and I felt like I had finally arrived home after being away for a long time. Ecuador definately holds a very special place in our hearts, so returning to be real MAF missionaries here is something very special!

Our new "home" is very comfortable. We're house-sitting for another family and so we were welcomed into an already "homey" house complete with 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a car! Brooklyn is in heaven with the two dogs (Sadie and Betje) and the one cat that will let her touch it (Callie). She has been playing non-stop with the animals since we arrived. Sadie is a Cocker Spaniel and Betje is German Sheperd and they are both just as sweet as can be...i.e. extremely patient with Brooklyn pestering them even as they try to nap! Sean and I love the house and already we feel very at home here. We don't know how long we'll be here but it could be up to a whole year. The Rogers may have a very difficult time kicking us out of their house when they come back!!

It all comes down to this reality...we're here. And we're living here! It hasn't sunk in just yet and I don't think it will for a while. It is time for "real" life to begin again - time for Sean to go back to work on airplanes and flying while I stay home with Brooklyn and try to figure out how to be a "domestic engineer" all over again in a completely different culture, country, and lifestyle! After a very unique year in language school, the normal, every day tasks of work and life seem a bit daunting. We've been in a world of school and studying..... and not much else. But we are ready to begin this new life and to find some kind of stability for our family. We realize that will probably take some time, though - so continue to pray for us!