Thanksgiving in Ecuador

We got back from our retreat just a few hours ago. Since then we have been doing the standard unpacking and getting back into the swing of things, although we are still figuring out what that swing is with our new house and all of our things in tubs still. But, it is still good to be home nonetheless. Our Thanksgiving weekend was truly one to remember. We had an incredibly refreshing time, and a lot of fun too. We have a wonderful team here that we work with, so to all be refreshed and encouraged together was wonderful. We had 4 people come down from California to "put on" the conference. We arrived in the town of Cuenca about 6 pm on Thursday evening. It was a long trip, about 10 hours, but it was really enjoyable for Rebecca and I. Seeing new countryside was wonderful. This country could really leave you captivated for years if all you did was travel from one corner to another. There is so much diversity in Ecuador, all in a country about the size of our home state of Colorado.

Of the 4 people that came down from the states, one is on the MAF board, and he did most of the teaching. By trade he is a judge in Orange County. He was awesome. He had some incredible teaching and encouragement for all of us. The other three on his team were 3 college kids that gave up their Thanksgiving to be with us, and mostly to watch our kids while we were meeting together. They really did a great job with our kids. Brooklyn seemed to grow up even more with all the social interaction in just a few days. Sometimes I feel like she is already getting away from me, and all I can do is watch.

This coming week is sure to be busy. While I cannot say for sure what will happen or in what order, I am sure there will be a lot of flying to be done. We also need to finalize some of Madison's Ecuadorian paperwork, as well as finish our driver's license process. (Thanks Vicki, the special papers arrived with the California team.) Not to mention getting unpacked and trying to put a little order back into the home front.

On the way to Cuenca near the place where we ate lunch, Brooklyn was dying to go see the nearby burros and sheep grazing in the nearby pasture. So while everyone was waiting in the restaurant for their food, we snuck off and went and petted the burros. She thought that was pretty cool. They were really woolly also. They average temperature where we were is about 56 degrees year long. Quite a difference from the jungle heat we are used to.

This hill is a good example of the endless patchwork quilt like fields that cover the area. It is amazing where they farm, and that most of it is still done by hand. But is does make for a gorgeous landscape.


Most of the Andes Mountains from Columbia to Chile are inhabited by one of the world's largest indigenous groups called the Quechua. They are remarkable people, and are as diverse as the countries in which they live. They are incredibly hardworking as noted by the farms above, but most striking to me are the beautiful garb that they wear.