Via me Sueño

So here I am ... I have survived my first week and three days in Ecuador! Survived you may think is a strong word ... but indeed after three days of sleeping and getting over a cold I picked up in Steubenville I think the word survived sums it up quite well. Through it I realized it is part of the Fiat we're called to, to be open to His will in sickness and health, to offer up our lives to Him for His glory and to surrender to the way He see best for us. Indeed I am only sustained by His grace.


When I flew into Quito it was a simi clear night so you could see the city lights well before you landed. As I made my way to customs there was the signature Ecuadorian Bouquet of Roses to greet me. I got through customs with no trouble, gathered my bags and walked through security to be greeted by three beautiful smiling faces, Mariya, Maribeth, and my new Ecuadorian Mom Marcella. They had signs and roses, a yellow, white, and red rose the three colors of Our Lady the Mystical Rose. Our Lady of the Mystical Rose is the statue of Our Lady at the Mission in Olon which cried tears of blood.

Mariya and Maribeth had planned to go to the Oriente to finalize plans with the Priests out there for the March Medical Mission from Franciscan University of Steubenville, however, the priest were gone on retreat. So instead, my dear beautiful missionmates spent the rest of the week with me in Quito. I was so thankful to have them there to help me with the two day process of registering my visa (especially since their Spanish is better than mine), to learn the walking routes in the city I will need, as well as how to ride a bus and take a taxi. I was truly blessed to share the room in the Arroyo´s home with them my first week here. To spend the evening talking, laughing, and praying together. I have really missed such fellowship. Marcella and I saw them off Friday evening with a few tears on my part. They went by bus back to Olon and I will see them when they return for the FUS March Medical Mission.

My days so far consist of walking in the morning to a small clinic where I volunteer. I primarily help get patient's vital signs and then sit in for their consult with the Doctor to learn Spanish medical vocabulary. I then walk home for lunch. From 1:30-5:30 I have one on one Spanish classes at the home of my Spanish professor, Renan. It is beautiful to be able to learn in the setting of his home with his wife Silvia and two kids, Paul and Maria Paz. Then Marcella picks me up from class, we go to evening mass. Then for rest of the evening I do my Spanish homework and prepare for the next day. I have a feeling the days are going to go by very quickly.

So indeed here I am ... living, volunteering, learning in Quito. Sometimes when I am walking in the streets it seems so surreal that I really actually am here! Indeed it is only by His grace and because He as called me here. Please continue to lift up the mission in prayer especially the Franciscan University students and the medical mission trip. Know you are all in my heart of prayer as well, especially during Mass.

Love and Prayers

From the Equator,

Sara