First week in Ecuador...

Hi Friends,

Sorry it has been awhile since my last post in Boston, we are in the middle of a wonderful,but very busy two week in country orientation. When we arrived to Ecuador on July 22nd we were greeted at the airport with screams and hugs from all of the current Rostro de Cristo volunteers living in Ecuador. They have been an amazing example of our hospitality pillar and have accompanied us through our first steps in Ecuador.

This past week we had many sleepovers with the Arbolito house so that all 13 of us could visit each worksite. This week we are now in the process of discerning which worksites we all fit best in. So stay tuned....

In addition to visiting sites we have also had plenty of neighborhood time, as the veteran volunteers introduce us to those neighbors they spent the most time with this year. Again, the hospitality the Ecuadorians have shown us is amazing. Each family welcomed us with open arms and told us that their doors are always open.

The last major introduction we had this week is to the parish life of Mt Sinai. We can attend 3 different masses each weekend led by an Irish priest, Fr John. Each mass had its own unique population and feel - we honstely loved them all. Our group is also plannning to be involved in some of the programming like youth group, rosary, and catechism. 

Another update...I´ve had  a slight name change here in Ecuador. The name Colleen not only is nonexisent but many have difficulty pronouncing it. So we decided to shorten in to Colie so it still resembles my name. One of my community mates has affectionately created a nickname to explain the pronounciation: Coliflor (cauliflower in english), which always gets a few chuckles from the kids. 

Sorry I do not have more time now to share more about what an amazing and crazy first week this has been. I´ll end this with a poem a fellow communitymate (who loves quotations and poems as much as I!) gave me that I have continued to re-read in the past week as we all try to discern our work placements:

Called to become
You are called to become
A perfect creation.
No one is called to become
Who you are called to be.
It does not matter how short or tall
or thickset or slow
You may be.
It does matter
Whether you sparke with life
Or are silent as a still pool,
Whether you sing your song aloud
Or week alone in darkness.
It does matter
Whether you feel loved and admired
Or unloved and alone,
For you are called to become
A perfect creation.
No one´s shadow
Should dispel your spark.
For God delights in you,
Jealously looks upon you,
And encourages with gentle joy.
Every movement of the spirit
Within you.
Unique and loved you stand,
Beautfiul or stunted in your growth,
But never without hope and life.
For you are called to become
A perfect creation.
This becoming may be
Gentle or harsh,
Subtle or violent,
But it never ceases,
Never pauses or hesitates,
Only is -
Creative force -
Calling you
Calling you to become
A perfection creation.

Love and miss you all!
Colleen