While our physical surroundings appear nothing like Thanksgiving back in Boston (90 degree weather here!) we are surrounded by tangible gratitude every day. In these four months we have a lot to be grateful for: a (relatively) healthy few months, the support of our communities both here in Ecuador and back at home, and most especially for the relationships and lessons learned from simply living here with our neighbors. Henri Nouwen describes this lived gratitude best in his book appropriately titled Gracias which speaks volumes to the experience I have had thus far in Ecuador:
“Gratitude is one of the most visible characteristics of the poor I have come to know. I am always surrounded by words of thanks. ‘Thanks for your visit, your blessing, your sermon, your prayer, your gifts, your presence with us.’ Even the smallest and most necessary goods are a reason for gratitude. This all-pervading gratitude is the basis for celebration. Not only are the poor grateful for life, but they also celebrate life constantly. A visit, a reunion, a simple meeting are always like little celebrations. Every time a new gift is recognized, there are songs, or toasts, words of congratulations or something to eat and drink. And every gift is shared. ‘Have a drink, take some fruit, eat some bread’ is the response to every visit I make, and this is what I see people do for each other. All of life is a gift, a gift to be celebrated, a gift to be shared. Thus the poor are a Eucharistic people, people who know to say thanks to God, to life, to each other. They may not come to Mass, they may not participate in many church celebrations. But in their hearts they are deeply religious, because for them all of life is a long fiesta with God”
Although thousands of miles from home, we still celebrated Thanksgiving here in Ecuador. First on the 22nd we got together with the other Rostro de Cristo volunteers, their retreat group in-country, and various other Gringos and friends for dinner at Nuevo Mundo, a school that two Durán volunteers teach at. Our Rostro de Cristo founder, Father Jim, was in country for the week so we celebrated mass together and then shared a delicious turkey dinner!
Then on the 24th (also fellow volunteer Ana’s birthday) we cooked our own Thanksgiving meal and invited over Greg´s Ecuadorian family and our guards to share in the celebration. It was quite a process (and pretty hilarious) as we all joined our little cooking knowledge to roast a 15 pound turkey. Everybody contributed something to the dinner table – I made my Mom’s stuffing and a chocolate cake for the birthday girl!
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| Turkey Prep |
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| The spread |
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| Everybody before dinner |
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| With la cumpleañera Ana and the chocolate cake I made |
Gratitude has taken new form and new meaning here in Ecuador as I feel I am constantly being humbled in my daily activities and learning to live and love in gratitude. It was nice to have the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving and reflect on how I can embrace and embody the example of gratitude my neighbors live.
Love and miss you all. Hope you enjoyed the holiday,
Colleen
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