Three Things I Love About This Week

1. Babies

2. Good Friday...on Thursday

3. Brayan

....

As I have been here in Ecuador I have wondered what the atmosphere would be like when the children are born.

What were the facilities like and how well taken care of are the new born babies.

Never did I expect to see some of this, that is why yesterday made such an impact on me.

Three other girls and I went to the hospital and delivered baby kits to new borns.

That was our intention at least.

There were many mothers there with nothing that the nurse took apart our kits and told us to come with her. As she did this we were a little confused, we wanted to give each mother there the whole kit, but we followed her anyways.

Each room was filled with at least six new moms in their beds, most holding their new babies. Some had friends, spouses, or family there...most were alone.

When we arrived at each room, the nurse took a count and handed a single diaper to each of the new mothers.

They examined the diaper and were grateful to have recieved just one single diaper.

The nurse held on to the rest of the clothes, bibs, bottles, blankets and everything else in the kits and would distribute them later. She told us there were so many mothers with nothing that she would have to give them out at another time. We couldn´t hold back the tears. Such a special time to have a new baby born and these mothers have so little to give their child. My experience at the hospital has been one of my favorite moments here in Ecuador. A time I will never forget.

......

As for tonight

When we arrived at Hogar Miguel Leon the other volunteers had not shown up. Four of us had the afternoon off so we were out on the town and went to Hogar Miguel Leon to meet up with the others. Come to find out they were told not to come because of Good Friday, a very important holiday for the members of the Catholic church. The girls begged us to stay, so we did. The hermanas asked if we wanted to escort the girls to all of the cathedrals in town for Mass. That is what we ended up doing. So in a nut shell my night consisted of walking all over town with about fifteen orphan girls and attending six different Masses at six different cathedrals.

Exhausting? Yes.

Exciting? Yes.

Crazy and a little weird? YES.

Did I love it? Yes.

The streets were packed, street vendors selling anything and everything imaginable.

Cotton candy, carmel apples, helado, post cards, jewelry

The four of us felt lucky to learn about the girls we love so much and their religion. The cathedrals are absolutely gorgeous. Tourists have to pay to get into these and have a tour on a daily basis. Tonight I went to six for free! Not the night I had planned.

Exhausting? Yes.

Exciting? Yes.

Crazy and wierd? VERY.

Did I love it? Yes.

Germania walked with me for two hours and I practiced my Spanish with her...which is slowly getting better. It better be after living here for almost three months!

....

Brayan.

He is a child with severe physical handicaps, not much movement of any of his limbs and extremely skinny...almost to the point of malnourishment. He recently got a feeding tube though which is helping. Don`t let this fool you though, despite all of this he always has the BIGGEST smile on his face.

Anyways.

After getting him bathed and dressed for the day I took him to his wheelchair. When I put him in, I jammed my finger on the edge of the leg rest. It didn`t feel all too good and I guess it showed on my face because he started to cry.

I quickly told him estoy bein and I am not hurt, he had the saddest look on his face of worry and concern. He then stopped crying once he knew I was okay.

There he was, a child who has suffered his whole life. There I was, perfectly healthy with only a jammed finger and he cried for me. This is just one of the many incidents that illustrated that these children are only here to teach us. I am convinced of that and I believe it. I will never forget that small moment. Brayan has made a lasting impression on me.

.....

Such an eventful week.

(Pictures coming soon)