Unfortunate Circumstances

"I've been robbed!"  Words you would never want to tell your mom.

I sat in my apartment staring at my computer screen debating how to tell my mom that I was robbed.  For someone that is always telling me how to protect myself and to be careful, she is the last person I wanted to tell, but the first person I really needed to tell.

I was walking back to the radio station after filming with one of my coworkers.  We were literally a block from the radio station.  I was carrying quite a few things from filming and so I had my phone in my back pocket, and a guy went into my back pocket and stole my phone and $10.  I was in shock; it happened so fast.  I just looked at the guy in disbelief as he looked at me while running across the street.  Quickly, I cancelled my phone and did what I thought was necessary.  I have to say, I am so thankful for iCloud and the phone companies I have.  Unfortunately, I have to pay $250 for a replacement now.  But circumstances happen, and sometimes we can never be completely prepared for them....unfortunate circumstances continued....

Best shot I got of Cotopaxi.
(about 30 miles outside of Quito)

Last Friday, earthquakes were reported and the volcano, Cotopaxi spewed tons of ash into the air, not just once but several times now.  I woke up Friday morning seeing what looked like lightly snow covered cars that were to my surprise, ash that came from the volcano.  The air had this putrid smell in which I had to cover my mouth and nose with a scarf.  Several towns were evacuated and tourist access to Cotopaxi had been closed.  Today, I was given a mask and glasses for precautions.  The volcano is still at an unrestful state.

Along with the volcano erupting, protesting started last week as well because Ecuadorians are trying to get the president of Ecuador out of office.  In short, the "democratic" president is leading more into dictatorship.  Saturday night, I say several policemen standing in front of a church.  There has been a lot of rioting in front of the President's house ("the white house").  Currently, the government does not have someone that would take the President's place if he is removed from office.

Ecuador is certainly at a state of unrest right now.  But in the midst of unrest, the Bible says, "For just as the suffering of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows" (2 Corinthians 1:5).


Sometimes it's so hard to draw into God when we are at an unrestful state.  But God wants our anger, he wants our fears and worries because in that, and he does give us comfort.

The day I got robbed, was a day I definitely felt like I wanted to be home, in the states. But I am learning more and more to find my rest, my home and security in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Please pray:

• Ecuadorians government
• For the people that are impacted by Cotopaxi
• That I am able to get my phone safely to Ecuador
• My safety! 
• My Spanish
• And that I can embrace this culture well