Guess who's coming to visit?! and speaking of culture..

Film Day! Check out our latest video on Control Z at
http://controlz.fm/el-reto-control-z/

                                                                                                                      So my parents are sacrificing their busy lives to come visit me for a few days!  I am so excited for them to get a taste of the passion I have for this beautiful country.  Having my parents come down is a wonderful reminder of the love that I have back at home still.

If anyone would like to send anything to me, message me/my parents and they'll be sure to get it to me.  

Cotopaxi Update:

This picture was taken last weekend; the
entire area was cloudy with ash.

Quito is still currently under yellow alert; it has been since August.  However, last weekend Cotopaxi significantly increased its explosive activity to now pluming 1.5 km-2 km of ash above the crater instead of 1 km or less of ash.  Scientists say that magma is visible and is about 2 km below the crater.  This suggests that magma is approaching the vent.  They predict an eruption within the next 6 months but things change and we'll only know in time  Meanwhile, the government is preparing people for what is to come.

Please pray that the government continually prepares the people in the local area and around Quito.

Also, please pray for a smooth flight to Quito for my parents and that they can adjust and embrace the culture.

Speaking of culture....

I think it's pretty easy to embrace a culture for a time being, but the longer that I've been here, the harder it actually has gotten.  There are distinct cultural differences that I just can't wrap my head around.  I won't go into those though.  But I am learning the struggle of living in a country where I am the minority.  To be honest, the struggle is real.  I wish I could just walk onto a bus without everyone staring at me the entire time.  I wish I could walk into a store with my boyfriend instead of waiting outside because they would change the price if they saw he was with a "gringo" (foreigner).  I wish kids would take pictures with me instead of a pictures of me.

 I never could relate to getting "that look" minorities all know that I am talking about.  But now I really know that feeling of getting "that look."  And I know that I am guilty of giving "that look" without even realizing it.  This experience has humbled me to look at where other people are coming from.  It could be rare that a white person would buy something from their tiny tienda in the far south of Quito.  Or maybe some kids have never seen a white person before.  We all want to feel included, accepted, and wanted in society, and it can be hurtful when people look at us as if we don't belong.

If you've ever felt like that or have given "that look," take a second and think about their life; think about what they could be going through right now, and maybe strike up a conversation with them.  We are so quick to judge/stereotype that we don't give people a chance.  We are all made for community and made to love.  So spread the love; reach out your hand and join in community.