Day 13 – January 19, 2025
Day 13
Day 13 – January 19, 2025
Where we are staying has internet but it is spotty and for the most part not functional. I could not add to my blog last night because I could not get online. Finally, by leaving my room and going to the cafeteria to sit there, I was able to get online and finish the blog post. Soon Jane and Claudia came and we went upstairs to the second small dining area that was all glass with a beautiful view of the lake, mountains, and the nicely landscaped yard of the hotel. We watch hummingbirds visiting flowers. We were then served eggs, toast with was more of a toasted cheese sandwich, and coffee and mora juice. The breakfast was similar to the one we had in Lita yesterday. We ate a leisurely breakfast and then just sat and enjoyed the view while working through a second cup of coffee. It was so peaceful and refreshing.
Then we left for San Antonio to look at the wood carvings. The center square had several vendors who were selling all sorts of wood carvings, sculptures, and paintings. It was interesting to walk around and view the artistic talent the vendors and other artisans had. Around the square were multiple stores also filled with wood carvings. There were a lot of religious art, a large number of crosses with Christ on the cross, and carvings of the nativity scene. A couple of the stores had very unique and detailed furniture all hand carved. Those were incredible to see. After shopping there and picking up some carvings that we could take home with us, we then headed to Ibarra to the mall.
At the mall Claudia wanted to purchase some coffee beans so we went to the SuperMaxi grocery store. Then we went to the food court for lunch. Claudia and I ordered a small grilled chicken fillet thinking that was all we really wanted. What came with that was a large serving of rice and beans, a small salad, soup called chicken soup which was mainly chicken broth with a small amount of rice and a piece of chicken, and lemonade. The cost for all that was $4.25. For a small lunch, it was a lot of food! After we sat and talked for a while Jane asked if we wanted ice cream. Choices were all sorts of fruit flavors. There was chocolate but no vanilla. We all got a serving of mango ice cream. Jane split her serving with mango and Oreo cookie ice cream. The mango was delicious and tasted just like the fresh mango we had plenty of at the clinic.
After lunch, we traveled to Quito arriving at the hotel where we stayed the night we arrived at the airport. It is close to the airport and will save us an hour plus of time on Tuesday morning to arrive on time for our 7 am flight departure for Miami. We will stay here tonight and tomorrow night. Jane needed to go to her apartment to work on some clinic business and will spend the night there but tomorrow will stay with us at the hotel to take us to the airport.
While traveling to Quito we travel through a section where a large part of the roses are grown. The roses are a major export for Ecuador and everywhere you looked you saw rows and rows of greenhouses. There were street vendors out selling roses by the dozen. We noticed initially the signs said $3 for 3 dozen. Then there were vendors who had signs for $4 for 4 dozen. Then we came upon some vendors who had $5 for 5 dozen. Have you ever seen roses that inexpensive in the States? These roses are beautiful, fresh cut, and will last for several days. Imagine, 60 roses for $5! The temptation is to buy a bunch and bring them with you to the States. However, that is difficult as the roses must be thoroughly inspected, especially for any insects. The inspectors will hold them upside down and shake them. If any insect falls out, the entire bunch is confiscated. Getting roses cleared to leave Ecuador is a difficult process.
Thank You, Jesus, for keeping us safe on the road and providing such beautiful scenery that fills us with wonder as we look at Your incredible creativity all around us. Thank You for helping us serve You through serving the people we cared for this past week. I pray for the patients for successful and uneventful recovery and the return to good health. Lord, I pray also for their spiritual health. If some need to know You more I pray for the right circumstances and people to help them realize that You are Lord of all and are the source of the very life they have. I pray that our efforts helped them realize that the most important possession they could have is a deep and growing relationship with You. Thank You for making that possible for all of us to have. Lord, I worship You tonight. Thank You. Amen.
Medical Missions 