Recently, I read a blog called How Do You Write Your Name in the Land?. It was a great blog to read and it made me look back and reflect over my time living in Latin America, which includes Costa Rica and now Ecuador, and to see how I've slowly have begun to write my name here.
I never realize how much of a country girl I was until I was thrown into the city life of a foreign country. In Costa Rica, I lived in the suburbs of San José. I struggled with all the houses so close together. All the bars and gates. I felt like I was being closed in on. My country heart grieved and lamented. There were so many days (too many that I'd like to admit) that I disliked where I was at. Had it not been for the incredible mountain view that I was able to stare at every day, I would have gone stir crazy.
I had never seen such splendor as those mountains! Sometimes after school, I'd sit in one of the parks nearby and stare at them, trying to loose myself. The mountains comforted and calmed my heart. Those mountains were an amazing gift from God during my time in C.R.
Then I came to Guayaquil, Ecuador. A much larger city than I had been living in C.R. Noise. Traffic. Traffic. Traffic! Exhaust. Filth. Smells. Cement. Concrete. So many people!!!! You have got to be kidding me!! It was overwhelming.
All over again, my heart grieved and ached for something that remotely resembled the country. It seemed as if I was always searching for something to fill that void. And had it not been God that brought me here, I would have left.
But many years ago, I made a decision to follow Jesus and this is where He led me.
I'm not going to talk about all the tears that were shed or the pity parties that I threw myself. But through all of that, God slowly opened and is continuing to open my eyes to see the wonder of this crazy city.
I love living near the airport. One of my favorite things is watching the planes take off. I have no idea why, but i find it exhilarating.
Reading the billboards while I drive. (most of the time, traffic is congested and slow enough for me to read them.) I find this entertaining in the mist of all the craziness that is traffic.
Out my window is a view of some houses painted in a variety of colors. Sometimes I just stand and peer out my window.
The Historical Park isn't too far away from where I live. I like going there. It's quaint and completely lovely. I love the flower gardens. All the bushes, trees and flowers bring my mind to the country. This place is peaceful.
I love the people here. I love my teammates and see them more as family than just co-workers. I love the people at the churches that I work with. They are so kind and always greet me with smiles. And I love my landlords!!! They've been so helpful, encouraging, laugh at my attempts to be witty and share my disdain for pigeons.
I LOVE the kids!!! Saturday mornings are my favorite part of the week here. Hearing kids call my name and attack me with hugs. Hearing them laugh and sing. And holding their hands as I walk them home. Some days, I wish every day could be Saturday morning.
I love driving through the Andes Mountains. Once a month, I drive to a town tucked in the mountain range and I look forward to this drive every single time....unless it's foggy. This drive is hands down!! the most incredible drive!! It's impossible not to praise God the Creator. Most of the time, I don't want to be the driver. Too much to look at, to soak in and marvel in the awe and majesty of who God is!!
There will always be things I miss about the rolling hills of beautiful Pennsylvania. But this place is home.....even if it does still drive me crazy at times. Those nuggets of wonder is what makes it what it is in my heart and makes me feel content.
