This is not about Ceviche...

In a few short hours I will be venturing in to the kitchen to make a traditional Ecuadorian soup called Ceviche.  For those of you that know me, this may come as a bit of a surprise. For one, I have never been much of a cook, although I do believe God is changing that in me. I have really been enjoying sharing the responsibility of cooking with our roommates and will soon be the main cook for 14 people almost daily.  The other reason this might surprise you is that I am not a very adventurous eater, especially when it comes to seafood (cheviche is made with shrimp…), but I really enjoy this soup and have been a little more open to seafood lately.  Good thing because we are moving to the coast in 6 months.

This blog post really isn’t about seafood or cooking, though.  One too many surprises? :)  It is actually about friendships.  Kurtis and I have been blessed over the years with many wonderful friends.  God has always placed people in our lives that we can laugh and cry with and we are so very thankful.  In the decision to move to Ecuador, leaving our friends was one of the hardest parts.  We miss you all so much.

But… God is so faithful.  We have moved in across the street from probably the nicest family in all of Ecuador :)  Our friendship began because our boys are close in age and really enjoy each other, but it just so happens that us parents really enjoy each other also (even with the language barrier). Hey, if the kids can do it so can we!

 Doesn't Malachi just seem to fit right in :)

 Boys will be boys

 Giddy up

 Friends

Our neighbors have blessed us by bringing us many traditional foods to try, letting us practice (and at times slaughter) their language, they have welcomed us in to their home on traditional holidays with their extended family, and have supported us through this time of huge transition!

 

Enjoying a traditional Ecuadorian dessert made by our neighbor

A few weeks ago, my friend (and neighbor) Elizabeth invited me over and taught me how to make some wonderful traditional food so that I can have some meals under my belt when I am cooking for a team that will be 1/2 Ecuadorian.  We made Ceviche (as mentioned above), Fritada (a traditional pork meal), tortillas de papas (fried mashed potatoes with cheese in the middle),  fried plantains, and a sweet dessert with tomate de arbol.  

                                         

After spending the morning watching/helping a pro, rapidly writing notes (admittedly with mixed spanish and english depending on the facil-ness of the word) and stumbling over my verb usage, Kurtis and Malachi joined us and we all shared lunch together.  It was a beautiful time and a day I will not forget.  And everything was really delicious (muy rico)!!!

Lunch time!

I am so thankful I serve a God who cares about the little (or big) things, like our need to be relational and the importance of friends.  Thank you, Lord for providing in each moment.

Our neighbor Elizabeth and her daughter Emalia 

In less than a month we will be leaving our current house to move in to the home where we will be staying with our team while they are in language school and seminary classes.  Thankfully, we are still close enough that we will be able to visit our neighbors, but we will soon be moving far away.  It will be hard to say goodbye to such sweet friends, but we are trusting that the Lord will provide just what we need in the next place we live and I pray that we can be that kind of neighbor to someone else no matter where we live.  We have learned so much from them!

We are so thankful for Pablo, Elizabeth, Emalia, and Andres!