Left, right, left…

If you want to catch the bus toward downtown Quito, or if you want to catch a bus toward San Rafael or San Luis areas to buy something, then you need to put on your walking shoes. And you need to be prepared to pass through multiple economic levels while you go.

We are more acclimated at this point than ever to the altitude, so I can probably challenge you to a conversation contest while walking to catch the bus and win- since I have had plenty of practice. What I mean is this: first you walk to get outside of the orphanage grounds, then once outside, take a left. (See beautiful picture with purple flowers at the home of a physician)

 Next, you walk a hundred yards further and go past the trash bags suspended in the tree, with live chickens enjoying the grazing on the sidewalk. (See second picture-chickens and trash)

Once you pass the graffiti wall and the gravel area leading to the fork in the road, you will see yet another part of the route for getting to the main highway for the bus. (See picture of Nichols family headed down the rough path). This part of the walk leads to the footbridge suspended over what I affectionately call the “Valley Of The Falling Pigs.” (More explanation on this in a later blog)

So after you walk across the VOTFP (see above) you walk up the cobblestone road past the men and ladies working with shovels and “shwapping” concrete up over their heads as they complete the third floor of an apartment house.

Finally, 150 vertical feet higher, you reach the highway! Now you can turn and head downhill to the bus stop. If you are going to Quito, you will need to (yep) climb the stairs of the Puente 7 crosswalk and go to the other side of the road to avoid being killed by the traffic roaring down the mountain.

Now it is time to pray for a seat on the bus, because your heart is racing from the walk, and it would be good to sit for a minute. No such success, the bus is full, and there is a lady breast-feeding her baby with no cover next to where you have to stand, so you graciously crane your neck to look at the man in the aisle next to you who is studying your backpack. Finally you get a seat. Across the aisle are two native Quechan Indian ladies that you can pray for as they sit silently in the midst of the commotion and Latino rap music blasting around them. And it hits you there-just how limited you feel sometimes, and just how glorious our God is, that He deserves the praise of every one of the people you have just gawked at, avoided, or prayed for.

So pray that we continue to seek this purpose: His glory in every nation.

Blessings-

Chris and Vickie and family