Oh Canada! My home and native land!

Hello friends, 

I've been back in Canada for two and a half weeks now. It's gone by quickly. To be honest at first when I came back it felt as if I had never left, but as time passes I'm starting to realize more and more that I have been gone. One of the harder things to deal with is conversation. I would love to talk about Ecuador to everyone for hours! I had such a great experience, but I do realize that for people who have never been there and can't relate it isn't exactly fun to hear about it ALL THE TIME! This is hard for me. I'm reconnecting with friends and family, and it's great, it's just a lot harder to start conversations when you have little to no idea what they've been up to in the last 6 months. 

Going back to work has been intense as well. It's hard to fit back in again, but the hardest part has just been the physical work. I totally underestimated how soft I got in Ecuador (maybe going back during the busiest time of year wasn't very smart) and now my body is aching all over! However getting a paycheque hasn't been this exciting in years :)

It has been a bit of an adjustment coming back, but it's gone smoother than I had expected! 

There were a few things I missed while in Ecuador: 

1) Tim hortons! It was the first stop we made after I landed :)

2) free refills on soft drinks in restaurants. Just one glass is never enough for me!

3) my family and friends

4) my church family. I didn't realize how hard it would be not to worship with them all.

5) my truck! Not being able to drive was really hard on my independent streak! 

Now I'm enjoying these things again, but now there are things I realize how much I enjoyed in Ecuador. (I know, I am never satisfied, the grass always looks greener elsewhere!)

1) I almost forgot how much it hurts to fill up my truck with gas!

2) we left the airport and everything was flat! I miss the mountains!!

3) fresh fruits and vegetables for much cheaper. And fresh fruit juice, all the time!

4) I actually really miss singing in Spanish. (Even though most of the time I had no idea what I was singing about haha)

However, I am really glad to be back in Canada, to be back in my 'comfort zone'. Living in Ecuador was a great learning experience! It's so neat to be able to see and live in a different culture, and God used my time there to grow me in so many ways. Maybe someday I'll get around to sharing that on here as well. I'm thankful to God for allowing me to live in Ecuador and for giving me the strength to take the opportunity. I'm also so thankful to my Uncle Fred and Aunt Arlene for taking me in and giving me a place to stay, it was awesome getting to know them better! And I'm also thankful to all my Ecuadorian friends for welcoming me. You forced me to learn Spanish, and even though it was tough, I'm glad you did that! (And to those of you who broke the rules and spoke English to me, you made some tough times a little easier haha) 

Los quiero mucho a todos! Un abrazo a la distancia! Dios les bendiga! Cuidense hasta que nos volvamos a ver! 

Melissa

'Fast' food (parental guidance suggested)

Hey everyone!

This past weekend (Thursday April 3-Sunday April 6) I had the chance to go along with my Aunt Arlene and cousin Erin on a homeschoolers retreat to the beach. I had a great time to meeting new people, and it was neat to see how the kids had fun together and enjoyed each other's company.

I want to share a unique experience I had while there. 

The place where we stayed was owned by a missionary family that lives here in Quito. They bought this beachfront property, and built a four story building on it, so they could house retreats and camps and things. It was a very nice, clean place to stay, and I must say I enjoy falling asleep with the sound of waves in the background! Anyways, when we arrived they told us that if we saw any iguanas we could go ahead a kill one, as they were becoming somewhat of a nuisance. The couple that leads the homeschooler's retreat used to live in the jungle of Ecuador, so are quite accustomed to eating different meats, and were all up for the challenge of catching and cooking an iguana! However, the iguanas did prove rather difficult to catch. Slingshots were used daily, but never managed to take down an iguana. So, on Saturday, Mr. Borman climbed a tree, knocked an iguana out and then killed it. The poor creature was skinned, chopped up in pieces and fried in oil.

I must say it smelt quite gamey in the kitchen as they were cooking it, but iguana does taste somewhat like chicken, just a bit more chewy. I had wanted to taste guinea pig while I was here, but I think iguana is a great substitute, and it was a pretty neat experience! 

Melissa