And we're back

I have returned back to Ecuador after spending about 3 months back in the States. My time home was great! I was able to do a lot of traveling and got to catch up with friends and family. In July, I decided to come back to Ecuador for another year. This year my focus is a little different. I am not teaching English and I am living in a different part of the city. I wanted to gain experience on more of the administrative level, learning how an orphanage is run. I am still working as a volunteer and a lot of the activities that I did last year, I am continuing to do. However, I am also getting to spend some time in the office and interact with the social worker and psychologist.
When I arrived, I met with some of the staff to figure out what my schedule would look like. One of the areas that I am focusing on is language development with some of the toddlers. I am also tutoring for some children who will be adopted next month. They will be living in Italy, so among other subjects, I am teaching them Italian. I learn the words about five minutes before I teach them. We should all be fluent in no time.
Last week I returned to the orphanage where I lived last year to visit with the kids. About 2 minutes into the visit, the kids pulled me behind one of the houses to show me how they were killing ducks! One of the teenagers was just standing there, nonchalantly chatting with a duck head in his hand. I was then served a delicious duck lunch.
It's great to be back in this beautiful country. I love all the new experiences I am having and will be able to have. I am excited to be able to spend another year here, working with an amazing organization. Thank you for all of your prayers!

You can see this volcano from the orphanage


Working on numbers