The first, and these really aren't in any particular order, is a conversation I had with this guy named Bill. Bill is married to the librarian down here and is the only other gringo besides me in this neighborhood. He hails from Michigan and smokes like crazy, but apparently he's calmed down a bit. Anyway we were outside the house and we were talking about the weekend. About 8 people came down from the States and hung out with us for a weekend in the middle of October. Most of them were from a church called Ocean Hills in Santa Barabara, CA and we spent the weekend at a cool, little retreat center. They had been coming down to Quito for the past 6 years and Bill met them for the first time last year. During a conversation he was asked what he missed most about the States. He quickly answered: Mountain Dew, Cheez Wiz, and Spaghettio's with Meatballs. Apparently the questioner kept this in mind and in his next visit the following year, he showed up with Cheez Wiz and Spaghettio's with Meatballs. He was afraid to pack the Mountain Dew because he thought it would explode, but nonetheless it left quite the impression on Bill. During his second cigarette he exclaimed to me his appreciation. "I mean, the dude brought me Cheez Wiz...that's fucking love!'
The second was an event that happened a few weeks ago. A friend and fellow volunteer Mateo Ponce wanted to start a Bible Study every Wednesday night. We would alternate between going to his house and Casa Victoria and each person would share a thought or two from the Bible. During this particular Bible Study we had 4 guests from Peru. They were husband and wife pastors that Javier had met on his journey there in September. There were 12 of us gathered around the dining room table, with coffee, tea, and cheese with bread in front of us and a raging, warming fire behind us. One pastor shared his thoughts from the book of John and we were all discussing it. Jose Luis, one of the founders of the house, was also in attendance. The conversation shifted a little bit to Casa Victoria and he said something that has stuck with me: "Look at all of us that are gathered here tonight. We have representatives from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and the United States. We have people of all different skin color. We all represent different societal classes from small villages in the Andes mountains to the son of the Mister of Defense. But we are all here, gathered together, talking about Jesus. To me, this represents Casa Victoria." I was proud to be a part of that.
The last was when the weather started to change in the first weeks of October. My body wasn't quite ready for that and I got a little sick. I lost my voice for a day, I was coughing like crazy, and had all kinds of congestion. It was right when these little Bible Studies that I mentioned previously were beginning. At the end of one of them I asked Javier to pray for me. I asked him to pray for my health as well as my Spanish as it was kind of a double wammy for me. I'm sick and I can't explain what's wrong with me without acting it out. He said of course he would do it, and we made our way back to the house. As soon as I arrived I headed straight for my bed as I was exhausted and needing sleep. As I layed down Javy came in my room and told me that I should wear a scarf; that it would help with my sickness. I told him that I didn't have one and didn't really believe his old wive's tale, but he proceeded to take his scarf and give it to me. This was significant because Javier sleeps with a stocking cap and this scarf every night. He was giving to me, a sick roommate who he barely knows, and putting himself out for the night. I accepted his generous offer and it wasn't but 5 min. before I was halfway to dream land. I did notice, however, that Javy had made his way over to my bed and was praying for me. I couldn't really understand it all, but in my semi-comatose state I just felt better. The dude had given me something that was big for him and kept his word. Javy is a good friend.
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