Bienvenidos!

Hola a todos! (Hello Everyone) This is the first of many blog posts that I will be writing during my experience of volunteering for a year of service in Ecuador! I will be serving with a program called Rostro de Cristo, which means "Face of Christ". This is a Catholic Organization that provides opportunities for young adults to live out the Gospel with the people of Ecuador. If you would like to learn more about the program check out the website! rostrodecristo.org During my time there, I will be living in the new community, Monte Sinai. This region is right outside of northern Guayaquil. This is a relatively new residential area, so many of the people living there are new to the area. Most of the families there live on less than two dollars a day. (Cost of house included.) -Puts our lives in perspective a bit-wow! Even though these people are less affluent in some respects, they are often times more hospitable and joyful than people who have so much more in a material sense. While I am there, I will be teaching at the school called San Felipe de Neri. I will be teaching parts of second grades, and different odds and ends (I will be filling you in later on details). I will also be spending time focusing on building relationships with our neighbors and experiencing the Ecuadorian life with them and my community. I will be living with four other amazing volunteers- Becky, Jenn, Aaron and Jeff (Recent college grads from all over the US) It will be a blessing to share a year with these people-because I know that they will teach me more than I could ever imagine.

Now since you all will be journeying with me throughout the year, I feel as though I should fill you in on why I am moving half way across the world to volunteer. Well, I'm going to have to put the blame on you! (Especially my parents, family, and fellow Bennies!). You have enlivened my life with faith. You have loved me and taught me how to love. You have given me life, and given me the drive to want to give life to others. I am so grateful for what you all mean to me, and how formative each and every one of you has been in my life. Honestly Mom and Dad...We have a life-size Jesus statue in our house-What did you expect? :). Also through the many wonderful experiences I have had in my life (Such as the annual trips to Mexico), I have been able to feel the joys of international service and recognize that these trips allow you to grow in incredible, new ways. Also being in a different country would allow for me to experience a new culture, the livelihood of its people, and (hopefully) an expansion in my language skills! Another amazing aspect of this program is that I will be living in an intentional Christian community, where we will grow and reflect together throughout the year. This component was essential for me. If I was going to leave the country for a year, I needed to know that I would be able to have support from a community. Lastly, in my faith journey I have come to a point where just having my beliefs wasn't enough. I needed to put them into action!

I am so excited to see where this year will bring me (and excited that I will be able to impart my experience to you via blog). I know that being in Ecuador allow for me to be challenged, to grow in community, to love unconditionally, and to come to know God in new ways.

As I sign off, I would like to leave you with this prayer. This inspires me as I prepare to leave for Ecuador. Maybe it will speak to you as well.

Falling In Love
Nothing is more practical than finding God,
that is, than falling in love
in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything.
It will decide what will get you
out of bed in the morning,
what you will do with your evenings,
how you will spend your weekends
what you read, who you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you
with joy and gratitude.
Fall in love, stay in love,
and it will decide everything.
-Pedro Arrape, SJ

You are all in my prayers, and I send you much love.
Blessings and all joys,
Marita