Hello,
This is just a run-down (an outline really) of what I’ve been doing here in Chontal during the quarantine. I’ve lumped them into some categories. I hope you are safe and well. It’s a good time for gratitude for all that is happening, and when I made the list I realized a lot more is happening than seemed!
Health and living
o I'm trying to take advantage of the space where I'm staying with daily exercises, doing the Insanity program. I used the program to lose about 20 pounds a few years ago. I’ve lost probably 10 or 15 pounds? so far and in great physical shape!
o I haven't had a beer or wine - or a big dessert - since the lockdown started!
o I hand wash my clothes every day, and take care of housecleaning in my room, and wash dishes in the kitchen.
o I'm eating the food of the house where I'm staying, which is varied and healthy.
B2B and its mission
o Keeping aware of small business assistance in Boston, MA and at Federal level.
o Beginning planning to reorganize the identity and mission, in light of the current situation and what I've learned over the past 7 years
B2B for folks in the States
o Sharing reflections on Facebook publicly, specifically focused on non-church-goers
o Working on helpful videos and projects to share with folks back in the States
o Will be more publicly sharing the books I published beyond the church
o Sharing teaching presentations on reading the Gospels
B2B for folks here in Ecuador
o Sharing reflections publicly on Facebook
o Offering consolation over the speaker in the village (homilies at the Mass)
o Sharing the story on Facebook of how I came to be here
o Sharing teaching presentation on reading the Gospels
o With the people I'm living with
o Lead the folks I’m living with in daily physical exercises, the Insanity exercise program videos I have.
o Paying to cover my fair food and rent expenses - helps with all household costs. Helping with household tasks.
o Often buy little desserts for the folks, to lighten the time!
o Made homemade masks for everyone, about 9.
o Made toys for 4-yr-old Matias: horse, kite, mask.
o Play games with the kids. Show movies on some evenings.
Dealing with obstacles
o Fending off creatures like mosquitos, bats, big spiders, and giant kamikaze moths that enter my room!
o Dealing with a labored internet with a speed about 1-5% of that in Boston, and that often goes out - plus occasional power and water outages. Frequent going to another location (church) for better internet, but need to be back before 2pm curfew!
o Getting cash on hand, which after several attempts over the course of many hours, finally worked out.
o Taking care of bills back home, keeping my phone number for whatsapp. Adding Skype phone number
o Investigating fraud charges on credit card! Only $84, and its been credited while the bank investigates…
o Living with people who have different values.
Staying in contact
o Keeping up with latest news
o Keeping a dynamic plan in place for how to arrange a return to Boston (Copa airlines is planning on opening at the end of May, but who knows when a flight really becomes available and who knows when I can travel in Ecuador).
o With friends by phone and video calls and email and WhatsApp and Facebook.
o With folks back in the States by social media.
Prayer
o Keeping daily prayer times, visiting the church at times.
A horse I made for 4-yr-old Matias from an old sock, LOL!
On our way to try to get some cash several weeks ago. It didn’t work out. We passed through a few roadblocks on the to and fro - each of us, plus the vehicle, was sprayed down at each one.
More masks
I made masks for folks in the house, especially the kids, from a free shirt from the local supple store, and elastic banding
A creepy bug. Turns out its harmless!
With no one using the parish house, the bees are making their move …
This is where it all goes down … my room. I’m sitting in that chair right now as I write!
The cows have come home …
No shortage of fresh oranges, especially delicious after a workout
Wood-fired, smoked ribs … plantains and bananas …OK, I’m not the chef, but dinner was great
The docotor is in! … I have another mask on which I put some yarn design to make it look like a mouth with two buck teeth. Instead of the Buen Pastor (the Good Shepherd), I’m then the Buen Castor (the Good Beaver) LOL
Las 4 Casas
This is a 3-part video of the background story of my coming to Chontal, for the people of Chontal (in Spanish.) I share it here for Spanish speakers (Susan, Josefina, Antonio, Higinio :) )