Compassion Ecuador - March 2011

From March 12-19, 2011, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Quito and Banos, Ecuador to visit Angely Yajaira Torres Tobango. She is 11 years old (DOB 10/30/1999) and I have been sponosring her for 3 years now. Prior to sponosoring Yajaira, I spnosored another little girl for 2 years until her parents removed her from the program. My trip to Ecuador was certainly amazing in life changing ways and many firsts for myself.

The Firsts that I faced:
Met my Compassion Child!!! (she was absolutely beautiful)
Traveling to a foreign country
Traveling and flying alone (navigating 4 different airports!)
Saw the Queen of Spain!
Ran two miles on a treadmill at 9,000 ft above sea level
Saw my first Volcanos! (Ecuador has over 100 volcanos including 19 of the world's most active and THE most active volcano)
Went bungee jumping off a sketchy bridge (spur of the moment decision that only cost 10$!)
Mountain biked 14 kilometers (I hadnt ridden a bike in YEARS!) on cobblestones and up volcanos!
Rode horses in the Andes Mnts.
Met people from ALL OVER AMERICA! and made many new friends

This was definitly a fun experience that opened my eyes to poverty and third world countries. My tour guide, Becca, said something that will always stick with me, "Poverty is not about having a lack of materials or resources, it is the loss of hope in one's heart and mind." Still, I am left to appreciate my blessings and wonder why I have been the chosen one. Someday I will return to Ecuador to visit her again - maybe when she graduates from High School and continues on to college to become a doctor like she wants to be?

Yajaira, Me, and her mother

My horse's name was Olivia!

Yes, that is a volcano in the background! AWESOME!

My roomate Gwen and I!