Sherri's Musings on Driving in Ecuador

I've never been a fan of extreme sports, but I feel like I participate in one every day when I drive in Quito. Although there are clearly marked lanes on most streets, drivers interpret them as mere guidelines or suggestions and ignore them. The only people who use them are motorcyclists who believe this is their "lane" for driving between the lines of cars.

I've learned to drive with my hand near the horn so that I can tap it at any time. There appears to be NO rules, so you need a horn to remind people that you're there. Others use the horn to say things like "Watch out--I'm cutting you off." Or "I'm letting you know that I'm passing IN BETWEEN two cars, so move over." Or "I don't feel like waiting for this street light so I'm running it." One person recently said "you can't be in a car without a horn in Ecuador; it would be like getting in a car without breaks." They were absolutely right. The only driving rule seems to be that if I can get there before you (meaning in your lane whether there's room or not), I win.

Why do people drive so badly or aggressively? Many people don't take courses or take the actual driving test to get their license. Palancas (connections) and bribes go a long way here--who needs to pass a driving test when you can just buy your license? Also, many drivers are first-generation drivers since most of their parents couldn't afford a car. They don't have the benefit of learning by (good) examples.

When my mother visited us last year we gave her the front seat whenever we went anywhere. After the 2nd or 3rd day she said, "If you don't mind I'll sit in the back where I can't watch the traffic." I think for my next career I might give NASCAR a try!

Evangelism & Holiness Conferences

Nearly 1,000 leaders from Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela gathered in the respective countries as National Iberoamerica Conferences sparked a renewed priority for evangelism and holiness. People of all ages received a special touch of God during the altar times, along with practical training during the ministry workshops.

General Superintendent Dr. James Diehl, Regional Director Dr. Christian Sarmiento and Field Strategy Coordinator Rev. Dwight Rich traveled to and spoke at each of these events. The national conferences concluded with ordination services where Dr. Diehl had the honor of ordaining 7 new pastors, including two indigenous pastors from Ecuador. The North Andean Field is praising God for His presence and direction in each of the Iberoamerica Conferences.

Carnival 2007

Instead of Mardi Gras, people in Ecuador celebrate Carnival with practical jokes and water fights. A picture of our warriors are attached. Besides Stan, Mary and Landon, the two blonde kids are Luke and Hannah Baker, missionary kids/friends.

Teaching in the Jungle

Recently Dwight Rich and Stan visited a part of Ecuador that has our most remote churches. The two main towns are Macas and Sucúa. Dwight and Stan both presented workshops (see picture 1 in a grass hut setting) in addition to Dwight presiding over the District Assembly. Stan also spoke at a youth service on Saturday night. In the second picture, local pastors pose in front of a Nazarene church in Sucúa where the District Assembly was held.

Another highlight was to attend one of our Shuar churches. The Shuar people are known to be the fiercest warriors in Ecuador. This was the first time a missionary has attended this church as it took an hour-long drive and a 40-minute walk to reach the church. The given address for one of our Shuar churches was "east of the soccer field." In these villages, that is enough! The third picture shows the pastor of the Shuar church with his family in their church building. In the fourth picture, children hold up their "million dollar tract" that Stan passed out during a meeting.

Stan also visited "The Garden of Eden," a resort in the area that had an animal reserve. Here he saw monkeys, birds, tigers, tapirs and many others.

The missionaries had a long 9-hour bus drive back to Quito, but were thankful for God’s presence that was evident throughout the weekend. God is working among these Nazarene people!