Sunday - Hot Springs & the Cathedral of the Diocese of Central Ecuador

6/14/2009

Sunday was epitomized by the building of relationships: an idea important not only because of its personal benefit, but because of how it is beneficial to the Church. Strengthening and expanding the global community of Christians is not a new idea, and its importance certainly hasn't diminished over time. Meeting new people is always exciting, and this morning was no different as we got off the bus at the Episcopal Cathedral to meet our new friends. After playing ice-breaker name games and a particularly fun (if not exhausting due to the altitude) follow the leader game, we all got on the bus to head out to hot spring about an hour out of Quito. On the bus, we learned songs such as:

Chocolata caliente
Chocalata por favor
No leche frio, no Coca-Cola
Chocolata (clap) senor!

and played Tingo, Tingo, Tango!, a game best described as a cross between duck-duck-goose and hot potato, where a bottle is passed around the bus and the person who is caught with the bottle as “Tango!” is shouted is required to undergo a usually hilarious penitencio: the true purpose of the game. The bus was probably where became closest to our Ecuadorian friends, and the assistance of Jackson and Morgan was needed by everybody as just about everyone else would classify themselves as much-less-than-fluent Spanish speakers.
Spending time relaxing in the hot springs was a fantastic way to spend time on God's Day of Rest, and our bodies certainly appreciated the rest. Afterwards, we took part in Eucharist, led by John, and the service took place outdoors, in the valley surrounded by lush, green mountains. Both Spanish and English were spoken simultaneously, and gave a special, if not totally unique, feel to the service.
In the evening we went back to the cathedral to attend a second Eucharist, spoken entirely in Spanish, where we were received with a warm welcome by everyone there. We were asked to stand in front of the congregation and introduce ourselves, and prior to our introductions we sang two songs: Amazing Grace and Sanctuary, and our music was received with warm applause. The hymns that were sung by the congregation were probably what made the service so special, as the music was defined by upbeat rhythms and clapping, something unusual to us but nonetheless very fun. After spending time with church members over coffee afterwards, we went home after a fantastic day.

-Baylor