Leaving for Ecuador

Sunday, November 2

Finally ready to go. After a long drive through a haze of sleepiness, after a long night of packing and preparing, we're finally at the gate waiting for a plane.

So far the trip has consisted of hurrying and waiting. Our whole group is together - and we're polite and agreeable - or maybe we just need coffee. I guess I wasn't afraid that we'd get along. We seemed to get along fine as we met to plan before we left. None of us seem likely to complain and so far we seem to be flexible. Two women from the church in Shelton seem committed to relating what they see to their faith and to their congregation. They bring a commitment to youth and children. I easily get obsessed with issues of organization. They bring me to earth as they look for relationships with youth and ways to connect youth in mission.

My first test today was the opportunity to help a Spanish-speaking traveller find the exit out of the gate area. She couldn't understand a word I said. I pointed and she went that way. My Spanish is so bad! If they can't understand me in New York...