The Place we call Home

 We arrived in Ambato and settled into three little apartments in a building with 9 other apartments.  They had been rented for us by missionaries in Ecuador before we arrived.  The idea was that we could at least have a spot to land, if not live for the next two years.  We were all excited about having a home, since we had been in training and traveling since January.  It was time to unpack suitcases!

Ella and Thomas at the front entrance.  We walked down that long hall behind them, then outside again and up a flight of stairs to our apartment.

  The apartments had all we needed and we were all okay with living in them for 2 years if that was where God wanted us to be.  Our family had the largest apartment and the boys and girls each had apartments.

Our kitchen/laundry room.  We had to run a hose from the washer to
the shower for it to drain.

Our apartment- the largest of the three.  

We had church services in the apartment for the first month.

We just weren't sure.  They were small, our team was spread out and we did not have adequate space for meals or meetings.  There were no closets, cupboards or hot water and the level of security was a little questionable.  There was no way we were going to fit more furniture than a table and chair set, which we had to move around to make space for meetings.  But, we were content remembering that God does not give bad things and resting in the truth that God does not make mistakes.  If this is what He had for us, it was going to be good. 

Dinner time!

We decided to buy basics for the apartments; electric shower heads, beds, a few closets, etc.  I bought what I needed to start preparing meals for the team and we began to kind of settle in.  We didn't want to totally set in until we knew for sure where we would be.   

Shopping!

The kid's bedroom-

The girls, Nancy, Nikol, Chelsea and CJ getting their apartment set up-

Soon after we arrived we set out as a team to get to know the city and look for possible church locations and a different living situation.  The idea was to find a place to live near the church.  Each pair returned home reporting possible options for the church and for living.  Over the course of several days we visited each location and began to eliminate those that were too expensive, not big enough, etc.  We ended up with 2 possible church locations and one other living location.  One church location was 3 blocks away from the small apartments, where we currently were.  The other was 3 blocks away from a building with 3 big apartments, where we wanted to be!  We all loved the neighborhood and Pastor immediately decided that our first Evangelical Event (which was a few weeks out) would be in this neighborhood park, with the idea that one day, it would be OUR neighborhood too.  We spent three days praying for the city at different parks, and went to this particular neighborhood park to pray during one morning prayer time (I didn't get a picture of us praying there, but below is one of the team overlooking the city).  We prayed to live in the big apartments, we prayed for God to give us peace in whatever the outcome would be.  

   

The team at one of the parks that overlooks the city-

We had given phone numbers to people and waited to hear back from the owners of each property.  As we continued to explore both neighborhoods, we discovered several churches near the large apartments, which discouraged us.  We did not want to plant a new church in an area where several other churches were already established.  When Pastor finally connected with the owner of the local near the bigger apartments, it was clear that the price was too high and it would not be an option for our church. 

We moved forward with the other church option, which had perfect space for us at the right price.  It is in an area of town where there are no churches and near a street corner where there are 4 discotecas.  One of the Universities is just around the corner.

Preparing for our first church service-

 It is a perfect place for a church, and we thanked God for providing it for us.  However, we were still up in the air about where to live.  We decided that even though it was a mile away from the church, if the bigger apartments were available we would move.  The owner’s sister had shown us around and quoted us a price.  It was just within our budget.  For 2 weeks we waited to hear back from the owner of the big apartments.  We had decided that if the big apartments fell through, that we would stay in the small apartments and figure out a way to make it work.  I was actually getting excited about how to organize and live in the small space for 2 years!  In the meantime, a computer was stolen out of the guy’s apartments.  We called the owner and asked that he install metal bars on all the windows and a metal gate for each apartment door.  He provided those things, but we were still a little uneasy.

During this two week period, I met a missionary, named Edward, and his daughter while buying groceries.  The first week, we exchanged numbers.  The week was so full that I did not call.  The next week, I met them again!  We made plans to get together the following Sunday.  We went to their home one Sunday afternoon.  Another missionary family was there as well, and we enjoyed sharing about each other’s ministries, experiences and lives.  As we all sat around the table talking, Chad mentioned that we had a church location, but were still hopeful about moving into different apartments.  “We know of a big 4 story house that is available if you are interested.  We can drive you over there tonight- it’s close by,” they said.  The price was $100 cheaper than what we were quoted for the big apartments.  Our ears perked up.  Chad whispered to me, “Man, this could really be something big—“ I was thinking the same thing.  We loaded in the car and headed over to the house.  On the way, Edward shared with us the story of how the house came available.

A week early (in the midst of us looking for a new place to live) yet another missionary family was going through a major family crisis.  The family suddenly returned home to the United States without being able to wrap up ministry, pack their home, etc.  The two families that we had spent the afternoon with were in the midst of trying to sell/pack the furniture and belongings of the family that left.  There was no chance of their return.  We drove to the house in the dark, but it seemed to us that we were near the neighborhood where the big apartments were.  We didn't know where we were or what the name of the neighborhood was, so we were eager to return in the daylight to investigate.

 The home they took us to still had food the cupboards, clothes in the closets, toys in bins, etc.  It was sad considering what could have possibly happened to this family.  As we walked through the house, we could see that it would work perfectly for our team.  We told Edward that we were very interested.  We offered our team to come help pack and clean the house.  Edward told us that the owner of the house had not been made aware that the family had left. Edward wanted to wait until it was cleaned out before the owner was informed. 

That Saturday, we went and painted the soccer court in the neighborhood where the big apartments were.

  

The neighborhood is called Alborada.  CJ and Nikol had done a great job of coordinating with the neighborhood president.  She provided paint for the courts, and was really excited about our team hosting a Kid’s event the following weekend.  She offered to provide sandwiches and drinks for the kids during the event.  She even helped promote and advertise the event in the neighborhood.

We discovered, in the daylight, that the house was literally 3 doors down from the bigger apartments!  We were excited, but kept prayerful spirits.  We still, more than anything, wanted to be wherever God wanted us to be.  The house and the big apartments in the same neighborhood, the support and welcome of the neighborhood president, it all just seemed like so much more than coincidence.  

The next week, we took our team and met Edward at his home.  He took us to the house to begin packing.  The team liked the house, and Edward said he would contact the owner.  

This picture was taken after a full day of re-painting the soccer court and backboards.  The neighborhood Vice President hung around with us all day and joined us for the picture!

In the meantime, the owner of the big apartments called.  He actually only had 2 of the apartments available, but would consider giving us the third IF another business deal worked out that he was in the middle of.  So, we waited again.  Pastor talked to him again later that week and he said that he would give us the three apartments, but raised the price by $250 monthly.  Door closed.  

That Saturday we had our first Evangelistic Event planned in the park.  As we were preparing Edward called, and said the owner of the house was in town and could met at 12PM.  Pastor, Chad and I walked to the house at 12PM.  The owner drove up, and Edward began to explain the situation.  The owner was rightly surprised.  We walked through the house, and Chad, Pastor and the owner spent about 45 minutes talking about how to make it work.  I headed back to the park to help with set-up, and a few minutes late Pastor and Chad returned with the keys!  The house was ours. 

Chad and Pastor Lenilde with our house keys-

Our first Evangelical Event-

 It was April 29^th.  We needed to be out of our current apartments by the end of the month in order to avoid paying more rent.

We moved in April 31.  Our Pastor’s wife’s family was in town visiting that day.  They came for a short, one day visit.  They own a truck, and offered it to us for the day, while they visited and explored the city with family.  So, we had a free truck to use.  The one day they were visiting with their truck, is the day we ended up moving- and Chad got to try our his South America driving skills! We did rent a truck for some of the things we moved, but were amazed at God’s timing.  We only had to make one trip with the rented truck.  The style of packing probably helped make that possible too- ha!

           

 

So here we are.  We have been living in this house that God gave us for almost a month!

Do you want to see it????? 

Street view.  There is a big patio with room to park a few cars, of we had them, inside the gate-

 If you came to visit, you would come through this front door onto the second level of the house.  On this level is the main living area, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and half bath.  This is public area where our group hangs out, has meetings and eats.  Chad has claim to the office, which has been a great blessing.  I prayed for him to be able to have his own work space.  In Puno he worked at the dining room table, and it was less than ideal.  This works out great!  He can go in and close the door, which he does often!

 The following pictures are of the living and dining room-

We have space for 2 tables and chairs, and feel comfortable with the space, even if all 12 of us are here.

 

The kitchen is wonderful.  I have to admit that not having my OWN kitchen has been a challenge.  Figuring out what an acceptable standard vs. my preference for how things are kept is tricky.  Just today I was thinking about how crazy it is that our family is sharing a home with 8 other people- and it feels normal to me!  Challenging at times, but such an amazing opportunity and experience.

Downstairs, on the first level, is where the 4 boys have their rooms.  They share two rooms, and have two bathrooms and a shower.  They also have a large patio to use-

The third floor is where our bedroom is, with a big walk-in closet and bathroom.  We keep the kids clothes in our room and they use our bathroom.  On this level there is also a sitting area, a full bathroom and two bedrooms, which the girls share.

 

This is our bedroom, which is big enough to have a little sitting area.  This is our space and I am so thankful for a room that we can go to kind of "get away."

Up to the fourth floor.  There is a small sitting area, and a large bedroom for the kids.  We have 4 beds in their room, and it will be the official guest room/area when we have visitors.  The kids will sleep on mattresses in our room when people visit. 

The house is built on a hill, and overlooks a really busy intersection.  Below is a picture from the front.  We are the top 3 levels and 2 bottom right windows.  The rest of the windows are apartments that enter from this side.  We enter from the top side.    

 There is always traffic noise, that I think we are finally adapting too.  Last Saturday, we caught a bike race going through the intersection.

and we have an amazing view of Tungurarua, an active volcano-

We thank God everyday for this amazing gift He has given us.  Certainly we face some interesting challenges living together with a family of 4 and eight 20-somethings from 2 different countries and 8 very different backgrounds.  But, God is good and He gives us what we need.  As I look back over the way this home came to be, it is clear that God had it in mind for us.  He is so faithful and so good.