Family Vacation

We have been so grateful to have a break from school and have been visiting some beautiful places here in Ecuador. On Christmas Day after church we set out to Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world. 

We hiked around a lake there and then drove up as high as we could. Naty and I hiked a bit higher to the refuge. We stayed overnight at a hotel and then took a family walk the next morning to see the wild horses. 

We traveled from Cotopaxi back to Quito and then down the mountains to Puyo on December 26. Some friends from our church invited us to visit their hometown. We are staying in a cabin east of Puyo and have had a blast visiting different places here on the jungle side of Ecuador. 

Yesterday we went to the town of El Triunfo and rode a cable car to an amazing waterfall. 

After lots of pictures and a cold swim, we went to a monkey refuge near Puyo. Marcus's dream was to see monkeys in the jungle, so his wish came true!

Today we went to a huge tree house to look out over the jungle. 

Then after lunch we came to Shell to see the Nate Saint House. 

This is where Nate Saint flew from before the fateful day when he and four friends were killed by the Waorani tribe. 

The tribe are now Jesus followers and we hope that someday we can fly out to visit one of their villages. If you have never seen the movie "The End of the Spear" you need to watch it. 

Next week we'll be back in school again so we're making the most of our time now. 

 
 
 
 
 

 

Why am I doing this?

I've asked that question more than once over the past five months. I feel like I've worked more this school year than any time in my career. I've also had several moments when I've realized there is nothing I'd rather do more. This Christmas card from a student helped me remember why I'm here: