OTAVALO

We returned this evening to Quito after a wonderful weekend in Otavalo. Friday evening we visited a beautiful waterfalls. On Saturday, we visited the largest market in Ecuador and then visited Quicocha Lake - a large lake surrounded by a snow-capped mountain. God gave us a beautiful sunset overlooking the lake and the surrounding valleys. We stayed in the Hostel Rihcon del Viajero. It was great fun meeting other travelers from around the world at the hostal and in local restaurants. A group of about 12 Christians from a Presbyterian church in Alabama were staying at the hostel while doing a service project in a local Indian village. The view below is from the roof of our hostel.

The owner of the hostel is from the states and is married to an Ecuadoran. I had a number of very interesting conversations with him about the local culture and present day challenges and opportunities. The Indians now have much of the economic and political power in the town. Many have moved in from the surrounding villages. Their wealth and influence began with their large market. Many of them now market their products throughout the world. Much of the money in Otavalo comes from outside Ecuador - the US, Europe and Spain. The cost of living does not reflect earning power like it does in the states. Most common laborers earn about $100 per month and would not be able to live without money coming in from outside. Even the large Indian market in Otavalo is supported primarily by outsiders - tourists visiting from around the world.

As we were walking the streets Friday night at about 9 p.m., we ran into an interesting protest march. There was a large crowd with loudspeakers, spears and loud chants. The girls were out walking on their own. I wanted to follow the march and observe more but Judy was quite concerned about our safety so we returned to our hostel. About 30 minutes later, the girls returned. Otavalo is supposed to be a very safe town for tourists even at night, unlike Quito.

This morning (Sunday), I woke up early and went on top of the hostel for a time of being alone with God. As I was lying in the hammock listening to the rain fall on the tin roof, a hummingbird tasted a flower a few feet away. Judy and I then visited a Catholic church that was standing room only. It was a large very old cathedral with more than 400 indigenous Indians attending. We stood in the back for about 15 mintues observing the worshipers. They seemed to take their religion very seriously with rituals a vital part of their worship. We found the place to be rather unfriendly and unwelcoming with several turning around and giving us glances that to us said "What are you doing here?". As we left, several beggars were rather forceful in trying to get us to give them something.

We then walked a couple blocks to an evangelical church that was already in progress. We walked into a large room and immnediately a very friendly Indian lady came running to us and led us up the stairs to a packed large room where the worship service was taking place. Another lady sitting in the back along the wall immediately made room for Judy and I and insisted on us sitting with her. Again the room was full with mnore than 300. It wasn't long before we spotted Jessica, Janelle and Dany sitting in the front row. The right wall was lined with men's hats. The Indians remind me in many ways of the Amish. The sermon included scriptures from Genesis, Philippians and Revelation. It was fun picking out some spanish in the sermon. The Phillipians 2:11 text stuck out to us - "That every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father" I was suddenly overwhelmed with the thought that some day, I will join all of these "strangers and yet brothers and sisters in Christ" in heaven.

Both churches were made up of 99.9 percent Indians. You can tell them by their colorful dress, long black hair, and very short stature. When we stood, it felt like Jessica and I were giants. When we left, Jessica and I needed to stoop to get through the doorways. The contrast between the two churches was astounding.

This afternoon, we traveled back to Quito. The roads and drivers are quite daring which makes for quite interesting and dangerous travel up and down the mountains. Our most interesting event was a traffic jam in the mountains caused by a protest group blocking the road. When we got there, the police were rounding up all the protesters and they were reboarding their large dump trucks and buses and heading to Quito for another protest. Perhaps we will see them again in Quito this week.

So much more to say, but Jessica has been begging to use the computer. Blessings to you all!