¡Hola!
Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged, I've been so busy...which is good I guess!
The last two weeks have been awesome but definitely its their ups and downs!
So I've done lots of very cultural things the last couple of weeks. 2 weeks ago there was a football game between Ecuador and Chile, which is all part of the competition between the South American countries I get into the World Cup...so it was a big deal! We went to watch it, and we won! It was an awesome game, and a brilliant atmosphere. So we went into the centre of town after the game. Everyone was in ecuadorian football shirts, music playing and people dancing. So that was fab!
Today I also went to otovalo, which is this town a few hours from Quito. It has the second largest market in South America, cheap and gorgeous stuff. Beautiful colours, vibrant music and the smell of a lot of funny looking almuerzos (lunch). However, definitely a place filled with endless streams of the same stuff with pushy owners trying to persuade you to buy ponchos at some crazy cheap price! We then went to this stunning waterfall not far from there. We walked up the mountain, an incredible view! I was then welcomed by abba being played by the panpipes, which was just totally awesome! We walked around this amazing landscape surrounded by lush trees and flowing streams. When we got to the waterfall, we went up to stand close and get a photo...however a big waterfall is pretty strong, so we were pretty damp after! We then went to this lake basically in a volcano. We got a boat around it and I saw the bubbles in the water from the lava underneath the water! It was awesome :)
Last week I also went to the old town of Quito, which was cool. Although slightly ruined by the fact that we witnessed like a crime incident on the bus and the police had to come. However I didn't realise until after that the people arrested had also taken my purse with my credit card in it! So that wasn't a very nice experience and I was pretty shaken up. Needless to say very annoying too because there is no HSBC here to get a new card!
Furthermore, I went to the prison again last week. Really great to go again. Awesome news that the Sunday before I went, they all prayed that women like Monica would be released. Monica is a Spanish lady that was put in prison for being in the drug business. The women are given a time and a fine. She had done all the time but didn't have the money or the means to pay the fine. However, in prison she became a christian and they prayed for her, two days later she was released! Which is incredible news and she is now back in Spain and I think in contact with Maria. Prayers that she wouldn't go back to her old ways and keep seeking Jesus would be awesome! I also got the chance to see Barbara, which was just awesome! She's such a lovely lady! I was able to actually translate at least a good portion of the talk for her this time which she really appreciated because she hasn't been able to understand any service since she's been there. I'm also going to lend her some christian books and try and visit her when I can. I told her that people at home are praying for her, she welled up and said can you please thank them. She said knowing that people are praying for her has brought such comfort and encouragement, so I can sincerely say that your prayers are deeply appreciated.
Furthermore, I started working part time at pan de vida last week. I was first given some odd jobs and then I helped out with the Wednesday evening session of giving out food and running the services for the families who live on the streets. I helped lead the group for the young girls, some with children already. We are going through the fruits of the spirit, so we started with love. Always a good place to start! Considering God is the very definition of love! Made some friends and met some lovely people...all in Spanish which makes me feel like I'm finally getting somewhere!
A bit of bad news, I was told that the papers for my visa isn't going to go through in time. So, we are trying another organisation who may help or otherwise it's a student visa which is more expensive and only for 6 months when you get it. So prayers that the visa situation would be sorted would be very much appreciated!
Other than that all is good. Still looking for a solid church. But tomorrow I am going to work at pan de vida with their church service so I guess that will probably become my church too!

Thankyou all for your support and your messages, it means so much! Hope you are all well!
Izzy xx