Our good friends Titus and Stephanie, working with street kids in Guayaquil, are living through some CRAZY and FRUSTRATING experiences in Ecuador. (And to think I can get upset when someone steals my parking spot).

I'd encourage you to check out their blog here (http://tsfolden.blogspot.com/) I'd also encourage you to send them money here... then pray (Matt 6:21).

Can you remember the last time you were REALLY frustrated? I mean, really, REALLY frustrated?? Join us in the following (condensed) dialogue:
T: (opens car door)
<<>>
S: What was that?
T: I don't know
S: (walks to side of car) Someone hit us! Ugh, that's the second time this month! Now we have a dented door, a cracked bumper and a cracked winshield. (keep in mind we've had the car a total of 6mo)
T: What?? The alarm didn't go off! I can't open the door.
S: Just pull off the plastic. Ask the guard what happened.
T: (moments later) He said he didn't see anything.
S: What? He's right there!
(an hour later, leaving a foundation)
T: It really smelled in there today
S: I know, it's because the kids were eating rotten bananas.
T: Really?
S: Yes. AND. . . Do you know there were three adults sitting in the office while the kids were locked inside there beating on each other? I feel helpless.
(another hour later)
T: How much was our electric bill last month?
S: $30, why?
T: Because this month's bill is $135.
S: $135??? That's impossible.
T: I think someone is stealing our electricity.
S: Great.
T: And our water bill doubled.
S: What?
T: I think the workers are using our water to make their cement while we're gone.
<<>>

We shared these stories with some friends of ours who have been missionaries here for 17 years. They laughed. Amazingly enough, we laughed too. This is our life. The frustration will never go away. Sometimes it's better, sometimes its worse, but it's always there. The big question is what we will do with the frustration. Will it make us bitter? Angry? Depressed? Or will we chalk it up to living in a country that's not our own, in a language that's not our own, in a corrupt system, where survival is the key to life, and laugh at our "misfourtunes" knowing we're where we're God has called us?

We'll begin exploring community centers in Guayaquil in the next two months. We'll be spending time talking with the directors, community members and children; as well as visiting possible sites for a new center. We'll also be talking with a couple of potential ministry parnters. Please be in prayer for the Lord's continual guidance and wisdom in these matters!

By His Grace,
Titus, Steph & Sofia