Question of the day: In what ways do you want to live or work more like the people in San Juan de Llullundongo?
Hola! Today was our longest and most strenuous day yet, but we made it! We had breakfast on the go as we rode the bus to a small community called San Juan De Llullundongo. The ride was scenic and breathtaking as usual, but our view of Chimborazo from the destination was unparalleled.
We are higher than the clouds!
Once we conquered the steep hill with the thinning oxygen at 10,489 feet above sea level (2 miles!), we met the “Angels,” two men who were both named Angel. Both men are hardworking members of their community and are motivated by the future they are trying to create. They explained the role that community and family plays in their lives. Their town comes together to do any and everything. They routinely hold town meetings to decide what project they will do next as they are always looking to create the best possible environment for their families to thrive.
Carter with the Angels!
Immediately after we set our bags down, we got to work! We used hoes to pull dirt, beat it with sticks to break up clumps, and turned the dirt with shovels. Then we got REALLY dirty. We added water to the dirt and jumped right in! We mixed and stomped the thick, mud and straw mixture with our feet for what felt like forever until finally, we were able to make our adobe bricks. We made 120 of them while having a great time together. Our big motivation was that the bricks we were building were going to provide shelter for another loving family in this beautiful community.
Helping Jalynn get out of the mud after getting stuck!
Getting the straw!
We love getting muddy!
After all our hard work, we headed to a the local nursery and ate a meal that was made with pure love. With plates full of traditional Ecuadorian food: corn, beans as well as a soup. Most of were interrupted as the smiles and laughs coming from the children outside flooded the room.
The children were so excited to see us! We played a game of “Pato, Pato, Ganso” — formerly known in English as “Duck, Duck, Goose” and then both Angels gave us a tour of the nursery as they have wives working in the kitchen and children who attend. It was heartwarming to see where our donations will go.
The Glimpsers with the amazing children!
For me today was beautiful. The community members of San Juan de Lullundongo were appreciative of the very little they had. Some of the homes had only a thin sheer curtain separating their kitchen from their bedroom. Seeing this made me very thankful for what I have and what my mom does for me day in and day out. Love you mom <3 ~Hannah
Today was crazy, but it was also a very fun day. To look up when I was tired, stressed, or even just lost, and see all my new friends smiling, laughing, and working hard to serve people we had just barely met warmed my heart and encouraged me to keep going. The love and kindness the community members showed us without hesitation touched my heart and is most definitely something I will carry forever.
“It takes a village to raise a child, but that’s not the only thing that it’s good for. The love, security, and extra family a village provides for every member, cannot be replicated or replaced” ~Micah Ingram, as she co-wrote this blog 🙂
Carter,
I am so proud of you! Getting your hands dirty, your gym shoes dirty (wear your work boots please!) and your nice sweat pants dirty. Ecuador looks like a beautiful part of this world. Don’t forget to take pictures so you can show them all to us when you get home. We miss you and hope you are enjoying your time there. Know that you are making a difference! love Dad .
Beautiful said Pat Madden…..Know you are making a difference!
Hi Carson. It’s Trent. I hope you are having a great time teaching. See you soon
Carson! I’m so happy to see that you are helping people and having fun while doing it. I’m also glad that you get to have these once in a lifetime experiences, and I hope you have a wonderful rest of your trip. Love your favorite little cousin, Tate❤️.
120 mud bricks!! You should all be proud of yourselves for making a difference and helping out those in need. Carter’s Grandpa Lee always uses the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded”. You all achieved this today! The pictures are breathtaking and the people of Ecuador are beautiful. I wish I was there to witness all of this firsthand. Hope you all drank a lot of water to avoid altitude sickness and got a good nights sleep… you must have been exhausted. Carter, I am so very proud of you and being brave enough to travel to this far away country that is truly out of your comfort zone. It must feel so good to give back and to really get a sense of all that you may take for granted. Love you and miss you, Mom (and Joe)
Oh My Gosh! Amazing! Thank you for the wonderful blog. I Love seeing the pictures! There is a phrase, “We don’t remember days, we remember moments”. I don’t think you guys will ever forget this day! Thank you Global Glimpse for giving our children these incredible memories!
Jake,
I can’t wair to hear all about what you have learned and experienced on your trip.
Love,
Dad
Hi Carson Love u praying for u all your Nana.
Goodnight Taylor! Looks like you will all sleep well tonight after a long hard and productive day! Love and hugs, Auntie DiDi!
Love that you’re working with kids! That would be my most favorite part of the trip! Keep up the great work!!!
So proud of everyone’s hard work and dedication! A hard, strenuous day, but what you have accomplished is all worth it. And what a beautiful view!
Love to see the hard work. Keep at it Glimpsers!
Hi Tay! – Bet you slept good last night, you guys looked tired.
Hi everyone! It is wonderful to see you helping and learning from the community there. It sounds like you are having a good time and working hard. We look forward to hearing about the rest of your adventures and experiences.
We miss you Micah and enjoy reading about what you are doing everyday. Great job co-writing the blog and we love seeing your smile in the pictures. We are going to save the gardening for you when you get back 🙂 Love, Mom, Dad, Reece and Marcus
Dear Jake,
wow and the trip looks amazing and it looks like that you are having a great time!!! Hugs and kisses to you and see you soon!!!!! Love you and enjoy the rest of your trip!!!!
Love,
mom
Hi Carter Madden! Wow, What an amazing and humbling day!! I can’t even imagine making 120 mud bricks for someones home. I’m sure when you return home you’ll have a new profound appreciation for all the day to day conveniences we all take so much for granted. We are so proud of you all! Love and miss you Carter Madden!! Love, Granny and Grandpa Lee
Hey Jade, I’m so proud of the work you are doing. You guys are making a difference and I am so glad you had this wonderful opportunity. Love you, Jade!
What a wonderful experience you’re having learning about how people live in the different Villages of Ecuador.
Continue to enjoy learning Zarmani.
Love Grandmommie?
Wow — loved seeing this post, Tay. You look like you worked hard and met some really cute kiddos. I really enjoyed reading this, and, as always, love seeing your smiling face! Proud of you!
Becca,
I forgot to mention that Sarah Reichle from Gower (and Tay’s cousin) saw that you were on the trip and she was so excited to see you! She is following the blog and is so excited for both of you that you are on such an great trip and doing such amazing work! Just wanted you to know ☺️
Carter,
Day 6 ish and I still don’t miss you, but I enjoy reading the blogs. Wear your stinkin work boots and make sure to call your mom tomorrow. If she doesn’t answer then call your dad.
Talk to you never,
Haley
Jade, Jadie-Jade, Boogie,
Ree-Ree and Auntie Drew said they love you and they are so proud of you. Your grandmother says she loves you, be safe and she is proud of you. Shaunte said have fun and help others.
Love your family
Sounds like a great day! Adelina, did you think of Emma? She’s missing you, we all are! I want to see more of your smiling face!
Love, Mommy
Carter, Nice going? You have to of had a great sense of accomplishment doing all of that hard work. I still am amazed of the opportunity that you took on. You will take with you for the rest of your life. Love ya Grandpa Tom
Ady,
The babies!! I’m sure that warmed your heart. Wow 10,000 above sea level. I would have passed out for sure.
Glad you were able to make a positive impact on this community through your hard work. Keep up the good work!
Love,
Lois
Micah:
I am sure you will remember this as a life-changing experience. You will never forget the people you meet and how your worldview expanded in the summer of 2018. God Bless You and look forward to hearing about the experience,
Love,
Aunt Linda
I see so much compassion in these photos!
I’m a bit late to the party… BUT Becca, I am so proud of you and miss you so much, ever since you left for the airport! Those veiws are spectacular and the work you all are doing is amazing and selfless. More comments to come!
XOXO, Becca’s Big Sis
Dear Glimpsers,
Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful posts. I often get teary eyed as i read your thoughtful and insightful reflections of the day. You are making a difference in peoples lives and they are leaving a mark on yours. You are the generation to truly embrace the fact “it does take a village. “A global village!
Oh, the stories you all will have to tell when asked “what did you do this summer?” “Did you take any trips?”
So proud of you all!
Hannah’s mom
P.S. Te amo, mija!