We are both by now very well settled into Ecuadorian life and picking up the Spanish language pretty fast! It has always been our desire wherever we have been to just live and be like the local people because here we find it easiest to make contacts and be of best witness for God. Talking with people is simply how we have learnt the language not studying books or listening to tapes. Seeking to live the life of the locals we always take the local music playing/bustley and full to the point of standing or sitting on the entrance steps bus, wherever we travel and to school daily. We usually shop at the local bread and fruit stores rather than going to the superstores which are becoming more popular asEcuador develops. Our simple appartment only provides us with cold water but we are happy to hand wash our clothes and hang them out over the roof, its fun and the strong sun has them dry soon. Rhoda needs to use Spanish alot more than Daniel in her work as she is teaching the little children who have no former knowledge of English whatsoever. 
What is amazing is the flexibility of the school to allow the teachers to make up and teach their own individual curriculum, this is the first year the school has introduced teaching Science and social studies in English as well as English language. Although a challenge even bigger for us, so greater the opportunity to be able to witness for God as we can have the freedom to 'teach' and talk about Jesus in English with the children and youth. Daniel has infact been able to share his life testimony with 6 different classes of students from ages 12 to 18 throughout the school. Although Daniel has been teaching English, to him the greatest joy and fulfillment and where he felt most at ease, was spiritually helping and councelling the young people, praying with them and listening to their problems and issues. Giving up a lunchbreak to listen to an important situation in a young persons life was always a sacrifice he was prepared to make. Getting to school extra early was something we liked to do, to have time to pray around the classrooms and in the patio playarea, and helping be part of an official prayer team in different areas of the school also. Rhoda has been delighted to have had opportunites to teach bible songs such as 'one, two, three Jesus loves me' and works alongside the local music teacher called Rosy who is a committed Christian also.
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