learning to love llamas and children that aren't mine.

Part of my time here in Quito is actually spent hugging orphans.
This is another one of those experiences that I know my words won't do justice.

As much as I'd love to paint a lovely picture of me as the pipe piper, with adorable children and I dancing in rolling meadows, encircled by llamas in the Ecuadorian countryside- that is not what my work at the orphanage looks like at all. It actually looks really different than I thought it would, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm working out at For His Children- Ecuador (http://www.forhischildren-ecuador.org/fhcmain.php?pg=01) In the northern part of Quito. I take the crazy bus there (literally. please see my post on the Ecua buses.) and jump off on the high way and traverse a mountain side to get there. This sounds a bit more exaggerated than it really is, as I do all of the above every Monday and Wednesday.
 ...Fine, "traverse" may have been taking it a bit far....

For His Children is an amazing organization that does great work in the lives of the kids who live there. There are four houses for the kids, divided by age. One for babies, toddlers, and then two for school aged kids. Most, if not all, of the older kids at FHC are special needs in some way, and each present a unique challenge for the staff. Each house is staffed by Tias (spanish for Aunt) who function as "house moms" of sorts. They spend the most time with the kids are some really incredible women. I am so impressed by the level of care the kids recieve, and how happy each of them are. FHC is an incredibly joyful place that makes me feel alive in a real way.

Completely unrelated, but highly entertaining, is the orphanage's pet llama. It is the mangiest creature I have ever seen, and in miniature. Yep, a mini llama with dreadlocks serves as a "pet" to 40 or so kids.

My job at FHC is to simply help the Tias with what ever they ask in the Casa I'm assigned to that day. Sometimes, that means cleaning around the house, washing and folding laundry or taking kids from one house to another. This week, I worked in Casa Harlow. Casa Harlow is home to the oldest kids at FHC, all of them are high needs. I had a ton of fun! Jumping on trampolines, going for walks, playing on the swing set- it was great! In between all this warm, fuzzy, fun- a 12 year old girl named Adriana bit me. According to one of the Tias, it was because she was excited to see me. Awesome. I mean it.

In other news... I'm in love all-ri-ri-ri-riiight- with my crazy Quito life.... (just a lil' Ke$ha to keep it fresh.)