Home Stays!

This last weekend is one of the favorites for NILIs. They get to spend the weekend with a Ecuadorian Nazarene Pastor's family.  The NILIs leave on Friday night and return on Sunday night.  Part of their 'assignment' for the weekend is to make a typical Ecuadorian dish. It's always fun to hear the stories of how they made their dishes. It is also a eye opening time for the students as they see what it's like to be part of a Ecuadorian Pastor's family.

As I wrote this, I was sitting in my office waiting for all of the host families to come and get their new sons and daughters. The NILIS are always so nervous when they leave but by the time Sunday rolls around they are not ready to come back! They want to stay with their host families. 

It's the same thing that happens when they arrive in Ecuador and  are placed in a room with an Ecuadorian roommate. Everything is new and different and even a little scary. By the time the 15 weeks are over they are so sad to leave all their new friends to go back home.  Don't get me wrong they are excited to return home but they leave a bit of their hearts here in Ecuador.


The students are back now with their typical Ecuadorian dishes. They all had a great time. Some went hiking at 4:30 in the morning, some ate interesting parts of pigs, but all had a marvelous time. We are so grateful to the families who take our students in for the weekend.

Here are some sample pictures of what the students brought:

Ceviche de chochos

Colada Morada - Warm juice drink made out of all sorts of spices and juices!

Fritada - fried pork