The Eshes (are finally) in Ecuador!

“If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."
- 1 John 1:6,7

The front of Casa Victoria.

It has been quite an adventure this first week! So much has happened that I am not quite sure I can fit it into something you all will actually read. This is Jon by the way; Anna is off to the market to pick up a few necessities (lotion for the dry skin in the 10,000 ft. altitude, clothespins to line dry our clothes, etc.) So, while she's gone, I'll take the chance to fill you in from the beginning.

We left LAX on Tuesday, July 8th at 2:15am. We had 4 bags,weighing 50 lbs each, and we each had a carryon that weighed 40 lbs each (good thing the carryon weight limit is 22lbs., huh?). So, with our 280lbs. of "necessity" we were on our way to Quito. (By the looks of it, you'd think we were MOVING there!)

We're here!!

By God's grace (and VERY nice airline workers) we made it onto the plane and arrived safely in Quito the next day at about 2pm. There, we were met by one of the guys in the house, Esteban. He directed us to the van and moments later we were plopping our bags down on the floor of our new room. We're in the loft of the house, along with the guys. We're in separate rooms, on the same floor. We love it!

Our new room.

As many of you already know, we arrived in Quito just in time for the inauguration of “Casa Victoria”, the house which hosts the ministry we will be working with for the next year. (If you haven’t checked out the blog for Casa V, you can find it at http://www.casavictoria.blogspot.com. It will give you a good overview of the ministry.) So, because of the inauguration we were busy since the moment we landed. Preparing the house, hosting visitors from the US, trying to settle in...Miraculously, in the midst of all of the chaos, Anna and I were able to slip away on Wednesday night for a little date night. We walked a couple of blocks to Plaza San Francisco where they just happened to be having an enormous concert (think...the best SNL skit of Enrique Iglesias). We found a little restaurant that had outside seating and enjoyed a nice dinner while watching the concert in the Plaza. It felt great to have this time together and reflect on the fact that this is our new home.

By Thursday morning we left for a hotel about 40 minutes outside of Quito to be with everyone from the US that had arrived for the inauguration. This was a great time of retreat, fellowship and building new friendships. Bart Tarman and June Michaelson shared during our times of worship. Anna and I have truly been sponges this first week; just soaking in every little piece of what we will be experiencing for the next year. There is so much to tell you all, that it is really overwhelming to choose exactly what to say.

Here's the short of it: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were spent at San Jose Inn about 40 minutes outside of Quito. During these days the people who are closely involved with Casa Victoria spent time together talking about Jesus, praying together, singing songs of praise, and enjoying fellowship. During the day on Saturday we all came to Casa Victoria to have the Dedication Celebration. It was incredible! People from all over the world and all over Ecuador came for the event. The house looked better than ever for it's grand opening. There was probably over a hundred people in and out of the house throughout the day. Luckily I got this wall painted just in time for the celebration!

Jon painting the back patio at CV.

In addition to the Dedication of the house, we we're surprised with a wedding ceremony for Rigo and Rocio. (Rigo, originally from Mexico/Santa Barbara, CA, moved to Quito 2 years ago. Here, he met Rocio. Rocio has lived in the house for 16 years - long before the house officially became Casa Victoria. They fell in love and wanted to celebrate their marriage with the people who love them and love Casa Victoria.) So...the wedding. After setting up the chairs, Rigo waited for his bride in front of the "chapel/prayer corner" in the house. We all anxiously awaited for Rocio to walk down the aisle. As we were waiting, Alicia (founder of Casa Victoria) ran to the front to let us know that they didn't have the 'wedding march' music and Jorge had ran across the street to buy a pirated version. Minutes later, the music began...The National Ecuadorian March! (Note: when buying any pirated music or movies, have the store 'test' it to make sure you know what you're getting.) Finally, the music began and Rocio (in all her beauty) walked down the aisle to her husband. The ceremony - perfect and holy. The champagne - bad. The dinner of prawns and steak at Mosaico in Quito - delicious!

The house: Esteban, Javier, Lenin, Anna, Rigo, Jorge, Rocio, Jon, Irene, and Irma.

The dedication of Casa Victoria. Mama Alicia is the one on the microphone.

We have felt so blessed to be a part of the massive celebrations this last week. We have spent such sweet time with our friends, participated in incredible joy and hospitality in the house, and been welcomed into homes of friends and followers of Jesus all throughout Ecuador. We couldn't have asked for a better way to start our time here in Quito.

There is SO much more to come. You just wait. Thank you for your prayers and support - we wouldn't be here without it. Please continue to pray as we "find our niche" in this community, get to know the city, and learn to love those that we are with (Especially...The guys: Esteban, Jorge, and Javier and The girls who work in the library and with the kids: Irene, Irma, Veronica, Ana, and Maria Jose.)

We love you and all and can't even begin to express how much we miss each of you!

con mucho amor,
Jon and Anna

SKYPE: the.eshlemans
iChat: eshy@mac.com
emails: annaeshleman@yahoo.com
joneshleman@yahoo.com

More Pictures Coming Soon!!