How to run a school with no water...

I feel like we are going to be experts in tutorials such as, "what to do when you find yourself in a ditch", "what to do when you have no hot water or electricity" and this weeks feature, "how to run a school with no water".

Something happened to the water pump at our house Saturday night that stopped the water flow to our house  and the school. Which means... no water for food or bathrooms. Hooray! You can probably only imagine what it was like! We connected several hoses together from the main water supply tap and ran them through the school and into the kitchen so we could have breakfast and lunch. Jake also filled up a trash can full of water and we had buckets so that we could refill the toilet tanks when someone flushed. Good times!

We had a guy come out and work on the pump this afternoon and was able to fix it. Now Jake can actually take a shower!

It was a dreary day today. They say it is the start of the rainy season. Oh joy.

Now that you know what to do when you don't have water... here is what has been going on this week.

Kaden Reeger had a birthday this last week. We got to celebrate in class with sandwiches, chips and of course...cake and ice cream! 

Cristian, Kaden, Eric and Nicolas eat and chat during lunch.

We then celebrated at the Reeger's with the Casa 2 girls and homemade pizza and cheesecake!

We mentioned in our last blog post that one of our volunteer teachers, Jill, had to go to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. Surgery went great and she is back at home recouperating. Jill is up, moving around and well on her way to a speedy recovery! We are so thankful that God was with her and the doctors working on her. We miss you Jill and hope to see your smiling face back at school soon!

While Jill was in the hospital, one of our teachers, Cathy Jones de Frances, went down to Quito to visit her for a couple days. This gave me the opportunity to babysit her ever so adorable kid, Raquel. Raquel is a wonderful 2 year old. So much so that after 24 hours with her, Jake's response was "this baby thing isn't so difficult". Moms...this is were you leave some nice comments for Jake.

 A kid after my own heart.... she loves to draw!

In the last blog post we also mention that Jake may have bruised ribs from a basketball game he played in. Turns out he actually broke a couple of his ribs. We took him to the doctor's office in Cayambe to get an X-ray and some pain medicine. He has been having a lot of difficulty moving around. Plus, it really hurts him to lie in bed so he has been very tired lately. So please say a prayer for Jake and a quick recovery of his ribs!

The doctor told Jake he could help heal his ribs faster by blowing bubbles in a cup.

To leave ya'll on a nice note. The farm land next door recently had some baby calves. They are super cute but also super vocal! Here are two of them right outside our bedroom window. We like to talk to them occasionally. I also will feed them some of the long green grass growing in our front yard!

Thanks for your continued support and love.
We miss you guys!

Nothing has happened...

At least it feels that way.
As I sit here, I am having a hard time trying to think of all that happened this last week.

It was kind of a quiet week and we aren't complaining!

This chicken comes to visit us every morning. She walks around for a few minutes and then walk back next door.

Jake has been working with the younger grades (1st-4th) the past couple of weeks. They are a bit crazy when it comes to procedures like walking in a line... or just walking in general! They like to run and scream in the hallways and during lunchtime. So Jake has given them an incentive of an ice cream party for the class who has the best behavior. Today he announced that 4th grade won and will be having a party on Thursday.

 Jake is eating lunch at the little table (with little chairs!) with the 2nd graders.

Another outside chapel with a great view of the mountain.

We had to take our car into a shop in Ibarra this week. It has the "hiccups". When we drive through the mountains (and when are we not?!) and we try to gun it to pass someone, the car shudders a bit. The mechanic said it wasn't the transmission, so at least that is good news. And hopefully we will get it back soon, fixed, because it is easy to get stir crazy being up the hill middle of no where.

On Saturday Jake played basketball with the Reegers, Jason Frances, Sean and Guillermo, a friend of the Reeger's. This was Jake's first attempt at any rigorous physical activity in Ecuador (at at high elevation). Everything was going good until Jake and Jason collided. Now, if you haven't met Jason, you should know he is a big guy! Jake ended walking away with bruised ribs. He has been having trouble moving and sleeping. I think he will be taking it easy for awhile.

Sunday we were invited the church in Cayambe. It was their first service in their newly completed church building. There were about 75 people in attendance. After service we enjoyed some fellowship with board games, a movie and then a delicious lunch.

The rainy season is upon us. This last week we enjoyed a bit of rain.  I however, always enjoy a nice sunny day, especially when the mountain peeks out. Here is a shot of the sun peeking behind Mt. Cayambe.

"I will always lift my eyes towards the Lord. With Him by my side, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart with be glad and my tongue rejoice. My body shall also be at rest." Psalm 16:8,9 

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LATE BREAKING NEWS:

One of our volunteer teachers, Jill Abbott, went to the hospital in Quito the afternoon with stomach pains. The doctors determined she had appendicitis and in currently in surgery. Please lift Jill up in your prayers as she has surgery in a foreign country and as our school will be without an AMAZING teacher for the next several weeks as she recovers.