In his book ''¡Gracias!'' (1993), which details his time spent in mission with the people of Peru and Bolivia, Henri Nouwen writes, ''More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them.  It is a privilege to have the time and the freedom to practice this simple ministry of presence.  Still, it is not as simple as it seems.  My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my own time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets.  It is difficult not to have plans...not to feel that you are working directly for social change.  But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn't be to know people by name, to eat and to drink with them, to listen to their stories, and to tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.''

In my first 3 months here in Ecuador, I have found these words to be surprisingly accurate.  This quote, along with a few others from Nouwen's book, were nestled in one of our orientation booklets, so I first read it before I arrived in-country.  I thought it was a meaningful quote at the time, but each day that passes here impresses upon me the importance of the ''ministry of presence'' that Nouwen talks about.  On the weekends here, it is difficult not to get bogged down by a list of tasks to accomplish.  There is planning to do for after-school programs, cooking and cleaning to do around the house, and a garden that I need to start paying attention to.  However, just like for Nouwen, the desire is there to simply spend time with my neighbors; to sit, talk, eat, and play with them.  Very few of them are in a hurry; many seem quite content with a chair or hammock to sit in and a conversation in the shade.  Somewhere along the line, I think I developed the mindset that Nouwen struggled with--I need to be busy and productive.  In essence, DOING > BEING.  However, Nouwen's words and the people I have been privileged to meet here have shown me a different way.  There is still a lot of work to be done, but I know that remembering to slow down and spend time forming relationships with those around me is one of the many lessons I will learn this year.