Adiós, Quito. ¡Hola, Texas!

It is official, friends. I´m heading back to the United States, early.

Today I canceled my program here in Quito and changed my airline ticket from the middle of March to today. Lord willing, by tomorrow morning (Tuesday, March 6th), I will arrive at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. By this time tomorrow I will be with my father, in Denton. This brings joy to my heart, and gives a lift to my step.

I have been so very unhappy here in Quito. You have heard some of my problems with my profesora at the school. Believe me, there is much more to tell that I have chosen not to put in blog form -- partially for possible liability issues. Suffice it to say, there have been serious problems. Additionally, it has not helped that I have been unhappy in my homestay setting here. And the city pretty much reminds me of the bad things about my years in Detroit, minus the many things I loved (and love) so dearly about that city. It has been so difficult to be here this last week. That is an understatement.

To put it in another way, despite my best efforts, I have not made any connection here -- personal, physical, geographical, cultural, spiritual. No doubt my being sick hasn´t helped. (I´m still not over the diarrhea problems.) But there has been so much more. It has been a difficult, sad experience for me.

And so, I gave it my best effort, putting my best foot forward for a week. I do not want to end my South American experience with three weeks of feeling miserable. For this reason, after much prayer, I decided to end my studies here after one week and return to the States.

I spoke with the director of the school at length today, and both he and I were glad for that. He thanked me that I was direct with him, sharing my concerns and the reasons for my leaving. ("Usually, people just leave and don´t tell us why.") He also expressed his concern that I had experienced prejudice from a member of their staff. I suggested they need to do awareness training with regards to human sexuality. I also made some recommendations for adjustments to the structure of their program. I figured as long as I had his ear, I was going to tell him what I thought! He thanked me, and also complimented me on my effective use of Spanish. That felt good.

I came to sabbatical with a couple of major goals. Obviously, to re-learn Spanish was primary. I feel good about my progress with the language. I also longed to familiarize myself with new countries and cultures in Latin America, and I feel good about my progress in that area as well. Unknown to me was the insight I would have into being "the stranger" and being welcomed. Hospitality has been a big part of my experience here, and for that, I am grateful. I have learned ever so much! And I am a better person for it.

As I reflect in my final moments in South America -- for a while, anyway! -- I am exceedingly grateful for all of my experiences. The "Latin Immersion," ECELA schools in Buenos Aires and Santiago were top-rate, and I could not be happier with my experiences there. My homestays in those countries were also wonderful experiences. I will be forever grateful for the welcome I felt in those places, for the academic excellence of the schools and their staff, and for the blessing of getting to immerse myself in new cultures. What a gift!

As to Quito. Well. No doubt I will have positive things to say down the road a bit. But today, at this very moment, from my perspective right now, more than anything else, I am releaved to be leaving. Adiós.

Just so you know, I do not plan to return to Michigan early. I will take more time in Texas with my father than I had planned, and that will be a gift for both of us. It is possible that he and I will take a road trip -- perhaps to Knoxville, if that can be worked out with my sister and her family. I will take a long overdue trip to Kansas City to visit my friends, Phyllis and her daughter, Susanna. And I still look forward to my trip to California that I had planned for the end of the month, along with the train trip up the west coast and across the country. Much to do, and miles to go. Many blessings ahead. And behind. As always.

Thank you for your prayers, and for the blessing of your love and support.

Grace and peace,

-- Bill