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SST, an experience like no other…..

Jan 15 2023

SST in Ecuador is once again in full swing and for those who have experienced it firsthand, the first few days are a whirlwind of activity; a fire hydrant blast to the face of new sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and languages coming at you all day every day.

Students (and leaders) often say the first few days feel like a few weeks worth of experiences wrapped up into a non-stop sequence of interactions, observations, and adaptations.  What a gift it is to walk through this experience with one another as leaders and fellow SST’ers; to experience the ups and downs, the joys, the wonders, and the struggles together.  It is a unique time of growth as we encounter the breadth of human experience that is present in our world.  It is particularly special to see the kindness and compassion shared among students, everyday Ecuadorians, and host families.

We welcome you our readers to journey along with us from a distance, catching glimpses of our experiences over the three months we walk together in this beautiful country.

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  • What Mindo Taught Me to See

    Since being stationed in the town of Mindo for my service portion of SST, I’ve noticed a big cultural difference between U.S. Mennonites and Ecuadorian “Mindo-nites” – pun intended 🙂 approaches to life. There’s a palpable sense of serenity and…

  • Photo of pink flowers on a tree

    A Day in the Life: Working on a Flower Farm

    For my service, I work in Cayambe with an organization called FACE. Under FACE there are other organizations; Casa Hogar, Sumak, Centro Medico Emmanuel, and Forever Flowers. They work together to help break the cycle of abuse and neglect in…

  • Where Art Meets History

    While being in Ecuador, I’ve noticed how people value their history. It was so impressive and inspiring to see how much they know about their history. They’re not afraid to share it, even through their art. During my first weekend…