Our Journey Back Home

Wow.
 
There are ultimately no better words than “wow” to describe this past month we spent here in Ecuador. Just 28 days ago we were stepping off our plane from Atlanta onto the new grounds of Quito. 19 girls from all walks of the United States, all starting this new journey together. Small talk on the bus ride from the airport to our hotel proved that we had quite the unique group of girls onboard. At that time, little did we know that all 19 girls would leave 28 days later with wet eyes and thousands of memories that will last a lifetime.
 
We spent two weeks in Quito, a week serving at Honrar La Vida, three days in a resort on the Amazon, five days in Baños, and a final week in Cuenca. Every day brought new adventure and new limits to push; from climbing Mount Pichinca to struggling to order food in Spanish. Everyday taught us something new. On our final day of class – July 25, 2014 – we discussed the top five “things we gained from this trip.” Each Community Groups shared their top five, and as a class we all agreed on these three: 1) Traveling is easier than it looks – anyone with a desire to travel can. 2) Learn to push your limits and take risks – don’t be content with being stagnant. And 3) Utilize you values, strengths, and charms – or as Carolyn would say, “Don’t play marbles with Diamonds.” After sitting and reminiscing on the month we spent here in Ecuador, it was evident that these three “things” were present each day. Each of us can say that we have a craving for travel. Each of us can leave this trip saying we beat one of our limits. Each of us now knows what it feels like to acknowledge the strength we hold.
 
Our journey home will be a long one. Our journey home will leave us with tears and a yearning to stay surrounded by all these incredible women. Once we finally arrive home, one of two things could happen: 1) We could all apply what we learned to our “normal lives” and continue to feel what we felt while in Ecuador. Or 2) We could go home, slum back into the life we know, and forget about all the love and support we felt while in Ecuador. I know that I will do everything I can to feel the way I felt with these girls. I am going to work on my strengths, let my values guide my actions, and consciously work toward my vision.
 
A month seemed like a life-time during our first week, but once the last week rolled around we all agreed that time flew by. None of us were ready to leave yet. None of us wanted to admit that there is a very good chance that a lot of us won’t be seeing each other again. As the week came to a close, many tears had already been shed and many trips to visit planned. At our goodbye dinner in downtown Cuenca it was made very clear how special this group is. Each and every girl on this trip has left such an impact on each other. Every girl has grown from the person they were when we started this trip: big or small. I was brought to tears while looking around the room during Megan Clark’s goodbye speech; I could not think of a way to repay these girls for what they have taught me. These girls taught me to appreciate my strengths. These girls showed me that I am strong. These girls taught me that being vulnerable with people you hardly even know gives you 18 new best friends.
 
Miranda Allen Beck
University of Arizona