We’ve been back in the US about 9 months now, and there is not a day that goes by that we don’t miss something about our life in Ecuador. Besides the wonderful people, missionaries and nationals alike, here is a short list of things that I miss every day about Ecuador.
1. The scenery. Ecuador is a beautiful country full of mountains, valleys, rivers, waterfalls, jungle, flora and fauna.
2. Year-round spring weather. That’s what happens on the Equator. All-year-round, the days are 12 hours of daylight, 12 hours of dark with mild, temperate weather. We had plenty of sunshine and plenty of rain. And the landscape was green year-round.
3. Fresh local produce. Year-round spring=year-round growing and harvest seasons. YUM!
4. My butcher. Now, I know that my butcher did not grow all the meat that they sold in their shop, but there’s something about seeing ALL the parts of the animal that’s reassuring. I knew it was fresh. I knew it was real chicken or beef. No added fillers or dyes. Just real meat. I miss that.
5. Fresh, raw milk delivered to my door. From the farm to the customer, the milk delivered to our door twice a week was often still warm. A great alternative to the ultra-pasteurized shelf-stable pseudo-milk that was stocked on the grocery store shelves.
6. Spanish worship. Even though Spanish is not our native tongue, there was/is something beautiful about Spanish worship. I can’t explain it. Maybe it’s the realization that God is as much there in South America as He is in our North American worship times…
7. Access to public transportation. While riding the bus wouldn’t be my first option, it’s great to know that it is an option. I could get anywhere I wanted to go by bus if I needed to. And taxis were readily available, except on rainy days when you really needed one. 
8. Great restaurants at affordable prices. Oh my! US food and restaurant prices have been hard to get used to. In Ecuador, our favorite “fancy” (aka, expensive, reserved only for special occasions) restaurants served steak dinners for $10-$15 per person. Regular lunches could be had for only $3 per person and that included soup, a full meal, and juice.
9. Community. Small town living at its best. Not only were the locals friendly and willing to accept us into their culture and lives, but there was also a community of other missionaries in the area, living their lives and serving different people groups in a variety of ways.
10. The Tree House. Also known as, The Swing at the Edge of the World. This is my favorite place. I miss it. It’s on the side of a mountain near the volcano Tunguhuara. The hike is short, and the view is spectacular even on overcast days. When I’m here, all of life’s burdens seem to disappear…even if just for a moment.