Ecuador, it was an experience.

Ecuador provided us with a good variety of experiences. We met a really cool bike shop guy that lent us bikes and took us on a mountain bike ride through the incredible lush green rolling mountains of Cuenca. Wow, was it beautiful. The only down fall (no pun intended) was that as I was dodging a bigger than life, ferocious snarling dog...I crashed! My foot swelled up and it is still swollen 12 days later. I'm not sure what I did to it but I'm milking Ward for all the sympathy I can get.

We also met up with our friend, Bryan (Pastor from the Decorah Lutheran Church). He taught in Cuenca in the past so he was our tour guide and knew all the great places to eat. It was fun to see a familiar face and speak English again.

Then it was time to remove all of our jewelry (soap and twisting works great for wedding rings) and prepare for our risky bus ride to the Colombian border.

The School that Elroy Built

(Photos: handing out pencils at the school; the founding Father and Sister.)

My dad (Elroy Spreen) has been telling me about a boys' school in Ecuador that he contributed to in the past...but he didn't know where. Details, details. Well, we tracked it down. It is located in Quito, Ecuador. Now, I didn't see a corner stone with my father's name on it. But, I believe him.

Originally, the school took shoe shine boys off the street and taught them the principles of life. Now, it not only works with the boys but with the whole families. They learn skills and trades and are able to work and support their own. They have changed their name to "A Family of Families". The school has been thriving for the past forty-four years and appears to still be going strong. We met the 20 volunteer teachers for this next school year. We had a great time staying with them for a few days and being inspired by their stories and endeavors. Good job dad!

Helping at the Orphanage

We took the bus to Lurin, Peru which is just outside of Lima (remember, we are currently bikeless). We planned on helping out an orphanage for 3-4 days but the great hospitality made it easy to stay 7 (It reminded us of the song, "Hotel California" by the Eagles. We tried to leave 3 days in a row but that didn't happen.)

Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II takes children off of the street and not only gives them food, shelter and clothing but also teaches them respect, spiritual growth and inspires them to dream. They follow the "Boys Town" model and it is truly successful. We thoroughly enjoyed painting, playing soccer and volleyball with the kids, going to a pro soccer game with some of the boys, and sitting around the breakfast table talking and badgering each other. I recommend checking out their website: www.casahogarjuanpablo2.org Ward and I will definitely return some day.

Goodbye Somas!

After confirmation from our new sponsors "Schwinn" we gave our bikes away. Schwinn is going to be providing us with two new bikes. Coincidentally, the bike model's name is "World Bike". We said goodbye to our Somas. They were great bikes and held up spectacularly well. We found comfort in knowing that the Rotary Club that we gave them to is going to either sell them and use the money for projects or give the bikes to two hard working students. We are excited to try out our new rides. Thanks Schwinn!

brazil photos

One month in Brazil

We have just spent one month in Brazil in the state of Mato Grosso. We were learning Portuguese and fishing and climbing through waterfalls. We slept in the jungle with crocodiles, jaguars and monkeys.

We saw weekend at the beach and also some of the most productive agricultural land in all of South America.

Jacky crashes big time

We are traveling to see my friend Wilson in Tangara de Serra, Mato Grosso, Brazil. We have to options take the pavement and travel 500km. or go by the shorter gravel route. We had ridden the gravel in the south of Argentina and we handled that. This was different, 120 km of deep sand, large loose rock, constant washboards and 109 degree temperatures. It took 8 and 1/2 hours to cover the distance and we were out of everything, no water, no strength, no smiles and no positive attitude. Our rearends were almost raw from the pounding and the heat. Jacky crashed 3 times in the loose dirt. She only has a few scrapes and bruises.