The sheer number of people traveling and living abroad seems to have grown exponentially since my first mission trip in 1995, and the experience-forged paradigm about prices created on that trip has not kept pace... so the cost of living, and thereby the potential to fulfill our dream, is suffering a major reality check! All that to say that living in Ecuador is FAR more expensive than anticipated! A few observations ~
- Ecuador is an OPEC nation, so gas is less than have what we pay at home ...
- Apparently tariffs, and the cost of shipping, make owning an automobile prohibitive ...
- The cost of labor is about a tenth of unskilled labor at home ...
- Electronics and basic kitchen appliances/gadgets are very expensive (I'm starting to regret some of the things I've gotten rid of, even when considering the cost of shipping) ...
- Groceries are expensive! Wise shopping (and understanding the difference between kg and lb!) helps ...
- Somehow eating out is relatively inexpensive ...
- It's hard to find good coffee ... though I think maybe my taste-buds are adapting
- Real Estate - not nearly as inexpensive as we anticipated ...though still much cheaper than our home base in Salem
- However ... one could still easily pay upwards of a million dollars for a really nice place on the beach ... OR get a delightful, high-quality 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with a sigh-evoking view and beautiful grounds just a block from the ocean for $120,000.
- Costs, and hopefully the quality of life for natives, have increased a lot the last couple decades as a rapidly increasing number Ex-Pats, who have more disposable income, live in foreign countries.
 |
| Breezy malecon at Ballentina |
All-told, I'm still sighing with delight and desire. The later home, in the sleepy but growing community of Ballenita, inspires dreams of quiet conversation on a breezy veranda, restful afternoons walking on the beach and lovely dinner parties. It is sufficient to accomplish our dreams; move in ready and fully furnished. Dreamy.
BUT ...
The large property in La Milina ... We met with the owners today to discuss some options, then revisited the house. Oh, my, the dream is flourishing in technicolor! There is so much that could be accomplished on this property.
The main house has four or five bedrooms (Neal and I remember differently), a large bedroom adjacent to the reception area that would make a perfect office and counseling room, large kitchen and formal dining and living rooms. The outside has an extensive tiled and covered veranda; large play area for children, a beautiful swimming pool, separate built-in BBQ, and several other places where additional tables and chairs can be set for quaint conversation centers. Sale Price: $220,000. In the past, the property rented for $1,800 per month, which may be an option for us.
Our walk through today brought assurance from the seller that some needed repairs will be accomplished and a great deal of clean up and refurbishing with paint, etc. will be tended to. In addition there will be living and dining room furniture added.
 |
| A large pool ... enough said |
 |
| BBQ and pool equipment room; seller will repair the roof |
 |
| This welcoming entrance will come alive with well placed chairs and flowers. |
 |
| This handicap ramp inspired dreams of ministering to kids with special needs! |
 |
| Some tender loving care (and water) will bring the verdant plants back to glorious life! |
 |
| Large veranda perfect for afternoon chats, dinner meetings, games or whatever a relaxing afternoon dictates. |
 |
| Parents can enjoy children's play while relaxing on the covered veranda |
 |
| View from the hotel units; large enough area for a meeting or social space |
 |
| Two story unity featuring 10 rooms and bathrooms; one has potential for a game/meeting room with a kitchenette |
 |
| Separate tax lot, owned by same seller - soccer court, casita, night lights, shower, toilets, changing room and large snack bar area |
Two additional tax lots that could be included would allow for extra parking and laundry facility on one, and this soccer "stadium" could be used for so many outreach activities from youth groups to Special Olympics; the dream keeps growing!
Price for all three parcels: $380,000 if memory serves; still waiting for confirming emails from real estate brokers.
Of course the minutia, the nuisance details, still need to be considered ... such as:
- we are no where near fully funded and ready to go
- we don't have the money to purchase. Neal and I are committed to investing much of the proceeds from the sale of our home, but that still leaves an incredible amount for the purchase and start-up expense for the ministry.
Y'all know me or you wouldn't be reading this. This is the big picture, the dream and vision of what God has laid on our heart, and the ministry we are eager to begin ~ a Guest House, loving and providing respite for missionaries, training prayer teams, leading prayer journeys, hosting prayer retreats, and doing whatever other work to bless Ecuador that God has in store! He is a BIG GOD and we believe He wants us to ASK BIG!
Will you pray with us for HIS will, HIS provision, HIS glory, and HIS strength manifest in us? And will you pray about how YOU can partner with us? We NEED your prayers, your love and encouragement, teams to come and help serve, and financial partnering.
If you've managed to read this far ... way to stay the course! Thanks for your love and support (or morbid curiosity ;-) ) Blessings!
No comments:
Post a Comment