Boys are leaving on a Jetplane - Boo Hoo!

So our 6 weeks with the boys went really fast and we are all feeling a little flat now they have gone! At this moment they will be flying over the Pacific Ocean and by now they will just about be going stir crazy - the poor guys flew from here to Chile - then to Buenos Aires before the epic 13 hours to Australia and then on to Auckland. When they arrive we are told Chase's Mum is picking them up but they face another 4 hours by car before they get to their own beds. I think they worked out they would be travelling for 35 hours. Horrendous!!

Anyway the house is very quiet without them and we don't know what to do with ourselves - Michele cooked an awesome dinner but having been used to cooking for an army - we will be able to eat it for another day or 2 - hehe!

Ok - so when is our next lot of visitors??? The ball is in your court now!!

Pioneer Meeting

I know its been a while since I've contributed to the blog, sorry Mum. But something that really moved me was at our Circuit Pioneer Meeting last friday. There were over 200 pioneers and in one of the talks the Brother asked for all those over the age of 60 to raise their hands. I was really amazed that a sea of hands went up. It was impressive. I really hope that if this system goes on that long, I can be in that same position.  

I was surprised at how much I understood,  and it was as always very refreshing and probably one of the main things that will help me carry on for another year. 

Heres a picture of some lovely girls I met. I can't wait till the next one. 

La Boda de Orlando y Elvia

The happy couple

Aren't these kids adorable?

We were priviledged to be invited to the wedding of Orlando and Elvia last night. It was nice to get out of the house for something different. We arrived on time - the invitation said 7.30 pm but as Chad has pointed out to me, unless the invitation says to be punctual, then you can be 1 - 2 hours late. So we of course were the first ones there. Even the bride and groom didn't show up till 1 and 1/2 hours later (of  course by that time I was ready for my bed again).

Dinner was a plate of rice and a coke.Awesome way to keep wedding costs down - think I might take this idea back to NZ - how popular would it be I wonder?

I think it is interesting the choice of music they have for weddings here - very traditional and old fashioned, as you will notice, if you care to watch the little video I put on of them entering. I love the way they have their vows written out on a fancy bit of paper and they read them to each other. The 2nd set of kids to walk down the eisle carried the vows in a basket - very cute.

I'm still here!

Well not much has been happening - my days are filled with nothingness, except going to my physio each day for an hour. However I am feeling slightly better so hoping I can avoid an operation.

So haven't been out witnessing for ages - nearly forgotten how to do it. Thankfully I get to spend 10 minutes each way with the taxi drivers going to physio. Sometimes they just don't want to talk but others are happy to chat. Yesterday one guy already had the BT book and seemed to understand that other religions leave a lot to be desired as far as knowing what the Bible's message is. He was funny when we went past an accident and said "I bet that guy will go to church today - but tomorrow he won't even think about God". Good observation!

Once again the medical system here astounds us. If you have the money - you can get tip top service at tip top speed - of course that is probably the same in any country - but when I say if you have the money - we are not talking about millions, rather at most hundreds.

So as you know my back has been playing up and the Physiotherpist I have been seeing recommended I see a specialist spine surgeon, to find out what we are dealing with. I rang up to make an appointment yesterday - got into see him 2 hours later (for the huge cost of $25) and he sent me to get an MRI across the road. That too was a straight away deal (cost $375, I had two done - one for my head as well, I think they wanted to check if I had a brain or not). As a side point - why is it when you are told you must not move an inch for 30 minutes - every part of your body screams to be itched?

Anywho back to my story, I went back to el doctor today for the prognosis. Yes I do have a brain - so pleased about that - and unfortunately I do have a problem in my spine which may eventually require a small surgery. But as things would have it - the surgeon is highly recommended and one of the best - so if it comes to that, I know I will be in good hands. I am going to rest up for a month and continue on with the physio - hoping things will get better on their own.

Meanwhile the boys are chugging on with english witnessing which mostly means knocking on doors and asking if there is anyone who speaks english, but they are happy enough. We have our 2 day assembly this weekend and then next weekend, Aaron is giving a talk at the english meeting. I am so happy because it will be the first time I have heard him give a Public Talk ever! 

Vacation

Where's Wally?

The kids at the middle of the world

Can they do it? (Balance an egg on a nail)
Actually Chase could and he got a diploma for his efforts!

Taking a jaunt down the Amazon ( that's a lie but the River we were on does meet with the Amazon River eventually)

Aaron tries to smuggle a monkey out, under his hat!

Chase finds his calling - Monkey Wrestler

That's a long way down there Superman

How you doin?



I think they enjoyed themselves

We had a great time but there is nothing like your own bed! We actually came home a day early as the Devils Nose Train trip was not operating so we decided against spending another night in a hotel room. Especially as you just don't know what you are going to get when it comes to hotel rooms in Ecuador! For the most part they were good but there was one with a distinct smell of urine that we didn't like at all! The highlight of the trip for the kids was the monkeys - we saw them in Tena and Puyo - and they were a lot of fun. Chase and Peneti couldn't get enough of the markets in Otavalo - good job we were only there for a day! White water Rafting was another highlight for them all - how coincidental that there was a group of school girls from NZ on the same trip? Sadly I spent 3 of the days staring at the ceiling of the hotels we were in as my back was giving me gip - actually I would have been staring at the ceiling if it hadn't been for Chase, my hero, who retrieved the suitcase my DVD player was in on one of the bus trips. The driver swore black and blue that we didn't have any more bags and was about to take off when Chase dived in to the luggage department and found the bag on the other side of the bus - I was so happyand relieved! We had some good meals out but the boys have decided never to order steak again in Ecuador as everytime they did, it became a bit of a chew fest. They do excellent pork and chicken here but the beef really does leave a lot to be desired. Of course if you see the way the cows are generally treated here, you can understand why the beef is tough - stressed cows!

Well that is a brief run down of our trip - as I say we had fun but there's no place like home!