Well hello everyone! We haven't fallen off the face of the earth - we've just been very busy sorting ourselves out.
We are now happily esconced in the farm shed again but this time it is a tighter fit as Amanda and Ryan are with us. However it is very nice o be with them.Aaron has been coming and going trying to sort his life out in his assignment. Taumaruni is a small country town so he is finding it hard to get some work. He is hoping to start a mobile computer fixing business to get himself an income but that may take a little while to get underway. He'll be fine though - I am sure something will come through for him soon.
We have had a couple of days out in field service but this time of year is hard to find anyone home. The one girl I did speak to yesterday was very nice and was happy for me to read her a bible text so that was encouraging. I had to apologize though because my tongue kept wanting to break out in spanish - weird!
We also found it weird walking straight up to the door to knock - having been used to just rattling at the gate. It almost feels like we are invading their personal space! Also in Ecuador you wait for a good 5 minutes at the gate - here it feels like we have just knocked and then turn around and leave! Interesting that I have gotten used to the Ecuadorian way in just 18 months and yet have been witnessing all my life the NZ way!
Amanda and I had some errands to run today so we didn't get out but that was ok because the rain was coming down fairly heavy all morning. Not that we are fair weather christians but NZs rain usually comes in sideways not straight down like in Ecuador so it is fairly impossible to stay dry enough here to knock on doors.
Mark has had a couple of days work with his brother and while he is pleased to be earning again - he is not pleased to be working and misses our life over there. Amanda also has got herself a job which she starts on Sunday so life is settling down fast. I should have the house on the market very soon - we have some tidying up to do in the garden and so forth - lets hope it sells fast so that we can get on with our lives.
Missing you all in Cuenca - and thanks for the nice comments everyone!
We started the year off with breakfast on the James' veranda and then Maureen (Marks Mum) and I went to a friends place to pick Avocados!
Mmm now these babies will make some good guacamole!
Maureen with Charlotte - our avocado lady and friend from way back!
Just to show you that Mark doesn't just work all the time - the other day he got to throw a line out down at the bottom of the farm. Of course he didn't catch anything - the tide was out - but the peace and quiet down at that spot can re energize anyone.. Also included the jumping shot to show Chad and Doug - just how Kiwis commit to the jump when I ask them to! He He!
WEEK THREE
It has been another busy week with the Circuit Pioneer Meeting and Circuit Assembly in Auckland (that's our biggest city about 2 and 1/2 hours by car away). It was an awesome weekend and we sure had fun seeing all the old friends. Of course I got sick of saying the same thing "Yes we are back - but not for long!"
Out in service in the country the other day and managed to get a few shots to give you an idea of what our territory is like. When we stopped for a cup of coffee (oh the luxury) - I almost thought we were in Ecuador when all the chickens came a running!! Actually they are not chickens - they are Roosters and the spot where we were is known for people dropping off the unwanted - the place is now over run with them but they are obviously well fed and happy (especially when the alternative would have been the pot eh?)
Week Two
The elders in our old congo kindly invited us along to their pioneer meeting tonight and it was very nice to be with them. I think I needed the pep talk as life here seems to be overtaking me. Of course it's all about the wedding at the moment so things should settle down after that's over and done with.
Week one
