Goodbyes Begun

This is Bernadette who I have had the privilege of studying with while we have been here - She has the most awesomest (that's  not a real word but you get my drift) view in Tauranga. We found her on the territory when we first got back so it has been great to see her progress into a study. She is doing very well and is now up to the 4th chapter of the BT Book. I  hope that her progress continues - you never know she may be my sister when we get back to NZ. It is kind of hard saying goodbye to my studies and calls but hey we are really looking forward to catching up with the ones we left behind in Ecuador!

You've got to admit -  the view is stunning - imagine the sunsets!

Grandad and his new Grandpuppy

Ryan and Lizi brought their new baby to meet us. Of course Mark became friends very fast with her! I think Pipi liked her grandad!

Being in the country sure can tucker you out!

Ivan and Rita

These two have been friends of ours for many years - always smiling - always encouraging and always giving us great hugs! I will let you in on a little secret - we have a nickname for them - Brother and Sister Love  - don't tell them will you!

Natasha

Thought it was time I introduced you to some in the Bethlehem congo - starting with one of the youngest members. Natasha and I go way back and it is a joy to see her parents training her so well.

Mountain Madness

Mount Ruapehu

Mount Tongariro

We are spending the weekend with Aaron - he lives in what we have decided must  be the coldest place in The North Island - and while it is a pleasure to be witnessing with him - all I can say is brrrrrr!

Now we know where Bin Laden is hiding - in Taumaranui!

This shows how close to the Mountain we were - it's reflexed in the window
 of the house - cool eh?

Getting jiggy with it!

Our dinky digs down on the farm

It occurred to me - I have talked often about living in the farm shed but never shown you around. It's a great little place to spend a few days - even a few weeks or months but now going on for 7 months and with the winter closing in - it's wearing just a little thin! But hey in just 29 days we'll be winging our way to our cosy  little apartment above the pizzeria in Cuenca. Put the kettle on Chad and Michele!

Changing views from the shed window

Winter is definitely here - and so all I can say is brrrrrr! Roll on July 12th

An Important Announcement

Finally what we've been waiting to see at our house for the last 6 months - a sign saying SOLD! Yep that's right we are pretty happy and relieved - there has been a lot of stress with this sale so finally when the sign went up this morning - we were overjoyed.

So - we have brought the tickets for our trip back and it's ...... 12th of July!!!  Can hardly wait!

Got lots to do before then so better get to it!

Ecuador is calling

Just to ease us back into the food in Ecuador (that kind of sounds like we are leaving NZ real soon - but  no announcement yet folks) - we had friends over for rice and beans tonight. Actually we went the "whole hog" with locra de papas first and then sweet empanadas to follow. I made everyone roll their own empanadas (they thought it was for the fun of it when really I can't make them very well myself). Of course we don't have Queso Fresco here so we had to fill them with whatever was available. I'm telling you - marshmellows and chocolate (Moro Gold Bars to be exact) is pretty darn delicious!

I should introduce you to Kelly and Bjorn - they are a cool young couple that have been serving here in Bethlehem Congo for a couple of years but have just moved on to help out the Mount congo - Kelly has just taken up learning Spanish so I am very proud of her taking up the challenge. At least I will have someone to leave my spanish calls with!

The long and the short of it

Thought I would share these photos cause I think they are quite cute - Aaron and Grandma witnessing!