I got this sister to pose for me to show you the potatoes. They are similar to our mashed spuds but with so much milk and butter (margarine actually) - it becomes a runny mess. I had to pulverize the cooked spuds with a pestle because we didn't have the equipment out. What a job - I will have very good muscles I think by the time it's all over!

This photo must have been taken early in the day - cause I'm smiling!

Michele Tries here hand at frying meat!

It's only the 2nd day and I am almost dead - I really don't know how I am going to cope with the next 6 weeks. Mind you - yesterday was the longest day (14 hours) because we had to unpack all the kitchen stuff and make a list of what we had. We were supposed to do that first thing in the morning because it would take us 2 hours - however surprisingly (not) they didn't have the key for the trunk. So we didn't get home till after 8 - but I tell you one thing - we slept like babies!
I am just home on a quick break (it is 2.30 in the afternoon) - I just had to get out of there for some sanity time. The ladies assigned today are real Chatty Cathy's and it does get a bit wearying having to try and keep up with the play. I am due back in half an hour but I might just close my eyes for 10 minutes! Until the next time guys...

Jefa's de la Cocina

It's hilarious - Michele and I have been made "Jefa's de la Cocina" (Bosses of the kitchen) for the build. Don't these people know I am just a humble vegetable peeler in the Quick builds back home (although I did graduate at the last one to chocolate sauce maker for the final meal). Poor Michele is freaking out (I am trying to be the calming influence but secretly I too am a little scared). On Wednesday a sister from the branch is coming up to spend 2 days with us giving us the needed instruction (i.e. how to keep every thing sanitary). Then one or both of us has to be there for every meal - breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hopefully once we are used to everything we can take turns. Otherwise it is going to be a very long 6 weeks!

If anyone is interested in learning about what it is like to "needgreat" in Taiwan - check out this site - http://totallytaiwangirls.blogspot.com
I am so proud of my daughter and surrogate daughter doing this - and they for their part, are no doubt having the time of their lives!

The Team Has Arrived

Great flurry of activity yesterday when the building team arrived. They are a team of a married couple and 8 single brothers - this is their full time job, going all over the place building new Salon del Reino's ( KH's) or fixing up broken ones.
Things seem to be more than a little disorganized which is frustrating for the likes of Mark and Chad, but when in Ecuador - you just have to go with the flow.
Talking of disorganized - we had our meeting last night in a different KH and while Mark had the keys to get in - nobody had thought to give him the keys to the sound box. He had to do the opening song (with no music) and the whole bookstudy without mics. Poor guy - he really has copped it all here (remember the no lights incident?). He took it all in his stride though in true kiwi fashion - even humming the tune for the song so that everyone could follow!

Experiences

Sometimes you can really see Jehovah's hand in what happens. Today for instance, I was with Michele and we were assigned not-at-homes, separate from the rest of the group. We were working a block with not many houses on so we decided to cross the road and do the two houses there first. The first house was actually a place with 3 apartments and I noticed a girl on the second balcony. So I called out to her - but she said she didn't have time. So I then asked if she would mind me leaving a tract in the gate for her to come and get and read when she did have time. She signaled that she would come down and get it, which was unusual. The door opens but it was another lady, who is about to leave - so Michele stepped up to take her as I would be busy with the girl when she came. (Turns out they were actually mother and daughter). The mother had a very fierce look on her face and the first thing she said to Michele is that she did not believe there was a god. Of course that is something very unusual here - they are all very religious! Michele, with her excellent way with words got to the bottom of the woman's problems and had an awesome discussion with her and the daughter.
The problem for this poor lady was one very similar to what we have heard so much of before i.e: the husband has gone to the States to work (usually illegally) and up until now has been able to send money back to support the family. Of course now there is no work and consequently - no money. On top of this some sleazy old man from the church they were attending has been sniffing around pretending to want to help them but it turns out - he wants to marry the older daughter (she wouldn't be more than 18 at the most). When the mum refused - he has been making life very difficult for them. Apparently he was fairly high up in the church so of course this poor family have no leg to stand on. It was understandable that the woman was so put off.
Anyhow at the end of the discussion - Michele says she would like to come back and share some more texts from the bible, when the woman says would we like to come up now. We ended up sitting in their living room with 2 of her daughters and her mother-in-law and having a 1st study.
As I say - we just felt that today we were directed to this house - the lady was very stressed and sad (the dark glasses she had on were to hide the tears in her eyes) - she did of course believe in God, but because of all the happenings in her life, she had a hard time believing that he cared for her.
Yesterday Mark and I went back to a girl named Flora that I had found about 6 weeks ago. She understands a little english and I promised to return the next week. I did try but could not find her home even though I went back at different times. Last week, we were assigned not-at-homes on her block so of course I tried again. Not home again - so we moved on to the next house. Yep you guessed it - I had been knocking on the wrong gate - because out comes my girl! We arranged to go back yesterday as she really wanted us to talk to her mother. When we got there at 8.30 in the morning as arranged, they were waiting for us and we were with them for 1 and 1/2 hours answering the mum's many questions. I kept saying I would bring back someone who spoke more spanish but they assured me that everything was just fine. So another experience that reminds us why we are here and what a great priviledge we have to be the ones teaching these people the truth.
Thank you to all commented or sent emails after my plug about wanting to hear from you. Special hello to our new friends - Rick and Lisa from Nova Scotia and Isaac - glad you are enjoying reading about our experiences. To anyone out there contemplating serving where the need is great - my advice is to Just Do It! You will never regret your decision and the experiences in the ministry you will no doubt have, will be absolutely amazing. Of course I would like to suggest that you all come to Ecuador, but I am sure other places would be just as awesome.
P.S Isaac - in answer to your question - I use Adobe Premier Elements for making movies but Windows Movie Maker is a good start off program (it's on everyones computer)

Supergringo's in action

Hope you enjoy this video.If you do like it - I would be so
happy if you sent me a comment!
(just a little plug cause I haven't heard from a lot of you for ages)

By the way - you will notice there is no lid on the bodega - that is because the Building team bring it with them on Friday. So their first job is to attach the roof.

Daniel has asked me to explain what a bodega is - it's the spanish word for storeroom. I suppose I really should have said that eh?

And so it begins...

The dog that lives in the lot lends a paw too.

Chad gets down to it with the limited tools they have

Our KH is getting a remodel - it's the oldest in Cuenca being about 20 years old. Today the work began with the building of the bodega - (storage shed). It had to be close to the site and this lot was found about 5 minutes walk away. Problem is - it is only a lot and they need a covered area. So in true Ecuadorian style - last night Mark and Chad found out that today they had to build a suitable shed. Of course that meant first clearing the site and thankfully Chad has some sway with the young guys in the congo so he was able to russle up some help at the last minute. Mark looks a little dubious of the tamales

Morning tea consisted of Tamales (made by a very kind sister from another congo)- a mixture of cornmeal, meat, eggs and vegetables wrapped up in banana leaves and cooked. They are very good actually - very tasty. Hope the guys can cope with the fried rice for lunch that Michele and I have been slaving over for the past 2 hours. We are not too certain of our abilities when it comes to pleasing the Ecuadorian palate!