Interview

Seeing I have been sent home from the kitchen in disgrace (I have an eye infection - not the best thing to have while cooking and serving food), I thought I would put this interview of our Circuit Overseer and his wife together. It is a long video (15 minutes) but they were so interesting to talk to - I am sure you will enjoy it.
Peter is Canadian but has been here since he was small and Isabel is a native Ecuadorian (you would never guess that by her accent though). I am sad we did not get to spend more time with them while they were staying with us but duty called I am afraid.
There was a lot of good stuff that I had to cut out of the interview unfortunately - however I hope what did make the final cut gives you the right impression of this lovely couple. They have made the service of Jehovah their careers and are an inspiration to us all. They also went through a very stressful time recently with Peter having to return to Canada for a major operation - it was touch and go for awhile - but thankfully all is good now and they are able to continue with their assignment to the joy and relief of everyone here.
So make yourselves a cup of tea and relax for 15 minutes while you listen to their story...

Oh no - our two days off went too fast and it is nearly Tuesday again! Oh well I suppose the sooner the time goes - the sooner Aaron gets here! Yay - I am so excited to finally have someone from home come so we can show him our lives here. That is if we have time to show him around!!!

"Can you hear the bells, Fernando"

I would like to introduce you to our mate, Fernando, the guy that is changing my mind about the Ecuadorian men with their idea that kitchen work is woman's work. This guy has helped us so much - spending time washing the dishes, cleaning floors, serving meals (with hat and apron on - it's so cute), and generally keeping us smiling. If he is not at the kitchen he is helping in the construction or doing all night guard duty. Of course there are plenty of fellers (that's Kiwi for fellows ) doing very hard work in the construction but because Fernando is the only one that comes to help us - he's definitely our favorite.The other plus is he is attracting all the young sisters to the kitchen so that's why I say - "can you hear the bells, Fernando" - wedding bells - you'll be snapped up fast if you don't watch it.Michele teaches Fernando the serviette shuffle
ps: I had better mention that Chad and Mark have been doing their best to help us too
(wouldn't want to uspet them would I?)

mmmm yum!

My favorite food was on the menu this morning - empanadas made out of flour. I got to help the sister who I think makes the best so consequently - I have learned her secrets. The one in the front is my first effort - you can tell it just doesn't look the same as the others. Maybe if I practice hard I might be able to make some for you when I come home - of course they are dripping in fat but hey - one can't always be worried about that - especially in this country!

Smiling

My equilibrium has been restored! I was able to spend an hour and a half out in the ministry. I have missed it very much - it certainly is the thing that keeps us here. I had a nice talk to a young man who in the end, after listening to me read a couple of texts in the bible, took a brochure. Then I found one of my calls (she had progressed to a study but has not been at home for ages) and she said she would really like us to keep trying to find her at home. Yay (except of course her house is the most inaccessible house in the territory - uphill all the way - that's the way it goes I suppose!)
Michele and I think we are now up to being able to take turns - morning on - morning off, so hopefully we will both get to spend time in the field.
We also have the CO visiting our congo this week so we are busy but they are very interesting to talk to and very encouraging. I am trying to talk (I have even attempted trying extortion) them in to letting me interview them so you can meet them too. We'll see what happens.
I am home now to bake a cake as Carina, the sister sent by the branch to help us for 2 weeks is leaving. Have to show her our appreciation somehow eh? Anyway I better get to it!

My mother would be jealous

Yep that's Tripe waiting to get cooked for lunch the other day. It brought back many childhood memories - there's nothing like that smell (it pongs!). The finished product was nothing like my mother cooked but I still couldn't eat it!.
(Sorry Mum - nothing against your cooking but I never did like the stuff).
For the uneducated Tripe or "guatita" as it is called here is cow stomach. Everyone seemed very excited about having it so they must love it. I was wondering how Mark would cope with it but he ate it because he said it was cut up very small and cooked in a sauce with potatoes.

Good Times

Just wanted to show that we do smile and have fun in the kitchen too - I may have been sounding a little negative lately - it's amazing what a good sleep will do. Everyone is working hard and the job is getting done. The brothers and sisters will be able to look proudly on their brand new Salon de Reino with joy - knowing they have all had a part in its construction.