A post script to the pioneer school post:
Today for the poor things no lunch turned up. I had just got myself into my bed for my afternoon nap (after walking up hills all morning) before the group - when Mark phoned to say there was an emergency and could I go downstairs to the Pizza place and order 8 large pizza's. You would think that would be no problem for a restaurant that is open and ready for trade - but no they had no dough made up so that was that. So cheese and ham sandwiches it had to be. I just ran across the road to the store and brought 40 bread rolls (they make really good bread rolls here - nothing like the ones at home), ham, cheese, chips and cookies. That saw the hungry souls right and they were ever so thankful.

Pioneer School

This week there is a pioneer school happening at our hall. We were invited and declined going to one that was on while Aaron was here but we could have changed it to this one however I am so glad we didn't. You will notice the Scarborough family in the photo (I introduced you to them when they first arrived last year - maybe you remember a blog called Payton's Place?). They are doing really good with their Spanish - especially the kids but Gary says it is really hard to concentrate all day - then go home and do the mountains of study - in Spanish!! I don't think my brain would have been up to it. There will only be one chance for me to attend the school so I really want to do it in English!
However good on them for getting into it - I admire their tenacity!
Yesterday the pioneers from our congregation were invited to go out in the field with the students and I worked with a lovely young lady called Maria. She said she has been in the truth for 10 years along with her mother and grandmother. Seems the grandmother was bothered greatly by the hellfire teaching in the Catholic church so when someone called on her door and taught her the truth - she was very grateful.
We will be working with them again on Friday - returning to the interest found and starting Bible Studies - so hopefully we will be handed over some new studies next week.

Empty Nesters once again!

The Ochoa Family - special friends of us all but particularly Chad and Michele and the Willis Family stopped by to say their goodbyes before we went to the airport.

Little Pablo can't bear loosing his friend - Chad.

The kids left today and of course we are all sad to see them go. I know it is only for 2 months but still - the place is too quiet without them.
Their original plans were to leave for good - having exhausted all their options for staying here but things worked out that they could come back. So I am clinging on to that fact - it may happen for us too!

Final day

Well we did it - sat through 3 days of pure spanish that is and managed to even take notes. Well I did - poor Mark was on attendant duty so was mostly away from his seat. The drama was just as awesome in spanish - yes it made me cry again - too many of our young friends have been lost to the world back home and I couldn't help but think of them. Also couldn't help thinking about the backdrop we had for our convention here - the picture shows just some of the hills in the background - they are right around us - awe inspiring to me. When they played the new music the other day the clouds parted and the sun streamed down onto the mountains and it was breathtaking.

This is our DO and his wife. She is from California orginally - came here 40 years ago as a missionary and met him. He is from Germany, also a missionary. So they were very interesting to talk to. That is one thing I am so appreciative here - we have met so many different people all with great stories to tell. How very fortunate we are!

PS The peak attendance reached 10,307 today - and 30,000 in Quito. There were lots of people in casual clothes so I am presuming there was a good response to the invitation campaign.

Asamblea de Distrito 2009

The crowd becomes a sea of umbrellas as the day progresses

Just home from the 2nd day of the convention and glad there is only one more to go. As you can see by the pictures the sun creeps up the bleachers and let me tell you - it gets very hot. Well I suppose I would be complaining more if it was raining! Anyway there is not as many attending as they had anticipated - with the peak so far being 8,700 - however it is still one of the largest conventions I have ever been to. There is another one in Quito this weekend with 25,000 in attendance - how awesome would that be. I can only imagine the crush trying to get to your seats - it is bad enough here!

Some of the 200 baptized this morning

Awh thanks guys!

Thank you everyone for you lovely comments on my last blog - it just goes to show that we truly do belong to an awesome organization. To have friends like you guys (some we don't even really know) - means alot to us. Your encouragement is very much appreciated and I am thrilled to know that my blog has encouraged you too in some small way.
Looking forward to one day meeting up with Cheri and Greg, Isaac, Grace, Eden and Saren - if not in this system of things then definitely in Jehovah's new world.
xxx to you all!

Thoughts for today

Today Mark went up the the assembly hall so I was walking home by myself after an excellent morning in the field. That's when I get to thinking about stuff so here's my thoughts for this day: We love it here and cannot bear the thought of having to leave. However our son is getting married soon so we are having to return to NZ at the end of November. That gives us only 3 more months here and we are very sad about that. (Don't worry Ryan - we wouldn't miss your wedding for the world). However I have to say that it sure has been a privilege and we are so happy that we had the opportunity to come here. We have met all sorts of people from all around the world, we have partly learned another language and have been able to help out where the need is great. If anyone is contemplating making a similar change in your lives then JDI because the blessings far out way the sacrifices. Ecuador needs more help - so put this on your list of possibles. Where else can you walk along a beautiful river like this while out in service?Here you can spend just 2 hours in service and return home with an empty bookbag and some really good calls to return to like my morning today. I placed everything in my bag and have to take a bible back to one lady. I think because this is a poor country , people are very aware things are not right. Because NZ is so far away from the rest of the world, we tend to be more insular and only worry about ourselves. Maybe things have changed somewhat with the economic downturn and more people are sitting up and taking notice of world events. I hope so for their sake.We know that time is getting very short for this system of things.
So for the next 3 months, Mark and I are going to have to really make the time count and learn as much as we can, just in case we don't get things organized so we can come back. He will tell me off for being pessimistic - being so sure a miricle will happen and we will be able to continue our work here. We shall just have to wait and see what happens - however as I say, it has been an awesome life changing experience and I am just happy to have had it!