Day 23 - Rain, rain go away

Slept soundly - didn't hear a sound (well maybe lots of sounds - but no dying pig squeals) last night. I'd say we're adapting but it was pouring rain and I think it just muffled the sound because sure enough he was hanging there at the corner when we passed for service. We'll see how we do tonight although I think it's raining again - bc there's no water which happens when it rains a lot-lately every night. Whenever I comment about the rain, Ryan reminds me we r in the rainforest.

Although we slept soundly, Erik was jolted awake by the sound of me flailing around the bedroom like a crazy person because i had seen a spider (not superhuman size but big enough) and I wasn't gonna relax until i had killed it. After moving everything on the floor twice, i finally got it, and we could all relax again.

I don't think anyone enjoyed the rain/mud as much as him

It was "cold" again today - 60's and rainy. Despite the somewhat “dreary” conditions, 16 of us met for service & Ryan “shook” things up a bit by mixing brothers and sisters together but not with their spouses. So Erik worked with Carmen Romero and her daughter Damaris. I worked with Cesar Romero and his youngest daughter, Raquel.  Fortunately, I think I’ve lost a few pounds here because I was waiting for “Le toca a la gorda, si poppi?” – but was happily disappointed.  It rained all morning but we still had a nice time preaching (walking) in the town of Namirez.  We found a lot home and had several nice conversations.


We got home before Ryan & Veronica so we decided to make lunch for a change – lasagna of course! – very Ecuadorian.  I think it turned out pretty good with homemade sauce, just missing some really good parmesan.

Alondra and her uncle, Pepito (but he prefers Josue)

The brother from Loja cancelled his talk so Erik gave another of his outlines in Cumbaratza Congregation. Shawn and I get to listen again tomorrow in Loja (He’s starting to understand what it feels like to be an elder’s wife. Hehe)

The young people here are exceptional! Their ability in the ministry (reading scriptures, asking questions), preparation & participation in the meetings is exemplary. But Maite is extra special – she walks the 4 or 5 blocks to all the meetings by herself (her mom doesn’t study, only her grandma and other aunts/uncles but she doesn’t live with them) with her book bag all packed with her meeting books.  She pays rapt attention to the meeting, taking notes of the Bible texts read. She knows her way around her Bible & has her hand up to comment a lot. She already studied the Great Teacher book (she knows her Bible Stories book too!) and is now in chapter 1 of the Bible Teach book….She’s 9 years old. (She sat with us tonight-precious!)



Ana & her cousin Maite

Victory!!!

So Shawn, Erik & I came home to Ryan in Shawn’s room…you see, we’ve had a little unwelcome visitor, well maybe not so little.  Shawn and Ryan were immediately on the hunt – still in their meeting clothes.  Apparently he had found a different way back in – but was trying to leave via the hole Shawn had covered the day before. So with him trapped in the little room off Shawn’s BR & brooms in hand they were determined.  You can’t imagine the ruckus, but after several minutes…..

I told you he wasn't so little