Day 64 – A rainy walk home from Cumbaratza

I had several studies lined up for the morning (for whatever that’s worth). So after a hearty breakfast of potatoes and eggs we were off. Everyone else goes out in the afternoon. Our first stop, Flor, had gone to her mother-in-law’s to do laundry because she had no water. But undeterred, we headed for Cumbaratza. I was just happy that it wasn’t pouring this week and I wouldn’t be soaked by the time we got to the next study. We took our time in hopes we wouldn’t get as sweaty. The last part of the trip is a steady, steep climb. We were a little early, so we decided to rest before her house as we were sweaty. As were standing there, we see her coming down the hill with her sister and daughters. She told us she had something at school they got invited to but she’d be there next week. I had been carrying around the great teacher bk for her daughter, Damaris, so I at least gave it to her. She was super excited. Down the hill we go, stopping at Marisol’s, but she wasn’t home.

Into town we go, and it was dead quiet. You’d think everyone would be at home with the drizzly, overcast weather, but such was not the case. We tried 3 return visits with no success so we talked to a few people walking by. Then Erik placed mags with 2 guys sitting at the busstop.

As we hit the edge of town to walk back it started raining….hard. My umbrella is only so big and my backside is SO big, well, between trying to keep my backpack dry, my back side was completely soaked. My brown skirt changed color. Erik’s pants were wet up to his knees. We tried my study Merci-no one was home. Then Nancy, Hilario & Erlinda. Thank goodness someone is always home there. We talked to Nancy about the meeting and invited her back Saturday for the public talk and WT.

When we got home Veronica and Zully were cooking up a storm. They made a tasty (& healthy) soup with lots of veggies, sausage with onions/peppers, rice, plantains.

The other four went out in service in the afternoon, but we held down the fort. A little laundry, WT preparation, exercise, ping pong & March Madness. Unfortunately, poor Erik can’t get a good feed on the games and the paid one isn’t available in Ecuador. But he’s making due, he sat and read a play by play on the Norfolk State and Missouri game. But it's not the same! Pobrecito, his favorite time of year.

Shawn was kind enough to bring us home some empanadas de verde from Cumbaratza. Yummy!

We have an early/long first day of the campaign tomorrow. We are going to Nambija in the “Ranchera” (the little buses with no windows or doors) tomorrow to get to the territory. It’s about an hour or so ride, so off to bed and a movie.

By the way, my nasty rash finally went away and I didn’t have to make a trip to the clinic.