Let's see, where do I begin? How about where I left off... six months ago :)
The end of January we were joined by Jason and Bethany and had the privilege of attending the Zone Visit here in Ecuador.
took a canoe ride in a carved tree trunk, and ventured to some indigenous villages. It was loads of fun!
In February, my "extended" family, Larry and Tracey came to visit me. They were real troopers in service and really got to know the friends here, despite the language barriers :) While visiting, they attended the special assembly day. It was pretty cool because, although I was not interviewed on stage, one of my Chinese service experiences was read from the platform. It was so much better listening from my seat than suffering a heart attack on stage!! Their last day in Cuenca, they helped me to paint my new apartment and move from my downstairs apartment to the upstairs apartment. We never could have done it without them!!!
March and April were a blur of sickness and service. We made a trip to the jungle to cover our territory for the Memorial campaign. We went to a few different Chinese work projects and got to see our telephone studies! The couple that lives in Yantzasa told us that they were definitely attending the Memorial :) They've been studying Wednesday's on the telephone with Yan Xiaomei, our soon to be Chinese sister here in Cuenca, and once a week with a couple that speaks Spanish in Yantzasa. Even though they don't understand the Spanish, they like the companionship! Here are some pictures of students and the campaign:
May was also the arrival of Stephanie, Ariel, Ashley and Kaitlyn. I spent the month of may getting the girls up to speed on the ins and outs of Cuenca :) We had a good time!
In May I began a study with a 22 year old girl, Carol. The first time I met her, it was a Tuesday morning and she told me that she had studied before, but that it was too difficult with her old job, so they stopped. Now was a different story. She had Tuesday's and Wednesday's off work and wanted to resume her study. So, I went the next morning. We studied for a few HOURS because she kept insisting we continue. She continues to be a delight :)
The end of May I traveled to the coast before heading back to the States to visit my family. It's funny how Jehovah constantly teaches me lessons in humility because we met with the service group in the morning and I was assigned to work with two young girls: Diana and Divina. They were 9 and 12 years old. Here I was thinking, "I don't know this territory, I don't have any return visits or studies, how am I going to support the three of us this morning!?" Alas, I got a slap in the face for even thinking that... a figurative one anyway :) After preaching from door to door for a bit, we stopped at a little store because the girls wanted a popsicle because it was so hot. They bought ME a popsicle then told me that they had studies. Diana, the 9 year old, was a dynamo. I swear, this little girl is the only person in her family studying. She attends all meetings by herself, gets herself to the meetings for service alone, is prepared for studies, and is full of attitude. They had me pray to start and finish since niether one of the girls is baptized, but she grilled those boys with question after question and if they didn't answer her fast enough, she'd roll her eyes and look at me like, "Can you believe this!?" It was all I could do not to laugh. So cute.
June was a month of visiting friends and family. I had an awesome time re-charging my batteries and spending time with those that know and love me :) Unfortunately, I didn't take many photos... just about a million of my niece! We spent a lot of time playing and swimming. She's a riot:) My family took REALLY good care of me and I appreciated it a lot!
I also got to spend a weekend at my friends' lake house. Jack, Karen, Larry, Tracey, Tim, Kristy, Sara & I had a blast relaxing and water skiing on Lake Cumberland. Thanks Uncle Jack and Aunt Karen!
My sister, Jennifer, was also super kind in putting together a skating party for all my little gals from my old congregation that I love and miss so much. We had eight girls come, five of which had NEVER skated before. Let's just say Jenn and I had our work cut out for us. But, with the help of Jojo, Laura, and Jessica we got all of them skating by the end of the day :) They were a joy to watch love and cheer each other on!
Our skating crew: Brandy, Brenda, Gaby, Kayley, Britney, Me, Jojo, Mosa, Jessica & Wilda
In July, two days after arriving in Ecuador again, I left for a trip to a town 10 hours from here to attend the Chinese Circuit Assembly. The assembly was translated by Ecuadorian and American brothers. They listened with headphones to the Spanish speakers in the assembly hall outside and translated what they heard for our group in the elders room at the assembly hall. Since it's the only Chinese assembly for the country, not all of the Chinese Bible students could make the trip, but there were still about 10 that attended.
The Chinese Circuit Assembly: The sisters are translating the Spanish demonstration you see on the TV from Spanish to Chinese
The overspill: Not everyone could fit inside the elders room so about 15 people sat outside
While in that city, Santo Domingo, we preached in some work camps where a bunch of Chinese live because they're working on a hydroelectric project. There are a lot of camps in this country because Chinese engineers win the contracts for bridges, dams, mines, etc. all the time. That is where the majority of our Chinese population is. They normally haven't ever seen our literature, the Bible, or heard God's name, so it's quite exciting and challenging.... not to mention the preaching in Chinese part!
Now we're in the campaign for the assembly here for my Spanish congregation. The congregations in the whole city were just rearranged so that publishers live in their territory. Walking in my hall is almost like attending someone else's congregation because I don't know at least half of the brothers yet! I'm trying to get to know a few at a time. It's a good opportunity to make new friends!
After the Zone Visit, we ventured to the jungle where we played in waterfalls (my favorite!),
played with monkeys, rode in a cable car,
took a canoe ride in a carved tree trunk, and ventured to some indigenous villages. It was loads of fun!
In February, my "extended" family, Larry and Tracey came to visit me. They were real troopers in service and really got to know the friends here, despite the language barriers :) While visiting, they attended the special assembly day. It was pretty cool because, although I was not interviewed on stage, one of my Chinese service experiences was read from the platform. It was so much better listening from my seat than suffering a heart attack on stage!! Their last day in Cuenca, they helped me to paint my new apartment and move from my downstairs apartment to the upstairs apartment. We never could have done it without them!!!
Hiking in the rain in Cajas
The orchid farm
March and April were a blur of sickness and service. We made a trip to the jungle to cover our territory for the Memorial campaign. We went to a few different Chinese work projects and got to see our telephone studies! The couple that lives in Yantzasa told us that they were definitely attending the Memorial :) They've been studying Wednesday's on the telephone with Yan Xiaomei, our soon to be Chinese sister here in Cuenca, and once a week with a couple that speaks Spanish in Yantzasa. Even though they don't understand the Spanish, they like the companionship! Here are some pictures of students and the campaign:
My Wednesday afternoon group. There are normally between five and ten little girls joining for our study in the market.
A very pregnant Vanessa and the gift for baby Samantha :)
Suca, Me & Belen after the Memorial
Preaching at the Bridge Project
May was also the arrival of Stephanie, Ariel, Ashley and Kaitlyn. I spent the month of may getting the girls up to speed on the ins and outs of Cuenca :) We had a good time!
In May I began a study with a 22 year old girl, Carol. The first time I met her, it was a Tuesday morning and she told me that she had studied before, but that it was too difficult with her old job, so they stopped. Now was a different story. She had Tuesday's and Wednesday's off work and wanted to resume her study. So, I went the next morning. We studied for a few HOURS because she kept insisting we continue. She continues to be a delight :)
The end of May I traveled to the coast before heading back to the States to visit my family. It's funny how Jehovah constantly teaches me lessons in humility because we met with the service group in the morning and I was assigned to work with two young girls: Diana and Divina. They were 9 and 12 years old. Here I was thinking, "I don't know this territory, I don't have any return visits or studies, how am I going to support the three of us this morning!?" Alas, I got a slap in the face for even thinking that... a figurative one anyway :) After preaching from door to door for a bit, we stopped at a little store because the girls wanted a popsicle because it was so hot. They bought ME a popsicle then told me that they had studies. Diana, the 9 year old, was a dynamo. I swear, this little girl is the only person in her family studying. She attends all meetings by herself, gets herself to the meetings for service alone, is prepared for studies, and is full of attitude. They had me pray to start and finish since niether one of the girls is baptized, but she grilled those boys with question after question and if they didn't answer her fast enough, she'd roll her eyes and look at me like, "Can you believe this!?" It was all I could do not to laugh. So cute.
The Machalilla Kingdom Hall
Veronica & Kaitlyn preaching Stephanie & the gals
Diana & Divina with their students
Ashley, Diana, Divina & I
June was a month of visiting friends and family. I had an awesome time re-charging my batteries and spending time with those that know and love me :) Unfortunately, I didn't take many photos... just about a million of my niece! We spent a lot of time playing and swimming. She's a riot:) My family took REALLY good care of me and I appreciated it a lot!
My adorable niece, Ellie, playing hide and seek
I also got to spend a weekend at my friends' lake house. Jack, Karen, Larry, Tracey, Tim, Kristy, Sara & I had a blast relaxing and water skiing on Lake Cumberland. Thanks Uncle Jack and Aunt Karen!
My sister, Jennifer, was also super kind in putting together a skating party for all my little gals from my old congregation that I love and miss so much. We had eight girls come, five of which had NEVER skated before. Let's just say Jenn and I had our work cut out for us. But, with the help of Jojo, Laura, and Jessica we got all of them skating by the end of the day :) They were a joy to watch love and cheer each other on!
Jessica & Wilda skating
Our skating crew: Brandy, Brenda, Gaby, Kayley, Britney, Me, Jojo, Mosa, Jessica & Wilda
My babies, Jessica and Wilda. I started studying with their mom when Jessica was a few months old, so they are truly mine :)
In July, two days after arriving in Ecuador again, I left for a trip to a town 10 hours from here to attend the Chinese Circuit Assembly. The assembly was translated by Ecuadorian and American brothers. They listened with headphones to the Spanish speakers in the assembly hall outside and translated what they heard for our group in the elders room at the assembly hall. Since it's the only Chinese assembly for the country, not all of the Chinese Bible students could make the trip, but there were still about 10 that attended.
The Chinese Circuit Assembly: The sisters are translating the Spanish demonstration you see on the TV from Spanish to Chinese
My notes in Spanglish and my Chinese Bible... talk about a headache! Haha
The overspill: Not everyone could fit inside the elders room so about 15 people sat outside
While in that city, Santo Domingo, we preached in some work camps where a bunch of Chinese live because they're working on a hydroelectric project. There are a lot of camps in this country because Chinese engineers win the contracts for bridges, dams, mines, etc. all the time. That is where the majority of our Chinese population is. They normally haven't ever seen our literature, the Bible, or heard God's name, so it's quite exciting and challenging.... not to mention the preaching in Chinese part!
Preaching in the camp at night. You can't tell because of my flash, but Luis is holding up a flashlight for the Chinese brother to read the Bible in the dark :)
Now we're in the campaign for the assembly here for my Spanish congregation. The congregations in the whole city were just rearranged so that publishers live in their territory. Walking in my hall is almost like attending someone else's congregation because I don't know at least half of the brothers yet! I'm trying to get to know a few at a time. It's a good opportunity to make new friends!
