Wrapping up

Three weeks has come to a very quick end. I am writing this on my final leg of our flight home. We had a very good time in Oaxaca. We spent most of our time in the ministry, socializing with the friends or sampling all the local food. We spent a few days as tourists, but when you come to a place with helping out in the ministry as your main objective, priorities become evident. For instance, yesterday we had planned to spend the morning in service and then go see the famous Tule tree (a huge cypress tree that a little town built itself around). As it turned out, after lunch we decided staying out in the ministry and spending our last day with the friends was the better option. I mean who needs to go see some 2000 year old tree when you could start another bible study?! As it turns out, in the afternoon a man approached our group in the park. He recognized one of the brothers. He had studied before and after the brothers spoke with him and shared a few scriptures, he agreed to resume his study! Like I said, who needs to see some old tree! Also, both of the studies Cleo and I started were handed over to local sisters and Cleo intends to keep in touch with the young girl she met via email.
We ended our day enjoying an authentic Oaxacan meal with the Flanagan family from Ohio. Enchiladas with wonderful molé sauce. Yum!
I am always encouraged by all the young adults I meet on these trips. They are always persons of incredible abilities and character, yet they are all choosing to exert themselves serving Jehovah while living in the simplest of conditions. Even considering all that, most of them are very well traveled and have seen quite a bit of the world already. I think about all the young adults that pursue higher education and prominent careers. They work hard all their lives so they can finally retire and travel. They might get to half the places with half the energy that most of the pioneers I've met have been. What a rich and wonderful life Jehovah offers our young people if they just take advantage of it.
So, to wrap up......our trip was a success. We met new friends, had good experiences in the ministry, gathered more information on a country we might return to, widened our cultural outlook, tried new foods (ok, only Dave tried the grasshoppers), and increased our appreciation for being servants of the one true God. Doesn't get any better than that.
Don't forget to click on the pictures so you can see the whole enchilada!

    Erin and Cleo showcasing a pomegranate tree in service.

    Our last night in Oaxaca, dinner with the Flanagans.

    Isidro and Jorina, the brother and Sister we stayed with.

 

Food and VW's

There is plenty of food to choose from here, but the tortilla is king here in Oaxaca. It is served with every meal, in some form, most times taking center stage. Depending on how it is prepared and if it is corn or flour, makes for the name. There is the empanadas, tlayudas, enchiladas, chilaquiles, and of course tacos. We have found many juice bars, where they can mix up your choice of fresh squeezed fruits and veggies. Also crepes are popular here too, especially with a little Nutella. There is also a large kernel corn that is allowed to sit on the stalk after rain and develop fungus turning it black. Strawberries are in season here now and absolutely delicious! Of course they are known here for eating chapulines, or grasshoppers. They sauté them up with garlic, chili pepper and peanuts. Dave gave them a try, but not me.
VW bugs are everywhere! I am trying to get a picture of one in every color. They only stopped making them here a few years ago.
Oh, and turns out Oaxaca is where they filmed Nacho Libre. So the friends have been showing us different locations where scenes were filmed.
We are in our final week of the a very short three. I was working territory on Friday with a sister and a man approached us asking for the magazines in Spanish. We didn't have the current ones in Spanish, but found out he spoke English. Turns out he lived in California for a few years and had moved back to Oaxaca last year. We gave him the magazines in English along with an invitation to the meeting on Saturday. We walk into the hall on Saturday and there he was! He met several of the local brothers and sounds like he will return.
Our host family treated us to an authentic Oaxacan breakfast this morning. A lady came and fixed us empanadas on a terra cotta pan heated by coals. It was washed down with Mexican hot chocolate. The generosity of the friends always amazes me.

A "ruined" day

The last few days have been good. More fun service and great weather. Today we did the tourist thing. We went to Monte Albán, the largest ruins in the area. It took us about 2 1/2 hours to walk the whole area. It was nice that the information plaques were done in English as well as Spanish. Then we came back to downtown Oaxaca and ate lunch, followed by a thorough investigation of the souvenir shops and coffee shops.

Bible studies

Week one is already coming to an end. After spending 5 of the last 7 days in service, Cleo and I both have bible studies! The RV I mentioned earlier is one. She invited us in and we covered 4 paragraphs in the book. I am to return next Tuesday. Cleo met a young mom on Wednesday. She just moved back to Mexico after living in Memphis for several years. She spoke very good English and used the term, "y'all" with a Spanish accent. Memphis definitely rubbed off. We came back on Friday and had the first study. She said that she was trying to make her marriage better and knew that learning about God would help. She told her husband that when we came the first time it was more than a coincidence. So we are going to come back when her husband can sit in.
Other than service, we have been eating our way through the city. There is a lot of good, spicy food here. We hope to go see some of the ruins on Monday and act like tourists!

Oaxaca

Well, ignore what I said about a new blog. I was having technical difficulties, but I think I've resolved them. So... Here we are in Oaxaca. Monday is a non service day here, which was good for Cleo. Although she was feeling better, she needed to rest. Fortunate for us, the brother we rent from is a semi retired homeopathic doctor. When he found out Cleo was ill, he brought her up a little bottle of clear liquid to take by the spoonful every few hours. It must have worked, because she was eating Mexican by Monday night! Today was a service day. I found a young girl on her way out. I asked her in Spanish, " is there anyone here who speaks English, we have information to share in English?" She said back in English, "Yes, but do you have to do it now? I am leaving." I told her I could come back tomorrow and she told if I came at 10 she would be happy to talk about the tract I gave her. So I have my first rv!
We also went to the market and found a very good stand in for Starbucks. One of the appetizer/snack they eat her are chupilines, or fried grasshoppers. Haven't tried them yet, but Dave was tempted at the market.

Mexico

We made it home from Ecuador at the end of March. It was a great trip and we have plans to return for another 3 months, starting in late January. Right now we are in Oaxaca, Mexico for three weeks. We will be working with the English Congregation here, just one of 150 in the country.  We are staying in a small apartment owned by sister. She and her husband live below us and another family from Ohio are living in the other 3 apartments. The meeting is on Saturday night, on today ( Sunday) we went out in service. Well, Austin and I did. Cleo woke up this morning with the flu. Hopefully she will feel better tomorrow. I am also posting to let everyone know I will be switching to a new blog. So check back soon and I will post the name of the new one soon. Thx for following

Another reason to party!

  One of the few good things about leaving Ecuador is that the friends give you a fun party and one last chance to improve your latin dance moves. It wasn't a goodbye party, just a "so glad you came and we will see you when you come back, which better not be too long" party. It was a very fun evening with at least 4 kinds of rice! We didn't really have to say goodbye though. We would be seeing everyone a few days later in Quito for the English Special Assembly Day. We spent our last day in Cuenca eating at our favorite restaurant, seeing the history museum and ancient ruins and packing last minute things.
  Thursday morning we headed to Banos. Lasse, a brother from Denmark, drove us in his car. We were so happy that we didn't have to take the bus. Banos is known for it's waterfalls and thermal baths. We spent 2 days there, hiking, eating, and sitting in the baths. It was a great break from the city. On one of our hikes we came across a very elderly Ecuadorian woman who lived in a tiny little house up in the mountain. Her husband hiked down to Banos every day to work (about an hour) and she hadn't been there for many years, because of her health. We asked her if she had a bible, but she said she couldn't read. She did say she prays to God every day. Austin translated for us and we were able to give her some encouragement by quoting scriptures to her. She was very sweet and a a good reminder of how much we have spiritually and materially.
 Saturday morning we headed for Quito, but decided to take the long scenic route through the jungle. The roads in Ecuador have greatly improved in the last few years, so it made for a smooth trip. Lasse said the day could have only been made better by driving a mini cooper through the fresh paved, curvy jungle roads. All in all, it was a stunning drive.

ancient ruins in Cuenca

The cake Sister Salazar made for our party.

Dancing with the friends

View of Banos after hiking 1 hour.

Our new friend.

Twins!

My bible study Patricia and her daughter Dayana

One of our favorite families, the Salazars

Quito Assembly Hall

Outside the Hall

We finally made it to Quito. The Assembly was bittersweet. We were able to see everyone we had met in our 3 months, met even more friends, but then had to say goodbye to all of them. What a whirlwind of emotions!

Super Sunday

This is one of our friends from "down under", Wendy.

Some things are universal.

Yes, another beautiful scene from our apartment window.

Austin doing some park witnessing.

Following the other car group to the territory
(no, I don't know how many were actually in the mini minivan)

Another double rainbow. Fortunately, we know what it means,
Genesis 9:13.

We woke up this morning knowing it would be our last meeting here in Cuenca for awhile. Of course this made us a little sad, but we were blessed with an absolutely beautiful blue sky and warm weather. The blessings, however, did not stop there. My bible study called me this morning and said she would be coming. Yeah! I took the bus to her home and walked the 15 minutes to the hall with her and the 2 children. When we got to the hall, a man we met yesterday in the ministry and invited was there as well. He lived in Toronto for 20 years and spoke excellent English. He really enjoyed the meeting and asked many questions and even made personal notes during the study. After the meeting we headed to one of our favorite cafes for lunch, The Kookaburra. Owned by some Aussies, they have some of the best food in town! By the time we made it home a storm was moving in. I love that they have thunder and lightening here! As the storm passed, a double rainbow decided to setup right outside our window! We have 2 days left in the city, then we head for Quito, stopping for a few days in Banos. Next Sunday in Quito the Special Assembly Day for English will be held. What a nice way to end our trip. Then we have 2 days left which will be spent at the Branch in Guayaquil. We will be home soon with not too much of a plan or a home. We are exploring all the options and leaving it Jehovah's hands to direct us. Kind of exciting. See you friends soon!

Really Random

I thought I would post a few random pictures.

Our $9 filet mignon, delicious!

Some of our territory.

There's a storm a brewin!

A beautiful tile mural.

A typical Almuerzo, this one cost $2 (hat not included).

Counting down

The time left is reduced! Only 2 1/2 weeks left! It doesn't seem possible,  but soon we will be packing up our bags and flying back to Kentucky. Just as we leave, others are arriving. It is a constant passing of the torch here.  David now has 2 bible studies. The first is with a young college student who we found in the territory a few weeks ago. He attended 2 Sunday meetings even before he had his first study. Even better, when he had his first study, he came to our apartment! Dave's 2nd study is with a man he met on the street while in service. The guy had been to one meeting before and recognized the witnesses. He was actually running with a group of friends and stopped to talk. He told Dave he wanted a study and gave Dave his address. Dave came by a few days later and had his first study. My study with Patricia is going well. Her ten year old daughter is sitting in now. She doesn't know much English yet, but her mom is translating her answers for me and she is using the bible teach book in Spanish. Also this week, I made a return visit on a college guy who lived in the states for awhile. He was really concerned by the lack of morals in people today and all the violence. After showing him from the bible that God's kingdom is a real government that will solve these problems he agreed to have the brother come back for a bible study. It is amazing how a lot of young people here are concerned with the future and respectful of the bible's viewpoint.
We also had a congregation picnic Saturday in a really nice park here, Paradise Park. Just like back home, plenty of potato salad and fruit salad for everyone! The park had ball fields, swings, trails, a lake with paddle boats, and restrooms. Now as with most public restrooms in Ecuador, you pay 5 - 10 cents to use them (this includes your allotted toilet paper that the attendant gives you after you pay, but before you go into the stall). These restrooms cost 10 cents and the attendant was quite generous with the TP. The Paddle boats were ironically free! This included a life jacket that the park attendant made sure your properly put on before boarding. Dave, myself and another brother went for a ride around the lake. About 2/3 the way around (it was really a pond) our paddle boat lost forward power and we had to paddle in reverse to the shore line where Austin grabbed the rope and pulled us the last twenty feet to the dock. We told the attendant, "No funcion." He didn't seem to believe us, oh well!

 PARTY in the HOUSE tonight!

 We've all been there, fruit salad insanity. After chopping, dicing, and peeling for one hour, you start to go a little crazy!

 The "apple" doesn't fall far from the tree!

 I don't know what this fruit is called, but the slime covered seeds were delicious!

 The fruits of our labor, everyone enjoyed the picnic.

We also had a dance party in our building last week. We learned a few latin line dances and had help learning salsa and merengue steps. It was a very fun evening. It was so nice to be at a party where the parents were having fun along with the kids.

Zippin thru Ecuador!

Dave even has to wear a hard hat in Ecuador.

Yes, that's me in perfect zipline form!

Cleo

Yes, everything you see behind us is the city of Cuenca, our English territory.

Cleo again!

Last Wednesday was the last day of a very busy and rewarding month. We took the day to have a little fun and be tourists. Franco, who is a brother and tour guide took us to the local zipline. It was great and the rain that had been constant the last few days decided to give us a break. We also learned a little history about Ecuador and the people from Franco. After the Zipline, he took us up to Turi, a high point above the city so we could really get a good view. Then he dropped us at one of his favorite almuerzos. As soon as we finished lunch the downpour started. We headed for home and took a siesta. What a fun day!