Beach bound

This one's for you Mom!

How do you like your eggs?

Puppies!

Hola amigos! Just a quick post to let you know I will be without the computer this next week. We are heading to the coast to check out an English group in Manta and to get a few days of sand and hopefully not too much sun. I am not sure how much access to the internet I will have, but I will be sure to post pictures and experiences next week when we get back.

Calling all brothers!

It has been a busy week here in Cuenca. Service has been good. You never know where you are going to find an English speaking person. Maria and I found a young Ecuadorian mom this week who has a boyfriend from Kentucky. She said I didn't sound like I was from Kentucky. Then she said, "My boyfriend has a strong accent and I am trying to learn English. His accent isn't helping me. Sometimes I don't understand what he is saying." I just laughed and told her that I live there and don't always understand everyone. We were able to demonstrate the study though, and she accepted! Hopefully we will have it this week. One sister we met in Atuntaqui had a big dry erase board to keep track of all the studies she had! So maybe before we leave I might need to get one?! Goals are good. The English congregation is only a year old here. Figuring out how to work the territory in an efficient way can be a challenge for the brothers. There is also a shortage of English bibles and Bible Teach books. If anyone is planning on coming down, throw a few in your suitcase! Speaking of coming down......The study conductor today was discussing paragraph 2. It said, "there continues to be a need for men to take the lead in spiritual matters." It also mentioned that there were over 100,000 congregations worldwide. He then stated that in Ecuador alone there were 1,000 congregations & 77,000 publishers. He said each congregation should have at least 3 elders and it would be good to have 5 servants per congregation. So, how many brothers are serving here in Ecuador? 2,500 elders and 3,000 servants. This leaves a deficit  of 500 elders and 2,000 servants! Calling all brothers! Even coming in for a short time helps alleviate the responsibility these brothers have. In the Cuenca English congregation 2 of the elders are Ecuadorian brothers that switched in part because their kids wanted to try it. So, they are not only serving as elders in a new congregation, they are learning a new language as well. Their willingness to help is such a good example. Well time to go to sleep, the sun rises early on the equator! Hasta luego!