What a week!

Last week was full of activity. The foreign language circuit overseer, Brother Rumpf, visited the English congregation here in Cuenca. He and his wife were so encouraging. They have been serving here in Ecuador for 12 years. They served in Spanish then in Chinese. You know you have been serving in a foreign field for a long time when you forget words in English. He would be up on the stage giving a talk and stop, ask someone in Spanish what the English word was. It didn't happen very often, but it was funny when it did. I thought, if you are trying to learn a new language that must be an awesome thing. You finally learn the new language  so well, you forget your first. This next week he and his wife are off to serve the Shuar Indians in the Jungle.
It is really a revolving door here, as it is in any need greater area. Families are constantly coming and going. We are meeting new friends from all over the world every week. The Australians seem to have the market on the place though. A sister told me last year there were mostly North Americans in the English congregation so the Ecuadorian brothers were learning English with an American accent. Now, with 4 Australian families here, the Ecuadorian friends are starting to speak English with a slight Australian accent! All we need is to get a few families from Eastern Kentucky to move here. LOL!
Saturday night turned out to be eventful. Many of you know that Bill and Sherry are here with us. Bill had to go to the hospital with a kidney stone attack. He stayed until Monday morning. He was treated and is doing fine. He said he was very impressed with the medical care he received. He said the doctors here were very patient and explained more to him than his American doctor ever did. The one perk he got was being able to watch the Super Bowl on TV in English! The rest of us went to a brother's house and watched through an internet feed, projected on the wall. That wasn't so bad, until it started buffering every 5 seconds. So we didn't see the final outcome until 11 pm! And....they only streamed a few of the commercials! We had to watch the rest on youtube after the game. Oh the sacrifices of serving where the need is greater. But we are glad Bill got to watch the game uninterrupted.
Many of you knew our dear sister Betty Jane. We were saddened to hear of her death Saturday night. She was one of the most zealous, tenacious, spiritual sisters I have ever known. She loved Jehovah with all her heart and lived a long life proving that. We will miss her, but look forward to the time when we can see her again. I think you will find her house right next to Bill's.

 The Presidential election is in a few weeks. They drive these trucks all over the city, with giant paper mache heads of the candidates.

 Bill and Dick preaching the word in Cuenca (backpacks required).

 The pioneer meeting with the Circuit Overseer. I think we had 32 with the Auxiliary Pioneers.

 For once an empty bus ride to the meeting.

A rainy day in the ministry. Umbrellas definitely required!