Serving in Quito North

 When Jackson was serving in Trujillo, Peru, he told us guinea pigs were a special treat served for dinner. Often, they would be alive in cages in the kitchen when the missionaries arrived at the house. We don't see them very often in Lago Agrio, but we have in El Coca, which is a nearby city in the Oriente, over an hour away. How could we satisfy our craving? Well, look no more! Traditionally roasted whole, cuy is skewered from head to tail. Not really as fluffy as the picture shows, but you know how deceptive food advertising is.

 On Friday, we decided to do our regular 3.5 mile walk and add a trip to Perla Parque. On the way we got to see some interesting specimens, but nothing too scary. Although we saw a blue butterfly, it was too fast and erratic to get a picture. We climbed a tower for a better view of the lake and the visitors' center. At the end of the park was a nice surprise. This shallow water pool playground would be perfect for an afternoon splash. The vultures were out and about riding the waves today. The more I looked, the more I found.

 It's the rainy season here in Sucumbios Province. But that doesn't mean they stop to celebrate. There was a parade on Monday celebrating the anniversary of the founding o Lago Agrio. On Saturday, our neighbors decided to get an early start and were playing loud music and partying all night. Since I was awake, I felt the 5.0 earthquake at 4pm. Then they set off fireworks at 5:30am. On Monday there was a little parade and lots more celebrating. In preparation, they had painted the benches, light poles, and manhole covers. This is the Lago Agrio flag. I recently saw a relief map of South America and Found the town. Here is the Google Map first. I can tell you how fun it is to drive over those Andes. At Shushufindi the workers were having a march down the main street. I don't know what the purpose was, but there were hundreds of people.

 Although sweets outside of States are tame (boy, do we love sugar), I was thrilled to be invited over to enjoy lemon pie at Barbara's house. She has made dozens of these and likes to share them with missionaries. Starting with a cookie crust, she par-bakes it, then adds a condensed milk and lemon juice mix. We sat together at the top of her apartment building where the afternoon wind cooled us off nicely. There was even a pool up there on the 4th floor. Barbara and her family are from Venezuela. She promises she has no intent to ever return. Her mother is an attorney and her step-father is opening a dental practice in Lago Agrio. I loved to hear her perspective about the cities in Venezuela because we may never be able to visit. Barbara and her mother have only been members of the Church for one year.

Just because missionaries volunteer to serve, it doesn't mean they are immune from great trials. While we were at the MTC, we spent the week with 4 other couples and became fast friends. We recently heard from one of the sisters that she has breast cancer. She announced that instead of coming home, she would stay in the mission field, and continue her treatment there. Can you imagine 20 weeks of chemotherapy away from your home and family? She says there is still much she can do and it will give her purpose to get up in the morning. I am impressed by her faith in such a challenging situation. Thinking of others in the midst of our own trials is something that Elder Bednar talks about. "Character is revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering; in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are hungry; and in the power to reach out and extend compassion for the spiritual agony of others when we are in the mi...

 We have a wonderful group of sister missionaries in Quito North. We recently were blessed with a companionship in Lago Agrio. They are so strong and willing to stretch and support each other. I have the opportunity to meet with a few of them each week for English classes as well. Always ready with a smile! There is joy in living the gospel of Jesus Christ. You can read it all over our faces.

 Goodness we see some things that startle me. I didn't even bother looking this up to find out what this is called. This was no danger to anyone. The dogs had found something in the field and the vultures were waiting on the hill. However, they would sometimes divebomb them, only to be chased away again. I think this Husky is getting the lion's share of the food on the roof. After hearing some strange noises outside, we looked out the window and saw a dog on the roof! We had to pull him through the window and take him down the stairs to the front gate. Paul found the owner next door and got him settled.

 Although we don't hear about every baptism, the weekends are very often busy at the font. We love to see these children on Sundays. In our building, the font is outside so we have some room for classes. Still, Primary is held in two 10'x12'rooms. You can see them in the picture below. Let's just say it smells like feet after an hour. I wish I could help teach Primary music, but I don't know any of the words! The Ecuadorian people love to have parties and Children's Day is celebrated here. Primary kids love to dance and sing and have their faces painted. All our Primary presidency are Young Single Adults. They are perfect for this. I love teaching EnglishConnect with a little family history, too. Do you know all of these words in another language? English is a tough language. Many come at the beginning and then lost interest. Learning to play the piano is similarly a long haul. What have you learned that took many years?