Serving in Quito North

 We had an opportunity to attend another river baptism on Sunday in Shushufindi. It was a very rainy day, but this sister's determination was firm. This particular spot was built with stairs, which was perfect for our use. After Elder Zubiaga immersed her and brought her out of the water, friends rushed to her to wrap her with towels and blankets. She began bearing her testimony, especially to her husband and children, still halfway in the water, of the truthfulness of the Church and her love of Jesus Christ. Because General Conference is scheduled for the next week, this sister needed to receive the Holy Ghost at water's edge. I held an umbrella over her head and the 5 missionaries gathered around her. It was a special moment for me and felt the Spirit so strongly.

 I began teaching EnglishConnect in Lago Agrio and Shushufindi this week. We have lots of students who are just beginning to learn English. I love teaching so this is a perfect opportunity for me. My friend Adriana talks to me like I can understand Spanish well. I am really trying! But I miss most of the words and just try to get the context. This is Matahambre or "hunger killer." The bottom is a base of french fries with chicken, pork, and beef scattered on top. Queso fresco and many sauces finish off this "medium" sized lunch for $9. We like to stop by Chifa restaurants here in Ecuador (mostly Quito) because they are Cantonese/Peruvian cuisine, but we haven't been here yet.

 We had some fun traveling to Shushufindi on Sunday and Monday. There is a little family group out there that the missionaries run. What a beautiful entry into the city! The name of Shushufindi is pronounced 'shoe-shoe-FEEN-dee' and is a city of about 45,000 people. Our meeting place is a little building that seats about 35 people and it has air conditioning! When it rains it is crazy fuerte. Although it is only 31 miles away, it takes an hour to drive. We've seen some terrible accidents on the two-lane windy road. There is no shoulder and plenty of motorcycles drive at night without any lights. We are often stopped by police on road blocks. I think they are looking for drugs coming in and out. We each got a backpack printed with our names on. I love the colors they chose. Each missionary has one of these with emergency supplies. Sometimes you can be stuck in a lockdown or a road blockade and you need emergency money and food.