As I begin this blog, I have to say this week has been very uneventful. For us, at least me, that is a good thing. We work in our office; each day brings some new challenges, thankfully, they are getting fewer and fewer. I am so happy to report that our participants are paying on a more regular basis. Some have truely begun to catch the vision. Keeping their promises and covenents is the most important and worthwhile thing they can do. Elder W. is teaching "Priesthood Correlation." That is what is going to be the real answer. The leaders here (many of them) do not understand what "correlation" means. Home teaching is lacking and because of distance and transportation their meetings are few and short. A member of our Bishopric works in the office building with us, actually on our floor.
The most exciting part of the week, for Elder W., was a very animated discussion again with a brother in Bogota. He and his supervisor do not think we have the "right" to give the Bishops information about the particpants payments being late; although Bogota sends a monthly report (which I put together each month). It has all the same information, we just call directly and discuss it with the Bishop instead of assuming they will read the report from Bogota.
I added the picture of me in my new glasses (I hope you like them) I sure do. It is interesting, I had to come to Ecuador to get a frame right off the shelf, no adjustments needed. I am so happy.
The picture of the food court is just to let you all know we have a great mall to which we walk each Saturday. It is a good walk for the exercize and has a large choice of edible food too. My favorite, of course is pizza, Domino's or Pizza Hut.
Our weather during the last few days has been wonderful, no rain during the day, just in the night. We hope that means spring/summer is on the way. I'm tired of the cold!!
The picture of Elder W. speaking with Sister Liggett is a teaching moment. She loves to hear some of the experiences he has had during his time in the Mission Presidency. She is one of the "Bienestar or Welfare" Sisters. Many of the young men and women called to serve missions from Ecuador, leave home without enough clothing and personal care items. Families who come to bring their missionary home to the U.S, are generous to bring pants, tootpaste, toothbrushes, ties, white shirts and luggage. These items are stored and given to these less fortunate missionaries leaving for their MTC experience in Bogota. The Welfare Sisters are in charge of this as well as other duties.
The photo of the sister in the office is Sister Griesemer, she will be the Secretary to the President. She lost her husband three years ago and decided a mission would be the best way to spend the next few years. She has four children who had a hard time so soon after losing their father, then "losing" their mother. She lives in our building as do other mission couples. She is a very sweet "type A" personality, very organized and ready to work hard.
It is going to be fun, the mission office is going to be redesigned and they will have to move the mission somewhere else in the building, we don't know where yet. We are also very excited to get our new Mission President in July. That is why they want the office finished before he gets here. He will be a great President, we know him from our last Mission here, he works for the Church in the Employment/Welfare Department.
We love and miss you all and pray for your well being wherever in the world you are at this time.
Our testimonies are solid, we love our Savior and love serving His children. We are grateful for the restoration of the Gospel on the earth at this time. We see lives being changed each day, it is wonderful and we are grateful to be a small part of the work.
Until I write again,
Hermana W.
