Welfare Director. We met them in the MTC, we began our missions at the same time. They were here to do some training of the leaders here in Quito. We were able to go to lunch with them on Friday before their training on Saturday afternoon. It was very good to see them and compare notes on our experiences. They are happy to be in Bogota. Many people feel it is a dangerous place, but they have not found that to be true. They travel all over Columbia, completing welfare projects for the Church. There are many types of "aid" the Church provides; most often it comes from findiing the needs of an area; sometimes it's medical necessities, construction projects, food and commodities and of course leadership training. They are enjoying their assignment. Our South America North area includes Columbia, Ecuador and Venezuela. They travel to all those countries. 
I am posting another photo of some young women who volunteer in a local orphanage. The administrator of the facility is in our Bishopric. Both times we have been here in Quito, there have been many very sweet young women, most, but not all, are members from Utah. They volunteer for three months and take care of the small "unwanted or orphaned" children of Quito. Unfortunaltley there are several of these orphanges around the city housing many children. When I took this photo and spoke to the young women, they told me that at this time they have 32 children UNDER 2 years old! It changes all the time. We are also blessed to have them in our ward because they (coming from Utah) sing for us in Sacreament meeting every now and then. In this group of young women is a sister who is about 6 feet tall and very blond, unfortunately she was not there the day I took the picture. A trio of them sang one day and when they got to the podium to sing one small girl said, (in Spanish of course), "Look mommie, there's Barbie." The young woman was very, very flattered, we all thought it was really cute.
This is a photo of Hermana Griesemer, the secretary to the Mission President. The Mission is preparing for President Lara and his family to end their three years of service to the Quito Mission, and welcome a new Mission President, Tim Sloan. He and his family will be here at the end of June. They are coming from Utah, where he is an employee of the Church. The mission office was just remodeled during the last month. It is beautiful and so much more functional and tranquil now. I don't know how things were accomplished before, it was very "disorganzed" and allowed people to come and go at will. Now, Hermana Griesemer has some "control" of the door to the office. She is a great secretary and a very willing Senior Missionary who gets things done, whatever that may include. She always greets everyone with her beautiful hearfelt smile.
We are doing our best to work hard and accomplish what the Lord would require of us. Our testimonies of the restored Gospel are strong. We love our Savior. We work in a nice atmosphere with employees of the Church and missionaries also. Elder W. takes the opportunity to teach Priesthood Principles whenever it is appropiate. We are blessed to be here in Quito again. I don't think it matters where our assignment is, as much as how we want to be of service. Our good friends, Elder and Sister Shipley from our home Ward in Henderson Nv., are in Ghana, Africa. He is the Secretary to the Area Presidency. Now that is a calling! But, they love it and love the people of Africa. as we too love the people of Ecuador.
Well, that is really all that is happening at this time for us. We pray all is well with all who read this. Until I write again.
Hermana W.
