tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66768117260384011022024-03-13T15:53:47.600-07:00Lost In Ecuador.....Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-40626936203113946112013-11-21T17:45:00.001-08:002013-11-21T17:45:18.092-08:00So close.... Yet so far away... <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Sooooo for some reason the "Hall and Oates" lyrics "So close... yet so far away.. (yeah we're livin' in a dream world!)" have been running through my head today!! I am not advocating the singers, the song or anything about it haha But the lyrics fit my day perfectly!!!!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">I am about to embark on a venting session about my beloved Ecuador! I know I rave about the ministry, the food, the culture, the people and it's all true.. HOWEVER!!!! Sometimes the frustration of living in a developing country just makes me want to SCREAM!!! hahaha</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Sooo the day was pretty normal, everything going as planned and then!! I received the LONG-AWAITED phone call announcing the delivery of my furniture!! YIPPEEEEE!!! Oh how exciting it was as the truck pulled up in front of my house! I should have know it was oh-too-good-to-be-true... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">As the very nice men carefully pulled my furniture off the truck, to my grave horror I realized "IT"S ALL WRONG!!" Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">As many of you know, I have my own weird sense of style.. most of it being black and white. hahaha SO, as most of the living room suites come in 3-4 pieces, including a couch, a love seat, and 2 chairs, I decided to mix it up a bit and order 2 pieces of furniture completely black and 2 pieces of furniture completely white. Putting aside your personal opinions as to if that will be nice or not (haha)... just answer me this question: IS THAT SOOOO HARD TO UNDERSTAND? hahahaha 2 white, 2 black!!! It was clearly written on the order form that the nice man filled out. And it wasn't our spanish haha We took a ecuadorian brother with us when we ordered it just to make sure there was no confusion! hahahaha</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">SOOOO what came off the truck???? 4 pieces of furniture, each with the bottom part of the furniture black and the top part white!!! WHAT!! They all looked like big, giant OREO cookies with the top missing!! Oh no no no this is not going to work!!! I actually cried hahaha I know, it's a bit dramatic but WHAT A LETDOWN!!! haha</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">So... now you see.. as the very nice men loaded my furniture back onto the truck promising that they will remake mine to my specifications (which of course means another 2 or 3 or 12 weeks!!! hahaha) The lyrics for the song popped into my head... "sooooo close, yet so far away... yeah we're living in a dream world...."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">ARGH!!!! Thanks for letting me vent!! hahaha </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">I will write soon with some great, encouraging, wonderful experiences of good 'ole ecuador! haha but, TONIGHT, as I sit here with a comforting glass of wine in my hand looking at my STILL empty living room, TONIGHT, Ecuador and I are NOT friends! hahahahahaha</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Love you all.. </span></span><br />
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<br />Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-90861938798711527962013-11-09T07:49:00.002-08:002013-11-09T07:49:51.676-08:00We're back safe and sound! :-)<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hello everyone! We are back and settling in here in Ecuador! A big thanks to everyone for making it such a</span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">great visit! :-) I am always a
little bit down-in-the-dumps the first days back. But going back out in the
ministry always helps me! This time was no exception! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The
sun has been shining! (I even got burnt the first day!) We are in our
tract campaign right now so that of course has eased me into preaching
in spanish again (haha) Our bible students were very excited to see us!
(Could it be because I bring them some Hershey's chocolate? hahaha) They
always think we are never going to come back... funny. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Specifically
my little bible student, Michelle. I called her a few days ago and
asked if I could stop by and say hello and she says, "Thank you sooooo
much for calling me! I have missed you sooo much!" So I stopped by (with
my chocolate of course haha) and she and her younger brother sit down
in the living room with me and proceed to tell me how they are
discouraged because their parents haven't been going to the meetings
(Michelle and her little brother Wilson, are publishers, but the parents
aren't yet). So we talked for a little bit and I asked them if they
would like to go in service with me the next afternoon. "Of course,
hermanita!" Their eyes lit up and I gave them each a tract to read the
night before and think about for the preaching the second day. Well, I
stopped by at 3pm to walk with them to the group and they were looking
out the window for me! haha We walked to the group in the blazing sun
(sorry if it is cold where you are right now haha). We did territory
for about an hour and then I had a return visit, so they went with me on
the RV. Little Wilson, who is about 10, paid such close attention on
my return visit, he would look up the READ scriptures ahead of time for
me and have them ready to read to the lady. SOOOO cute. When my call
was done, we decided to walk all the way home instead of take the bus
(it was about a 30min walk). So, I suggested that we give tracts to the
people walking on the street. They LOVED it!!! "Hermanita, Is it my
turn? Can I give one to this lady?" Sooo cute. I really didn't have to
do to much because they were so excited when they would see someone
walking toward us, they would be ready with their tracts in hand! All in
all, I think I was more encouraged by the afternoon than they were and
we had a WONDERFUL time. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I asked little Wilson how school was
going and he began to tell me about how his teacher wanted to force him
to sing the national anthem. He was nervous about it because she told
him that if he didn't, he would receive a failing grade for the day. So
he went home and talked to his sister, Michelle, about it. She says,
"Wilson, what is more important? To get 100% for the day? or please
Jehovah?" Well, that was that. He proudly went in the next day and told
the teacher that it was more important for him to please his God
Jehovah than to get a good grade for the day. In the end, she didn't
fail him, and he didn't have to sing! :-)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Awwwwwww.... so, Jehovah
is helping me to get back into the swing of things here in the
ministry. And using little kids to do it! haha</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We send
love to you all and big hugs!! Thanks again for taking such good care of
us while we were in the USA!! We miss you all very much!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">P.S.
On a much more materialistic note (haha) I have ordered my long-awaited
furniture for the living room (black and white of course SHOCKING!!
haha) We have spent the week painting a few walls... I am SOOO excited! I
owe a HUGE thanks to so many of you who over the past year and half
have made contributions to my furniture fund!! YIPPEEEE!! I will send
pictures when I have it all done! It should be a few weeks yet. They
SAID that the furniture will be ready in a week, but by Ecuador
standards that could be January... :-/ hahahahahahahaha</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Have a great day everyone! :-)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Love, me</span></span>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-45021135518588670132013-06-11T11:38:00.000-07:002013-06-11T11:38:06.935-07:00Well hello! :-)<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hello everyone! How are things back home? I hope you are all getting some warmer weather coming your way finally! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just an update on the goings on here in Cuenca. We are both doing well, although Chad got the flu last week and very lovingly decided to share it with me :-) We are now recovering!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The congregation is good! We have had a few families move out to other congregations and some other congregations move in... all in all a balance! We are excited to begin our D.C. invitation campaign. Our convention is the last weekend of this month, here in Cuenca so we don't have to travel too far :-) The English convention is the first weekend in August so YIPPEEEEE! :-)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We have been good and very busy (aren't we all?) haha</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The ministry has been great, as usual. Recently Chad has been able to start studying with some of the husbands of a few of our sisters in the congregation! That is always a nice experience! It is so great to see how the husbands really progress due to the great example of their wives all of these years! And as an added bonus, Chad usually receives food because of course the sisters take real good care of him when he is on the study! :-)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have a good group of bible studies right now. This one little girl, her name is Michelle (haha) she is 12. Oh my, what a bible student! She had studied before and got about 3/4 of the way through the Bible Teach book, but then her family moved and she lost touch and just hadn't really had a chance to study for a few months. Well, they moved into our territory and came to one of or meetings and I sure grabbed a hold of that one fast! :-) The best place to find good studies? At our public talk and WT!!!! haha I make such a bee-line for the new faces they don't even know what hit them! :-) Seriously, you have no idea how many people just show up at a meeting. Maybe they studied in the past, maybe they are just curious, have received literature somewhere in the past and wanted to see what it's all about! (Well, I digress) haha </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ANYWAY... about Michelle! I have had 2 studies with her so far. So, I asked her how much of the Bible Teach book she has studied and she said up to Chapter 14. But, she says, "But, please, could we do a review from the beginning to make sure that I didn't forget anything?" haha OF COURSE WE CAN!!! She has not forgotten anything! Some things she maybe never learned,,, but when we get to that, well, that is her homework assignment! You should see the excitement in her eyes as she writes down her homework assignment! She LOVES it! For example, the first week, I asked her about the Memorial and if she had attended. She said yes, one time. I asked her who partake of the emblems and why and she was so concerned as she told me she didn't remember! So... the appendix was her homework! Who partake? Why? How many are there? When do we celebrate the Memorial? questions like that. Also we covered the cross, she knew not to use it, but not sure why. So I told her the next week I would be one of her classmates, and I wanted her to explain to me why we don't use the cross! :-)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Bye the way, she gives me homework assignments, too.. like "Hermanita, next week I would like to you review this prophecy with me about Babylon (the one with Cyrus). Could you do that?" OF COURSE!!! haha)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Soooo, week 2 I get there for the study. And she bought herself a special notebook just for her homework assignments :-). She had written notes about the Memorial and also about the cross. She gave a little presentation on both topics... I was pretty much amazed at her maturity and knowledge... What can you expect from a "Michelle?" hahahahahahaha So again we continued through the book reviewing. Her homework assignment this week is 1914 and how we use the bible to get to that date. I almost felt bad giving it to her because it can be so challenging for some of the students to grasp... but I am sure she will explain it better than I can! :-) She really has been a joy to study with.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let's see, what else? AHHHH if any of you remember the Criollo family? The ones that live up in the mountains? The 4 kids that study and were progressing and I was studying with the mom, Elena? Well, let me tell you! Two of the kids are now regular pioneers, the other daughter is a regular auxiliary pioneer and the youngest is still in high school, but progressing very well! Oh and Elena!!! What a sweetie! After we left their congregation, I turned her over to a very capable sister who took very good care of her. But that sister also moved away and from there it was just a disaster. Either the sisters weren't regular with her study, or their schedules didn't match, I am not quite sure, but she basically didn't study for about a year, although she faithfully attended all the meetings. So about 6 months ago she is sadly telling me all this at the Circuit Assembly and I, as you can imagine, am ABSOLUTELY HORRIFIED that my sweet little Elena has been neglected!!! So, I told her to think about the sisters in her congregation and choose one that she feels comfortable with! She thought about it for 10 minutes and then came up to me with a name. I didn't know the sister, so first, I had to ask around to make sure she was good enough for my Elena hahahahaa ANYWAY, this sister had a bible student with her at the assembly, so I was fairly confident that she would take good care of Elena. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You should have seen the conversation. Elena, of course, is extremely shy. So she goes with me but is hiding behind me. hahaha I think it went something like this... "Um, hi, you don't know me... My name is Michele. I used to study with Elena. I think you know her? (As I am trying to pull her out from behind me) She needs someone to study the Bible with her. Would you be willing to take good care of her?" hahahaha And, as anyone would do, she readily accepted, they exchanged information and set up a day for the following week. Well.... a few months later, not more that 3-4 I run into Elena on the street. She is SOOOOOOO excited! "Michelita (little michele haha) I just last week I enrolled in the TMS and I am now approved as an unbaptized publisher!!" Oh man, what an incredible sense of joy :-) She has since been a householder twice and is also preaching as much as her schedule allows her! Just thought you would all enjoy that update on that precious little family!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, I started out this blog thinking "Whatever am I going to talk about?" hahaha It appears that I had more than I thought! Well, I have to go to work now! Nice chatting with you all! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh and we are coming back for a visit mid-September through October! Hope to see you all! :-)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-44468531847226844172012-12-27T11:07:00.001-08:002012-12-27T11:07:51.218-08:00Welcome to our house! Come on in......!<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey guys!!! I just had a <span style="font-size: small;">great idea to get me ba<span style="font-size: small;">ck on track with blogging! I <span style="font-size: small;">often think a<span style="font-size: small;">bout it, but can't really<span style="font-size: small;"> think of what to talk about. I know, it's hard to believe that I have a shortage of conversa<span style="font-size: small;">tional topic<span style="font-size: small;">s. <span style="font-size: small;">:-)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, <span style="font-size: small;">I decided to post some pi<span style="font-size: small;">ctures of our house! <span style="font-size: small;">We have been here for almost a <span style="font-size: small;">year now I think! I know you are thin<span style="font-size: small;">king that this <span style="font-size: small;">is a <span style="font-size: small;">huge place for <span style="font-size: small;">just the t<span style="font-size: small;">wo of us.. and you are absolutely right. But, remember that when we moved in<span style="font-size: small;"> here, our family was much bigger! In <span style="font-size: small;">fact, the first month or t<span style="font-size: small;">wo there were 6 of us! The w<span style="font-size: small;">hole James family, and us. <span style="font-size: small;">And it was a perf<span style="font-size: small;">ect si<span style="font-size: small;">ze! haha But, as you know<span style="font-size: small;">, <span style="font-size: small;">very slowly they <span style="font-size: small;">ha<span style="font-size: small;">v<span style="font-size: small;">e all go<span style="font-size: small;">ne there various way<span style="font-size: small;">s. <span style="font-size: small;">Mark and Beth returned to N<span style="font-size: small;">Z to help take car<span style="font-size: small;">e of some fam<span style="font-size: small;">ily issu<span style="font-size: small;">es. B<span style="font-size: small;">UT!!! <span style="font-size: small;">a little birdie to<span style="font-size: small;">ld me th<span style="font-size: small;">at there are some plans in the works f<span style="font-size: small;">or a fu<span style="font-size: small;">ture triumphant return!! YAY!! Here's hopin<span style="font-size: small;">g!! Aaron and Amanda d<span style="font-size: small;">ecided that it <span style="font-size: small;">was time for poor <span style="font-size: small;">Amanda to move c<span style="font-size: small;">loser to her congregation and the C<span style="font-size: small;">hinese group. So, they found a cute apartment m<span style="font-size: small;">uch closer and have been en<span style="font-size: small;">joying the congregation<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">over there. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, here we are, all a<span style="font-size: small;">lone in th<span style="font-size: small;">is big ho<span style="font-size: small;">use</span></span></span>!! I am not bragging, but maybe t<span style="font-size: small;">rying to convince some <span style="font-size: small;">of you <span style="font-size: small;">who are po<span style="font-size: small;">ndering the idea of vi<span style="font-size: small;">si<span style="font-size: small;">tin<span style="font-size: small;">g, or even moving here..<span style="font-size: small;">.our small, humble abode <span style="font-size: small;">consist<span style="font-size: small;">s<span style="font-size: small;"> of 4 b<span style="font-size: small;">edrooms, <span style="font-size: small;">2 offices/very small bedrooms<span style="font-size: small;">, 3</span> 1/2 baths...<span style="font-size: small;">. I took some pictures for you guys...<span style="font-size: small;">H<span style="font-size: small;">opeful<span style="font-size: small;">ly it gives you an idea.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">O<span style="font-size: small;">n a congregational note, thin<span style="font-size: small;">gs are going <span style="font-size: small;">really well. We have <span style="font-size: small;">about 120 <span style="font-size: small;">pubs and 13 pioneers right now. Quite a few bible students are attending the meetings. I think <span style="font-size: small;">we have a few going over <span style="font-size: small;">questions for baptism on our Spe<span style="font-size: small;">cial Asse<span style="font-size: small;">mbly <span style="font-size: small;">Day in <span style="font-size: small;">January. It seems like every other day Chad is heading ou<span style="font-size: small;">t to go over baptism questions <span style="font-size: small;">with someone! lol Chad currently has <span style="font-size: small;">12? bible stud<span style="font-size: small;">ies and I have 8. But, the nu<span style="font-size: small;">mber keeps growing!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">They did a very interest<span style="font-size: small;">ing thing here in Cuenca in June. The branch red<span style="font-size: small;">ivided all <span style="font-size: small;">of the territories <span style="font-size: small;">of the congre<span style="font-size: small;">gations. They made some terr<span style="font-size: small;">ito<span style="font-size: small;">ries bigger and dissol<span style="font-size: small;">ved some congre<span style="font-size: small;">gations. Then, they took all of the publisher record c<span style="font-size: small;">ards and just automatically sent you to the congre<span style="font-size: small;">gation that you bel<span style="font-size: small;">onged to!!! I<span style="font-size: small;">t <span style="font-size: small;">was awesome. It <span style="font-size: small;">took s<span style="font-size: small;">o<span style="font-size: small;">me getting used to for many brothers and si<span style="font-size: small;">ster<span style="font-size: small;">s and, of course, we were sad to see some go. B<span style="font-size: small;">ut we had a HUGE problem <span style="font-size: small;">with this here in Cuenca. They grow<span style="font-size: small;">th has been so <span style="font-size: small;">fast that the congregation<span style="font-size: small;">s <span style="font-size: small;">d<span style="font-size: small;">ivide almost e<span style="font-size: small;">very 2-3 years. Anyway, what happ<span style="font-size: small;">ens is that you then have <span style="font-size: small;">about 5 congregations meeting in the s<span style="font-size: small;">ame KH and so some brothers were just pi<span style="font-size: small;">cking the congregation that had<span style="font-size: small;"> a better sched<span style="font-size: small;">ule of meetings according to their <span style="font-size: small;">jo<span style="font-size: small;">bs. I think Chad said that we lost about 30 <span style="font-size: small;">b<span style="font-size: small;">rothers and sisters that did not live in our territ<span style="font-size: small;">ory, <span style="font-size: small;">and we gained about 60!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The branch sent out a ver<span style="font-size: small;">y kind and encouraging letter to all of the congregations pri<span style="font-size: small;">or to the <span style="font-size: small;">c<span style="font-size: small;">hange, with a <span style="font-size: small;">de<span style="font-size: small;">t<span style="font-size: small;">ail<span style="font-size: small;">ed list of <span style="font-size: small;">wh<span style="font-size: small;">y this adjustment is beneficial, and why it is in our best interests to be <span style="font-size: small;">obedient</span>. One of the reasons was to cut back on costs and expenses. W<span style="font-size: small;">e had 5 congre<span style="font-size: small;">gations meeting in our KH, which, as <span style="font-size: small;">you can imagine, m<span style="font-size: small;">eant a me<span style="font-size: small;">eting in the <span style="font-size: small;">hall everyday of the week. But they merged us into 3 congregations, wh<span style="font-size: small;">ich is less use of the hall and also means a larger and <span style="font-size: small;">stronger elder body<span style="font-size: small;"> in <span style="font-size: small;">each congregation. The<span style="font-size: small;"> bra<span style="font-size: small;">nch also personally chose the co<span style="font-size: small;">ordinator, the secretary, the service overs<span style="font-size: small;">eer and the WT study conductor!!! It <span style="font-size: small;">has <span style="font-size: small;">been nice to see the brothers be submissive and to see the blessings that have come fr<span style="font-size: small;">om the new arra<span style="font-size: small;">ngement.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">You never do know.. maybe th<span style="font-size: small;">is is <span style="font-size: small;">arr<span style="font-size: small;">angement<span style="font-size: small;"> is coming to a city near you!!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> hahaha</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, that is about what I have for today! Oh, and we did <span style="font-size: small;">indeed find jobs now. We are teaching English online for a compa<span style="font-size: small;">ny called Op<span style="font-size: small;">enEnglish. I work 15 hours a week and chad works about 20. It is a nice job, the stud<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">nts are nice, the management<span style="font-size: small;"> is n<span style="font-size: small;">ice and there are a ton o<span style="font-size: small;">f wi<span style="font-size: small;">tnesses who are working <span style="font-size: small;">there! Mostly ne<span style="font-size: small;">ed-greaters trying to suppo<span style="font-size: small;">rt themselves <span style="font-size: small;">also. But, they don't care w<span style="font-size: small;">here we live, they are very f<span style="font-size: small;">l<span style="font-size: small;">exible with the s<span style="font-size: small;">chedule and we can work from home!!! So, <span style="font-size: small;">as a<span style="font-size: small;">lways, J<span style="font-size: small;">ehova<span style="font-size: small;">h has arr<span style="font-size: small;">anged <span style="font-size: small;">everyt<span style="font-size: small;">hing for us and bett<span style="font-size: small;">er than we could have imagined!! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Welcome!! Come on in.....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As you can see... we unfortunately do not have very much furniture!! lol </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">but it makes it a lot easier to set up for the big congregation dance parties!!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FELKkrh0zjHXlFs1ZUTaG28xSL90yzm5AfpcuZEcMSSn1rApJjcbx3N2bxd3n8JEsRIygTRUOaO7_vxXFGrzZE8pTbIABqByuC8Dlnb-b-1lYUx2J-vsyHa-lAbqx4CaM-aXT3uYW10/s1600/house+cuenca+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FELKkrh0zjHXlFs1ZUTaG28xSL90yzm5AfpcuZEcMSSn1rApJjcbx3N2bxd3n8JEsRIygTRUOaO7_vxXFGrzZE8pTbIABqByuC8Dlnb-b-1lYUx2J-vsyHa-lAbqx4CaM-aXT3uYW10/s320/house+cuenca+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"> So as you come up the stairs we have this open area with 2 bedrooms on the right, 2 bedrooms on the left and the bathroom is straight ahead.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVW9oOqnORn7wAWGRHI6aQeSazYwYgn-BhqQExWwHUG4P3B3j9vfk2fb3S8reEgDzvvFibcNaldDs9YH0lyKWZWpw61yoIwLWZq7esRMnQUJRJE1qtC_CgWyxuS4eMRW_NRgzt0nafz4/s1600/house+cuenca+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVW9oOqnORn7wAWGRHI6aQeSazYwYgn-BhqQExWwHUG4P3B3j9vfk2fb3S8reEgDzvvFibcNaldDs9YH0lyKWZWpw61yoIwLWZq7esRMnQUJRJE1qtC_CgWyxuS4eMRW_NRgzt0nafz4/s320/house+cuenca+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Master bedroom</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF0yO_2EfXqe4-goCmw0zN5rTDfJtlU0Ta_uCDIi2DOjP9DG6LJyCaCB9FEEFhH4a6HDfWfgXE-HlAZ0jLgSD-1f-sQUnormjYgsxjY_f16a0s-bNieuoURYmC-JkbZcs5O0n9AL0a88/s1600/house+cuenca+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF0yO_2EfXqe4-goCmw0zN5rTDfJtlU0Ta_uCDIi2DOjP9DG6LJyCaCB9FEEFhH4a6HDfWfgXE-HlAZ0jLgSD-1f-sQUnormjYgsxjY_f16a0s-bNieuoURYmC-JkbZcs5O0n9AL0a88/s320/house+cuenca+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Official guest bedroom </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Not-so-official guest bedroom</span></span> ;-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-LV5EAo6AQX0CJ0ncLl8R19zUGYZ6uJjfnSZVcdmyhGcneR7p6z2UINepoVZbIYJSVr0Yqz7-kMT8EA-lBJvP7MW0pyH4YIjpNNDPmu3g2g2zEwN66fcEbQTqdHmIdW3YpkDf2nv8vk/s1600/house+cuenca+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-LV5EAo6AQX0CJ0ncLl8R19zUGYZ6uJjfnSZVcdmyhGcneR7p6z2UINepoVZbIYJSVr0Yqz7-kMT8EA-lBJvP7MW0pyH4YIjpNNDPmu3g2g2zEwN66fcEbQTqdHmIdW3YpkDf2nv8vk/s320/house+cuenca+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;">The 4th bedroom, which is my office!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;">The commute to work is such a headache!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakqHVZS_JL3yb0jKSePmuI-cz7K958D382q4ZSxvoBAR9RvdHXr9kuGoXC0XAmhtmjXkq0KJyNtAR5yf9AmUKjuiAQ-ZIwSr6GtGSt2aFcgE1THODJa7kcqhxbBkvQpckU_n-j8qHW_A/s1600/house+cuenca+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakqHVZS_JL3yb0jKSePmuI-cz7K958D382q4ZSxvoBAR9RvdHXr9kuGoXC0XAmhtmjXkq0KJyNtAR5yf9AmUKjuiAQ-ZIwSr6GtGSt2aFcgE1THODJa7kcqhxbBkvQpckU_n-j8qHW_A/s320/house+cuenca+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The back patio of the house (the kitchen is on the left and an outside room with full bathroom is on the right) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The outside room is Chad's office/ man cave!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chad's man cave!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ok, <span style="font-size: small;">NOW I am done I promise!! haha We sen<span style="font-size: small;">d bi<span style="font-size: small;">g <span style="font-size: small;">hugs!!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<br /><br />Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-2051131215537824222012-02-07T18:25:00.000-08:002012-02-07T18:25:41.434-08:00Thanks for the gentle nudge Sally! :-)<div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Well, she is right, it is time for an update. So, yet another post of changes. Is our life ever going to settle down? :-) Things are going well here. We are loving the congregation and being back with the friends and in the ministry again here in Cuenca.</b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>We have news!! Do you want the good first or the bad? The bad? Ok, yeah, let's get that out of the way and move on, eh? haha Well, our jobs have come to an abrubt end :-( The company we work for has always had a little policy on working outside of the USA, but about a year ago, Chad explained our situation to them and they told him to just keep working until he heard from them. Well, last Tuesday we heard from them....and it appears they have decided to hold to their policy and not renew our contracts because we are living outside of the USA. Soooooo... we are trying not to panic, as Jehovah has always come thru for us before, but it is still a little stressful as you can imagine. We have enough savings to stay here for another 2 or 3 months, but that is about it, so here's hoping for the best!!! If anyone out there happens to know of any online work that CAN be done outside of the USA, please let us know :-)!!!</b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ok, enough of the depressing stuff... on the bright side we have been approved for our Residency visa!! YAY!! We still have to tie up a little bit of paperwork and actually go to the capital for our ID cards to be official,, but yay!! We can stay!! That also means that we are able to work here if we find work, so we are exploring a few options working here with tourists or something. Any good ideas? Let us know!!!</b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Also... we are moving.. I know, I know, AGAIN!!! Well, as everyone in the house is working on a limited budget ;-) we have been considering for a while finding something cheaper. But, we didn't want to just settle either, we still wanted to have a place adequately large so that we could also have a guest room. About 2 weeks ago, a sister told us about a place near her that was for rent. We went to look at it and although not nearly as nice as what we have, it still has enough rooms for us to be happy and the best part is... it is $100/month cheaper!! YAY!! We were undecided at the moment... but when news of our job loss arrived, the little things I didn't really like about the house suddenly were not any problem at all!!! :-) And it is a nice house, we will be happy there. So, the big move will happen the end of the month. Anyone want to come and help us move? haha</b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The great thing about being forced back into retirement for now is that we are able to get back out in service even more!! Our contract ended on Tuesday.. and it just so happened that night we were starting the visit of our CO, so it really worked out nice that we could go out in service with them all week. Just from the increase in service that I have put in the last 2 weeks, I have started 3 potential bible studies!! (I just love Ecuador :-) Anyway, have to tell you what happened to me today... Chad and I were working door-to-door and we see a woman and her daughter approaching us. I thought they lived at the house where we were knocking, so I asked her that. And she says, "no, we don't live here. But, are you Evangelicals?" I let her know that we were Jehovah's Witnesses and she says, "Ahhh. Do you teach people the Bible?" Do we ever!!! haha So, I explained that we do and showed her the "Bible Teach" book. But she gets this worried expression on her face and kind of looks down and says, "but I don't know how to read". Awwww, cute! I explained that that was no problem, I would love to help her study her Bible. So, we exchanged info and she explained to me where she lives (I had to control the cringe when she pointed to a house waaaaaaay on the top of the mountain and tells me that is where she lives haha) But, I think Jehovah has been wanting me to test out my mountain climbing skills lately because almost all of my new potential studies are on that same mountain!!! (at the top, of course haha)</b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Anyway, so we parted ways and Chad and I still have to sit and marvel, although this has happened to me I think 4 times that someone here has approached me and asked for a bible study.. But you just never get used to the thrill!!! The hilarious thing is that tonight I was redoing my return visit book, adding my new visits and also going thru my old book from 2 years ago before we went to kichwa. I thought if I saw anyone in there that I would put them in my new book, revisit them and see if I could get their study going again. Guess who I found in my old book, written down with about 10 attempted return visits to start a study, but I never found her!!!! The same woman from today!!!!! I had only talked to her once, so I didn't recognize her, but there she was in my book!!! Two years later and SHE made the return visit!! and informally at that!!! hahaha</b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ahhhh, it is hard to stay depressed about lack of work when you are out in the ministry!!!! </b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ok, well, sorry there are no photos.. I keep forgetting my camera, but I am going to make a concentrated effort to start carrying it with me in service so I can give you something to look at!!! I also have pictures of the visit from "the cousins" that I just have to sort through and I will upload. We had a blast with them and miss them terribly!! Thanks guys for such a fun visit!!!</b></span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #351c75;">We love you all and miss you terribly!!! Thanks for your patience and for the kind reminders about my lack of blogging!!!! ... </b></span>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-77988104917920169552011-11-19T12:35:00.000-08:002011-11-19T12:37:10.585-08:00Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes....<div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, here we are! Back in good 'ole Cuenca! Chad came back on October 14 because he had Elder's School scheduled for the 17-21. And I stayed behind to finish up some work and then returned on the 26th. So, here we are... trying to get ourselves back into our routine!</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We thorougly enjoyed being with our families and seeing all of our friends back in the U.S. and all of you, as always, were so loving, generous, encouraging and supportive. So first things first,,, a big THANK YOU to all of you for a great 4 months and for putting up with us and our crazy lives!</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another BIG thank you to all of you who are still faithfully checking the blog, and haven't given up hope on me yet!!! I hope to not let you down :-(</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ok, soooooo... as the title of this blog states... our lives continually are changing and we are struggling to adjust! haha I'll try and catch everyone up to speed with as little babbling as possible!! </span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">First, as the majority of you are HUGE Beth's blog fans, you might know that Mark and Beth found a SWEET job/opportunity on the coast about an 8 hour bus ride from here... somewhere between the words "mansion", "pool", "beachfront property", "all-expenses included" and "monthly pay"... it just became TOO good to pass up, especially as it will help the family stay here in Ecuador! Soooo... unfortunately our long-time roomates flew the coop, but left us with their very cool kids.. so we are not lonely and we still get to make fun of the New Zealand accent whenever we want! haha</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How are we all doing together? We miss Mark and Beth terribly... but, as far as replacements go, Amanda and Aaron are about as perfect as it gets... we take turns cooking.. yes, even the boys have their nights to cook and let me tell you.. they are about the BEST male "flatmates" (as they say in NZ) as you can get!! Their food is delicious!! We take turns shopping, each have our own cleaning assignments.. some of us do a little better about that than other..eh em.. but ANYWAY...hahaha... we are having a great time!! Ok, so that is BIG change number one...</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Big change number 2.... We are both working now! and let me tell you, I am ready to retire! haha No, actually we are very thankful to have both found work as it enables us to support ourselves here. Many of you know that Chad has been working over the internet doing customer service for about a year now.. so this last time back in the states, I got myself all set up and trained and now do the same thing. He is currently working 2 part-time jobs until the end of December just to save a little bit of money and solidify his new job before he gives up the old one. I work about 15 hours a week.. so not a bad deal at all compared to the crazy hours we always worked in the USA!! But, even so, (and I know this sounds like whining to all of you hard working brothers and sisters back in the USA) it is an adjustment to not be able to do what you want when you want to!! But, I like working, and so once the nervousness and stress of a new job wears off, I will be just fine.... Onto Big change number 3....</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Those of you who follow Beth's blog know about all of the changes with our visas here in Ecuador! And for that small group of you who don't know, long story short, we are no longer able to have the Missionary visa that we have had all of this time, so we had to find another visa, all of which involved a substantial amount of money which we do not have (obviously haha) Soooo... initially we were panicking about even being able to come back here again. But, as I said to Chad the other day.... "shame on us for not just knowing that Jehovah would find a way for us". I always joked about a large sum of money falling out of the sky.. and that is practically exactly what happened!!! Well, not money for us exactly.. BUT, a VERY kind couple, with a heart of gold, graciously offered to allow us to invest some of their money in our name here in Ecuador, which allows us to apply for the investment visa here. And actually, it is a better visa, because we are allowed to work here, if we so decided. So.. we are in the middle of the paperwork,, and hoping and praying that this all works out for us.... so, here's hoping!!!!</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now for Big Change number 4... there is no easy way to say it.. so here it is... we are back in Spanish. NOT an easy decision for us.. especially as we feel like complete losers.. but with our current change in circumstances (see big changes numbers 2 & 3) we really feel like we wouldn't be able to give Kichwa that time necessary to be of any help at all. And, on top of that, when Chad got here for his elder's school, he spoke with many of the brothers, all of whom stressed the HUGE need there is in Arenal Spanish, especially since they were losing their very precious Mark as an elder. And, another elder had just moved into Kichwa, making Kichwa a cong. of 30 pubs, 25 of which are pioneers, and having 2 elders without Chad.. Arenal Spanish, a congregation of 80 pubs and only one elder... Well, it just seemed to Chad that Jehovah was leading him back to Spanish, for now anyway.. you never do know. So, although to be honest, I DO NOT miss the dangerous preaching in the markets... I do miss the brothers and sisters and the return visits and bible students that I had in Kichwa. But, on a positive note, we are back with the brothers and sisters that we were with originally after coming here, and so it is like being back with the family again and they have welcomed us with open-arms.. they are just so loving. So, there is that big piece of news.</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Well, that is about it I think.. now you are all aware of the life and times of Chad and Michele. As we start to get back into our routine of service, I am sure I will have plenty of great experiences to share! We are, after all, in Ecuador right? </span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We miss you all already... thanks for your patience with my blogging (or lack thereof). Hope things are going well for you all.... </span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-75030818150487889112011-07-08T08:16:00.000-07:002011-07-08T08:24:39.312-07:00Our Quarterly Post hehehehe ;-)It's that time again folks. Yep, that is right. We are still alive and kick'n. Matt B. informed us that it is time for our quarterly blog. Did three months go by already? Imaginate! No me digas! All on our watches are stuck on Ecuador time. We can't tell if it has been a day, a month or a year.(shh!! don't tell anyone that there is absolutely no difference in the time between there and here)<br />
We have been enjoying our time back here in the states. It is incredible to be able to comment in the meetings without an hour of preparation for one comment. I gave a talk in English last week. Wow, was that a relief. I actually gave a talk I didn't have to read from a manuscript. We have been super busy studying our kichwa, making sure that when we go back, we will be fluent.(not!)(not studying, not going to be fluent) hehe<br />
Seriously though, we really miss everyone in Ecuador. We love seeing everyone here, but we are ready to go back. There are only a handful of people we still want to see here before we are ready. Currently we are staying with Michele's Mom and Dad. They have been great to us and very helpful. (There was a case of Lancaster Brewing Company variety pack, Cracker barrel cheese, etc. here waiting for us, that is what I mean by "they have been great to us" :-) No doubt, my Mom and Dad are a little jealous that we are spending more time here, but we have been going up there a least one a month for a couple days (they also have been taking very good care of us. banana cake, Yuengling, etc.)<br />
Due to the crazy work schedule, we had to split up the District Convention in three parts. We went to my Mom and Dad's Saturday. That was great, we got to see lots of old friends(I didn't remember them being so old, but then again, the mirrors here have been altering my reflection, too) and family. We spent the evening on Friday with Phil and Trish and some friends, so that was a treat. We went to Alan and Bev's Friday of the convention. And we are going to the Sunday of the Spanish this weekend. We are looking forward to seeing lots of hermanos y hermanas from our old spanish circuit.<br />
Apparently, we forgot our camera at the convention. So here are a few unrelated pictures of some our our friends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GUFviqocNoi4ievXQoF5KTvTFwSLj9xDZbktqejLdD1tkwZNGVC5wZzEuXXPDw8HuO3-Cr3SR7ZbZAiYyhR-N9SCxegkr6ztskYaTYC5Ha91M7mZ6v-rI599Aeu9LKw_U0NpcCclutk/s1600/Koala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GUFviqocNoi4ievXQoF5KTvTFwSLj9xDZbktqejLdD1tkwZNGVC5wZzEuXXPDw8HuO3-Cr3SR7ZbZAiYyhR-N9SCxegkr6ztskYaTYC5Ha91M7mZ6v-rI599Aeu9LKw_U0NpcCclutk/s320/Koala.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know this guy, right?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvqiQjkS15urlYIgxov0G4-cv9IsKY5gzihaLlOayqw6O7TJ0zNDJMOEFN2jROlXoO_Ytn4PzryCZxBzwY63sfNjAT8cK_tldjgA94tI5AFZ1KoJ41IXBshkzYk08-NWgEe_PXg5sBTA/s1600/Penguins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvqiQjkS15urlYIgxov0G4-cv9IsKY5gzihaLlOayqw6O7TJ0zNDJMOEFN2jROlXoO_Ytn4PzryCZxBzwY63sfNjAT8cK_tldjgA94tI5AFZ1KoJ41IXBshkzYk08-NWgEe_PXg5sBTA/s320/Penguins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aggidio, Phil and I/could be Matt, James and I(I can't make out the other two, but boy am I good-looking.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I just love our friends!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We also spent day on Monday building a deck for Mom and Dad. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Please note that there were lots of Indians and not enough chiefs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOZ3GOdl78hF3M_ukkq7uG8TJ1TJ14K6Wo9ZS3qT90qfbu53LMt8bErM3qAkJePCMVukO2kwEFtQPtqbvgmjFwTjkNNfwig6KGtCRX-K66Bb_0KeYoWOFjHUuLBFEPD-BcCwDgHkkMZU/s1600/deck+building+july+2011+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOZ3GOdl78hF3M_ukkq7uG8TJ1TJ14K6Wo9ZS3qT90qfbu53LMt8bErM3qAkJePCMVukO2kwEFtQPtqbvgmjFwTjkNNfwig6KGtCRX-K66Bb_0KeYoWOFjHUuLBFEPD-BcCwDgHkkMZU/s320/deck+building+july+2011+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> These are the only pictures I could find with James Lamey standing around.(He is so lazy)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLl2zrWp0pjPQbQD_xqlXylKGcvuBx9ZpHLTJGiowuMdUZstfJ1s2lPPPJX8hV6aLCY9O-I_OPny6giaZAr0XepyE_qGX2YOUdWkdk6cIALRERihoVwFBGIiEZYdfxF1CJ2hl5Msx8G2Y/s1600/deck+building+july+2011+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLl2zrWp0pjPQbQD_xqlXylKGcvuBx9ZpHLTJGiowuMdUZstfJ1s2lPPPJX8hV6aLCY9O-I_OPny6giaZAr0XepyE_qGX2YOUdWkdk6cIALRERihoVwFBGIiEZYdfxF1CJ2hl5Msx8G2Y/s320/deck+building+july+2011+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It is a little more apparent who the chief is here.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHvt4nbMf47lepLHM0tyAXWuai7UYqC1yLh_cpjMhjC7K11GyoJGeHKLP4gngpTfLkyHgyrLn0iWYf7ueYmbd6MHENjtz9_8171AhgSRAQbiC7hR83XVmQojKD59SFojivY-wP2KdWLE/s1600/deck+building+july+2011+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHvt4nbMf47lepLHM0tyAXWuai7UYqC1yLh_cpjMhjC7K11GyoJGeHKLP4gngpTfLkyHgyrLn0iWYf7ueYmbd6MHENjtz9_8171AhgSRAQbiC7hR83XVmQojKD59SFojivY-wP2KdWLE/s320/deck+building+july+2011+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Without the chief, ???????????????<br />
Please notice the key placement of the lumber to cover my newly acquired belly. hehe </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michele make friends everywhere.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapSnKXJelTKJ72iDnmbZfB1ZMOe9fVTseOdBo9hbbBxLOIxeKr0inYs9o1YIEEe7H2Ar2mR-NdfaDgCm0bYboNvusIIeQ-EOq6N_ComwOaFWaHJPLMXBqkBcnYfNW3pfBxvPQB8HDIo4/s1600/deck+building+july+2011+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapSnKXJelTKJ72iDnmbZfB1ZMOe9fVTseOdBo9hbbBxLOIxeKr0inYs9o1YIEEe7H2Ar2mR-NdfaDgCm0bYboNvusIIeQ-EOq6N_ComwOaFWaHJPLMXBqkBcnYfNW3pfBxvPQB8HDIo4/s320/deck+building+july+2011+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished product, hehehe</td></tr>
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</div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-21532824947207603952011-04-04T19:54:00.000-07:002011-04-04T19:55:35.222-07:00Where have you guys been? haha<div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, it has been awhile since I heard from everyone about what is going on up North? haha Just thought I would try out the line that everyone else has been giving me! A thousand apologies....the mommy duo of Beverly and Judy very kindly reminded me of my lack of blogging when they were here to visit! And they were right... (how can you disagree with 2 moms?)</span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well...let's see...so much has happened since the last blog. The highlight being the visit of the parents! We had a blast! We stayed here in Cuenca for a few days so they could visit our new congregation and some bible students. They survived Carnival (lots of water balloons and drunks!) Although my mom and I did get soaked by a super-soaker doing a return visit at the market! haha</span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">We then took a little trip within a trip to visit a few other areas of Ecuador...Banos de Ambato, Puyo, Quito and Otavalo. We had a blast in all of them! In Banos de Ambato we rented little dune buggies for the day (which by the way you can drive on the roads like a normal car) and went to see some of the beautiful waterfalls in the area. We went zip-lining, road across the falls in a basket, and then took a day trip to Puyo, which has a monkey refuge...you may have already seen pictures on Beth's blog! They were so cute! When people don't treat their pet monkeys well, and the police confiscate them, they are taken to this refuge to be taken care of! It was soooo fun! The monkeys are quite playful, although somewhat mischevious....and we just laughed and laughed! It was even quite funny when the one decided to tinkle on my hand! haha</span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">The parents were such good sports about everything...not even complaining about all the long crazy bus rides that we had to take! We had a blast with them although the trip went way to fast!</span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kichwa is still kichwa! haha Chad is doing exceptionally well...he is progressing faster than me..no big surprise! He usually has 2-3 parts a week in the meeting, so it has really been helping him to learn! </span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have 2 new unbaptized publishers in the cong. (native speakers) so that has been a real boost to the morale! They have been doing so well! And are a big help in answering secondary questions at the meetings when the rest of us are lost! haha</span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I think I have mentioned before, we have about 30 pubs in the congregation, and 25 of them are regular pioneers...this month 4 out of the 5 publishers that cannot currently reg. pioneers are auxiliary pioneering!</span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pretty good average, eh? haha</span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have been having some good experiences. Although this is in Spanish, I still have to tell you! Chad was preaching in one of the buildings of just rooms for rent (because there are many Kichwa speakers)..and a little boy named Said (pronounced za-eed) haha who is 9 years old comes out and starts talking to Chad. He told him that his family had just moved from the coast 2 months ago and that he was studying when he was there. He is the cutest little thing...he hesitates a lot when he talks, not sure if it is a stutter, or just trouble getting the words out, but he is sooooo inteligent! It turns out that he went to the meeting in the coast and even went to an assembly! I guess his little bible teacher who was 11 got baptized, and invited him, so he went! Even though he said that he had to get on the bus at 7am to get to the assembly! He remembers everything! haha</span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Chad asked him if he remembers what God's name is, he proceeds to quote us Psalms 83:18 by heart!!! It was so precious!!</span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, he always asks when he can go to a meeting...and as we were walking out of his building, there were some witnesses on the corner! So, Chad found a nice young couple that are willing to take care of him and pick him up for the meetings! He really touched our hearts...so young...but such a love for Jehovah and a desire to learn more! </span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Well...that's enough rambling for one night!!! Miss you all!!! and hope everything is going well in your neck of the woods!!!</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just a few pictures...not nearly enough...but some highlights!</span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIxL0tsNVZ75MZQ0iooR0xAc1Wph8WxV2tSKb9m9A9EeJNGmlXdVq8uSlF5w2tA4yLLISCEEsz0yD9ZVRSXM-_ceVQsB96ZyJnFTDMNoUcYgFIzMOT6IWMq0n2typFJFv6UWqLTLhFcE/s1600/Ecuador+3-16-2011+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIxL0tsNVZ75MZQ0iooR0xAc1Wph8WxV2tSKb9m9A9EeJNGmlXdVq8uSlF5w2tA4yLLISCEEsz0yD9ZVRSXM-_ceVQsB96ZyJnFTDMNoUcYgFIzMOT6IWMq0n2typFJFv6UWqLTLhFcE/s320/Ecuador+3-16-2011+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: #351c75; color: #351c75;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"></span><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Our Kichwa congregation at the Circuit Assembly! Well, most of us anyway!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPAkQxNvk91TJjLzYbFSwKmRUOkTtG9DB5KaR3sPlzXui1Xww6vQtwfZ15ZlAVV7IWeknmI_Z8L1H_Z3DLDb66bgYrrvI4Jkuw_P-VwJimGgEFuywp_9ZCuaKyxdpms6xdx6WrRx4s48/s1600/Ecuador+3-16-2011+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPAkQxNvk91TJjLzYbFSwKmRUOkTtG9DB5KaR3sPlzXui1Xww6vQtwfZ15ZlAVV7IWeknmI_Z8L1H_Z3DLDb66bgYrrvI4Jkuw_P-VwJimGgEFuywp_9ZCuaKyxdpms6xdx6WrRx4s48/s320/Ecuador+3-16-2011+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="color: #351c75;">This is our former coordinator-on the right (who has since been assigned to another congregation)...this is his bible student that Chad inherited! </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">He is really sweet and comes to a lot of the meetings!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnVee4Agni5HLL00BwupqDBKOUqFFspg7AEYIUzTmMo0OdCtjTA7-itldUNmWj2TN7anwGheeJplXC6FsQ5LobNEvlhi_3ugpStHXTv6cUNIpcf87SraCS7CFxzN9E8acUOyC5mU9A_s/s1600/Ecuador+3-16-2011+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnVee4Agni5HLL00BwupqDBKOUqFFspg7AEYIUzTmMo0OdCtjTA7-itldUNmWj2TN7anwGheeJplXC6FsQ5LobNEvlhi_3ugpStHXTv6cUNIpcf87SraCS7CFxzN9E8acUOyC5mU9A_s/s320/Ecuador+3-16-2011+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdUiKqd5rbFOAFMVaO4UXcXTJUy1hsQLjb1DIfRES1-W1GHm2prmDQ1pEVWYK2sns7nmrh2AOSkyY9QAbc60-enDR1ld5LWWhCyV-S195AuujldC1_sYAXfhX1WSGRXGoJlRTxQdqaYg/s1600/Ecuador+3-16-2011+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdUiKqd5rbFOAFMVaO4UXcXTJUy1hsQLjb1DIfRES1-W1GHm2prmDQ1pEVWYK2sns7nmrh2AOSkyY9QAbc60-enDR1ld5LWWhCyV-S195AuujldC1_sYAXfhX1WSGRXGoJlRTxQdqaYg/s320/Ecuador+3-16-2011+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="color: #351c75;">Some native brothers and sisters from other areas at the assembly! Sooo cute!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwehkuOCAMOKptZktyc3IpZVyj7AcZCYXSenjc6ofWGGR0zX02IDB3CRsqwKuhy08LJd4mo3lpdF2PKr5KRjyUwhYbdfC8OiIa1dXrKmtf5zjLU78NZxJNowLFWWSqwkW4gDB2qBy16S0/s1600/Ecuador+3-16-2011+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwehkuOCAMOKptZktyc3IpZVyj7AcZCYXSenjc6ofWGGR0zX02IDB3CRsqwKuhy08LJd4mo3lpdF2PKr5KRjyUwhYbdfC8OiIa1dXrKmtf5zjLU78NZxJNowLFWWSqwkW4gDB2qBy16S0/s320/Ecuador+3-16-2011+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b style="color: #351c75;">Chad and Fernando in their matching Jedi-Knight ponchos! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #351c75;">They got a lot of compliments at the assembly!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGIfsRNv5N_-E9GE6Xk6jgJoQmdZLTKuj_GEyhTQL91KzZRKXgym9V814UoMebNeqdK_BKiGw7YPs6KmvdutvrH9kS2HFcyoLZHDXXR_VjcNlstF1yIw9RjPRJBd3SYBVCQTxVEe9490/s1600/Ecuador+3-16-2011+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGIfsRNv5N_-E9GE6Xk6jgJoQmdZLTKuj_GEyhTQL91KzZRKXgym9V814UoMebNeqdK_BKiGw7YPs6KmvdutvrH9kS2HFcyoLZHDXXR_VjcNlstF1yIw9RjPRJBd3SYBVCQTxVEe9490/s320/Ecuador+3-16-2011+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b style="color: #351c75;">Some of the bible students that attend the meetings! The one on the left I have the pleasure of studying with (I inherited her from a dear friend who went to the states for a while)...in the middle is her friend and on the right is her sister...the couple hiding in the back are her brother and sister-n-law who come with their 3 small children! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #351c75;"> It is always a huge presence when the whole family comes! Soooo cute!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZkImeypYeYrPLDdcSlZqgy25r73WbrWDJkyAZvqWsgV6gPeKqyDVtUnYQkGdIbDP1rK1g_VwjzRVvHlYlvm6cWOXiW0kLx4dbTKnXQviHfyy5B-NENdTEjBp_RrYGht6-MvolhWBi40/s1600/Ecuador+3-16-2011+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZkImeypYeYrPLDdcSlZqgy25r73WbrWDJkyAZvqWsgV6gPeKqyDVtUnYQkGdIbDP1rK1g_VwjzRVvHlYlvm6cWOXiW0kLx4dbTKnXQviHfyy5B-NENdTEjBp_RrYGht6-MvolhWBi40/s320/Ecuador+3-16-2011+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b style="color: #351c75;">The one in the middle is one of our newly unbaptized publishers! She always is at the meetings with her 3 small girls! Two of them are in the picture! She is doing sooo well!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-y-LHTh8nCFQTK1NILx08CnY-f2Yday4zDUwJNFWlYUXXOx8OsD__obQjeQNU15fs03BduXDlydvoNtFIGo-6elHJRR1EQSe5ok4W3qrqwI3hTPHeDgT66cC5igkAB_8owyiaKaDyKU/s1600/Ecuador+3-16-2011+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-y-LHTh8nCFQTK1NILx08CnY-f2Yday4zDUwJNFWlYUXXOx8OsD__obQjeQNU15fs03BduXDlydvoNtFIGo-6elHJRR1EQSe5ok4W3qrqwI3hTPHeDgT66cC5igkAB_8owyiaKaDyKU/s320/Ecuador+3-16-2011+076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b style="color: #351c75;">The parents arrived safely!! And, much to our excitement, the majority of the luggage contained gifts for us!!! Thanks to the parents and to all our friends and family that sent care-packages!!! You have no idea how exciting it was for us!!!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC4wFZvuEkKxvOOz4dvmwglECZC8yoaZVyGMxx5OC2sw_t1fx7mW71jHz79xEv_XQiqD0HqiTmq9O6Z1MBLMEeEHBxDc0U0xu_7wt3uQjFknj4F2xkeYLb9vOlfjNmgTscs8GrOF1cQI/s1600/Ecuador+3-16-2011+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC4wFZvuEkKxvOOz4dvmwglECZC8yoaZVyGMxx5OC2sw_t1fx7mW71jHz79xEv_XQiqD0HqiTmq9O6Z1MBLMEeEHBxDc0U0xu_7wt3uQjFknj4F2xkeYLb9vOlfjNmgTscs8GrOF1cQI/s320/Ecuador+3-16-2011+082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #351c75;"> It just would not have been a true Ecuadorian experience without trying cuy (guinea pig)!!!! They all tried it (and ate second helpings!) They actually ate it twice while they were here! Here you can see the pain-staking procedure of cooking them! It took about an hour...and you have to keep rotating the pole or the skin bubbles up! So, we rotated shifts so as to share the load!!! haha</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBDybnxCLaPgC23RXDVrcBCPL7HBXxMuxjvVZ9MzhyphenhyphenmfnbAv7t5BujGWLVJN906wmeuTjMK5ctSebjcIPnQDdRVih_eaGIVrSZQDRUlDCqhvWv0GUdhioJ6qNe1-5BAO2x4kZ2_Apw54/s1600/Ecuador+3-16-2011+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBDybnxCLaPgC23RXDVrcBCPL7HBXxMuxjvVZ9MzhyphenhyphenmfnbAv7t5BujGWLVJN906wmeuTjMK5ctSebjcIPnQDdRVih_eaGIVrSZQDRUlDCqhvWv0GUdhioJ6qNe1-5BAO2x4kZ2_Apw54/s320/Ecuador+3-16-2011+132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #351c75;"> Just 2 of the MANY monkey pictures that we took....they really are adorable! A small sneak preview of life in the paradise!!!! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #351c75;">But, as you can see in the pictures, they truly are spoiled monkeys!!!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOT_e9pF4FYXD7QBJksbeiZusK970jNa7A1ds2rzAJZ6S4C_eCflQ5zJm7YX-8N282eR_sqCh1qWrc07VfMZfoU4ohDjvrC5ieiySKCLZjPa0jybOyV0AmzqTggA3EWc3FXGLnwJpbLtY/s1600/Ecuador+3-16-2011+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOT_e9pF4FYXD7QBJksbeiZusK970jNa7A1ds2rzAJZ6S4C_eCflQ5zJm7YX-8N282eR_sqCh1qWrc07VfMZfoU4ohDjvrC5ieiySKCLZjPa0jybOyV0AmzqTggA3EWc3FXGLnwJpbLtY/s320/Ecuador+3-16-2011+135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-54752106295342556772011-02-03T12:31:00.000-08:002011-02-03T12:31:20.980-08:00<div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hey guys! It's ssmmmmmeeeeeeee! How are you all doing? From what I see on the news you should all be human popsicles by now! I know that no one wants to hear it, but I am soooo sad that I am missing out on all of that snow! I heard that my cousins and aunt and uncle and brother's family all went sledding the other weekend...boo hoo...I missed the family sledding adventure.... hmph...the odd things that really make you sad.</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh well, enough belly aching, I know, I know, we are really suffering here in our 70 degree temperatures!! Things are moving along here in good ole Ecuador. We had a whirlwind last 6 weeks because as many of you know from Beth's blog, we had their son Aaron, and his 2 friends Peneti and Chase visiting us! Let me tell you, it was non-stop fun and activity!! (Maybe at times a little too much!! I think I am seriously sleep-deprived!) But, sadly, they went home on Sunday night...so we are a little down, but finally, I am catching up on things I have been neglecting (like this blog haha). </span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ecuador is currently having their zone visit from the branch. So this past weekend, they had a special program in Guayaquil in the morning and the brother visiting from Bethel gave a talk. His name is Brother Dellinger (don't remember his first name..is it Randy?) Can't remember. He gave his talk in Spanish and did really well, so not sure if he serves in Spanish, or just practiced his talk really well!! Anyway, because the Kichwa congregation uses the assembly hall in Guayaquil, we were invited to the program and were able to go! It was in an outdoor stadium that reminded me of the old vet stadium in Philly, but not so big. There were 30,100 in attendance! It has been a long time since I have seen that many brothers in the same place...actually, not sure if ever, because I think we only used to have 25,000 at the Vet! It was super cool. (and no, I did not remember to take pictures...boo hoo). Anyway, there was no roof, so we sat through heat and rain at the same time, which made for some severe humidity! My hair was huge and gross, and my fingers swelled up like little sausages, but boy did we have fun!!!! haha </span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The one talk was mentioning the advancement that has been made here in Ecuador, and they interviewed a missionary sister that arrived here in 1953! There were around 200 brothers here in all of Ecuador when she arrived!!! Last year we reached a peak of 69,000 and this year a new peak of 73,000!!!! The growth is just amazing! And the real growth has been in the foreign languages...we have Russian, English, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Chinese, and then the indigenous languages of Kichwa, Chapala, Shuar...I am sure I am forgetting some... (To be honest all of this is from memory...have you ever tried to take notes while there is sweat dripping down your arm? and you are holding an umbrella for the rain? Not an easy job...) Anyway, we had fun and it was a nice change of pace.</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> This weekend we have our Special Assembly Day in Kichwa, and the cool thing is it is here in Cuenca, so we don't have to travel for this one! There are many brothers and sisters coming from all over, so it will be really neat to see all of the native dress and meet new faces! </span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Things are moving along in Kichwa.. We have started a few Bible studies on our own, and have inherited quite a few from brothers who are either in the states for a few months, or have moved to other areas, which has been a HUGE help. Chad currently has 7 Bible Studies, and I have 8, which considering a few months ago we were back down to 2 each, we are pretty happy. One of the students that I inherited attends all the meetings and is progressing nicely, so it has been a real joy to be able to be with her!! I hope to take pictures of some of them at the assembly this weekend!!! </span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chad's work has been steady, the hours dropped a little after the holiday season, but he is still working about 15 hours a week. So, between trying to make up the field service time we missed in the states, working, preparing parts every week in Kichwa and being one of only 2 elders in the congregation, he has been super busy!!! I said yesterday that I am glad to have taken advantage of the last 3 years here spending every minute of everyday with him, because now I don't see him as much!!! haha</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, I guess that is about all for now...sorry there aren't any pictures with this one. I do hope to have some from the assembly this weekend...especially of Chad's Jedi Knight poncho!!! haha</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Missing you all...hope you stay warm!!</span></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-20350464363704696332011-01-22T15:37:00.000-08:002011-01-22T15:40:37.439-08:00OB1<div align="left"> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preaching in el campo<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">left: Special Pioneer-David Lara<br />
right: the new coordinator-Diego Gerrero<br />
Check out that view.</td></tr>
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Hello all,<br />
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Yes, we are still alive. Sorry for the delay in the blogs. Kichwa has us completely overwhelmed :-) Not that we are complaining. It really has been an exciting few months since we have been back. I'm not exactly sure what we were thinking when we decided to learn another language. I think we might be too old for this. hehehe. It doesn't seem as easy as the first time. (that is the beauty of the brain, it tries to forget the bad and only remember the good) We are still in the first year, though, and know not to expect too much for now.<br />
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The congregation here is doing well. We recently suffered a loss though. The Coordinator of the Cong. received a new assignment in Tambo, about two hours away, in a super small cong of about 11 publishers.(Wow, does he have a lot of preaching to do). That leaves a lot more work here. We have a super zealous group here. Very young, lots of energy. Only one problem. Nobody speaks Kichwa. hehehehe We have one Special Pioneer MS that speaks perfectly. He has been in Kichwa for about 5 years and is a great help for all of us learning. Not to worry though. Everyone else is working super hard at learning and all at different levels, but they always have lots of comments in the meetings, despite the extra work it entails to translate the comments from Spanish.<br />
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On another note. We have been enjoying immensly the visit of Mark and Beth's son, Aaron, and his friends, Peneti and Chase, from New Zealand. There hasn't been a dull moment for the last month. It has been no stop action.(3 gringos certainly make the local girls come around).<br />
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Next week we have the visit of the Zone Overseer in Guayaquil, and then the following week our first Assembly in Kichwa(I bought a new poncho from Cañar for the Assembly. The boys say it looks like a Jedi Knight outfit. How cool is that! I'm thinking the young OB1, minus the beard of course). We just bought some more Ibuprofen to help us through the language headache. :-) Sorry again for letting so much time pass. We have been having some good experiences in the ministry, so the next blog we'll include some of those.<br />
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We miss everyone.<br />
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P.S. Dad and Mom(Doug and Judy), and Mom(Beverly) are coming in March. YIPPEE!! </div><img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmdutYxY5o8hfdkzyt9PczXmcCq52pmsGnoU5nSlT-GKtyxhaut8MEebb1CNwemxT-MUYkeATaT-LoFzItVwMyFaohjN_zSXS_vmJlTKEA1jdVWSI9v34qM32k3-xALxb5q3tuIg-9JU/s320/IMG_0286.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 375px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 273px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-37104930055728206152010-11-29T19:38:00.000-08:002010-11-29T20:06:59.590-08:00and life continues....<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">HI!!! I know, it has been forever. For that I am sorry. I have gotten a few friendly reminders from family this week and so I thought I would say hello! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We are trying to get settled into a routine again here...new house, new congregation, new language, new territory, new job for chad....so many adjustments for us.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Things are going well...I have days of loving Kichwa...and then....well, you know...but, all in all we are having good experiences. The congregation is doing very well. We have about 30 publishers and have been having about 50-60 in attendance. We have quite a few bible students in the cong. that are making good progress and have been a source of true joy for me. Although they aren't my students, I visit them at the market when they are working and they have been so encouraging. They really have embraced Chad and I and make us feel like we are part of the family although we are struggling learning the language.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I gave my first talk 2 weeks ago...they say it went well...I don't know the language well enough to judge myself!! But, it felt good to have a part. The Bible students loved it....they always like to see me dressed up in their style clothing. They really appreciate such little gestures of appreciation for their culture.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We have been heading out to some outlying areas to preach and do census which has been great. It is so nice to escape the city and the marketplace preaching every once in a while!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Chad's job is going well...he has been working about 15 hours a week and enjoying it. They have been pretty busy with the holiday season, so we will see after that ends if he still has work, but we are enjoying it while it lasts!!!<br /><br />I have no set in stone Kichwa bible studies yet...a few promising return visits. But, I still have Elena, the mom of the family that lives up in the mountains. She is super shy and I haven't been able to turn her over yet, so the elders in spanish are letting me continue studying with her and she is such a BRIGHT spot in my week!!! Due to being so shy, we are struggling with trying to get her to become an unbaptized publisher. Since the thought of knocking on doors and talking to complete strangers terrifies her, two weeks ago, Chad and I tried to encourage her to do some informal witnessing to people she works with and already knows. We reviewed pages 4,5 in the Bible teach book about the promises, and suggested that she just mention one of the promises to someone if the opportunity presented itself. She agreed to give it a go.....<br />So, that weekend she very excitedly tells me that she preached to someone at work!!! She shared the promise of the resurrection with the woman and she was very interested. So, this week we practiced what she could say for the return visit this weekend....she is sooooo excited and proud of herself! I just love her!!!<br /><br />The spanish CO and his wife are temporarily assigned to the Banos congregation due to some health problems. As I have mentioned before, they are super awesome. Anyway, Elena is in their congregation and was asking me about their situation. I just explained that he wasn't feeling very well lately. I mentioned that they really need our love and support right now and that they have done so much for all of us and for Jehovah we should take good care of them. She readily agreed and said that she would go out of her way to take care of him. We had the CO and his wife over for dinner last Monday night and he was telling me how much he appreciates Elena because she comes up to him every meeting and touches his forehead (like a mom) and asks him how he is doing and gives him the BIGGEST hug in the world. He was laughing because he is probably almost as tall as Chad and she is about 4' 11", so she is practically hugging his waist, but he says that she hugs him so tight he feels like she is going to pick him up off the ground....she brings a tear to my eye thinking about how special she is and how much love she has for us all and for Jehovah.....and on a personal note, her daughters just got together and bought her some dentures (she has been missing some of her front teeth for quite awhile but didn't have the money)...anyway...YOU SHOULD SEE HOW BIG SHE SMILES NOW!!!! Did I mention how much we love her? haha <br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Sorry this blog has no pictures I was having trouble loading them for some reason! I will try to write sooner and post some pictures for you all!!! Miss you all...and hope to blog again soon....</span></span>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-66378554839630961452010-10-20T06:40:00.000-07:002010-10-20T07:50:22.736-07:00Goin' HomeMatt and Jen informed me that I too am permitted to blog. I didn't know. (If you feel that a mistake has been made and would prefer that I <em>not </em>blog, please comment as such:-) Michele has been working a lot harder than me, and I think several are going through blog withdrawal. So here it goes(watch for for grammar and misspelling). ha-ha One week from today we will will be flying home. We really miss the brothers and sisters there and are super excited to get into a routine and sleep in our own bed, albeit in a new house. Most of you probably noticed on Beth's blog that they moved to a new house. And since we are pretty much joined at the hips voluntarily, that means a new bigger and better house for us(that's an assumption, technically we have not seen the house, but we trust Beth and Mark's preferences). There is something to be said for having roommates who do all the work to move all the big stuff for you while you are away. We will try to post some pictures, maybe, once we get back. I won't make promises, it makes the natives restless when it doesn't happen. The good thing is, we return to busyness right away, which is good, because we won't have time to think of how sad we are not to be with our friends and family here in the states. This last week here will be lots of running around, last minute purchases for that stuff we just can't get south of the equator. The brothers and sisters here in the states have treated us very well, we feel sad to go. Once we get back, we have to get started, finally, dedicating time to learning Kichwa and make up for the field service time we missed while we were in the States. ;-) I am sure Michele will get back to blogging once things calm down a bit for her. If things never calm down, maybe you will hear from <em>me</em> again. Next blog, I'm sure, will be from Ecuador.<br />How does Michele end these things?<br />I feel like there should be a pithy remark or something.<br />Hmmph.<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:78%;">***<em>chad</em></span></span>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-1734291394688142562010-09-13T08:29:00.000-07:002010-09-13T08:46:51.626-07:00See You On The Other Side!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Well, it is time for the annual migration up north! We are heading out in about an hour to go to Guayaquil and then first thing tomorrow morning we will be heading out!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Looking forward to seeing you all soon!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Good-bye Cuenca! We will miss you!!!! See you all in 6 weeks!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(This is the hardest part about living in a foreign country that you absolutely love...<br />no matter where you are, you are missing someone......)</span></span><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-57846872029466908652010-09-08T16:36:00.000-07:002010-09-08T17:34:41.476-07:00A Bad start with a Happy ending!!!!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Poor Chad stayed home from Friday of the Spanish District Convention for one last shot at getting his hours in before Pioneer School started! It didn't seem too bad because the Kichwa group was going to be out! BUT, there was an odd number and so he was sent by himself! Poor thing...and in a new language!!! So, already feeling a little less motivated, he decided to stick it out and try some return visits....what a guy! SO, at the first RV of the day, he is talking to the mom, who was telling him she really wasn't interested and Chad notices that the little boy has come out the door and is PEEING ON CHAD'S SHOE!!!!! Can you even imagine? Poor Chad...I would have just thrown in the towel right then and there...but he continued on.....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Sooooo.....he decided to try the Kichwa-speaking family near our house and had a GREAT study with them!!! So, he was feeling much better and was on his way home when he walked passed the park here on our street. He noticed a man sitting on a park bench reading and thought, "I really should try and preach to him." But, he had already passed by....and then, for some reason, turned around to go back and attempt to talk to him. Much to his surprise, as he got closer, he thought the book looked a little familiar!!!! It was the Reasoning Book!!!! So, in true Philip-style...asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" hahahaha What a riot! And the man proceeds to explain that he had studied with the Witnesses for a few months and really enjoyed it, then he moved here looking for work and for the last 6 months, he just could NOT find the Witnesses!!!! He was OVERJOYED to find Chad! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So, they had a great conversation, and Chad exchanged information with him, even inviting him to the District Convention the following 2 days......and DRUM ROLL please.....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">HE WAS AT THE CONVENTION ON SATURDAY morning when we got there!!!! And was soooo friendly and happy. Chad was assigned in the parking lot so didn't get to sit very much, but he sat near us and was listening very attentively and looking up all of the scriptures! And on Sunday....he was there and stayed the whole day also!!!! What an encouraging experience for Chad (and for me)!! Boy was Chad glad that he decided to preach to the man sitting on a bench in the park!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">......you just never know when that little voice inside your head is holy spirit!!!! hahahahaha</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Just wanted to share because I thought it was really cool......</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">See you all in a few weeks!!!</span></span><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-21847575932320622542010-08-27T16:20:00.000-07:002010-09-05T06:50:01.986-07:00...non-stop activity!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">WOW!! I must be getting older...I do NOT remember being so tired the first time I went to Pioneer School! hahahaha</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">But, what a great school! It was really nice to get to know the other students...there were 40 of us! And our instructors were great...</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We have had such an exciting and spiritually up-building last few weeks! The District Convention was 2 weeks ago in Spanish...we thoroughly enjoyed that! I have to say, although the quality of the program in the English convention far surpasses, and hearing it in our mother tongue surely is special...I LOVE the spanish one! It is so nice to see everyone and visit with the lovely brothers and sisters. They truly have come to be like our family here.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We had (or rather Banos congregation) had 7 newly baptized ones...and of course, we were extremely excited about them all....but 2 have a special place in our heart: Jessica, my bible student from the mountains...and Josue, Fernando's younger brother that Chad studied with.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It was a very emotional baptism...and they both have made us sooo proud with their progress spiritually. It was the first time one of my bible students has gotten baptized...it is such a special feeling and privilege that Jehovah gives us, no? Although, I think at times it would be better for him to use the rocks! hahaha</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In other good news, for those of you who have visited us and have met some of the brothers and sisters...there were some new appointments on Wednesday in Banos! Four new ministerial servants....Fernando, Javier, Jorge and Rommel. We are sooooo proud of all of them!!!!....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">and.....drum roll please......TWO new elders!!! YAY!!!!!! Mark will have some help on his side! Bryan Haines (from Canada) and a local brother, Bernabe! As Doug said when he made the announcement, "Jehovah surely is blessing our congregation!" and it is sooo true! How awesome it has been to see the growth, both in numbers and in spiritual maturity!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, that is about all the news and excitement here! I am posting some pictures of the highlights so that you can see everyone!</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">We are looking forward to seeing you all in a few weeks!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eLuXnhZalaMMW15IwAj6D1pdZpK4K_0QpDGRs0Wu-jBer0E-dpJmPNqMIJ4AzyujQytsWIgtzgAVPeBwVlRMFI9Q7BtKWiHXn41XMRZcUt8Wb-wAtXl4MHUpRaqaQnm_fHqd6uaLewA/s1600/district+conventions+2010+095.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eLuXnhZalaMMW15IwAj6D1pdZpK4K_0QpDGRs0Wu-jBer0E-dpJmPNqMIJ4AzyujQytsWIgtzgAVPeBwVlRMFI9Q7BtKWiHXn41XMRZcUt8Wb-wAtXl4MHUpRaqaQnm_fHqd6uaLewA/s400/district+conventions+2010+095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513422412581260514" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Here I am with Jorge at Pioneer School...(you may remember I did a blog on him a few months ago...he came back from the states to progress spiritually!) and so he has....he was at Pioneer School with us...and was just appointed a M.S.!!! This was one of our favorite parts of the school...LUNCH!!!!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhZCCMaXjH1C_6GkY2faThNnRWaPlTjnRqvjoFyNgAiiNjAukHYS3E30GhNzJJ-WArlGDfF_TS52B-Np7E5k9uvUrGmNE-0DQcyS-qLvw8KD4WJ-SkU8amicHBdTKgB54FJk8OdsER_8/s1600/district+conventions+2010+057.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhZCCMaXjH1C_6GkY2faThNnRWaPlTjnRqvjoFyNgAiiNjAukHYS3E30GhNzJJ-WArlGDfF_TS52B-Np7E5k9uvUrGmNE-0DQcyS-qLvw8KD4WJ-SkU8amicHBdTKgB54FJk8OdsER_8/s400/district+conventions+2010+057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513422406757695218" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Our beloved CO and his wife, Manuel and Ester Estevez...they are the ones that came from Spain and have been here for 13 years! They truly are a special couple and we were privileged to have him as one of our instructors!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGHTp6K2j6XzU9QKXfuqYmqlDQ21RunoT0IR1ld0pL0JGIRPVzNmn0mKN4YDlFzD_RiPOgKBP7ynkrkYyr7KMRaxFUCxzVXtsbopsBUHYxDE1Pktc7kzdRZ8nSJf_46UJxj5MuAwbwks/s1600/district+conventions+2010+053.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGHTp6K2j6XzU9QKXfuqYmqlDQ21RunoT0IR1ld0pL0JGIRPVzNmn0mKN4YDlFzD_RiPOgKBP7ynkrkYyr7KMRaxFUCxzVXtsbopsBUHYxDE1Pktc7kzdRZ8nSJf_46UJxj5MuAwbwks/s400/district+conventions+2010+053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513422399634218098" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Many of the brothers from our congregation were in the drama this year...they did a GREAT job! Do you recognize this elderly fellow???? It's Doug Willis! He rocked it!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvzaTtTCGeabWLU7INuz_CP-0bdQOXB-d6VAn_6veOcFNgG9vMmuh326KDtscr_FpXPkS4mYcFxMRqIR1LnlarZVu2R5MyyT64Un2lRAV4T7yLDh2JVUEY8lx82bjNvzHBcd2cXLLIH8/s1600/district+conventions+2010+050.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvzaTtTCGeabWLU7INuz_CP-0bdQOXB-d6VAn_6veOcFNgG9vMmuh326KDtscr_FpXPkS4mYcFxMRqIR1LnlarZVu2R5MyyT64Un2lRAV4T7yLDh2JVUEY8lx82bjNvzHBcd2cXLLIH8/s400/district+conventions+2010+050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513422395269785378" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Here we are picking up our Pioneer School books from the CO!!!! This is Mark and Becky McClesky...they are expert need-greaters who have been here for 13 years! It was a pleasure and a hoot to be in school with them!!!!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJrdCEzR0oTtETojg_dFBtH0_iGu9eJVWJXBk_Uzkr91lrOvzK98irQeKlOwWoIT_PO4fvSs1TgxCgEKjQ5nIWIc01OQCBrWr9D1Hr2y1ex_8E3X6JQoN3NbQdEUchdmzL8E7oV7q2BU/s1600/district+conventions+2010+052.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJrdCEzR0oTtETojg_dFBtH0_iGu9eJVWJXBk_Uzkr91lrOvzK98irQeKlOwWoIT_PO4fvSs1TgxCgEKjQ5nIWIc01OQCBrWr9D1Hr2y1ex_8E3X6JQoN3NbQdEUchdmzL8E7oV7q2BU/s400/district+conventions+2010+052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513422392251926050" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />...with Fernando and Bernardo Pinos backstage! <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB6TJ-yw_KNEesmMQWkMKmXSjIcIKElllDQY0WBdaKRgqfuWx6OhaAo8PYqSkBEqTh3Olr17g89t_zFlbCKi5br5Yu9JYJe91EFVuDJvF119uJZR6M36QmQtB4ymVJFHKMWhEhGnQZhE/s1600/district+conventions+2010+049.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB6TJ-yw_KNEesmMQWkMKmXSjIcIKElllDQY0WBdaKRgqfuWx6OhaAo8PYqSkBEqTh3Olr17g89t_zFlbCKi5br5Yu9JYJe91EFVuDJvF119uJZR6M36QmQtB4ymVJFHKMWhEhGnQZhE/s400/district+conventions+2010+049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513420553386306098" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Sheila and Juan Echeverria, Mario Mosquera, and Josue Salas...<br />(eating my chocolate chip cookies I brought them!) hehehe<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwBuGsG8vaOkKWb2W9WDZV2z2YmTrKdeW7YKsRlqIvzRK0-2srrw5Oi1mqgZ_F68fxrVeWQ11U8vF3tNlbAuOiacvoEOZBM1fBHmWUduN6xBelMCEygfPJgALOJ0t6bd7XRzChm0JEEU/s1600/district+conventions+2010+042.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwBuGsG8vaOkKWb2W9WDZV2z2YmTrKdeW7YKsRlqIvzRK0-2srrw5Oi1mqgZ_F68fxrVeWQ11U8vF3tNlbAuOiacvoEOZBM1fBHmWUduN6xBelMCEygfPJgALOJ0t6bd7XRzChm0JEEU/s400/district+conventions+2010+042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513420550434767538" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Hanging out in town after the assembly!....the possie...<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk2MWLYB6vtAhSA9OLWfhpwNOlDGt0Xjekjx2OTF0OZPWDEOqUK7U3Fme3tVAghLpgF53DSTtQzTb-KEshXsSrte5W_ZBtLhe2Rt-Ph4nsxvCvOyWtx8AhdKJTi6BOfKWKWckHaA6cn4/s1600/district+conventions+2010+031.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk2MWLYB6vtAhSA9OLWfhpwNOlDGt0Xjekjx2OTF0OZPWDEOqUK7U3Fme3tVAghLpgF53DSTtQzTb-KEshXsSrte5W_ZBtLhe2Rt-Ph4nsxvCvOyWtx8AhdKJTi6BOfKWKWckHaA6cn4/s400/district+conventions+2010+031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513420546054710354" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">...with the Criollo family!!! <br />Jessica is the one on the right...she really is a happy person,<br />she just does not like to smile for pictures!!!!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKX3GkZ4FWki89p90PJKyproTUt7JHz7nivDE6-n2aygYv4Zuc_dupMTpfirP_eetkn08BDWaRl0PCuCH0Q0Iu4idBDp8qRig9jyFM5MmySySuwh4QLD4hQpHM0pbCQx0Nk6aM0EA2F0/s1600/district+conventions+2010+034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKX3GkZ4FWki89p90PJKyproTUt7JHz7nivDE6-n2aygYv4Zuc_dupMTpfirP_eetkn08BDWaRl0PCuCH0Q0Iu4idBDp8qRig9jyFM5MmySySuwh4QLD4hQpHM0pbCQx0Nk6aM0EA2F0/s400/district+conventions+2010+034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513420543970000594" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Awwwww....with Josue...we are so proud of all of them!!!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8_oeXM4c7Gpa1wqM-65vz1diJvr-8vNO6vTgsk7bJQG_aeVMRnsCWL6WqEW99HLI4veva0TEAHGRwZuRKTm8WxqFBZbWF-2UCGoFcQoj4xkGRW5ZiwZh-nFAtlt3rTQOve1vG7T3QgY/s1600/district+conventions+2010+025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8_oeXM4c7Gpa1wqM-65vz1diJvr-8vNO6vTgsk7bJQG_aeVMRnsCWL6WqEW99HLI4veva0TEAHGRwZuRKTm8WxqFBZbWF-2UCGoFcQoj4xkGRW5ZiwZh-nFAtlt3rTQOve1vG7T3QgY/s400/district+conventions+2010+025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513420530015003570" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />The "chicos"...congratulating Josue after his baptism!!!! <br />They all look like trouble don't they?<br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-88247714647686118052010-08-14T13:06:00.000-07:002010-08-14T16:43:25.298-07:00Pacha or Puncha?<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hello! So sorry we haven't had time to blog. Things have been very exciting around here! We are in full swing preaching in Kichwa...I have my good days and bad! haha </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We graduated from the Kichwa course...I would have thought that we would speak more! haha But it did give us the ground work and understanding of the language to start speaking..we just have to get our brains and mouths to connect!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Last night at the meeting we had a few brothers on vacation, so it was the "ALL foreigner" show!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We got to the meeting early because I had my first part as a householder and had to get dressed into my native garb. Chad already knew that he had 2 out of the 3 service meeting parts and had worked hard to get them prepared. Then when we got there, he was told he had no choice but to read for the Bible study and also do the bible reading! Whew!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">So the meeting basically went as follows:</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Our Coordinator (he is from Germany) conducted the Bible study....Chad read</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Our coordinator did the Bible highlights, and conducted the school...Chad did the Bible reading...The coordinator's wife (she is french) had the #2 talk...The other American sister in our cong, Erica had the #3 talk and I was her householder!...Our coordinator opened the svc. meeting and did the announcements...Chad did the next 10 min. part...Our coordinator did the second 10 min part...Chad did the last 10 min part and closed the meeting with prayer!!! And it was all in kichwa!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The brothers and sisters were so encouraged by the fact that Chad made such an effort to prepare it all in Kichwa! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">He only had one little funny thing...in the question and answer part he wanted to say "alli pacha" for "very good"after a sister commented, but instead he said to the sister "alli puncha", which is "good morning"! He caught himself and corrected it, but it was really funny....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">ANYWAY!!!.....I guess there is a need in Kichwa!!! Although I thought Chad was going to pass out!!! But he did really well and took it all in stride!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Other news...we were invited back to pioneer school for the 2nd time in 2 weeks! And the cool thing is Mark and Beth are going too!! So, this coming weekend we have the spanish district conv. (which by the way, Jessica, my bible student that lives in the mountains is getting baptized!!!!!!) Then the following Monday we start Pio. School. A week or so after that finishes, we head to the States for a visit!!! WHEW!!! I am tired already...but what a spiritual high we will be on!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I am sorry if I have left out all the in between excitement! Things have been going well here...the ministry is very enjoyable...the kichwa-speaking people are even more poor and trodden down than most in our old spanish territory. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We had a really good experience the other night. I was working with a sister at night and she decided to stop and do a return visit. We entered the old, dark, damp, dirty building full of small rented rooms and finally got to theirs. The husband, wife and small son all live in one little room about the size of a very small bedroom. They were just getting home and making food, so they very apologetically asked if we could come back another night...but the 8 yr old son was so interested in talking to us. So, we asked if we could possibly sit outside and study with him. They said sure! Sure enough it starts raining, so there we are, all 3 trying to sit under my umbrella, when the mom comes running out..."please, you have to come inside. Our room is very small, and we are very poor, so please forgive us, but we would like you to come inside..." So, in we went. All 5 of us sat on their twin bed that they all sleep in and had a wonderful conversation with them. They were so impressed that we were taking the time to learn their languange. The husband looked at me and said, "I can tell by your accent that you are from the States. How is it that you come here to our country, and are exerting yourself to learn our poor little language?" It just about broke my heart. So, I explained that we are here to teach the Bible, and that it is important for people to study the Bible in their mother tongue. They readily agreed and said that they both understand it much better in Kichwa! Awwwwww....soooo cute.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Another funny thing that happened is with a family that has been studying for some time now and attend a lot of meetings. They have a restaurant near the market and so we visit them often. They know almost everyone in the congregation very well. They are really sweet! Anyway, the other day, I conducted the study with the one woman because the sister was on vacation. We were talking and they were asking how my Kichwa is going. I was laughing about how the women in the market stare at this gringa speaking Kichwa. Anyway, they both laughed and said that they have heard the women at the market say a couple of times.."We are ashamed to speak our language in public, and here are gringas coming, learning our language and speaking it in public!" It was really cute. So, I guess they are noticing me and the other 2 foreign sisters in the congregation!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, gotta get going...we have a dance party starting here in the next few minutes!!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Miss you all!</span></span><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-36066637622762754282010-07-29T05:16:00.000-07:002010-07-29T06:33:21.019-07:00No Autographs Please......haha<span style="font-family:arial;">Hey! We are heading out the door to the convention in a few minutes, but just wanted to post a few of the pictures from last night. We had a special program for the Quichua course...2 talks, a slide show and a photo session. It was really great! The brothers worked hard to show appreciation for the families and friends who are supporting those in the class!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">As I mentioned before, we had to dress appropriately!! Just wanted to post some photos of the night!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Awwwwww, and after the program, the Ochoa's surprised us with an anniversary cake and bottle of wine....how sweet!!! It was cute, because Beth went with me to a sister's house before the meeting to get dressed. There were a whole bunch of sisters there getting ready, everyone was helping each other and running around like crazy people. Anyway, we laughed because Beth said, "Just think, 9 years ago exactly you were doing the same thing with your bridesmaids!!!"<br />Awwwwwww...I miss everyone!!<br />Anyway, it was a good day all around!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxQ2JqINZiA9fToSiznacFaTxxHVkJIlS_TrTs5ZBut7U0Wf3AKDqvRr4pDFkM9MMDHPJw52P3yH79YO4fqiyz_8tAV5V89bpgZbQGpDyzcgcTBWG8PNRUnQhjnmGllPewrs9a8hZj1k/s1600/Quichua+Photo+053.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxQ2JqINZiA9fToSiznacFaTxxHVkJIlS_TrTs5ZBut7U0Wf3AKDqvRr4pDFkM9MMDHPJw52P3yH79YO4fqiyz_8tAV5V89bpgZbQGpDyzcgcTBWG8PNRUnQhjnmGllPewrs9a8hZj1k/s400/Quichua+Photo+053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499314721264329154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFiLUYnOvRzPqK5Kmu5vxTtjSgLCGyC0Jg2YBbQU5lwnsFAObTaGutrTpnfXZtKEIcVlYNnxMUeVL8zCTSWmBmXlz32jVdM5KpRKGrp1ibQSRiVBojGlzDCfoxTO81jdTXbiuBXJYxb8/s1600/Quichua+Photo+051.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFiLUYnOvRzPqK5Kmu5vxTtjSgLCGyC0Jg2YBbQU5lwnsFAObTaGutrTpnfXZtKEIcVlYNnxMUeVL8zCTSWmBmXlz32jVdM5KpRKGrp1ibQSRiVBojGlzDCfoxTO81jdTXbiuBXJYxb8/s400/Quichua+Photo+051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499314714576663314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOquVgbaOVAlqOcCfbaBa-mVooyS5oaAKFzPiO5dj4INCmTlVUUh63MYIZnvONb7XN4qO-0ud9KvCg_2zvaSCnrzeroriNo8IdXPeu65A3XoFKWeZiYHmGA5_G_eGmWVPhX8smMGeqqhA/s1600/Quichua+Photo+049.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOquVgbaOVAlqOcCfbaBa-mVooyS5oaAKFzPiO5dj4INCmTlVUUh63MYIZnvONb7XN4qO-0ud9KvCg_2zvaSCnrzeroriNo8IdXPeu65A3XoFKWeZiYHmGA5_G_eGmWVPhX8smMGeqqhA/s400/Quichua+Photo+049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499311912028558962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaCLAA6mBXnPRKe-kAbB1udLzNm6yCGp_wNrxsXU6HZq8veJLpOeJ7HfcSMXS9yL5coJbstnEm_XZ8NQzTng41-aHIBDTnD_972EciYAXXJ01FNA6Rs8LNolGM2Cgd_vld9dUvJD6H98/s1600/Quichua+Photo+043.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaCLAA6mBXnPRKe-kAbB1udLzNm6yCGp_wNrxsXU6HZq8veJLpOeJ7HfcSMXS9yL5coJbstnEm_XZ8NQzTng41-aHIBDTnD_972EciYAXXJ01FNA6Rs8LNolGM2Cgd_vld9dUvJD6H98/s400/Quichua+Photo+043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499311909521947554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYh15CV5F4GFqrdbPdk9h2XyIB9CZtIqItS4SC2JDUc08D2wjsnQy67Jw_Jowbqovm5YsfFuKvg_OjwmkO2-05Uv8IXXqh6WCf-RU4x8y72FY5GC4L2diT6VnIBLLweYAFyaUNfBETmg/s1600/Quichua+Photo+037.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYh15CV5F4GFqrdbPdk9h2XyIB9CZtIqItS4SC2JDUc08D2wjsnQy67Jw_Jowbqovm5YsfFuKvg_OjwmkO2-05Uv8IXXqh6WCf-RU4x8y72FY5GC4L2diT6VnIBLLweYAFyaUNfBETmg/s400/Quichua+Photo+037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499311902258354578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2186MpG_wiwVGEywUWIeu93e7yuHsAdEcrRxL2MPcW3DXnFnstVE2wVtBt5Shj8iKUSrDuqeA-Tx8WFFN8KbfGt2MAJeVBl4OFvKApIE-nQ0wuOhbL2R-oUBvdxc2jvdPzt5IcXEXAs/s1600/Quichua+Photo+035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2186MpG_wiwVGEywUWIeu93e7yuHsAdEcrRxL2MPcW3DXnFnstVE2wVtBt5Shj8iKUSrDuqeA-Tx8WFFN8KbfGt2MAJeVBl4OFvKApIE-nQ0wuOhbL2R-oUBvdxc2jvdPzt5IcXEXAs/s400/Quichua+Photo+035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499311896882944466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNGrwsD26fDrmQbSyO9IQnPTp7HLy7yj6V9UxwLbXHShGWcOvy29oCx4rkK6bUswewsdeyaEshI7yELudIAqL8NI6QeMf5VGgwCMB2jFTLlU73soJzzLYpE55IHQilhAGhmk2MUP4uOc/s1600/Quichua+Photo+031.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNGrwsD26fDrmQbSyO9IQnPTp7HLy7yj6V9UxwLbXHShGWcOvy29oCx4rkK6bUswewsdeyaEshI7yELudIAqL8NI6QeMf5VGgwCMB2jFTLlU73soJzzLYpE55IHQilhAGhmk2MUP4uOc/s400/Quichua+Photo+031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499311889653685986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">Oh, and on the not so bright side...the house fell through....Someone had the nerve to BUY it right out from under us!!! And we had already started to plan our first big dance party!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Oh well.....I guess we'll continue to "suffer" here in our other beautiful apartment! hahahahahaha </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Ahhhhhh....what stress....</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-71452405570832105832010-07-24T17:20:00.001-07:002010-07-27T08:34:21.784-07:00Chadpa Shuk Discurso Kichwapi...Chad's First Talk in Quichua!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOUVXBo9KuJx6RGk5vzch_dJoakh5YQwJzLzTh6PQ9DXpUX2OlywzfcVVcQAfurZgbboA26aro9NcyH6QPM2Zn6PCBuPKnm25oc4iD1KqaeO7F02Y4J7H8RbWCytxB0MqWMdhq0P2EJE/s1600/Chad+1st+talk+in+Quichua+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498608728265135570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOUVXBo9KuJx6RGk5vzch_dJoakh5YQwJzLzTh6PQ9DXpUX2OlywzfcVVcQAfurZgbboA26aro9NcyH6QPM2Zn6PCBuPKnm25oc4iD1KqaeO7F02Y4J7H8RbWCytxB0MqWMdhq0P2EJE/s400/Chad+1st+talk+in+Quichua+004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxAz1tcB3cJNNwSIjAAAvIgn03setXKjR3QO3HFN2bzVCF5TICmVlOGCJSWMOvQaOjAR7qeyKaxZbkCNr2P2idVg48w5Xsf2V4PJN9gNa_aysllrZU41rM5uH52GfTA8sqzENwzuFcX8/s1600/Chad+1st+talk+in+Quichua+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498608725244918002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxAz1tcB3cJNNwSIjAAAvIgn03setXKjR3QO3HFN2bzVCF5TICmVlOGCJSWMOvQaOjAR7qeyKaxZbkCNr2P2idVg48w5Xsf2V4PJN9gNa_aysllrZU41rM5uH52GfTA8sqzENwzuFcX8/s400/Chad+1st+talk+in+Quichua+003.JPG" border="0" /></a>Don't worry, he wasn't lost here...he was listening to a comment!! haha<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7edPd8PhlHcSCNTlpFYn_TL4Fbvt1ubW1bXMl86rxizs7FZimhBac92HAYZEw8413odsVP93P3DkkiGVkrsv1IlFmc_3BUjmne11gD3hJnsAcTL7t0IsHvCXdtteU04X1H8DT71XPL8/s1600/Chad+1st+talk+in+Quichua+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498608710831124210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7edPd8PhlHcSCNTlpFYn_TL4Fbvt1ubW1bXMl86rxizs7FZimhBac92HAYZEw8413odsVP93P3DkkiGVkrsv1IlFmc_3BUjmne11gD3hJnsAcTL7t0IsHvCXdtteU04X1H8DT71XPL8/s400/Chad+1st+talk+in+Quichua+001.JPG" border="0" /></a> Can you tell it's almost over? He is looking very relieved!!!<br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Hey! So...with tons of preparation, and a whole lot of holy spirit, Chad has conquered giving talks in yet another language! He sure can fake it well...you never would have known he didn't really know everything he was saying!! But, really, he rocked it (and I am not just saying that because he's my Chad!!!) His first talk was the Bible highlights...he first wrote it in Spanish, then tried to translate what he could into Kichwa, and then one of the brothers in the congregation helped him finish it! He practiced, and practiced. The first time he went through it completely, it took him about 10 minutes! But, with practice he became very fluent sounding and had perfect timing. It was really good!<br /><br />You never would have known that 2 minutes before going up on stage, he looked at me and asked, "Am I sweating droplets of blood yet?" haha Talk about nerves!!!! Just when Spanish was no longer so scary...oh well.<br /><br />I took a video, but unfortunately I have tried like 10 times to put in on the blogsite and it won't do it!!!!! What a bummer!!! Many of you have wanted to know what the language is like...just wanted you to get the full experience...poncho and all!!!! I guess it wasn't meant to be....remind me when we are back for a visit, I can show the video to you then!<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">In other news, we have a busy few weeks ahead of us! This coming Wednesday, we have a special program for those in the Kichwa course. We are having 2 brief talks by the instructors, and then taking the class photo. Should be fun, because they are asking everyone to dress in native garb! So, I went with one of the bible students from the cong. this afternoon and bought mine. You should have seen the show! Any Kichwa-speaking person that passed by the store had to stop and stare at the "gringa" who was buying the clothes! They were all really nice, and helped me pick colors. Boy did they have grins on their faces! It was really funny! And for anyone who knows how much I LOVE attention....NOT!!!...It was an interesting experience! I will post pictures after Wednesday for you to see!!<br /><br />Then, on Thursday, we leave for Guayaquil for the English DC...soooooo looking forward to that!!! Also, we did indeed find a house today that is really nice! It has 5 bedrooms and an office, 2 1/2 baths...boy, we sure do suffer here in Ecuador!! And the best part for Mark and Beth is, that it is only 2 blocks away from the KH!! So, anyway, we should be moving after the DC!<br /><br />Busy, Busy, Busy...but that is what keeps us out of trouble!!!! </span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span> </div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div></span></div></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-73409942080512843092010-07-19T08:25:00.001-07:002010-07-19T09:32:03.227-07:00Imanalla.....How are you?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QJ2-ibO_GO3-e-e9iBMAZV4TwM-TNs_RaiZ_0dzhIIWYBYMQ0bZqqPNlp6EkIH9IDCSfOl7__igEXDLoKAtUdt3z4DksfmY71WwqqqH7cQejmYMT761zXVY2c_-wscMsEUylB6o7eic/s1600/Ecuador+July+2010+133.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Soooo....things are going well here in good 'ole Ecuador! Our roomies, Mark and Beth, have returned and brought along Amanda, their daughter. So the house is once again full and happy! Although it seems a little too full...so we are currently looking for a place a little bit bigger. Mark and Beth are doing well. They will be in the new congregation that is forming from Banos (our old cong.). The division starts in September and Mark will be the only elder...so he better rest up! haha Amanda is going to be supporting the Chinese group here in Cuenca, she had lived in Taiwan for 6 months so feels more comfortable with Chinese than with Spanish! So, as Beth has mentioned on her blog...we are a very multi-lingual family now!!!<br /><br />Quichua is going well....we are picking up little things here and there. We were officially named a congregation July 1st, so we have been having ALL of the meetings in Quichua, which will be a big help for us...poor brothers who have numerous parts every meeting! Chad has been assigned the bible highlights in 2 weeks...so we will let you know how that goes!!! He has been working hard preparing for it!<br /><br />The ministry gets a little bit easier each day. I have found my lady at the market the last 3 weeks and we have studied a paragraph or 2, so she is officially my bible student now!! She has opened up a little bit and has been pretty friendly lately! I also found a new return visit...she sells mandarines at the market...very sweet! She just had the biggest grin on her face listening to me try and spit out my presentation in Quichua, and very politely said that I did very well! As I test, I asked her to tell me what I said in Spanish...and she did! So, I must be somewhat understandable! YAY! She will be a little harder to find again, because she is a "vendedor ambulante", which means that she doesn't have a stand, she just wanders around carrying her huge bag of mandarines. Since she doesn't pay for a stand, she cannot stand in any one place for too long, or the guards come and shoo her away...so we will see how it goes trying to find her!!!<br /><br />Two weeks ago we traveled outside the city for the day to one of the outlying towns. One of the brothers in the course has family that lives up in that section and he knows many of the neighbors speak quichua...so off we went!! It was a beautiful day...so nice to escape the city and work country territory...and boy was it country! We got out of the car and climbed the mountains and hills from 9:00 until 2:00, when we finally got back into the car to head home!! I was sooo tired...the combo of hiking, carrying my 10 pound bible (well maybe I exaggerate a little..haha), and trying to speak Quichua and understand what they were saying, was exhausting!!! But what fun! They funny thing was, they didn't really tell us how the day was going to pan out, so our nicely packed lunch was left in the locked car that we never really went back to, so we were starving by the time we got back...and I finally had to just go to the bathroom behind a bush at around 1:30. Not a problem if I am on a hike...but first time I had done that in service!!! Good times!!!!<br /><br />We have our English convention coming up in 2 weeks, so we are really looking forward to that spiritual shot in the arm! It truly is the highlight of my year! What an encouragement!!<br /><br />Other than that, there is not too much new here...I think that is enough, eh?<br />We have bought our tickets to come for a visit for Sept 14th...so we hope to get to see all of you when we get there!!! We miss you all and look forward to hearing from you!<br /><br />I posted some pictures from the class to show you...I haven't quite had enough nerve yet to pull out my camera at the market when we are preaching. I am afraid it will get stolen!<br /><br />PS. I just got a reminder from my friend Michele Fair. If you read the Sept 15th watchtower life experience of Harley Harris it is really interesting. He passed away recently and she still serves at Bethel. We had the pleasure of meeting her a few weeks ago visiting some friends here in Cuenca. Anyway, they started out here in Cuenca as their assignment! See how the work has really exploded since then? <br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphGaR5kMAf8IZSh1wMoMwqLpdV8iPfeeyCj9x6WRZMbzTPsfFwHwCYqZ-NiuA8tN2BMIydP_lfTgpaQP0ZyWO-rdJoobyqwZVm3WEbuVu9x7ORyxZnBH3YhyphenhyphenyrsWjLcWEbzIb61GcmCU/s1600/Ecuador+July+2010+130.JPG"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6ah61bMsi96aU2sc1awGokIAwVO58qc6mpoCDaudKdlbpv3HXFQbqoxhDrmbafnDl2IZVveYjdjaYMmTPlbxRH__ikdFvxMzwDLH_Mixv03PnmuIdVJ8g2eclDMOdKx_aTc4qbRWzOY/s1600/Ecuador+July+2010+124.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6ah61bMsi96aU2sc1awGokIAwVO58qc6mpoCDaudKdlbpv3HXFQbqoxhDrmbafnDl2IZVveYjdjaYMmTPlbxRH__ikdFvxMzwDLH_Mixv03PnmuIdVJ8g2eclDMOdKx_aTc4qbRWzOY/s400/Ecuador+July+2010+124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495641795139856578" border="0" /></a><br />Our instructor, David, (standing) is a 24 year old ministerial training school graduate and special pioneer. He has been in Quichua for 6 years and is practically native speaking. Very fun guy...anyway, here he is re-inacting for us a typical gathering in the culture of the Quichua speaking people. One thing that is very important when trying to learn any new language is to understand and learn about the culture. We had a lot of fun doing this, although our backs hurt us later! But the food was DELICIOUS!!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QJ2-ibO_GO3-e-e9iBMAZV4TwM-TNs_RaiZ_0dzhIIWYBYMQ0bZqqPNlp6EkIH9IDCSfOl7__igEXDLoKAtUdt3z4DksfmY71WwqqqH7cQejmYMT761zXVY2c_-wscMsEUylB6o7eic/s1600/Ecuador+July+2010+133.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QJ2-ibO_GO3-e-e9iBMAZV4TwM-TNs_RaiZ_0dzhIIWYBYMQ0bZqqPNlp6EkIH9IDCSfOl7__igEXDLoKAtUdt3z4DksfmY71WwqqqH7cQejmYMT761zXVY2c_-wscMsEUylB6o7eic/s400/Ecuador+July+2010+133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495642642948191954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphGaR5kMAf8IZSh1wMoMwqLpdV8iPfeeyCj9x6WRZMbzTPsfFwHwCYqZ-NiuA8tN2BMIydP_lfTgpaQP0ZyWO-rdJoobyqwZVm3WEbuVu9x7ORyxZnBH3YhyphenhyphenyrsWjLcWEbzIb61GcmCU/s1600/Ecuador+July+2010+130.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphGaR5kMAf8IZSh1wMoMwqLpdV8iPfeeyCj9x6WRZMbzTPsfFwHwCYqZ-NiuA8tN2BMIydP_lfTgpaQP0ZyWO-rdJoobyqwZVm3WEbuVu9x7ORyxZnBH3YhyphenhyphenyrsWjLcWEbzIb61GcmCU/s400/Ecuador+July+2010+130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495642630612717490" border="0" /></a><br />YUM!!! The yellow patty looking thing, is a potato, mashed, seasoned, made into a patty and fried. The corn-looking things are called "tostado" it is a special type of corn that they bake in the oven with oil and salt...very yummy. The meat is called "hornado". It is pork, but they put the whole pig in a HUGE oven and bake it! It was really good... you can see the skin on the left, very crispy and DELICIOUS!!! I think the skin is called 'chitlins'? or something like that in the states! Correct me if I am wrong....sorry<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAbCj1xkhbmaUa9UIDMrdATpecjDlmuKXwlZBZpzw9Aw_lFWAhp-7ZqLtO8o1MB79Rf2He0LfJl3PUg9V3YXS98RVZTnfNK1mMMFNrnwrYTmGYdbUl98CsYozfbj_H9KXfagzuPAqJD0/s1600/Ecuador+July+2010+122.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAbCj1xkhbmaUa9UIDMrdATpecjDlmuKXwlZBZpzw9Aw_lFWAhp-7ZqLtO8o1MB79Rf2He0LfJl3PUg9V3YXS98RVZTnfNK1mMMFNrnwrYTmGYdbUl98CsYozfbj_H9KXfagzuPAqJD0/s400/Ecuador+July+2010+122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495640955406940034" border="0" /></a><br />One the left is Erica, she is from Chicago. She came to Ecuador 3 years ago and didn't speak much spanish. She immediately joined Quichua. She learned Spanish and Quichua at the same time and now speaks both beautifully! What a woman! One the right is Selina. She is one of our "native speaking" bible students. This was the first time she was a householder in the school. Everyone was soo proud of her!!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJQTpFyMt-5YoV7_MF1rVg81tohlH55aiDwtgEvhrg-VUoqFU1z3IB3S8vQdzh-17hpxgBiUOQ91sMS-_8o6-WigZYIAT70lJ1aZKkb4RGDPOQwWEgGEQaLmk6qmYI_GOfU4tFHRzH-g/s1600/Ecuador+July+2010+102.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJQTpFyMt-5YoV7_MF1rVg81tohlH55aiDwtgEvhrg-VUoqFU1z3IB3S8vQdzh-17hpxgBiUOQ91sMS-_8o6-WigZYIAT70lJ1aZKkb4RGDPOQwWEgGEQaLmk6qmYI_GOfU4tFHRzH-g/s400/Ecuador+July+2010+102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495640945586648690" border="0" /></a><br />One of the activities we did in class was a "game-show"!! David, was the host, and the panel of brothers on the left were the judges. The brother standing had to read a random paragraph out of the bible story book and the judges then held up numbers from 1-10 rating how he did!!! It was really funny...but some of the judges were kind of harsh!!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLN4Fu5InWF_xTmiPvSpRFdic7ZZWlYCNKJEo80IUOImBFVc7bv-G6vjfzpfCm4VCSvZvH3caGlQprnHHyrqG1jFA_ii3vKOapP8nPLL_YwLxV-9NpKYUwckqPcG051r-HcYjRK7ORag/s1600/Ecuador+July+2010+091.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLN4Fu5InWF_xTmiPvSpRFdic7ZZWlYCNKJEo80IUOImBFVc7bv-G6vjfzpfCm4VCSvZvH3caGlQprnHHyrqG1jFA_ii3vKOapP8nPLL_YwLxV-9NpKYUwckqPcG051r-HcYjRK7ORag/s400/Ecuador+July+2010+091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495640935139644290" border="0" /></a><br />One class we were learning antonyms (opposites) like strong, weak...David assigned each of us a word that we had to act out the following class. Chad was good (alli) and I was bad or wicked (millay). So, as you can see, Chad dressed up as a angel...cough, cough....and I dressed up as a devil! It was quite a stretch for me!!!! I had to search the closet to find where I had stored my pitch-fork and horns......<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeJ6tyvaEX2EypMhePwdZfnKf8G4sH_nY_oKpFVu2JLVCmnXstnK_AxYq3F1yFgMYE6K3vbuOIwoqsnGOFOLlLJugqHQFYsvAxSUdNBAWavfTACwJmW8KwImNEG2n74Hcz3mBQfNKklE/s1600/Ecuador+July+2010+055.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeJ6tyvaEX2EypMhePwdZfnKf8G4sH_nY_oKpFVu2JLVCmnXstnK_AxYq3F1yFgMYE6K3vbuOIwoqsnGOFOLlLJugqHQFYsvAxSUdNBAWavfTACwJmW8KwImNEG2n74Hcz3mBQfNKklE/s400/Ecuador+July+2010+055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495640925834466738" border="0" /></a><br />Here we are learning the different styles of dress from different areas of the country. It is very important, because when we have our assemblies we are expected to dress accordingly, and if we don't do it just right, it would be an insult to the native speaking people. The sister is native speaking, from Otavalo, she came to Cuenca to help out the group. She gave us a lesson in how to put all of the pieces of the clothing on properly!!! whew!!! What a chore!!!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5oYFEPLCf_uERre3-l73CvYL4S5jXHP-p4APxirJFzlk6Mgb09GNdm7mnnqO9FVMZoGCqIWVsTUZB_yqx9K7Sna-N-qmEXfuLuwxPl1lpBAoz4udazHjLSTL1Dzsshdti9wPJURo8nY/s1600/Ecuador+July+2010+050.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5oYFEPLCf_uERre3-l73CvYL4S5jXHP-p4APxirJFzlk6Mgb09GNdm7mnnqO9FVMZoGCqIWVsTUZB_yqx9K7Sna-N-qmEXfuLuwxPl1lpBAoz4udazHjLSTL1Dzsshdti9wPJURo8nY/s400/Ecuador+July+2010+050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495640918597749362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-44139928914716705862010-07-17T20:18:00.000-07:002010-07-17T20:22:58.700-07:00I know, I know...this blog is a disappointment....Well....it seems everyone else is changing their blog background...I don't want to be left out!!! Does this count as a new post? hahahaha I have a new post planned for tomorrow...sorry...but bed is calling me! Quichua class is kicking my........bottom (as my mom would want me to say).<br /><br />Had a good class today and we start at 8am tomorrow so I am going to go to bed now and hopefully find time to write a blog tomorrow! Things are going well....I have one official bible study and another hopeful!!! I tell you all about it...<br /><br />Miss you all lots!<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-43375664520666266852010-06-27T09:39:00.000-07:002010-06-27T11:26:29.204-07:00My First Possible Quichua Bible Study!!!<span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">Well...as any of you that have attempted to preach in a new languange can testify to...sometimes you are feeling it, and sometimes not so much!...So, this morning, we didn't have class because the instructor had to travel to Quito for the day. Anyway, so our assignment was to support the group today offering bible studies using the direct approach.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Let me tell you...when I woke up on this VERY cold morning...the thought of preaching in the market was not really my idea of fun. But, I prayed to Jehovah that he help give me the strength to do it. I was assigned with one of the other students in the class...so off we went!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I tried a few, but none really gave me the time of day..they were incredibly busy selling their vegetables, or shelling their green beans, or shining their mandarines (yes, they really do that...you can almost see your face in them!)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I said another silent prayer...just please let someone give me a half a smile, and let me do my presentation...(you see, the Quichua speaking people are very sweet, but they have a very timid and stern outer shell). Partly because they are looked down on by other Ecuadorians. So, it is rare that I have seen them smile...well, bible students and of course the brothers and sisters do!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There was a woman sitting on her stool with her little baby...here it goes!! Well, I started my presentation and she says, (as they often do) "I don't speak Quichua"...My first thought was, here we go again...just turn and walk away. But, because she was OBVIOUSLY from Riobamba..where almost everyone speaks Quichua...I decided to continue my presentation...partly in spanish, partly in Quichua. At this point, she "still did not speak Quichua". But, then I pulled out the tract in Quichua and her eyes got as big as saucers! She says," Actually I do speak Quichua, and I can read that!" (with not only 1/2 a smile, she had a whole smile!) So we picked out the question Does God care about us and did the paragraph inside the tract that answers the question...I asked her if she would like to know more and she said SURE! So, we made arrangements to talk again next Sunday. She says she is always at the market on Sundays....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Not a FANTASTIC experience...but for someone who has the vocabulary of a 3 year old in Quichua...I was pretty happy! Jehovah gave me what I asked for and more! And it did help...the rest of the morning I had a much better attitude about the market!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Not too much else here...busy busy busy learning another language!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Hope things are going well...just wanted to give a quick update!</span></span><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-9425030508258556202010-06-15T13:53:00.000-07:002010-06-15T15:11:09.176-07:00Nuka Kichwata Yachakuni!!! I am learning Quichua!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldeGRjJ_z9OGgE4qghIFTj90Nc-M8TLhjuyFQcudfiaKmPolT_W8gUHWMfjDDHKISZEWWuOwhaH3Bp3rdzfJB3s3BtJqA29R_rKSscWvBJZOOlkQXwzrhgIQk3iR0q4NbuzlxOgA6HdE/s1600/Quichua+6-17-2010+023.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Well...we are officially 2 weeks into the Quichua course...siiiiiiiiiigh... I have to say that I love the branch's language courses...they certainly are not boring! I am posting a few pictures that I have taken lately to give you a taste!!! It looks more like Romper-room than a language course! The theory is that if you try to learn and memorize, while actually doing something physical, it sticks! For example, we count to 10 while bouncing a balloon on our elbow. Not just any elbow, if you are right-handed, you should do it with your left elbow, etc. Or, we learned our first presentation singing it to the children's song tune of Frere Jacques. We have to act things out, to dialogues...if you can think of a way to embarrass yourself, we have done it! haha Mind you, it does work for remembering it, but it is very hard not to carry a little tune when you are actually giving the presentation! </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">So, do we like it? you ask...YES! Well, It has brought back a lot of the post-traumatic stress of starting in Spanish...thinking to ourselves "Are we ever going to be able to have a conversation in this language?" But, we are eager to learn and so I am sure that Jehovah will help us get through it! One of the HARDEST things for me is preaching in the market. The majority of the Quichua-speaking people sell fruits and vegetables at the market everyday. So, we go to where the people are and preach! </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">But, let me tell you, even before this, although I love the fresh fruits and vegetables, I didn't really like the market. Too many people in very small spaces, too many gross smells, too many people shouting at you "lemons! lemons! Tomatoes! How can I help you!?!?!?" And because we are obviously foreigners, we have to work harder to haggle a good price, and there is always someone staring suspiciously at your bag or wallet...I think you get the point. Now, imagine, trying to get out a presentation that you don't even understand in the middle of all of this craziness! But, everday gets a little bit easier...I'm supposed to say that right? haha</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">So, "jump right in and get to it" Chad, has started 2 bible studies already! One day he was studying in Spanish with a guy at a hardware store near us. On his way out he noticed a new fruit stand and low and behold...they were dressed like Otavalans! So, Chad goes right on up to them and tells them that he is learning Quichua (the advantage is that they almost all speak very good spanish). He said how nice they were and offered to help him with his Quichua! Anyway, the next week, we now had a presentation, so he went back. There were some guys there too, so he decided to show them the "Bible Teach" book. Since he didn't have tons of confidence yet, and they were speaking in Spanish, he pulled out the book in spanish and started the study. He asked the first question and said that the one man answered it, but is was very vague, and wasn't really the right answer. So, Chad decided to pull out the book in Quichua, and re-read the paragraph to them (well as best he could!), then asked the question---and the man answered it right away...he got the point! Which was Jehovah teaching us a lesson, because some of the brothers and sisters in our spanish cong. have been telling us that it isn't as important to learn Quichua because they all speak spanish, too! But, we got the point! It is never the same as hearing the truth in your mother tongue!!!!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">The elder in our group moved here with his wife about 8 months ago from Otavalo. He is from Germany, she is from France. He speaks, German, French, English, Spanish, and now has been in Quichua for 5 years and is fluent! They are really sweet! She told me that she has 21 bible studies right now, and almost all of them are in the market! Another lesson Jehovah taught me about getting over my fear of the market! haha</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">We have a cute little group...well, it isn't so little now. With all the ones taking the class, I think there are about 45 of us now. So, the brothers are excited and hoping to have their own cong. very soon. The problem is that we are currently a group attached to a spanish cong. Which means that we have our own Theo. School in the back school...now picture a typical size back school room...got it? Ok, now picture 45 of us in there!!!! The majority of us have to stand...it is HOT as anything, and it is kind of hard to pay attention! So, as you can see, we really need our own congregation....SOON! We will see what Jehovah has in mind! Chad and I officially feel like the "old married people"...because out of the 45 in the group, there are only 3 couples! The rest are all single people, and the majority of them younger than us! </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">What a change from our Spanish congregation full of families and babies and little kids!!! BOO HOO!! But, every situation has its advantages! The meetings are much quieter! Although there are quite a few bible students that attend. One of the women brings her 5 little girls (between the ages of 1 and 7)with her! They certainly contribute to the noise factor! </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">The growth in the Quichua field has been tremendous! Hence the reason the branch sent out letters requesting help! For example, in our group of about 45, probably 30 of them belong to the group, cards and all. The CO told us a few weeks ago that in the group they are conducting 120 bible studies! WOW!!!! We hope to soon find our niche and be of some use! </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">It is always a little hard in the middle of a change, nothing quite feels right. We are still going to almost all the spanish meetings, because we can't quite tear ourselves away yet! (But, more and more brothers are learning that we will be leaving, so it is hard to go there without being sad). But, in Quichua, although everyone is very nice, doesn't quite feel like home yet. SO! I have to follow the advice that I always give to new Spanish learners...stick it out for at least a year, and then it will start to feel better! And it is soooo true!!!! I'll let you know how it goes!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Well, there is soo much more to tell, as everyday is a new experience for us...but I think I have rambled on enough for one day! Thanks for your patience with my lack of blogging and we miss you all!!!!!!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MnQ2rkLUtuf-vyk5U3ByEP9PnlCSUmIm9WaWSU93L3XQ0biUZmwwFD9yjAjeGErUgnaAqA2GWgH1jxnFu79BYgpQQ18zLYzDuCjz3lK3nDv3rzmkLxqUpdzbOGHs7EgLSFdfn52lUBk/s1600/Quichua+6-17-2010+008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MnQ2rkLUtuf-vyk5U3ByEP9PnlCSUmIm9WaWSU93L3XQ0biUZmwwFD9yjAjeGErUgnaAqA2GWgH1jxnFu79BYgpQQ18zLYzDuCjz3lK3nDv3rzmkLxqUpdzbOGHs7EgLSFdfn52lUBk/s400/Quichua+6-17-2010+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483121912923439698" border="0" /></a>Here is our group during the CO visit. The CO and his wife are in the front on the bottom. He is wearing a red poncho.... What a cute group, eh?<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzQ8h3PFgd7kHP26KaufbEYc_XaPza9aW0ZR9M2edJthLR3il9hF54YBJLLGqWbFDuo9CI9kiIZHv_9_O2zO_rAumGBzPKKfRmhRFLYw5CWtMuKx1C68LaeAPjTALtW7Imu4ISzIYxYQ/s1600/Quichua+6-17-2010+007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzQ8h3PFgd7kHP26KaufbEYc_XaPza9aW0ZR9M2edJthLR3il9hF54YBJLLGqWbFDuo9CI9kiIZHv_9_O2zO_rAumGBzPKKfRmhRFLYw5CWtMuKx1C68LaeAPjTALtW7Imu4ISzIYxYQ/s400/Quichua+6-17-2010+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483121899812503330" border="0" /></a>As, you can see, ponchos, without ties, are used for the meetings. It isn't mandatory, but we have been instructed that the brothers should soon start to buy ponchos for the meetings!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-5z8eT7m5XPVNbdbT-GVHHrNefFgWpQUCQfvKbRzxpp3S06gnBmaXmKXG7Bxku5Al35hYiLYwGFKXQFJBABPMclrskMFmFqQpZs0LhmOKl67y8WnJXNqISkzApfo2zKy5stNHgBJOVY/s1600/Quichua+6-17-2010+005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-5z8eT7m5XPVNbdbT-GVHHrNefFgWpQUCQfvKbRzxpp3S06gnBmaXmKXG7Bxku5Al35hYiLYwGFKXQFJBABPMclrskMFmFqQpZs0LhmOKl67y8WnJXNqISkzApfo2zKy5stNHgBJOVY/s400/Quichua+6-17-2010+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483121898513018450" border="0" /></a>Here is a group heading out to a town outside of the city. They go there every other Saturday to find people at the market! Ridin' in style!!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyW9rHtMA9-NflTb0dzoIxVonTKQj5mLXLeE4pO6Sv6tEBPE8yODz5pjjsxWV0yENgzfODNG-mmMnFxKU55_bwnZfVrbAwzEzZWt7aoz4REOhkXErO_n6OmjbG5Nr_qyeh2I5fllxVJH8/s1600/Quichua+6-17-2010+018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyW9rHtMA9-NflTb0dzoIxVonTKQj5mLXLeE4pO6Sv6tEBPE8yODz5pjjsxWV0yENgzfODNG-mmMnFxKU55_bwnZfVrbAwzEzZWt7aoz4REOhkXErO_n6OmjbG5Nr_qyeh2I5fllxVJH8/s400/Quichua+6-17-2010+018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483121926590899442" border="0" /></a><br />Here is an example of things we do in the course. They are dressed up as a Buyer and a seller at the market and are having a conversation. It helps us learn phrases like..."How are you?" "What would you like?" "Do you have...?" <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldeGRjJ_z9OGgE4qghIFTj90Nc-M8TLhjuyFQcudfiaKmPolT_W8gUHWMfjDDHKISZEWWuOwhaH3Bp3rdzfJB3s3BtJqA29R_rKSscWvBJZOOlkQXwzrhgIQk3iR0q4NbuzlxOgA6HdE/s1600/Quichua+6-17-2010+023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldeGRjJ_z9OGgE4qghIFTj90Nc-M8TLhjuyFQcudfiaKmPolT_W8gUHWMfjDDHKISZEWWuOwhaH3Bp3rdzfJB3s3BtJqA29R_rKSscWvBJZOOlkQXwzrhgIQk3iR0q4NbuzlxOgA6HdE/s400/Quichua+6-17-2010+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483124050607776802" border="0" /></a>Our new "weapons" for the battle! Check out the size of that Bible! You should try carrying it around in your bag all day!!! WHEW!! I am going to have a HUGE left shoulder muscle! haha<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvuzE6deFmWgTxd3lwefFDbcKvcBXQ4CREPCwy1vsQGCEL-vkJ-nFQ7eqz3JA2x96rsJSk6-zW0WgcHmtXWyd69c4GEqx4y2qAzpILrjx75U58ByszINAeQbTifCFx4HRzEM5J1Buts8/s1600/Quichua+6-17-2010+022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvuzE6deFmWgTxd3lwefFDbcKvcBXQ4CREPCwy1vsQGCEL-vkJ-nFQ7eqz3JA2x96rsJSk6-zW0WgcHmtXWyd69c4GEqx4y2qAzpILrjx75U58ByszINAeQbTifCFx4HRzEM5J1Buts8/s400/Quichua+6-17-2010+022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483124039155320210" border="0" /></a>Here we are using visual aids to learn how to conjugate verbs!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHN5wYfCSnmo8f18veu10rxiqlxmTaqizS6zLUn3B86HQmiCjraIZOpuTI5LroNBgupBWxzmvLC0elbHsdFzbXUQR8jSPar3LXMjP7s2dWXNx9ORfcy7zVFI1UARYjDN2kIvLiW1luGQM/s1600/Quichua+6-17-2010+021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHN5wYfCSnmo8f18veu10rxiqlxmTaqizS6zLUn3B86HQmiCjraIZOpuTI5LroNBgupBWxzmvLC0elbHsdFzbXUQR8jSPar3LXMjP7s2dWXNx9ORfcy7zVFI1UARYjDN2kIvLiW1luGQM/s400/Quichua+6-17-2010+021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483124035267840210" border="0" /></a>In order to learn certain verbs, like sleep, we had to act them out. Here the two standing are the "parents" and have to take care of their "baby" and teach him how to do certain things, like, walk, eat, sleep! It was really funny!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3VKnm7kYL62V6vAqLqQIjiUeC_dOXyF4ExvVigBXzkSD5ZOA-6EDHO9VjqUVMG0pPYdBTIheSZR5rOgT9z9Vd5LWJ79GPp4Zf7K3xGqGmqkjg8ruqPdWyy7NfG_uCRJxRuq-0SQN4B0/s1600/Quichua+6-17-2010+004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3VKnm7kYL62V6vAqLqQIjiUeC_dOXyF4ExvVigBXzkSD5ZOA-6EDHO9VjqUVMG0pPYdBTIheSZR5rOgT9z9Vd5LWJ79GPp4Zf7K3xGqGmqkjg8ruqPdWyy7NfG_uCRJxRuq-0SQN4B0/s400/Quichua+6-17-2010+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483124027103186962" border="0" /></a>Happy as clams because in service...THEY DON"T HAVE TO WEAR TIES!!!!! This was our first day out and the boys were soooo happy to have gotten rid of their ties!!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vSTTsM9cLkyXSgwe_iO0kFfjiy-12_L4pksbXWiLC1zvwSoRcLz-BLEf217SNiF5MxZ07XD5UFqo4RmBb3FO-WN5xwbyWg_txZjgzgFn-Yx2W7yYPMphmtVGhc3yk5PeFKiPr6-_2sQ/s1600/Quichua+6-17-2010+009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vSTTsM9cLkyXSgwe_iO0kFfjiy-12_L4pksbXWiLC1zvwSoRcLz-BLEf217SNiF5MxZ07XD5UFqo4RmBb3FO-WN5xwbyWg_txZjgzgFn-Yx2W7yYPMphmtVGhc3yk5PeFKiPr6-_2sQ/s400/Quichua+6-17-2010+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483121920586337570" border="0" /></a>Here Fernando and Chad are goofing around trying on poncho's at a store. Fernando chickened out and didn't buy one, but Chad bought a really nice black one! He is going to wear it next week...I'll show you pictures!!<br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"></div><div id="refHTML"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-44034004662119351472010-05-25T22:17:00.001-07:002010-05-26T11:48:37.058-07:00Alli Puncha....Good Day...<span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, we went to our first meeting last night in Quichua. As we stepped out of Fernando's car and were walking to the doors, I felt like it was the first day of school! My heart was in my throat! Chad, Fernando and I just looked at each other knowingly like, "well, this is the end of life as we know it..."</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">But, I can tell you that it already feels like home. I am so grateful for that. I had prayed to Jehovah that if it was the right decision, it would just feel right. And it SOOO did (well for me anyway, I can't speak for the others!) We knew quite a few of the brothers and sisters already, and they all gave us such a warm welcome! Those that didn't know us were all like, "you must be Chad, Michele and Fernando"...they had been anxiously awaiting our arrival....awww, how sweet!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I didn't understand much...back to square one, and I remember thinking, this sounds like Japanese or Chinese to me. The old feeling of complete stupidity when they say something funny from the platform and everyone is laughing hysterically...except us. But, we are used to being lost, right? haha It definitely is different from Spanish and English. This week is the CO visit, and then next Saturday starts the class.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There were a few native Quichua-speakers there, a sister and some bible students, which was encouraging to see. The advantage/disadvantage is that the majority of Quichua speakers also speak spanish...it isn't their native tongue, but they speak very well. I say it is an advantage, obviously, because we will still be able to get our points across in Spanish if needed while we learn. The disadvantage is that if we rely too heavily on our spanish, we won't progress as fast in Quichua.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We found out tonight that they have their circuit assembly in Riobamba (about 6 hours in bus) in 3 weeks...and everyone is telling us we HAVE to go. We would like to go, it should be a good experience. Also, because the branch does not yet have a Bible in Quichua, we need to buy another translation, and they aren't really available here in Cuenca. But, someone told us we can get them in Riobamba. Yes, just another thing to add to our already bulging schedule! But, sounds fun, huh? The need really seems to be great here in Quichua...we found out that they sent the same letter requesting help also to the special pioneers here in Ecuador! They are really pushing! It makes us feel good to know we are a part of something so important here. Although every cong. here has a need in whatever language!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I took a few pictures. The sisters are from here and are learning Quichua, but gave a talk tonight, and to show their love of the culture, wore the traditional garb. Now, this clothing is native for those from more up north near Otavalo, but it happens to be one of my favorites. The women always look so beautiful. From what they say, it seems that each area has their own style. I look forward to learning and seeing the differences! I was told I have to buy some of my own...sounds fun!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Just wanted to keep you all updated! Thanks for all the words of encouragment...keep em coming...this next year should be a challenge!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Miss you all...</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQb015SFYKV86AuLJlA8rKfN5z2hK5QPHPlXI8Gdr5Lmt1d4lOWwTUcFamMZ7qjvpXTMlBy9h04TugWmIdzognWD5gKdF_t_rI8osySnI3AUcdy-laGJBezr9etwFdlc5fqSEhKg3J4kM/s1600/First+Quichua+meeting+005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQb015SFYKV86AuLJlA8rKfN5z2hK5QPHPlXI8Gdr5Lmt1d4lOWwTUcFamMZ7qjvpXTMlBy9h04TugWmIdzognWD5gKdF_t_rI8osySnI3AUcdy-laGJBezr9etwFdlc5fqSEhKg3J4kM/s400/First+Quichua+meeting+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475652247306039650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SZzoxc031R1htGdpu6Wc2h0OoyW2HOgjUEJ4MG8wLm6aeSG2PxrO7vl3gJegPjFwRUymspk4j-CuVW3UnjTj8Q6sGJkN_urijTlY4gXXB8NH2wX0zPg1MelgoCyvOSt0fh02IqNvlFw/s1600/First+Quichua+meeting+004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SZzoxc031R1htGdpu6Wc2h0OoyW2HOgjUEJ4MG8wLm6aeSG2PxrO7vl3gJegPjFwRUymspk4j-CuVW3UnjTj8Q6sGJkN_urijTlY4gXXB8NH2wX0zPg1MelgoCyvOSt0fh02IqNvlFw/s400/First+Quichua+meeting+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475651829151590066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSeK-8F-mSjwFx8vRkKUHXGNah740_9U_tuziLOGe1ZfyZBSL9scFcMptZUTepNCUzwHyUZRcuvWkJt5MMjVWmlqCbEhNLAkE4IzXZujFZeq8BbPNajPEDePVvl1WtXsbRpD-i433CGk/s1600/First+Quichua+meeting+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSeK-8F-mSjwFx8vRkKUHXGNah740_9U_tuziLOGe1ZfyZBSL9scFcMptZUTepNCUzwHyUZRcuvWkJt5MMjVWmlqCbEhNLAkE4IzXZujFZeq8BbPNajPEDePVvl1WtXsbRpD-i433CGk/s400/First+Quichua+meeting+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475650284111569122" border="0" /></a><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-68953422904455927322010-05-12T22:11:00.000-07:002010-05-12T22:24:58.185-07:00Updates...<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">Hey guys! I thought I better keep going now that I started or who knows when I will post again! Thanks so much for all the comments! I have missed hearing from you all! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of our past studies have been worked over by Satan...The study Chad started while "taking care of business" has started working a lot of overtime, so now has no time to study. The "dinosaur" man and his family ended up getting evicted from their house for whatever reason, and have moved about an hour away. boo hoo But they still want to study, so I am working on hooking them up with brothers and sisters near them. We shall see! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Norma, the woman who came to the meeting all by herself, has continued studying and is doing SOOO well! I was able to arrange my schedule on Sunday's to fit her in...and boy am I glad I did! She ALWAYS studies thorougly...not only for her study, but for the meetings (which by the way, she has pretty much been coming to every one of them!) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">She even went to the Spec. Ass. Day all by herself! She had to work on Sat. when we had ours, so she went on Sunday. She said that she was sitting there, eating lunch all by herself and trying not to feel sorry for herself, when suddenly a sister came up to her and asked her to eat with their family! YAH! Only in Jehovah's organization...so she spent the lunch hour with the family...they shared their food with her and gave her a lot of encouragement! (That is a good reminder for me to keep my eyes open at assemblies for those who seem to be eating alone!) I would love to meet the family to thank them someday! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">At the end of every study she has me tell her all of the assignments for the following Wed. meeting...bible highlights, student talks, anything she needs to study, and then she makes sure to prepare for it! Her work schedule hadn't been allowing her to come on Wed. night, but she decided that Jehovah is more important than work and so she made the necessary changes. She is pretty much there every Wed. now, too! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This past Saturday Chad gave a talk in Ona...it is about an hour and 45 minutes from here. They have a very small cong.--9 pubs! No brothers! There is another cong. that has been helping them out, so there are always brothers to conduct the meetings, but I was looking on the information board and they had a list of assignments...in charge of literature...a sister! in charge of magazines...a sister! in charge of accounts...a sister! If we hadn't already committed to Quichua, I would have been thinking seriously of going there! (not so I could be in charge..haha..so that Chad could help!) They have had a reg. attendance of 35-40...so there is growth! Anyone interested? Come on down!!!!!! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks again for your comments and emails...we love hearing from you all!</span></span><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6676811726038401102.post-79923675651206334832010-05-11T09:55:00.000-07:002010-05-11T10:38:22.414-07:00Random pictures...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC1se2xk0ihmTUOd5dqXsP2A7aJtVb5-LbOnKxbQqUjehEwykh5tNTwBCDOhHP5e2gsIHiBk1yS_STmAfsoeQ40QuPCetz4xCRiFagmNUqxwGFnGkHtSudoC_hI_07m7WuisacfxFXXQ/s1600/Baptism+4-17-10+082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC1se2xk0ihmTUOd5dqXsP2A7aJtVb5-LbOnKxbQqUjehEwykh5tNTwBCDOhHP5e2gsIHiBk1yS_STmAfsoeQ40QuPCetz4xCRiFagmNUqxwGFnGkHtSudoC_hI_07m7WuisacfxFXXQ/s400/Baptism+4-17-10+082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470066373959731954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpxTKz-WRy7DRynmbSGgebduYdQAKzH8pzPs5J5B9kc_7qL-XvOvu7Jc_0QzBAWrMQ1aC4Vo7kqq0ixjBVgJzHl1Np6EiV3Gq257wDVD_ws1sa6T-Qh_4r9bJreFTP-Q6qsBLIhGoOp4/s1600/Baptism+4-17-10+091.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpxTKz-WRy7DRynmbSGgebduYdQAKzH8pzPs5J5B9kc_7qL-XvOvu7Jc_0QzBAWrMQ1aC4Vo7kqq0ixjBVgJzHl1Np6EiV3Gq257wDVD_ws1sa6T-Qh_4r9bJreFTP-Q6qsBLIhGoOp4/s400/Baptism+4-17-10+091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470064514381618290" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Above is Fernando, one of the brothers that Chad studied with that got baptized, with his proud mom.<br /><br />As you can see by the mound of food on Chad's plate..one of the best things about spanish assemblies is the FOOD! The sisters do not mess around...they bring enough food to feed an army...and Chad always manages to get some!!!</span><br /><br /></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o5BmsEcffh52yZDzCFmTSrW9e_k3A0qG826zOuGuC-0cgTIhDeJ27NPCV0zU83CWT8lVGvZNrcosCl-0QbZJ_Er92bxNpw0f4rRxR_QdN5I3y-5FjpQnCGPwft1gV2vGeB_pmrGz9ho/s1600/Baptism+4-17-10+015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o5BmsEcffh52yZDzCFmTSrW9e_k3A0qG826zOuGuC-0cgTIhDeJ27NPCV0zU83CWT8lVGvZNrcosCl-0QbZJ_Er92bxNpw0f4rRxR_QdN5I3y-5FjpQnCGPwft1gV2vGeB_pmrGz9ho/s400/Baptism+4-17-10+015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470060370136112002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">This is Tatiana...grand-daughter of the Criollo family...her parents aren't interested in the truth, but when she is visiting during the study she always sits in and raises her hand to comment! She is such a little lady!</span><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3TK_xFpaVDAHUQOnG7NBiOPyN50v2LDAuyO-MCu0VrTSJ7RWVYisjnHlEkGLpfTPw47G12b_JOIwwXNcCXxa6pY17-hR0XnFX6wNZVSDwJag-sC7BF6psDLezUAGVuncZZ2vTmbKZxw/s1600/Baptism+4-17-10+077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3TK_xFpaVDAHUQOnG7NBiOPyN50v2LDAuyO-MCu0VrTSJ7RWVYisjnHlEkGLpfTPw47G12b_JOIwwXNcCXxa6pY17-hR0XnFX6wNZVSDwJag-sC7BF6psDLezUAGVuncZZ2vTmbKZxw/s400/Baptism+4-17-10+077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470059721463465058" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The brother on the right is Harrison, the other one of Chad's studies</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" > that got baptized. </span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZbVcUIGIoUvB4C_-N_glRTTtF2cx-UGBmaof_opIM5TANIYuNhDAEbsovCJwVoREGf7A29lVgOvKfzeaO_wI0ur1K8zTMtBEV9HPBr52Rz0docsLkbIGBG3ovLCXtgbUwsAXmPnpaqE/s1600/Baptism+4-17-10+097.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZbVcUIGIoUvB4C_-N_glRTTtF2cx-UGBmaof_opIM5TANIYuNhDAEbsovCJwVoREGf7A29lVgOvKfzeaO_wI0ur1K8zTMtBEV9HPBr52Rz0docsLkbIGBG3ovLCXtgbUwsAXmPnpaqE/s400/Baptism+4-17-10+097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470058497881218002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPpDtkbIcsifvtytLW6wjnnTRXbe__qLzqtzxddzH25u9HPdxKSmUTkTLXLN4Ztj3u0Osz8Eoa2QWPuFVLgagQwM5Pr35BhLhQxQgCKI_TxLGd7tasxgzpYIIrdnHB69M6WjMKNle4b8/s1600/Baptism+4-17-10+011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPpDtkbIcsifvtytLW6wjnnTRXbe__qLzqtzxddzH25u9HPdxKSmUTkTLXLN4Ztj3u0Osz8Eoa2QWPuFVLgagQwM5Pr35BhLhQxQgCKI_TxLGd7tasxgzpYIIrdnHB69M6WjMKNle4b8/s400/Baptism+4-17-10+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470057666477336050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Above is a photo of the Criollo Family after their baptism...(from left to right) they are Jessica (studies with me), Cristian, mom Elena (studies with me), Alexandra and Jairo.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The bottom photo was Jessica's first day preaching. We tried to put the camera on a post to take a picture of us...as you can see, I almost cut off our heads....haha </span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Chad and Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14107818289022411847noreply@blogger.com6