This and That from Here and There: 2023

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

We interrupt this "chronological broadcast..."

...to let you know that Damaris and I leave tomorrow for three weeks of convention rounds in Colombia. I'll post the convention list below so you can follow along with us on the map and in your thoughts if you so choose.

Bogotá - Jan. 28 & 29

Pasto - Jan. 29

Medellín (Workers' Meeting) - Feb. 1

Medellin - Feb. 4 & 5

Bucaramanga - Feb. 5

Armenia - Feb. 8

Cartagena - Feb. 11 & 12

Cali - Feb. 12

*Damaris and I will be at the conventions in purple.*

Happy Thanksgiving! (Not in real time)

On Thanksgiving Day this year (2022), four of us sister workers lunched together in the home of Damaris' parents. Her dad wasn't home, as he's a long-distance trucker, but her mom and sister were there. We had "build your own" encebollada - a fish soup that is traditional on the coast.

With pineapple for dessert

Some of my favorite landscapes in this country

I love the terrain approaching Tulcán in the very north of Ecuador. Here are a few shots along that route.

Traveling from Lago Agrio to Quito

We could see quite a nice distance from the roof of the restaurant where we stopped for lunch.

Sorry I can't seem to rotate the picture.

This was my lunch - chicken served on a hot rock.

It worked! My last bite of chicken was just as hot as the first bite.

Does YOUR motorcycle have a trunk?

Yes, those are on the ceiling...

But I think this tile must have once been on the floor.

Sunday supper

After the last meeting at Lago Agrio, four of us workers went to Darwin and Miriam's for a delicious "barbecue" supper.

Getting the "grill" going

Oh, the anticipation!!!!

Alberto takes charge of the cat.

"Some of that is for me, right???"

My plate

No, I could not eat it all!

A few thoughts from Lago Agrio convention (Nov. 19-20, 2022)

God is calling us into depth.

Be true today.

The hardness of my own heart can influence the heart of my brother.

We will never lack for adverse winds and storms in life, but focused on Jesus, we can go forward.

We won't get very far until we take responsibility for our own life.

Our hope is in repentance. For those who repent, there is a Redeemer.

A little rain storm in Lago Agrio

A few thoughts from El Cristal convention (Nov. 11-13, 2022)

When my tongue gets out of control, I need to examine my relationship with God.

God has given me something through the gospel, and He wants me to do something with it.

We accept that life isn't getting any easier, but don't let that keep you from giving time to the most important things.

There is no detail of our lives that escapes God's notice.

God hasn't called us because of what we are, but because of what He is.

In every experience, God has something special to teach us.

God wants to bring us all, whether up or down, to the level of reality.

In every temptation, God gives us a way of escape. We decide whether or not to accept that way of escape.

Don't be frightened to get conviction.

When we are seeking the good of our soul, we will always have an enemy.

Farewell El Cristal

New Canadian friends

We were DELIGHTED to have Cassandra (left) and Lena (right) with us for Las Mercedes and El Cristal conventions. Not only did we enjoy their WONDERFUL company, but they were also a TREMENDOUS help! Come back anytime, Ladies.

Workers' picture and list for 2023

Ecuador -- Diciembre 2022

Ambato / Riobamba / San Miguel / Manabí / Quevedo

Jim Price

Juan León

Alberto Basurto

Lago Agrio / Tena / Tarapoa / Sacha

Henry Arias

Scott Porter

Cuenca / Loja / Oriente Sur

Ookyoung Jung

Ingrid Mendoza

Guayaquil / Olón / Catazacón / Galápagos

Karen Morton

Lourdes Macas

Quito / Santo Domingo / Esmeraldas

Jill Yule

Luz González

Ipiales / Ibarra

Kamela LiaBraaten

Damaris Báez

Home visits

Richard Harbur (USA)

Marsha Kiser (USA)

Eli Reque (Bolivia)

We've got a hungry Pirate on our hands.

Now we're back at El Cristal, waiting for another convention to begin.

Pirata (Pirate) is just waiting for the next meal.

A few thoughts from Las Mercedes convention (November 2-4, 2022)

In the hand of God, our lives have worth.

We have the freedom to seek God without limit.

Faith gives us access to grace.

All sheep have to do to receive the care of the shepherd is to stay close.

Sometimes we feel like we've been brought to nothing, but God created the universe out of nothing.

True humility comes from seeing the King.

What God has planned for us in heaven works on earth.

One convention picture

This picture of our new generation of dishwashers is just too sweet not to share!

Pre-convention days in Las Mercedes

All the shopping has come in.

Lunch for the whole crew

And the cookhouse is looking much better!

What's cooking?

It's Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork!

Yes, We can get Dr. Pepper here now.

And it was quite delicious, I might add.

Convention laundry

Making grapefruit juice concentrate for convention

Sorting rice

It's a never-ending job!!!

On the Thursday evening before convention began, we all headed down the road to Rojano and Viviana's home for a lovely supper and some visitor sharing.