January 25th

Last weekend we went to a town called Puerto Lopez.  It's a little fishing village in a stretch of coast called the "Ruta Del Sol".  It was fun watching the fishing boats bring their catch in and the frigate birds trying to steal it.  There was a beautiful beach about a 10 minute drive north of Puerto Lopez called Los Frailes.  We hiked up to a lookout for an amazing view of the coastline. All in all, it was a nice, relaxing weekend.  Here are a few photos...

January 10th, 2009!

Hard to believe that it's already 2009!  We hope that all are doing well and staying safe amidst the crazy weather...

We wanted to tell you a little bit about our congregation here in Ecuador, Corales.  The congregation is constantly in flux with ones moving in and out, so it's hard to get an actual count of Publishers, but it seems to be around 120??  The attendance is always well above that number because there are lots of kids and lots of Bible studies.  In the weeks leading up to assemblies and conventions all the elders are busy after meetings going over the questions for baptism with different ones.  It seems like every other week they are announcing a new publisher.  The territory is very small and they work it about every three weeks.  So it's amazing to think that there is still that much growth!  

What has impressed us the most are the kids.  Several study and come to the meetings without their parents.  One example is Jose.  I believe he's 8 years old. A couple in the congregation found him door to door.  He was home alone with his two younger sisters.  It's not uncommon to find kids home alone here because both parents are working.  That's the case with Jose's parents.  Both work full time and when they're not working they're out drinking and partying.  Sometimes he has to take his sisters out late at night to go look for his dad to make sure he's ok and alive.  At this time his parents aren't interested in studying, but they're happy to let the kids study since it's free childcare. The couple who studies with them comes to their home to help them get dressed for meetings.  Jose just joined the school.  Most of the children in the congregation will answer straight from the paragraph, but Jose comments in his own words, beautiful comments.  They are such an encouragement to the congregation.  

We've been told that a lot of the growth in this area is from ones who studied or learned the truth when they were younger and are coming back to it.  It's a good reminder that God's word is alive and can have a powerful effect on a person at any age.     

Here are a couple photos from our congregation.  The first one is of Jose and his sisters...