Ingaprica Ruinas

Last Wednesday, the Williams (visiting from GA) and the James (from New Zealand) and Guillermo (a married brother in our hall) and I went to see the ruinas...Ingaprica Ruina. It was very nice and the weather was absolutely beautiful. I was warned that it is normally very cold due to the altitude and the wind. But, Jehovah belessed us with a wonderful sunny day. Well during our trip there were other visitors that were touring the site. Of which, one was a lady visting Ecuador from Brazil. We all at various times of the tour started to talk to Regina, a very pleasant lady. Brother Guillermo offers to drop her off in Cuenca which she accepted. During our 2-hour ride back home, she and I started a very interesting conversation that lasted the entire two hours. Thanks to Ashley Williams, I was able to place the Bible Teach book and also read her the account about the Flood. She understood the Flood to be just a myth. Regina was surprise to see that the bible also speaks a lot about family and marriage. I was able to share various scriptures and encouraged her to use the book to answer many of her questions and well and look into her own copy of the bible to verify that what she read was the truth. Before I was dropped at home, we exchange email addresses so that we could stay in contact.

Corrupt Cops

Well, I should not be surprise but the cops in Cuenca, Ecuador are also corrupt. A group of friends and I decided to go out for dinner. On the way to taking us home, we get pulled over by the police. Oh know, I thought. So, we pull over to the side and park. Two cops get out and approach the driver door and ask the brother for the necessary documents which he immediately supplied. The cops replied that the temporary driver´s license was not acceptable and that they were going to arrest him. The brother get´s out of the car and follows the cops to their vehicle. I quickly say a prayer to Jehovah to help us all stay calm and be cooperative and that everything be resolved without anyone having to be taken the jail. After a few minutes, I call the other group of friends that were with us at dinner. Just as a voice answered the phone, it was followed by a reply, we see you and will be there in just a moment. Two brothers approach the car and we quickly explain what happened. They both walk to the police vehicle and then they all come back and say, the cops want money. After the whole ordeal, we had to give about $20-25 dollars the cops and the penalty according to the cops were for the window tint being too dark. (Apparently, the cops drive around on Saturday night stopping people and threatening them to take them to jail unless they give them money) I was just thankful to Jehovah that no one went to jail and that the situation did not get out of hand. We all know that there exists no justice in Satans world, but thankfully we don´t serve Satan but Jehovah. The true GOD that will seek justice in the end.

Here is the video from Jesus and Norma (Sanchez) Almanza's wedding. It was a very special occasion of which all in attendance enjoyed fully. I am immensely grateful that I had the privilege to participate and to share such a special moment with Jesus and Norma. It is my prayer that they remain close to Jehovah every moment of their lives together. That is were their true happiness will always be...

Here is the most current video/photo. I hope you enjoy it. Please forgive the poor editing, i.e. spelling error(s). Little by little, my editing ability will get better.

This video contains our welcoming party as well as the anniversary of Bro. & Sis. James. About a day before this party, some friends gave me the 411 on what I needed to know. Here is a preview of what I was told. At the parties, the friends dance separately unless they are dancing the Pasa Doble. The brothers and sisters dance with married and unmarried friends without concern. I was told it would be an insult if a married brother asked me to dance and I said 'no'. When it was party time, I was somewhat uncomfortable about dancing with a married brother. I didn't make it a habit to do that in the states and it will take a moment for me to adjust to how things are done here. It worked out that no married brothers asked me to dance. On the dance floor, I am accustom to having the brothers push me around making me look as if I know what I am doing. Here, I am fully exposed... and have to dance in place. Well, I tried that for about one or two songs. I told the friends that it will take me a little bit longer to get use to dancing apart. When brother Freddie asked me to teach him salsa, I responded that I would but doing so arm in arm so that he could know how to spin the the sister. He agreed and we danced for the majority of the evening arm in arm and apart. He also taught me how to do one of their traditional dance steps of which I don't recall the name or even the steps. Oh well, there is another party that the congregation is having at the end of the month and maybe I will remember the dance steps when I hear the music playing.

In the congregation and in public, I am taller than practically everyone. No surprise there. I draw a lot of attention... mainly stares and even more so when I am with some of the English speaking friends. The staring, from the public, can be nerve racking but I still try to ignore them. In public, many respond when I greet them and many do not.

During the first week or two of arriving in Cuenca, I did not see many black folks around, but now that I have been here for almost a month, I am seeing more. Many are from Esmeralda or other cities. When I get a chance to speak to others informally, they automatically think that I am Ecuadorian and from Esmeralda.

The family that I am renting from are wonderful. However, they are destined to get me married. No matter how many times, I lovingly remind them that it's not my focus, the more the subject comes up. It seems that no matter where I go, many of the friends try to marry me off. I think that they must have a pact with my mom or something... I know they mean well. I just continue to focus on my service to Jehovah and being happy as a single person. I could not have asked for a better life!

My first two weeks in Ecuador Video/Photos

I will be updating my blog page from time to time with videos and photos. Please check back every now and again so see what's going on in Cuenca, Ecuador. The video posted below will show my first two weeks in Cuenca. There are pictures of preaching, the territory, the Assembly Hall and more. I hope you are able to view it. I have two or three other videos that I need to format before I am able to upload them. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks.