Lima, Peru (International Assembly)

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English Meeting

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A Great Study

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Off to Lima, Peru

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Informal Witnessing = A lost Merecedora

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This weekend... with kids...oh no!...oh yes!

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Faithie is preaching....

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I need a car

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I GOT A JOB

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La invitacion

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In need of $$$...and then a blessing...

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A job.....????

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What's the news....

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Teaching Faith to Pray

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Update

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Hilton Garden Inn

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Honduras

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My First Part

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A job...????

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What does God look like?

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Why are we different

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A job offer from Faith

I had an incredible conversation with my five year old cousin, Faith. It left me in tears from laughing so much.

The scene: Faith and I are in the kitchen. I am drying and putting the dishes away. Faith is standing near the table talking to me.

Faith: Barbara, I miss you when I'm at grammies.
Barb: Well, why didn't you call me?
Faith: Grammie said that you will call me?
Barb: But how am I gonna know when you miss me so that I can call you?
Faith: I don't know.
Barb: And besides, I need that 'special phone' to call you.
Faith: You can buy the phone.
Barb: How can I buy the 'special phone' if I have no job and no money?
Faith: I can give you a job.
Barb: Really! You'd give me a job? But, what kind of work will I be doing for you?
Faith: Well, you could make my bed. Not the bottom one, just the top one where I was sleeping last night. And, you could clean the counter in the kitchen...and..
Barb: Ok, but if I do all this work for you, what will you give me?
Faith: I will give you monies. (Faith walked into her room to retrieve her purse and enters the kitchen) See, I have some monies I could give you. One, two, three.... (Faith pulls out various coins...pennies, dimes, quarters and starts to count them ...one money, two, three...)
Barb: Ok, lets see how much you have...25, 50, 55, 65,...73...you have 73 cents.
Faith: See, I can give you monies.
Barb: How much does this 'special phone' cost?
Faith: $70.00
Barb: 70 dollars!!! Ok. Well, how many 'years' will I have to work for you before I could buy that 'special phone' ...?
Faith: 100 years.
Barb: 100 years!!! ...I don't think I want this job. Besides, you're kidda of bossy.
Faith: That's ok. I can give the job to Jordan.
(Jordan is our 6 yr. old neighbor.)

P.S. The special phone needed to call Faith is a kiddie's version of a safety pin that rattles.

The Visit

Hello Folks,
We had our visit with Joe and Isela Nobles. It was awesome! I enjoyed very much their visit and I am sure the entire congregation is going to miss them terribly. They have been reassigned up north, near the Oregon border and will start their new circuit in September. He spoke a lot about the importance of taking advantage of all methods of preaching: telephone, writing letters, informal preaching, etc. En uno de sus discursos, Hermano Nobles menciono que debemos ser listos para el nuevo mundo y que significa ser listos. Es importante cultivar buenas cualidades ahora como, humildad, ser trabajador y mostrar humildad. Porque, estas cualidades van a ayudarnos en el nuevo mundo y si tenemos problemas ahora, sera dificil por nosotros en el futuro.
En nuestra congregacion, somos 10 precusores regulares y alrededor de 85 publicadores. De verdad, el espiritu de predicar y ser hospitalarios existe en esta congregacion.
Tengo fotos de la visita y espero que pronto puedo mostrarles a mi nueva congregacion. Les extrano mucho. Un beso y brazo.

Interview Pre-Results

Hey Folks,
I survived the interview! I was very nervious but fortunately, 45 minutes later, it was over. Natika (hiring mgr.) asked serveral questions which I had to really think....way back... in order to give her an answer. I tried to be mindful when I had to explain technical terminology but it was very hard because I had to give past work related examples of problems and resolutions. Anyways, she left me thinking that they may or may not hire me. So what does that mean? Hmmm. Well, Natika said that she preferred someone with more sales experience. I countered that with my 4 yrs of working experience for Kelly Moore Paints (It was a long time ago which was why it was not listed on my resume.) Then she said that what she would like to do is hire me as a sales associate for a couple of months just so that I could get the work experience in sales and become more familiar with the business and then move me to the Lead Sales position. She commented on my work experience in other areas which would be an asset to the company and would work well, but that I had lacked the amount of (current) sales experience she was looking for. So, bottom line, I have to wait until next Friday to find out...it's a "go" or it's a "no" because she has more people to interview. I will let you all know, when I do.

C.O. Visit

Howdy Folks,
We have our C.O. visit this week and things are off to a great start. I had the opportunity to work out in service with Bro. and Sis. Nobles along with another sister, Sara. We laughed and had a wonderful time. I look forward to the talks scheduled during his visit.
Also, it was really cool when the Hnos. Nobles told me that they know some of the elders from my old circuit in Austin, Tx. It's a small afterall.

Job Interview

Hey Folks! I got my first job interview after being in the states for over a month!!!! It is with Bath and Body Works on this Thursday at 11am. It's about 15 minutes from my sister's place. I hope I get the job. I will let you know how things go. Pray for me, please. I can use all the help I can get!

1st book placement!!!!!

Thursday and Friday were great service days for me. I was able to do my return visits and actually place the Young People Ask book. It was great! My first book placement. I'm on a roll! I even started a door stop study with the mother (Viviana) of my other return visit(Marcos).

Today, I went on a study with Sis. Lopez. It was with a young kid, 16 yrs old, Jonathan. He is Seven Day Adventist. Jonathan had a lot of questions....really great questions. He believes in the trinity...no surprise there. We tried very hard to explain with the scriptures some of his questions, but he still did not understand many of the points we were explaining in both languages, English and Spanish. He believes that sinners are going to see God in the second coming. I tried to reason with him by asking, if "God"did not allow Moises, a man closer to perfection, not to see him, what is your reasoning why "God" will allow us, being that we are much farther away from perfection, to see him? He said, ''that is why Jesus died for us so that we will be able to see him." I thought, yeah, right, not even close. But, I thanked him for his response and for opening up to us about his beliefs and I encouraged him to continue to ask questions so that he can aquire the truth like as we read in John 17:3. I have no doubts, he probably thinks he's making me a new recruit. Not even close.
It was really bizzare talking to him. Some friends from other congregations have told me of their experience during studies or speaking with people from the public who have felt a demonic presence. It wasn't until this study, that I understood personally what they were telling me. It was as if Jonathan's demeanor had completely changed and I kept looking at him and it just tripped me out. His voice became a little aggressive a couple points he was trying to make, but he made no sense at all. And at one point his eyes looked liked they had a shot of light come from inside out. I don't know how to explain it. It was really wierd.

Service

Hello Folks,
I am enjoy my new congregation, East Elk Grove Spanish. I don't have any studies as of yet but I do have 3 return visits to which I am very excited considering that it's difficult finding interested ones. One of my revisitas is named Maribel. She opened up to me and Emily (sister in my new congregation) about what's going on in her family. Her daughter Alondra is rebelling due to the new 5 year old kid in their family. I don't remember the name of the little boy who appears to be a foster child. Alondra, according to Maribel, refuses to eat, has been having behavorial problems and have not warmed up to their new family addition. I spoke to Maribel about the book Jovenes Preguntan. I will be delivering the book on Thursday.... so, hopefully things will go well.
I still have no job but am not freaking out as previously. My family continues to be very patient with me even though I know that I am driving them crazy because I refuse to work full time. To them, it makes no sense. They think I am throwing my college degree in the trash. I just reason with them by telling them that for once in my life I am happy and that I plan to do everything possible to maintain this level of happiness. I know they want the best for me, and I appreciate their interest in helping me find a job. Recently, I had to talk to my sister Monique and her boss Raquel about a job that they were encouraging me to take. I talked to Monique more than once and told her that I was not interested for two reasons, first it was full time and second, they were looking for someone who was bilingual verbal and written. Now, I was flattered that she had thought I was so capable, but lets get real. Have you seen my translation skills from English to Spanish. Yeah, so not happening. I graciously thanked them both for they presistence but kindly declined. I just felt so sad because they were so happy when they called me to give me the name and number of the person who was conducting the interviews. I am doing all that I can, networking, sending resumes and cover letters.... so I am just waiting to see how things workout. Until next time.

Preaching in new territory

Hello Friends.
I did street early a few days ago with some sisters from my new congregation. It was the first time that I was able to speak to and actually place literature with an interested person. It was awesome. It's very difficult find interested ones here since they are working all the time. I still have no job but am doing ok. Well take care and I will write more later.

"Group"

During my visit with mom, we went to 'group'. It's a program that mom signed up for that appears to be for older ones that are having a tough time dealing with life changes. It's like a support group. Well, mom is always telling me about the people in 'group' and she always tells them about her kids...the latest and greatest events in their lives. Anyways, she asked me to accompany her on Monday as like a 'show and tell'. The place was like a community centered for the retired. They have outtings and other events for them to do throughout the month.

In one of the conference rooms, a group of people sat around a table and written on the white board where some things that were going to be discussed. There was a speaker directing the group, Lori. I sat next to mom and just listened as people took turns talking about the items writen on the white board. I am so grateful to Jehovah for the opportunity to accompany mom. I believe that mom is really benefiting from this program. I am most grateful to Jehovah because for the first time, I realized that mom is getting old and that association is very important. Mom has always been very social. Many that know her often say that she never met a stranger. Now that she is getting older, she is limited to doing a lot of things. She can't walk for a long period of time because she has problems with her knees as well as other health problems. Somehow, I was stuck. In my mind, mom never grows old or has any serious medical issues. She always remains vibrant, full of energy and life. Although I am close to my mom, I was more occupied with my own life. But the reality is, she is getting older and perhaps in a physical sense far more than her years. With all the medication, to me, mom looks older than her 59 years. Life is taking its toll on her physically. And mom admits, some bad decisions have contributed to the life she now has. But what can I do? I can love her and instead of just being words, I can show her that I care and that she is very important to me. I can visit and call her more often, send her cards and take out for lunch. I can spend time with her. No matter how badly I want to serve somewhere else...in a greater need area... Jehovah has already shown me where the need is... right here... with mom.

A visit with mom

This weekend, I visited my mom. It was really nice to see her. I had a wonderful time with my mom, even though we had a record 103 degree heat and no indoor air conditioning. Mom had friend chicken waiting for me when I got to her place, so everthing was just peachy.
Mom's place was really organized and everything was in it's place. She even had a beautiful garden outside. Wow! What happened? Because over a year ago, her place did not look like that at all. In fact, my sister Sophia and I were always complaining to mom to stop buy stuff and to chill out on making more crafts. She had no space for them. It got really bad so much so that it was hard to move around in her home. We worried for her safety. When Sophia and I tried to organize mom's place that meant throwing stuff out when mom wasn't looking and mom somehow finding out and going to retrieve it from the trash. Nothing seemed to get through to mom that she needed to let go of her clutter. Just before I left for Ecuador, I had a wonderful conversation with mom. I really needed to listen to mom in order to understand why this stuff (which was junk to me but something of value to her) was so important. For the first time, I understood that she was lonely and that was her only way of controlling and holding on to something. All her kids were grown, had their own life and many had moved away. I was so happy that mom opened up to me like she did and then I explained to her how I personally felt. Many may not know this, but my mom was a super clean freak when we were kids. She was always cleaning ...rather directing us to clean. If we were not cleaning then she was having us move the furniture because she was always redecorating the house. I hated those days. The cleaning I could handle because afterwards we could go out and play. But, the decorating lasted all day... a missed play day. I explained to mom that it was highly disturbing for me to see my mom go from a clean freak to someone who was obessed with 'junk' ...
This past weekend was the first time that I visited mom after we had that conversation. She told me that she had made changes and have managed to keep her place in order for about a year. You have no idea how different her place looks... from being so cluttered that you literally had to step over stuff and move stuff just to sit down to having space and being able to see the floor. Mom really feels proud of herself and credits Maria, her cleaning lady, for most of the help.

I'm Home

Wow! So much has happened and it has seemed like forever since I last updated my blog. Well, I turned over my studies to a few sisters in the Banos congregation. That was tough. The morning of my departure, I walked into the kitchen for a cup of water and tears started to flow down my face. The reality finally hit home for me, ... I'm going home. I already miss everybody, my studies, the friends, the crazy dogs in the neighborhood...everything about Cuenca, I miss. After being in the states one week, I already want to come back. But, there is so much going on right now that it will make it difficult for me to do so. In time, I hope to at least come back for a visit. It would be great if I am able to do so next year.
My first few days back into the states were nice. I can flush the toilet paper down the toilet now. That was a huge thrill for me. When I turned on the light in the room or bathroom, I could actually see.
A few days ago Monique, my sister, was watching a movie. "Hey, Moni. I can see the harness attached to the actor in this movie." Monique looks back at me and smiles and says, "This is from the editting room. It was illegally copied. Welcome back to Ecuador!"

Internet Cafe

When I started working, I would use the internet cafe on my way home. There is a lady (Rocio) that works Mon-Fri and she often would have her little boy, Jr. with her. I gave him a few Eng. classes, of which was very difficult because 5yrs old normally don´t have a long attention span. So I would help him with his homework for about 15 mins or a little more and I would stay a little longer and talk to his mom. I learned early on that she did not accept our literature. (She`s Catholic) So, I did not pressure her. However, from time to time, she would ask me questions. One in fact was about a little sister in our congregation that had died from a type of cancer. Sister Morocho was only 11 years old. ¨How could her parents just let her die by not giving her a blood transfussion?¨ she asked. I took this opportunity to explain to her what really happened and what we believed. She appeared to be satified with my response.
Some time passed, and she would ask other questions. Here and there, she would ask, but not accept any literature from the friends. Yesterday, I made plans to go on a study with Alicia, but Fany did not have a partner. So, I asked Alicia if Fany could accompany her and I could continue to take care of some of the things I needed to do before Saturday. On my way home, I stopped by the internet cafe and checked my email for my ticket home. It did not arrive yet. So, I took a moment to talk to Rocio and she had a lot of questions. She asked, ¨What do you do if they don´t read the magazines.¨ I said, ¨If someone tells me they will read it, I believe them... and if they don´t read it then they won´t benefit from the information that`s in the magazine.¨ This opened up a conversation that lasted 2 hours. Why is there so much suffering?, Why do missionaries come from the the US come to Ecuador and buy big houses and cars and have a lot materially? She had many other questions. I was able to cite much of the information from the Què Enseña and bible text, and at some point I read directly from the book, chap. 11. I was able to give my personal experience about being here under a missionary visa, of which she knows a lot about the problems I have been having with regarding to changing my visa. Then she asked, about hell fire, to which I told here I would be back.
I was so happy. I did not leave the book with her because I want to show her how the Qué Enseña can answer many of the questions she has in my next visit when I return to answer her question on hell fire.

Doña Luz

I am still having my Saturday morning study with Doña Luz. We did not have the study last week, due to the assembly. I have invited her to the meetings, but she is really affraid to attend. She lives by herself, but she has family that lives across the street from her and appear to be very abusive. They have already taken her Què Enseña, of which I have already replaced, and have threatened to cause her physical harm. Despite their threats, she continues to have her study... but only after they have gone to the market, of which is on Saturday mornings.... 8am.

another update

Sorry friends for the delay in updating my blog. A lot has happened so let me give you some brief updates.
I no longer work at Porvenir. The laws here in Ecuador have changed and made it very difficult to obtain a work visa. Besides that, the owner of the school was not too cooperative with regards to providing certain documents. So, I had to give my notice and Friday before last was my last work day. (The economy has even effected fingding available teaching Eng. jobs. Besides, if I found a company that offered me work, I would not be able to obtain the necessary documents before April 12th, the expiration date.) I went to the school the following Tuesday to correct the semester exams and to log the information in the computer, but other than that... no more work. I was really sad. I am going to miss the students in each of the levels I taught... 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 3rd level (the equivalent of 11th, 12th and 13th grade). However, another part of me is very relieved. It has been a difficult battle trying to get my visa. The various governmental departments are not as cooperative as I would like. Just think, it would be like going into a DMV for everything that one would need to do.... at least that`s what it felt like to me.
Since I am not able to work,I have no work visa and my current visa expires on May 12th. I have a return flight home on May 5th. My family is very excited since they have constantly asked me to return home. A part of me is sad, since my initial goal was to stay for 2 years. But, even though I must go home, I don´t regrete coming to server by myself. It was difficult, different, and I had many trying moments, but I have grown and become much closer to Jehovah.

a little old lady

One day, about 2 months ago, a little old lady stopped me and asked me for a bible. I was heading home from work and did not have one. I reassured her that I could get one and if we could meet the next day at 1:30pm in the same spot. I did not understand her directions to her house, so I opted to just meet at the same location. The next day came and I got there late because she I had a meeting to attend. Well, she was not there. The next day, she was not there either...and the next and so one for several days. So, whenever I walked down the same street and saw a little old lady, I immediately would think...could it be her....and it would turn out not to be. So a long time passed by and on my way home, I run into a sister who had just finished with service. She asked me to accompany her to get some leaves she needed to make tomales. And guess what.... it was the little old lady. Her name is Luz. Her family is opposed to her studying and we have to study on Saturday mornings when they are not there. So far, we have had two studies. Last week, she asked me for another Que Enseña because her family stole the other. She tole me that if I could get her another book, she would keep it in her clothes so that they would not be able to take it from her. I will keep you updated on her progress.

What`s going on....

Hello Friends and Family,
All is going ok on my end. I still am fighting a cold and I believe the cold weather is affecting me...no matter how much I try and deny it. I am trying to have more self-control when it comes to junk food which is very hard because it´s so delicious. Service is going slow this month as I am trying to get the rest I need so that I can fully recoop. from this bug. I have been doing a lot of studies and have not been out much in the door to door work. I can´t remember if I told you that the Ponton´s were in a car accident in Decemember (I believe). They are healing well from their bumps and bruises and Patricia is recovering well from her surgery. I have been conducting 4 of her studies who live a little out of the way. For about 3 or 4 weeks, I was putting in long Sundays and trying to fight the cold at the same time. I would start service at 7am with Angelita, who also has a study who is very regular at this hour and then I would meet for the group so that I could get a partner to accompany me to the 4 studies. I would typically finish service around 2 or 3pm and would be exhausted. This week, Patty is back in the swing of things and will be conducting the studies herself.
I hope you are all doing well. Until next time....

The water bombers

Hello Again,
Well, let me give you an update on what has been happening here within the last few days. There is a celebration that many either love or hate. It`s called, Carnival. I, for one, do not like it one bit...besides the whole pagan thiny. Children seem to really enjoy this time. It starts some time late in February but for some reason, many kids have started throwing water balloons now. And guess what? Yup!.... you guessed it, we had some water balloons thrown at us (Alicia and I had just finished a study.) I actually water balloons thrown at me twice in the same day. I realize that self-control is an area of weakness for me. And, I seriously try and work on improving in this area. However, I failed the test yesterday. Yup, some kids with a water hose and balloons were geared up to drown us with water. We had no where to go but down the hill. No matter how close I tried to get to the curb, I just could not get farther away from them. So, I had water balloons thrown at me and also got sprayed with the water hose. I tried to keep my cool, but lost it. I picked up light weight piece of wood about 4¨ x 4¨and threw it at them. Of course, it came no where close to them, but in some small way, it helped to subside my frustration. Yeap. I felt guilty afterwards and had to ask Jehovah for help.... especially as we get closer to Carnival.

Jehovah heard my prayer for help.

Thanks to Jehovah, I have found a place to live. I have to move out quickly because the daughter of the family where I currently live is DF´d (explusada) and will be returning to the home to live. Guillermo and Cecilia have offered me an apartment they own downstairs from their home for $50 per month, utilities included. You may recall, my original agreement with the Valdivieso´s was for $100 per month to rent a bedroom with an attached bathroom insdie their home. Due to their kindness, for the past two months, they have returned part of the rent money to me to ensure that I had enough to live on...food, and other expenses. Well, Guillermo and Cecilia have the apartment furnished. I just have to buy cookware and dishes and odds and ends that I will need. Things can´t get any better than this! The room that I currently rent has no windows in the bedroom nor the bathroom. The apartment is nice, spacious and furnished .... all for only $50. Jehovah truly is a hearer and answerer of prayers!

dogs ...dogs... and more dogs...

I absolutely love dogs. We had dogs growing up and I would love to have a boxer, but my asthma won´t permit me to have any pets. My air passage begins to close up and I gasp for air... inhaler to the rescue. But here in Cuenca, there are tons of dogs. It breaks my heart to see them mistreated, practially bones and sickly. People give them poison, throw rocks at them and run them over with their cars. Well, the running them over part is the dogs fault because they chase after the cars. I know that in the new system, all animals will be treated much better.

Contamination in Cuenca

Hello agian friends.
Well, here is the lastest and the greatest. I don´t think that I will ever get use to the air contamination here because I am reminded on a daily basis that it is a huge problem here. My asthma bothers me practically everyday. But, thanks to modern technology and the advancement of medicine, I have my inhaler that does wonders. The only thing that my lips touch are the cute faces of the babies in the congregation and my inhaler. :-)
With the help of Nora, who moved from the states to serve here, I was able to get in contact with a sister who has an Ion Cleanser. What is this? you ask. Well, it´s a wonderful creation that helps to pull out the toxins from the body and it´s painless! In the states, I paid $50 per session. Sometimes, I was able to find it cheaper. However, here I only pay $10, which was discounted $5 because I am a regular pioneer. I could only afford one to two visits a month, but after talking to Sara Edith, the sister who owns the machine, she lowered the price even more for me. $5 bucks!! That´s all I pay for my treatments, $20 SMACKAROOS! This little machine does wonders for my lungs and I feel like a new person. What a tremendous blessing this has been from Jehovah!

My Health

How is my health? Is my body fully contaminated with little worms floating around in my tummy. I hope not! But, I am sure some are present. I try very hard to wash my fruits and vegitables in KILOL solution. (I think that is the correct spelling.) Besides that, I also have special natural medicine that works wonders. I try to take that once a month for four days, after each meal. May main concern is my asthma. I have had several attacks, all of which is controlled by an inhaler. Sometimes I feel as though my lips never leave the inhaler. I can get the inhalers here for about $10 but I like the ones that I get from the states because they give me quick relief. I miss being in the USA for the fact that there are many natural services available that have given me good results. One thing I used often in the states was the ION Cleanser. I was not really big on the whole natural health stuff.... especially, since my lips were and not as much now glued to a hamburger, french fries, a hotdog... or whatever else that is really bad for your health. Well, thanks to another sister from the states that is also serving in Cuenca, I was able to obtain the name and telephone number of someone that practices natural health/healing. Well, I did not hesitate to call the number, of which belongs to a sister. When I went for my appointment, I thanked her repeatedly because I was starting to feel better. I could breathe. I explained to Sara that I wanted to come more often but could not afford to do so. Due to her generosity, Sara had already lowered her normal price of $15 per treatment to $10 because I am a regular pioneer. As we continued to talk, she told me that I could come as often as I liked and she would only charge me $5/treatment. And what´s really spectualar, her husband makes and sells these ION cleaning machines which its main function is pull out the toxins that are in the body. I don´t have the money to buy one of these machines, but I am happy with the reduce cost which will allow me to come once every week. I still think that some natural stuff is full of hogwash; however, I am pleased with the stuff that works and I try to stick to it. So, now I am trying very very very hard to stay away from fast foods...of which is not a easily accessible here. I have my relapses, like today when I could not resist french fries.... the aroma taunts me on a daily basis at school.... they sell them Monday - Friday for 80 cents. I pray and pray and pray for self-control.... and pray and pray... ha ha ha.

Where will I go?

How much do you believe what 1Peter 5:7 says? I personally have come to really appreciate this scripture. There has been countless times over the years when Jehovah reminds me that he loves me and is profundly interested in me as an individual and as one of his servants. Let me briefly let you know what I mean. I have to move. Not right now, but within the next few months. Where will I go and will it be a safe place for me since I have no roommate? How and where will I get money for the deposit?
Jehovah´s blessing:
Yesterday, some friends in my congregation, who also live on my street, offered me a room to rent close the apartment that they own downstairs. Apparently, their daughter and her husband will be moving out of the apartment and into their new home. Since my arrival in Cuenca, I have been paying $100 in rent (utilities included), of which many of the friends tell me that it´s too much. (You may recall, my monthly salary is $200.) The remaining $100, I use to buy food, call home, use the internet, and for public transportation. Well, these friends offered me the room for $50 utilities included.
Since money is really tight for me, the family who I live with currently, returned part of my $100 rent payment and told me that they want to make sure that I have plenty to buy food. (I suspect that his wife was peaking in the refigerator...but I have not proof) I´m no chef when it comes to cooking and stick close to eating eggs and rice, soups, salad, fruit and chicken. mmmmm tasty! Nevertheless, I am greatful for their generosity. I paid $50 in rent last month and $60 in rent this month. Jehovah is wonderful indeed!

What´s new?

Hello Again,
What´s new? Well, upon walking into the kitchen this morning, I got an eye full. A scale with a black bag on top. What was inside? A dead chicken with it´s legs sticking out. What a sight.

Besides that, what´s been going on with my visa? Well, I got a contact that can translate my criminal history report into Spanish and get it notarized. Afterwards, I will need to have those documents sent to a friend in McDonough that can get it apostilled and have all the documents sent back to me certified mail. As far as the school providing me with the document from I.E.S.S., I am still waiting on it. We found out that there may be something else that immigration will accept besides the certificate stating that the school owes no money. (The school is in debt with I.E.S.S. which is why I was trying to find out what else the government would except.) So, those are the only documents I am waiting for. Hopefully, I will be able to submit everything before the end of the month.

My trip out of Cuenca

Let`s get outta town!!!! At least that was my feeling on talking a quick vacation away from Cuenca. A sister in my congregation invited me to go with her to visit her family in Quito which is up north about a 8 hr car ride. Well, we took a charter bus ride to Riobama first and it was great. We talked about everything under the sun for the majority of the ride there. When we arrived, we took a short cab ride to Cecilia`s house. We were received well. Cecilia introduced me to her sister and her family, all of whom were very nice. We were given a quick tour of the town since we were only going to be there overnight. When night came and it was time to go to sleep, I had problems. Hmmmm. what could it be. Well, my feet were ice cold and I could not warm them up by taking a nice hot shower, because there was no hot water. However, I was nicely tucked away in bed with my cold feet and inhaling ciggarette smoke. At least, it must have been the residual escaping from upstares. So, I was sucking on my inhaler for the majority of the night and sleep somewhat after my feel defrosted.
We left at 4:30am the next day to go to Quito. Cecilia`s newphew was kind enough to drive us there since he was heading in that direction. I was very greatful that he smoked outside of the vehicle instead of inside. We made it safely to Quito with no problems.
In Quito, I meet more of Cecilia´s family. Everyone was very kind and hospitable. No smoking there. Whewwwww.! But! There were tons of dogs outside and one slept inside the house. So, my lips never left my inhailer. Over the years, I have gotten really allergic to animals. My lungs feel as though they are closing in on me. But, thanks to modern medicine, I was able to breathe. We stayed in Quito overnight also and went on a quick tour of town. The next day we headded back for Riobama but stopped in Ambato, which has a beautiful park. We had a picnic there and after walking around the park, we headed back to Riobama and Sunday morning we left for home. We missed the first bus because there was a parade in the street and was blocking traffic. We were able to catch the next bus that left at 1pm. It was nice to be back in Cuenca and to be introduced to hot water again. I had no hot showers during my short vacation but beside the inconvenience of the cold water, my cold feet our last night in Riobama and no sleep, I had really a wonderful time. Although no one is a baptized witness in the families that I meet, several of them are studying and are progressing spiritually towards baptisma. I have pictures of the part and will put them on my blog page later.

What´s new

Hello Friends,
Today it is cold and rainy. But that is not different from any other day. So, what can I tell you that is new and different. I still don´t have all the documents that I need for my visa. However, I believe that sometime next week, the owner should have the final document that I need. My criminal history report, my sister Sophia is getting it for me. It is wonderful having family in great places....she works for the sheriff´s office. The only hang-up I can see regarding the criminal history report is having it translated(to Spanish) in GA, notarized and apostilled.
What else can I tell you.... I think my students officially hate me. Why might you ask, especially since I am a wonderful person. Well, I make them work and I give them tests. And, if they don´t turn in their homework when it is due, they get zero points. If they cheat on a test, they get zero points, if they are talking during a test, I take the test from them, give them zero points and I kick them out of class. So, I think that about covers it all. But, other than that, I am great with them... I laugh and joke with them when the timing is appropriate. I learned really qucik that I had to be really strict when it comes to tests and homework. For the most part, the students are lazy and are notorious for cheating. I call them professional cheaters.
Next month is Carnival. This is a time when it is a free for all and you get water balloons thrown at you. I am positive that all the students will be using me as their target practice. No worries, I will still give them zero on their homework when it´s not submitted on time and a zero if they are talking or cheating during their test. :-)