Despite our limited language skills, we are making some progress. Everyone keeps reassuring us that "we'll get it," but for two people who think they're reasonably "inteligente," we are humbled by our language inadequacies!
We had 6 + 6 + 1 missionaries arrive this week. Six of the missionaries are Latinos and four of those are here temporarily - at least for six weeks. The temporary missionaries' visas should be approved this coming week and they will be going to their originally assigned mission at the next transfer in mid-February. Seven North American missionaries arrived this week as well. As mentioned in last week's blog, their arrival was uncertain because of visa issues, but the visas came through at the last minute and 6 of them were only delayed in the MTC for one day. The 7th was delayed 3 days and arrived late Friday night. Between missionaries coming and going, with delays and unexpected circumstances, the office can be a busy place. We appreciate President & Sister Barlow's example -maintain a state of readiness while being prepared and flexible at ALL times.
The new Mission President for the Ecuador Quito Mission has been announced - President David A. & Sister Pamela Winters from Atlanta, Georgia. President & Sister Barlow will complete their 3 year assignment in June. At that time, we will welcome a new mission president and his family.
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| President David A. & Pamela Winters New Mission President for Ecuador Quito Mission July 2020 |
As Elder Lewis and I have considered the Lord's plan for us in Quito Ecuador, we found that counsel to be enlightening. Within a few short weeks of our arrival, we realized that our work in the office was important, but not critical. The young Elders were managing what we are doing before we arrived, and they could easily resume those responsibilities if we were not here. BUT, we also know that the Lord's purpose for us being here goes far beyond office work. It would be nice to have a crystal ball to know exactly what that "purpose" is, but that's not how inspiration and revelation work. For now, we are very content with our assignment and we are striving diligently to magnify our efforts as we serve. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from President & Sister Barlow and we appreciate their incredible examples!
Yesterday, we attended the baptism of Carolina, the young woman who has been investigating the Church for a long time. The baptism was scheduled to begin at 5 PM. We arrived 15 minutes early only to discover that the baptism had been postponed until 6 PM. We went back to our apartment and returned to the San Blas chapel a few minutes before 6. Upon our second arrival, we learned that Carolina had not arrived, but she was on her way. We spent the next hour visiting and I practiced the piano. Carolina arrived shortly after 7 PM and the baptism got underway.
Despite the delays, it was a very nice service. After Carolina's baptism, she shared her testimony. She said that she had put off being baptized for a long time, because her family was so opposed to her joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, a few weeks ago, a dear friend of hers unexpectedly passed away. Carolina begin wondering if she was prepared to die. She felt that part of preparation for life and death required the redeeming and sanctifying power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those feelings prompted her to move ahead and enter the waters of baptism. She is a lovely and committed young single adult. We are grateful for her example!
Today, I played the keyboard in Church. While the chapel is undergoing some renovations, the Colon Ward we attend is meeting in the institute building next to the chapel. For sacrament meeting, we meet in a large assembly room on the bottom floor. There is no piano in that room, so we improvise with a 4 octave, portable, electronic keyboard that is placed insecurely on a small wooden stand with a chair pulled up for the pianist to sit on. Except for the small speakers on the keyboard, there is no other way to amplify the sound. When 100+ people began to sing, I am pretty sure that the only ones who can hear the keyboard are the accompanist and maybe a few folks sitting nearby.
Today, before the meeting started, I sat down and began playing prelude music. After a few chords, there was no sound coming from the small speakers. I quickly discovered that the adaptor cord had come loose from the back of the keyboard and needed to be pushed in more tightly. I got up out of my slide-in chair and pushed the adaptor cord back in so I could continue playing.
All was well until the opening song - "Called to Serve," a vigorous and robust song that, when played, caused the keyboard to shimmy and shake. About half way through the first verse, the sound from the keyboard suddenly stopped. The adaptor cord had fallen out and was laying on the floor. The congregation continued to sing, I slide out of my chair, plugged the adaptor back into the keyboard, and picked up the accompaniment for the last few phrases of the chorus. We started verse two, and when we reached the chorus and I started playing the triplet notes in the accompaniment, the adaptor fell out again! The congregation continued to sing and I slide out of my chair, plugged the adaptor back into the keyboard, and picked up the accompaniment on the beat of the final few phrases of the chorus. This happened during the third and fourth verses as well. When it happened on the chorus of the fourth verse, I just smiled, sat back in my chair, and listen to the congregation finish the song acapella.
Before we began to sing the second hymn, Elder Lewis, who was sitting on the front row, came to my rescue. He plugged the adaptor in, securely rearranged how the cord ran along the keyboard, and went back to his pew. No more incidents for the rest of the meeting!
We send our love to all! We understand that there are storms throughout the US and we pray that you all are safe and secure.
Elder & Sister Lewis
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