Thank You for Serving in My Country!

Tuesday's sweet blessing.....After a thorough online search, I called the Church's worldwide service center to ask about teaching materials for the deaf/dumb.  I was directed to the Missionary Department who then directed me to the Distribution Center.  Javier Medina took my call.  When I explained that I was serving in the Ecuador Quito Mission, Javier told me that he was from Quito and that his wife Maddie had served as a translator for Sister Barlow when the Barlows first came to serve as Mission President in 2017.  Small world!

As we closed our conversation, Javier said in parting, "Thank you for serving in my country."  His expression of appreciation was a tender mercy for me. I was feeling a little discouraged on Tuesday morning (hair loss continues), and Javier's words were a boost to my spirit.  The Lord often comforts us through the words and actions of others.  I felt God's appreciation for our missionary service through Javier.

A  picturesque view outside the endocrinologist office at Hospital Metropolitano.
Waiting to hear Dr. Jervis' review of the blood work.  

The Ecuador Quito Mission was looking forward to 130+ baptisms in the month of March. UNTIL...... COVID-19 came along.

On Thursday, the mission received instruction and funds to have each missionary go and purchase 2 weeks of food in the event there was a lockdown/quarantine.  Elder Lewis and I followed the counsel and went out Friday afternoon to pick up what additional food supplies we may need.  We found the stores to be stocked with everything, but meat.  Forty feet of 4-tiered meat shelves were all but totally depleted.  Thank goodness I already had plenty of meat stored in our little apartment's refrigerator freezer,

On Saturday, the mission was instructed to immediately send  home all missionaries who were scheduled to be released on March 31 and May 12.  We received the call on Saturday evening at 6:30 PM.  We had just attended the baptism of Rosa and Nicole Reyes de la Cruz, a mother and daughter who we had helped teach. We were feeling excited and optimistic about the work of the mission.  The last time the mission exceeded 100 baptism was in September 2019 right before the transportation strike.

L-R:  Elder Lewis, Sister Lewis, Nicole, Rosa, Brother Reyes.  Nicole & Rosa were
baptized on Saturday, March 14th - La Colon Ward, Colon Stake.

After receiving the call, Elder Lewis and I came home and then headed straight to the mission office.  Last week, I had prepared departure packets for the 11 missionaries departing on March 31, and I felt like I was a week ahead of schedule.  However, I hadn't prepared any departure packets for the 10 missionaries scheduled to leave on May 12.  So, we went to work.

Elder Tolman was in constant communication with the Church travel department rescheduling March 31 flights and making 10 additional flights.  Elder Lewis was reviewing finances and preparing for departure.  The Assistants were calling all 21 missionaries that would be leaving and telling them to go to their apartment, pack their bags, and take a taxi to Quito ASAP, even though this meant a 3-4 hour taxi ride!  And I was putting together a travel and a departure packet for each missionary.  It was crazy busy!  We worked until 2:30 on Sunday morning! We then went home for a few hours of sleep and we were back in the mission office by 9:30 AM to meet with departing missionaries, proctor English exams for the Latinos who were leaving, hold a sacrament meeting, and say "Farewell."

Feelings were tender  in the mission office on Saturday night as departing missionaries arrived.  Some were able to have their final interview with President Barlow, and some were immediately shuttled to the airport and on their flight home.  It was sad, exciting, remarkable, and in some cases downright miraculous!  One missionary who was serving in one of the outlying areas had to take a 4+ hour taxi ride to get back to Quito.  On the way, there was a landslide that blocked the highway. Traffic was detoured, adding at least an hour to his trip.   The Assistants were in constant communication with missionaries as they were traveling. At one point they lost track of this missionary.  Forty-five minutes later they discovered that he had arrived in Quito.  His taxi had just passed the landslide area before it occurred.

It was a moving experience on Sunday morning to sit in sacrament meeting with 15 missionaries (all Elders) who were still waiting to leave.  Elder Lewis and I felt that we were among some of the finest stripling warriors of the latter-days as we saw them work together to organize the service; and then heard them pray, sing, bless the sacrament, share their testimonies, and cry.  Their faith, obedience, trust, and responsiveness in accepting and following instructions was IMPRESSIVE!

All but 4 North American missionaries were able to leave.  At the last minute, 6 flights for North Americans were cancelled and then 2 were rescheduled.  The remaining 4 North American missionaries are now in lockdown/quarantine mode with the rest of the mission.  The Quito airport closed today and the city is QUIET!

Stores are closed and streets are empty in Quito as the country faces lockdown/quarantine.  People are allowed
to purchase groceries, medication, and go to the hospital between 5 AM and 9 PM. 
Authorities have threatened heavy fines and lengthy jail time if anyone is caught out after curfew hours.

North (above) & South (below) view of Amazonas, a busy street in Quito. 
All that can be found are a few cars, taxis, and motorcycles delivering Uber Eats and Glovo food orders.

While quarantined, our current plan is to spend a few hours in the office each day.   However, we anticipate that things will be VERY slow.  We will use the time to practice our Spanish, read and study, update personal records, and communicate with missionaries via phone and text.  Despite the troubled conditions throughout the world, we are optimistic!  We are so grateful to have a Prophet guiding the Church, and by extension, the mission, our family, and us.

We recognize that current circumstances are affecting your lives as well, and we send our love and prayers your way.

Blessings!
Elder & Sister Lewis