Are We Getting Lazy?

As I stare at my keyboard, I wonder what I can write that might be of interest to family and friends.  We have been quarantined for 5+ weeks and each day seems to get a little slower and a little longer with less and less to do at the mission office.

Truthfully, I worry that we're getting lazy.  We get up in the morning, exercise, shower, and get ready for the day.  Then we have individual study, companionship study and discussion, companionship language study, and breakfast.  After breakfast, we leave for the mission office. We work for as long as there is something to keep us busy and then we walk back to our apartment; sometimes stopping along the way at a small market to buy milk, eggs, or fresh fruit.   By 2 PM we are indoors and quarantined  for the rest of the day.

We do find things to keep us busy, but our options are limited.  Daily highlights include visiting with missionaries, communicating with family, reading, preparing healthy meals, watching a Hallmark movie in Spanish, checking the news, journaling, etc.

I keep thinking of all the things we could be doing IF...... quarantine was lifted, missionary work was happening, stores were opened, and traveling was allowed.  I know that the hours in our day from 2 - 10 PM would look a lot different.

You might be asking if we're sorry that we didn't return to the US with the rest of the North American missionaries.  Nope....not yet!  We're grateful for the opportunity to continue our missionary service. We love the Quito weather and the time we spend together.  And, we enjoy having someplace meaningful to go everyday, even if its only for a few hours.

We suspect that you are feeling much like us and that you're looking forward to the day when life will return to some degree of normalcy.  In the meantime, we send our love and blessings!  Take care and stay healthy.

Elder & Sister Lewis

Images of Quarantine - Enduring & Enjoying!

"One picture is worth a thousand words." This saying was invented by an advertising executive, Fred R. Barnard. To promote his agency's ads he took out an ad in Printer's Ink in 1921 with the headline “One Look Is Worth a Thousand Words” and attributed it to an ancient Japanese philosopher. Six years later he changed it to “Chinese Proverb: One Picture Is Worth Ten Thousand Words,” illustrated with some Chinese characters. The attribution in both was invented; Barnard simply believed an Asian origin would give it more credibility. 

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words--one

Barnard's adage is my inspiration for this blog post as Elder Lewis and I continue to endure and enjoy quarantine sanctions in Quito.  For now, quarantine with curfew hours from 2 PM - 5 AM, will continue through April 30th.  All citizens are required to wear mask when in public and additional measures have been taken to reduce the spread of Covid-19:

1 - with very few exceptions, NO vehicles were allowed on the streets over Easter weekend

2 - major grocery stores like Supermaxi are fumigating customers before they enter the store

Here are a few images we thought you might enjoy:

Pigeons are numerous on the streets of Quito and recently they have shown respect for "social distancing."

Social distancing wasn't too helpful when standing downwind from this individual
in the line outside of Supermaxi!

Fumigation is now required to enter Supermaxi.
I'm not sure what disinfectant is being used in the plastic container,
but it was colorless and odorless!

For those of you who prefer "farm to table" eggs,
this is what it looks like in Ecuador. 

A view from the 11th floor terrace of our apartment complex at sundown while expending some
evening energy by walking circles on the terrace.

Sunsets in Quito are beautiful!

As the sun sets, city lights come on.  

A popcorn treat to compliment our ..... "What can we do to improve our marriage?" discussion.

On Good Friday, April 10th, we were grateful to join with millions of others in fasting and praying that the global pandemic of Covid-19 would be abated.  We are confident our Heavenly Father heard our individual and collective petitions.  In the meantime, we hope and pray that you too are enduring well, and finding enjoyment in, the restrictions and lifestyle changes that the virus has brought upon us.

We are grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We know that He lives, and through Him we can find purpose and peace during these challenging times.

Blessings to all!

Elder & Sister Lewis

General Conference Brings Hope & Optimism!

General Conference was a BIG bonus in the midst of Covid-19 quarantine.  We were grateful for the messages of hope and optimism that were shared.

Watching General Conference from our makeshift media center.

Elder Lewis enjoys on-the-spot scripture referencing during General Conference.

We were excited about the Church's new symbol and The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World. We were thrilled to participate in the hosanna shout, and we were humbled by the announcement of 8 new temples.  We will be joining others on Friday, April 10th for the worldwide fast. The work of the restored gospel continues to move forward!

Might I share a few thoughts about prayer and fasting.  Years ago, when I was taking one of many religion classes at Brigham Young University, the topic of discussion was prayer and fasting.  The professor asked a question that linger in the back of my mind for decades - "What happens on the other side of the veil when we fast?"  In other words, what happens in heaven when we are supplicating God through prayer and fasting.

One day, while studying the topic of prayer and fasting I  was reading chapter 9 of the book of Daniel from the Old Testament.  Daniel was seeking help and forgiveness from God for his people, the Israelites,"by prayer and supplications, with fasting....."  

Daniel's prayer included these words, "O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations.....for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies."  

And while Daniel was speaking, and praying, and confessing his sin and the sin of his people before the Lord,  he shares with us the following, ".....the man [angel] Gabriel....touched me....and informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.  At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee, for thou art greatly beloved; therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision."  

Daniel's prayer, supplication, and fasting were heard by God from the onset.  He was told through God's messenger Gabriel that he was loved, and then he was given the instruction he sought.  Reading Daniel Chapter 9 gave me a greater understanding and appreciation for what does happen on the other side of the veil (or in heaven) when we fast and pray.

I know from personal experience that God hears our supplication, demonstrates his love, and gives us understanding for the matter at hand.  I'm confident that  as we unite in prayer and fasting this Friday, we will feel God's love for us and gain a greater personal and collective understanding of how to manage the current and future impact of Covid-19.

Last week, the Area Presidency asked the Ecuador Quito Mission to open as many apartments as possible in the greater Quito area, making room for missionaries who were to be evacuated from the three Guayaquil Missions.  In theory, it was a great idea.  However, the first attempt to relocate a busload of masked missionaries to Cuenca resulted in failure after a 30 hour ordeal!  Governmental and municipal restrictions prohibited transporting large groups, and the bus was turned back to Guayaquil at the Cuenca city limits.  How to evacuate missionaries from Guayaquil is still under consideration.

So, once again, we are moving missionaries and sending them back to apartments that were vacated last week. As we walked to the office this morning, we saw two Elders waiting on one street corner with their luggage trying to hail a taxi.  We walked another block and found four Sister missionaries waiting on the next street corner with their luggage, also trying to hail a taxi.  Under normal circumstances it would have been easy to get a taxi.  Now, taxis are few and far between.

Masked sister missionaries waiting for a taxi.

I waited with the sister missionaries to see how long it would take them to be on their way.  Within 30 minutes we were able to hail two taxis that took them to  their new apartments in another part of Quito.  With Covid-19, taxis are only allowed to carry two people.  Two sisters + four large pieces of luggage + duffle bags and tote bags = CROWDED!  There was little space for anything else.

The Elders were not as fortunate as the Sisters were and had to return to the mission office for help in finding transportation.

The latest Covid-19 restriction in Quito is wearing a mask!  You cannot be on the streets without a protective face mask that covers your nose and mouth.  Today, before we walked back to our apartment, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and the private parking lot attached to our office building.  Without a mask, and in my dress shoes, I walked the perimeter of the parking lot for 25+ laps.  It felt so good to be outside enjoying the day.

Mission office parking lot.

We continue to count our blessings and we look forward to what lies ahead.  We are confident that the pandemic will pass and that great things are yet to come!

Blessings to all!
Elder & Sister Lewis

The Departure - Fears, Tears & Cheers!

On Thursday and Friday of last week, the rest of the North American missionaries were sent back to the United States.  It was two days of fears, tears, and cheers.  Fears for the uncertain future of one's missionary service. Tears for having to leave the mission early.  Cheers for the blessing of relationships forged in the fire of service.

Over a period of two days, groups of missionaries would come to the mission office, weigh their luggage and discard what they could not take with them; pick up their departure packets; meet with President & Sister Barlow to hear their final testimony and their words of encouragement; take a photo; receive a final handshake or hug; load into the shuttle or taxi; and depart for the Quito airport; All before 2 PM so that there would not be a violation of Ecuador's curfew.

At each departure meeting, President Barlow shared this scripture:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons [and daughters] of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons [and daughters] of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons [and daughters] of men, but to accept of their offerings."

Doctrine & Covenants 124:49

I am sure it can be said of missionaries throughout the world who are being sent home because of COVID-19, that they have worked with all their might and diligence to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  It's our prayer that each missionary will seek to feel the assurance ..... "[that God] accepts of their offerings."

Missionaries taking Embassy flights could only check in 30 lbs. of luggage and carry-on 10 lbs.
They had to leave bags behind and lighten the luggage they took with them.

We have a greater appreciation for the early Saints who had to lighten
their handcarts or wagons while traveling West.

Three rooms on the 5th floor of the office complex were used for
missionaries to leave behind what they could not take.  Clothing, shoes, books,
cosmetics/medications, bedding, towels, etc.

Final group of departing missionaries meet with President & Sister Barlow. 
President closed the meeting with his blessing and a prayer.  Tears flowed freely.

Sister Barlow & Sister Lewis with the last group of sister missionaries to leave for the Quito airport on Friday, March 27th.
(L-R) - Sister Morrill, Sister Johnson, Sister Allison, Sister Packer, Sister Beeler, Sister Webster, Sister Millet,
Sister Liesmann, Sister Robertson, Sister Bartholomew, Sister Lewis, Sister Merrill, Sister Godfrey, Sister Barlow.

President & Sister Barlow with the last group of North American missionaries to leave for the
Quito Airport on Friday, March 27th.

Masked missionaries with their luggage and departure packets,
leaving the mission office for the Quito airport on Friday, March 27th.

President & Sister Barlow give their final farewell to Elder Tolman (office secretary)
and Elder Wright (Assistant to the President).

Elder Orben (new AP) & Elder Ramirez (new office Elder) say "Farewell" and offer
curbside assistance at the mission office for departing North American missionaries.

It has been a challenging two weeks as the Ecuador Quito Mission, under prophetic direction, has responded to the challenges and changes that COVID-19 has brought about.  We are now settling into a quiet routine of sustaining the mission with 72 Latino missionaries who are currently quarantined and unable to return to their home countries. 

Elder Lewis and I are spending 2 - 4 hours in the mission office each day with the 3 Assistants to the President - Elder Fueres (new AP/former housing secretary), Elder Orben (new), and Elder Ruiz (current and continuing AP); and the 2 office Elders - Elder Felix (current and continuing housing secretary) and Elder Ramirez (new).  Only two of the five Elders speak English, but we are able to communicate and we have accomplished a lot in a short amount of time.

Luggage that was left behind has been inventoried and stored with the hope of
returning it to the right missionary at a future date.

For the last three days we have been organizing and sorting all the items that the missionaries left behind.
The 3 rooms on the 5th floor are now clean and organized.  Clothing and shoes have been added to
the missionary store.  Books have been sorted and put in the missionary library.  Hygiene and cosmetic
items are boxed and waiting to be shelved. And, we are hoping for laundry mats (lavanderias) to open soon
so we can have bedding, towels, and dirty clothes (white shirts, socks, exercise/sports clothes)
laundered and added to the missionary store.

This weekend, we are looking forward to hearing from our living prophet - President Russell M. Nelson.  As he said in October's conference, "General conference next April will be different from any previous conference.  In the next six months, I hope that every member and every family will prepare for a unique conference that will commemorate the very foundations of the restore gospel."

If we are prepared for this wonderful semi-annual event, President Nelson has promised that, "....general conference next April will be not only memorable; it will be unforgettable."  

Conference viewing times and options can be found at:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/live-viewing-times-and-options?lang=eng

Blessings to ALL!

Elder & Sister Lewis