Quito Comes Back to Life!

The City of Quito is coming back to life!  COVID restrictions have been rolled back to “yellow” and …… traffic is heavy again, businesses are opening up, people are on the streets, taxis and Ubers are readily available, buses and ecovias are operating, and the curfew hours are now from 9 PM to 5 AM.  It’s a nice feeling!

When we first arrived in Quito, we rarely saw a bicycle on the street.
Now, they are everywhere!

The little restaurant - La Casona, that we use to eat lunch at before the pandemic, reopened on Monday.  We didn’t eat there everyday this week, but we did enjoy lunch together on Tuesday and Friday.  Max also ate there on Thursday.  The proprietors were just as happy to see us as we were to see them.  Right now, business is slow for all establishments that  are reopening, but at least they are open.  We also see many storefronts that are still closed or have gone out of business.  Shop interiors have been cleared out and some are being remodeled for the next new business.  

With extended curfew times, we have a few extra hours each day to be out and about.  We have noticed that quarantine has left public places, like parks, uncared for.  The landscaping is overgrown and shaggy.  It will take workers awhile to catch up and reclaim the unkept properties.

Grass in the park is 2 feet high. 
It's time to bring out the hay swather.

Families enjoying public parks with limited access.

  On Saturday, March 14th, right before quarantine started on Tuesday, March 17, we bought some furniture accessories at a furniture store called Colineal.  They were to be delivered that week, but quarantine restrictions and store closings prevented that from happening. This week, Max and I walked up there to see if they were opened.  They weren’t, but there was a phone number posted in the window that you could call and make an appointment to see furnishings.  

   
I called the number and explained that we had made a purchase in March and I wanted to schedule a time for the items that we'd purchased to be delivered.  The man I talked to said he couldn’t find my invoice, so we agreed to meet at the Colineal store on Thursday afternoon at 2 PM.  I arrived at the store around 1:45 PM and waited for the man to arrive.  He had not arrived by 2:15 PM, so I called him and he said that he’d forgotten about our appointment.  We agreed to meet the next day, Friday, at 4 PM.  Before Max and I left for that appointment, I called to make sure that the man was going to be there.  He didn’t pick up the call, so I left a message and Max and I decided to walk to the store anyway.  When we arrived there was a car parked in front of the store and a man was leaning back in the driver's seat resting.  I was hopeful that he was waiting for us.  

   
Well, the man in the car was not affiliated with Colineal, and the man who was suppose to meet us was a “no show” again!  I called several times and left a message, but there was no response to either!  I'll keep trying, but  I'm not sure we'll ever get our March purchases delivered!

   
After our failed appointment at Colineal, we walked back to our apartment, stopping on the way at Supermaxi to do our weekly shopping.  The big difference about going into Supermaxi now that COVID restrictions have been rolled back is that everything is more relaxed.  They still take your temperature, but I’m not sure they even glance at the reading. The usual thorough spray down with disinfectant, is now just a courtesy squirt.  They've also relaxed the requirement of only one family member in the store at a time. 

   

Office work this past week was slow, but we stayed busy.  We had our first two baptism since mid-march. That was exciting!

Twelve missionaries that came into the mission on June 1 left this week. Two of them returned home, and 10 of them were reassigned to one of the missions in Guayaquil.  We knew that some of the newly arrived missionaries  would be going to Guayaquil as soon as the Guayaquil missions opened up again.  So we weren't surprised.  As of Friday, we now have 130 young missionaries who are still in quarantine and waiting anxiously to return to the work of sharing the gospel.  

Many of the missionaries have taken advantage of quarantine time to work on their English.  For the past two weeks, I've been passing off English modules with missionaries who are using their new smartphones.  Module tests take 45-60 minutes.  There are a total of 25 modules.  Once the missionary completes the 25 modules they are eligible to take the final online English exam. I have really enjoy this opportunity to  help the missionaries with their English and to get to know them individually.  I'm impressed by how well they are doing and their concerted efforts to learn the English language. 

As we've followed the global effects of the pandemic and the recent unrest in the States, the words to this hymn by Mary Ann Morton - Sweet Is the Peace the Gospel Brings, have come to mind:

1. 1. Sweet is the peace the gospel brings
   To seeking minds and true.
   With light refulgent on its wings,
   It clears the human view.
2. 2. Its laws and precepts are divine
   And show a Father’s care.
   Transcendent love and mercy shine
   In each injunction there.
3. 3. Faithless tradition flees its pow’r,
   And unbelief gives way.
   The gloomy clouds, which used to low’r,
   Submit to reason’s sway.
4. 4. May we who know the sacred Name
   From every sin depart.
   Then will the Spirit’s constant flame
   Preserve us pure in heart.
5. 5. Ere long the tempter’s power will cease,
   And sin no more annoy,
   No wrangling sects disturb our peace,
   Or mar our heartfelt joy.
6. 6. That which we have in part received
   Will be in part no more,
   For he in whom we all believe
   To us will all restore.
7. 7. In patience, then, let us possess
   Our souls till he appear.
   On to our mark of calling press;
   Redemption draweth near.

We are grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the peace that it brings into our lives as we navigate through these uncertain times.  

Blessings to all!

1. Elder & Sister Lewis