Some convention highlights!

We're just off the "Remain Close to Jehovah" District Convention here in Guayaquil, and what an amazing weekend it was.  We always say "That was the best District Convention ever," and this year is no exception!  Each and every part was so motivating to draw even closer to Jehovah, and it instilled in us even more how we want to remain as busy as possible in Jehovah's service, and keep theocratic goals in front of us.

Also motivating to us was the unique spirit there, as most at the English convention are serving in different South American countries from all over the world ~ it's like a mini international convention!  Aside from Ecuador and the United States, we talked with friends from Japan, New Zealand, Australia, England, Peru, Canada, Colombia, Holland, Germany, Belgium, and Italy, just to name a few off the top of my head!  At one point a speaker asked all those in full-time service to raise their hands, and it was probably about 95% of the audience!

Most talks have something in them - at least a mention - specially geared toward serving where the need is greater, and keeping up with the work.  The brothers on the branch committee expressed their appreciation to the audience for serving where there is a great need, and shared the exciting statistic that Ecuador now has over 71,000 publishers!  With over 142,000 Bible studies being conducted, the potential for more growth is amazing.  Ecuador had the greatest increase of Kingdom proclaimers in all of South America last year with 7%. 

As is true everywhere, there is a great need for more publishers in the field, and for more brothers in the congregations and groups.  The announcement was made several times that there is a great need for publishers to learn the indigenous Shuar language here in Ecuador.  According to government estimates, there are around 50,000 people who speak Shuar, yet there are only 10 publishers in Ecuador who can speak it!  The branch hopes to hold two Shuar language courses for those interested in serving in that field in the near future.

Although there are many languages to learn in Ecuador, Spanish is still the main language, and one example of the growth in the Spanish field is from a group in the province of Manabí.  In January 2010 there were 6 publishers in the Paramo group.  Today, eight months later, there are 32 publishers, and their Memorial had an attendance of 76! 

The language groups and congregations that were highlighted for "Help Wanted" on the back information board (aside from Spanish) were English, Kichwa, Shuar, Sign Language and Chinese.  Speaking of Chinese, Damaris is one of around 60 publishers who are serving in the Chinese field here in Ecuador.  Way to go D!

We're definitely on a spiritual high now, and are excited to go back to the branch today for a tour.  We stayed at the branch when we first came to Ecuador in 2008 for a visit, but we never got an official tour!  Tonight we'll be going to bed early as we leave for the airport tomorrow at 5:00 a.m.  We'll be landing in Cleveland close to midnight tomorrow, so it's gonna be a long day!  We can't wait to see everyone!!