Back in Cuenca...

We've only been back for a week, but already there seems to be a lot going on! We took some time to get Miha situated in the apartamento, and have been busy with lots of meetings and service. I say lots as we have been to three congregations this week! The reason for that is we had our last meeting with the Florida congregation on Wednesday, our first meeting with our new congregation Narancay on Saturday, and the English meeting today, which meets about 20 minutes from our apartment. We are very sad to leave our beloved friends at Florida, but bonds form quickly and they certainly won't be rid of us altogether! ;-) Narancay is the territory that we live in, and there is only one elder in the congregation...now AJ makes two. We know quite a few of the friends in Narancay from when we visited with the Rulla's in November. It was nice to see them all again. We had the meeting with Narancay in the newly renovated Kingdom Hall, which is only a 10 minute walk from our place. The brothers did a beautiful job constructing it, and it certainly brings praise to Jehovah as a center of Bible education in the community.

We've had lots of fun in service practicing our Spanish, and our friends are generous with the help and commendation (and encouragement to give it a go when it's our turn!). I definitely use some Spanglish, but my service partner comes to the rescue when I panic and say "How do I say 'I'll come back another time'?"!

The sister who lives across the street from us (who assists the English group), just gave me a return visit that's only a stone's throw away from our place. She has the What Does the Bible Really Teach? book in English, but doesn't speak much English...thus it got passed on to me since she's in our territory! I'm excited to go back on her...it would be wonderful to have a Bible study right across the street!

We got together with some friends last night for dinner and Uno and had a blast! It's great that no matter how limited you can speak with some (due to the language barrier), you still feel like family and have a great time together. We really can't say enough how kind the friends are here - need greaters and local friends alike.

We've taken quite a few pictures since we've been back from the coast, Miha being our official Ecuador Photographer (EP). She has her camera out for every good photo op, so never fear that you'll miss a moment!

Here is my limited perspective:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jmgabre/SomeNewECPics

And here is Miha's infinite view:

http://picasaweb.google.com/MihaelaRu/Cuenca

Until next time!