Some updates

Things around here are pretty business as usual, but here's the latest > > >

* There's a drought right now, and since Cuenca's power is hydroelectric, they've been doing systematic power outages. The first day ours was out from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. We tried our best not to open the fridge. Since we're in an apartment building (on the fourth floor), and our water is brought up by an electric pump, the pressure was practically nonexistent, which also means no hot water. Full pressure is needed for the gas to kick in to heat up the water. Hopefully it rains soon because the indigenous people have been burning things in hopes of the smoke making it rain. Last week the city was clouded in smoke! The hill we view from our apartment, once a lovely green, is now an ashy half-charred black hue.

* In an unrelated (to the drought) power-outage incident a few weeks ago, we experienced our first meeting without power. It was a Saturday meeting, so there was still some daylight coming in through the windows (at 4:00 p.m. Here on the equator, the sun sets around 6:00 everyday, year-round). The song the speaker picked wasn't one of the most well-known, so singing a capella was interesting! Thankfully the power came back on at the end of the public talk, so the rest of the meeting had light.

* Last Monday was a holiday here, so we joined Damaris' Chinese group for a hike in Las Cascadas de Giron (waterfalls of Giron). It was really pretty from the bottom of the mountains all the way up to the top ~ and the final destination of the beautiful waterfalls were amazing! To see our pictures, click here!

* A.J. had his first part on the meeting on Thursday and did a wonderful job! His Spanish was impressive and he was completely conversational ~ I was so proud! It was the part on witnessing by letter writing. It was an audience discussion, and he even remembered most of the friends names!

* Today we went to the English meeting and enjoyed hearing our dear friend Mark give the talk. He and his wife Beth will be heading back to New Zealand this month for their son's wedding and to get things ready for their return to Ecuador. We will miss them greatly while they're away...