Scarboroughfamily’s Weblog

We came back from the States the middle of June. Our house was complete from the remodel before our visit to the States, BUT came back to some fun discoveries. Leaky plumbing pipes, mold in closed drawers, overgrown flowering vines, strange fungus starting to grow on certain walls, etc. After a few weeks of hitting the list, we got it all back in order. The plumbing issues has been the biggest challenge. All the plumbing pipes had been replaced with new piping and fittings – yet we have found it is not a custom to work with hot water pipes. They generally only ever use cold water in the homes here. So hot water and all the installation is a new novelty here – does not work or exist. Needless to say, over the months Gary has become quite handy with fixing our plumbing issues. It seems all the piping in the house is working properly – just lacking some connections in the storage room where our water heaters are. All in time I suppose.

We ordered internet in June so that was a treat. Our town is so small that internet is again a novelty. Our neighbors (need greaters as well) have been here for almost 3 years and were paying hundreds monthly for internet. Well we were able to get a group rate and now our internet is about $60 a month, but our speed is only equivalent to dial up speed back home. $60 is a lot but is certainly nice to have the convenience of emailing, skyping, and surfing the web.

The weather had been so HOT when we left for the States, but the weather was much cooler when we returned. Actually we have many cool days – I wear jeans many days and when we have drizzly rain – it can get very damp. The sun does not shine much this time of year. We may have a sunny day every 10 days or so. You do get used to it – and starting in December the sunny days start again all the way through May, which there is nothing but sun. The water is chilly during this time of year so we don’t go swimming. Carson bought a surf board in April, but has only used to a few times due to the cool weather. I am sure he will get lots of use starting in December. The beach is completely empty right now, and really hardly anyone is on the street in front of our house.

Our group is really growing. There are now 27 publishers – of those 10 are regular pioneers. When we 1st moved in we had 15 in total. Regularly we have 60 at our meetings. There are 2 brothers who are now baptized – but before studying were drunks. The economy of the town is based on fishing. And the men generally drink most of their money away. They have made remarkable changes and both their families have studied and are in the process of getting baptized. Because of the large attendance, we have outgrown our meeting place. We meet at a couple’s home on their 1st floor. There is seating for 45 inside and about 10 chairs outside. A sister has donated land for the construction of a kingdom hall. The way it works here is once you have the land = you donate it to the branch in Ecuador and get put on the list for a kingdom hall built by the society. We have received approval to build a provisional hall. Our group is responsible for everything, but need the approval from the branch 1st. Soooo, we are building a hall out of wood and bamboo. We just poured the concrete slab, and are hoping to have our first meeting the beginning of December.

The ministry here is incredible. Here are some tidbits. The people definitely respect the bible and just about everyone listens. Getting bible studies is not difficult. However, the people are quite uneducated. Many can read but the comprehension not so much. And they are a very shy people as a whole. So it takes several studies before they eventually open up. I study with a 13 year old and have been for the past 4 months. Initially she had a lot of difficulty finding the answers. But now she finds them easily and is waiting for me each week. She is starting to comment in her own words which is a huge accomplishment. And there are at least 12 kids there, so i read a couple stories out of the bible story book with them. And her aunt also has her own study as well. Another study, agreed to study basically for friendship = her man works on a boat 3 weeks out of 4. So she, Monica, is home alone all the time and really knows no one. Well, we have been studying for a few months, and she is prepared for all the studies and now comes to all the meetings. She is 26 and is making changes and has even come to work on the land for the new hall. Also, a new study was just started during the campaign for tract announcing the district convention. She grabbed 2 extra plastic chairs and invited us to sit down. We shared a couple scriptures and offered her the bible teach book and explained the study arrangements. She agreed and the 1st week her husband sat in on the study and they now study as couple each Friday afternoon. Carson and Peyton are conducting studies with young ones in the town. All of us feel so good after a day in service. Within our group, we have 100 bible studies. Our schedule for the ministry is Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Although the town we serve – honestly is dry and ugly – the people in the ministry and those in the group make up for it.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are our days for school. Carson is doing American School which seems to be going well. Peyton needs more one on one so my Monday – Wednesday is as a school teacher. Gary goes to the next big town – 1 hour away – each week for our groceries. We can get almost all our vegetables and fruit from the local trucks that pass the house which makes it nice and convenient.

My sister, Wendy, came and visited us the end of August. We had a great time together and were able to travel to some different areas around Ecuador. She was with us for 3 weeks and the time went by so fast. A highlight is we went on a whale tour in the next town and got some great shots of a mother and baby that seemed to follow us for the majority of the time at sea. Wendy was able to be in the ministry, enjoy the meetings, and some local outings. It is so nice to have family and friends visit.

There are many need greaters here on the coast where we serve. Each congregation is about 15 to 20 minutes apart. And most congregations here have need greaters in the congregations. Carson and Peyton have met friends from all over the world. We try to get together with the different ones on a regular basis. Last Sunday we had a pasta night – where each one brought a sauce for pasta. It was great – there were about 25 of us and hope to try different themes as the months progress.

Our group and the congregation that supports us – just had a trip to Bethel. The majority have never been for a tour. So a bus was arranged to take all interested – publishers and bible studies. We had 60. Our family and another family from Canada stayed behind and prepared a bbq for the friends when they returned. It turned out very nice and all certainly enjoyed their visit to Bethel.

Our english convention was the beginning of August, and as always was one of the highlights of the year. We have met so many from around the country serving here and once a year get together to catch up. There are about 1000 of us each year. Ecuador is the only country in South America to hold an English convention so we get missionaries and international servants from other countries in South America. It is held at the assembly hall in Guayaquil (there is an article in a study magazine with pictures of the branch and a brother , Harley Harris, who was a missionary here since the 60s and was on branch committee and his life story). Many come to check it out – we call spy out the land- during the convention and visit around Ecuador. That was us 2 years ago. Those that have moved here are from all over the world – single, married, with children, retired, many from Canada, US, Australia, and other areas. Our English convention is always held before the spanish which makes it helpful in comprehension.

All in all we love our assignment here, and cherish each week never knowing when it will end. We are busy, and still haven’t found the free time, but that is OK because we are busy together as a family and serving Jehovah whole souled and have such a sense of accomplishment. We look how simple the friends live here and realize Jehovah will provide and we can certainly be content with his blessings.

Hey everyone! Sorry we have not been able to post a lot lately. Here are some pics of a temporary hall that we are build for our small group.

What a great week we have had.  Tuesday – we made arrangement to meet Anita for the house.  We went to eat at the mall and saw the Willis family.  As we were there, Anita called and asked if we could come now because there is another house to see.  Sure, we get there and it is in their neighborhood, La Prensa.  The house sits on the corner.  I look at Gary and say unless it is trashed inside this is THE HOUSE.   Gary felt the same way.  It had a very European look and is all gated and has 3 floors.  They are doing some minor repairs and we take a look around.  The inside looks just as nice inside as the outside.  It has 4 bedrooms and 3 ½ baths.  An outside courtyard for entertaining, laundry room, gated area for a car, alarm system, and spiral stairs.  We could not wait to ask how much.  $250 per month!!  Did I mention it is less than 2 blocks from the kingdom hall.  We quickly let her know we wanted to sign the contract.  We found out Anita called the other house that morning – he told her it was rented and she panicked.  She started walking around the neighborhood hoping she would see something available.  This house is right down from her and had been for sale for about 1 year.  She noticed someone inside and the owner  told Anita she was wanting to rent out the property.  I think Jehovah answered our prayers – it met all of our criteria and more.  We are so excited.  Anita took us furniture shopping on Thursday and we were able to pick everything out and it will be ready to deliver when we return in October.  We are having the house painted inside while we are gone so it should look nice and fresh.  We went out with several different families throughout the week and even had the Salazars to our apartment for a home cooked meal.  We have had an awesome week and really are looking forward to getting in a routine when we return.

Now back to the States – it will be great to be with family and friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We traveled back to Cuenca to secure our lodging for October.  We are staying in a 3 bedroom furnished condo on the 7^th floor of a newer high rise.  It is extremely comfortable and available for the year we return.  However, it is much more than we want to spend each month.  We have been praying for us to be open minded and look diligently this week.  We would love to live w/in walking distance to the kingdom Hall so we aren’t dependent on a car.  We shall see what the house Anita has found.  We are going Tuesday to look at it – its $400 a month in their neighborhood but she said it is small.  Br. Luis Mana has a transport service and he took us to Cuenca 5 weeks ago so his asking us again.  We are not as unsure of ourselves this time and really looking forward to going back to Cuenca.

The scenery on the drive was beautiful again. It was warm leaving Guayaquil – but amazing how the weather changes on our drive with the high elevation.  We stopped at the trout restaurant again and ran into John and Daniela Romano and family – they had a driver taking them to Cuenca as well.  We settled in our apartment and walking distance to the grocery store and other direction into town.  All of us said we could really get used to this.  There was a washer and dryer so I am looking forward to doing my own laundry.  Our last week ahead.

WOW! We have had an amazing 3 days at the convention.  It definitely solidified the choice we have made to come to Ecuador.  We have met so many friends from around the earth.  Where do I even begin.  The convention is held at the branch outside in a covered hall.  We had transportation provided to and from the convention site – about a  30 min ride.  There were on average 1000 each day.  Many of the speakers were missionaries either now or previously.  There were many speakers from the Ecuadorian branch as well as a brother from Brooklyn Bethel.  A missionary sister commented to me how many children were around.  She and her husband are in their 30s and are missionaries in Peru.  She is from Canada and she served as a single sister at the branch in Canada and married her husband and served as married couple for 8 years in Brooklyn.  There were families all around and were either visiting to spy out the land or already living in Ecuador.  I cannot express the feeling of these 3 days.  We were definitely on a spiritual high.  The talks and skits were tailored for the audience.  Amazing how they touched on the frustration of being in a foreign country learning a new language, missing friends and family, how to stay living simple to continue your service in Ecuador, and the discouragement you may receive form family and friends who don’t want you to leave and come to Ecuador.  Wow – we could relate with everything.  The children really enjoyed the part for young people and loved the new publication.  And the climax was the drama – that gave me goose bumps – how the family wanted to do more and serve elsewhere – we gleaned so much spiritual food.  I  took extreme notes for every part.  We met a lot of brothers and sisters through our travels and were nice to see them again. 

For dinner we went out w/ different ones each night.  Friday – we met a family in the elevator from New York for dinner – John and Daniela Romano.  They came in November to check out Ecuador and the branch encouraged them to come back for the district convention.  They have their own business and to liquidate and move where they can pioneer as a family.  They have 2 daughters – Frankie and Nikki – 12 and 9 years old.  We enjoyed our evening and we felt like we were looking in the mirror.  We had so much in common and wanting the exact thing for our family.  Cuenca is the town they are thinking of.  We saw them throughout the weekend and made plans to see in Cuenca next week.  Sat nite we went w/ 3 families who live on the coast.  Eric, Amy, and Troy (12) – their son was baptized Saturday.  Geoff, Robin, and Ryan (12) live in a small town on the coast.  They are from Colorado and lived in Guayaquil for 2 years to work on the branch.  We also met Steve and Sunny Dyes and the boys Avery (12) and Emory (6).  They are from Georgia and have emailed often the past couple of months.  Another great evening.  We were able to ask questions of those w/ families and how they adjusted and why they all decided to come.  At first – Gary and I felt we were unique in our decision, but how wrong we were.  All of these families and couples all have similar goals – want less distractions, have had plenty of stuff and want a change for the family where they are desperately needed.  There are over 100 congregations in Ecuador with 1 elder or less.  There is such a need for structured organized bothers taking the lead.  Sunday evening we went out w/ Ralph and Lisa Herman.  They only have 1 more week of their assignment left at the Branch. They said the convention was encouraging fro them and coming back for a month in April or May.

It was a little sad to think the convention was over but we have next year to look forward to and we must think who we want to invite for next year.

Today is getting everything ready for the convention starting tomorrow.  We are staying at the Howard Johnson’s.  It is right across from the Mall which is convenient for eating.  We went to the food court and it was like a pre convention welcome party.  We met a family from Colorado – Eric, Amy, and Troy (12 years old) – they now live in manta which is on the coast.  They have been here for 4 years.  We then met the Willis Family – Douglas, Lisa, Rachel (12), and Ethan (10).  They are from Macon, GA.  They have lived in Cuenca for 1 year and just got back from the States.  They were able to sell some things back home so will be staying longer in Cuenca.  Pretty much anyone that looked like gringos were witnesses go to the English convention.  We had really nice afternoon associating w/ the friends.  I can’t wait until tomorrow for the convention.  We went to dinner with the Willis family, mark and Elizabeth James, and Barbara.

I can’t believe it is day 30 already.  We packed up from Hosteria Mandala and headed back to Guayaquil.  We traveled the Route del Sol again and once again amazed at the horrific condition of the roads.  A bother told us this past year the country has had  the most rain in 25 years and has really taken its toll on the roads.

For dinner we went to the mall that had Chilis.  WOW! We all really enjoyed the American chain food.  It was exactly like in the States.  Yummy.  Now we needed to navigate through the city to our hotel.  I was nervous because trying to read the map and it was starting to get dark.  In the city, they drive just as crazy as they do on deserted roads.  There aren’t designated lanes many places.  You truly feel you are on a go cart trying to beat your opponent to the next check-in point.  Anyway good news – we made it safely.

Gary got up and left the cabin by 4 am.  I hope he catches a lot of fish.  Eden and Troy met him as well.  They head out at 4:30 am.  They were in a boat a little smaller than what we went to Isla del Plata.  I think they had a nice time even though they only one who caught something was Eden.  Gary hooked something large – in fact so big that it broke the line.  They asked the captain where the life jackets were – he said they were back in the office on shore.  Good thing the boat didn’t cap size.  The kids and I took our time getting ready in the morning.  Gary got in around 9 am.  He told us all his fish stories.  He wanted so badly to catch dinner.  Oh well – I told him at least he had the experience.  

We went to the Whale Café for breakfast.  It is such a gringo hangout.  They have great pancakes – apples or banana.  We dropped off some laundry – but this place has a washer and dryer.  The last place we took the laundry they didn’t have a dryer – the reason we know is we saw our clothes hanging from the hooks in the ceiling.  Hysterical – that is why she said we could pick them up the next day.  Anyway, the new laundry stop has new washers and dryers.  There is a man who sits in there and has a small TV and sits and washes and dries the clothes.  Not a bad job.  All of these businesses have their shop in the front and live in the back.  At the tour shop where we booked our trip to the island – their kids were back there, small babies nursing while the mom sat on a chair out front.  Much different than the states.  Anyway we had 2 large bags and he said it would be $12 – you need to ask first because I made the mistake with the last laundry spot and it cost $20 after she had already cleaned them.

We wanted to make arrangement w/ Steve and Sunny Dyes.  She had sent me an email saying they wouldn’t be back to Puerto Cayo until Tuesday -  they had to go back to the States for a short visit.  We called them but they were still in Guayaquil so we would have to wait for the convention to meet.  We were going to take the car and drive to Puerto Cayo anyway.  This renting the car was probably not such a good idea since there hasn’t been anything to drive and see.  On our way out of town we stopped by our favorite restaurant B Italia to make reservations.   They have the restaurant in the back of the house.  So I knocked on the front door and the owner, Salvatore, came in a bare chest and cut off shorts.  He is 55 years old and from Italy – he has his restaurant/house for sale.  He wants to move to Aruba or Curacao and retire.  He said it is very hard work having a business.  He does a great business and makes all the pasta from hand.  We made reservations and headed out of town.  We stopped along the road and stopped for a water and look at their tagua.  There were some baby chicks and both the kids picked them up.  It is amazing how these people live.  Their house is right there next to the shop in the middle of nowhere.  We ran into Br. Bermajo up the road.  He was traveling from Cuenca to Puerto Lopez to visit his daughter, Vanessa.  Perto Cayo was much smaller than Puerto Lopez:  no tourists travel there.  The malecon (the beach front) was very quiet.  We found the Dyes home- it is right on the malecon.  We then asked where the kingdom hall is.  The construction just finished – the building is beautiful, yet simple.  They tore down the previous structure which was made of bamboo.  There was a brother working on the drainage duct @ the hall so we got to see inside.  They have stackable plastic chairs which help in cleaning since the floor is tile.  The previous structure had no running water so there was a bucket to fill the toilet.  After driving around Puerto Cayo, we headed back to Hosteria Mandala.  We grabbed our things and went out to the beach.  Gary wore his ipod and layed in the hammock and I layed and typed from my journal.  It was so relaxing.  The kids went in the water and caught more crabs.

For dinner we had reservations at the Italian restaurant  again.  We really love the place.  As we went to get the kids from the game room, we met a roomful of witnesses.  Most of them live in Ecuador and have for several years.  They were having a get together later in the evening.  So after dinner we all met and had snacks and drinks.  There are 2 couples who are caretakers for the assembly hall – one in Quito and one in Riobamba.  Another couple lives in Ibarra.  They have been in Ecuador for 11 years.  They are from Tennessee.  Ibarra is north of Otovalo.  They are in the Chichewa (native Indian tongue) group.  They are in their 50s and had some friends visiting from South Hampton, Long Island.  There was another couple in their late 50s who are from Oregon.  3 years ago they were asked to be caretakers of the assembly hall.  What a fun couple.  We really enjoyed our evening of association.  Only in Jehovah’s organization, are you able to instantly have a relationship with someone you have just met. 

We had to get up early for our tour to the Isla del Plata.   We ate breakfast at the hotel.   Peyton and took a Dramamine since we had a 1 ½ hour boat ride.  We brought some crackers and cookies w/ us.  The weather was amazing – sunny and warm – unusual for this time of year.  We met at the tour office and put us in roups of about 15 people.  We walked down to the beach and had to take our shoes off and they loaded them in a large bag and put them on the boat.  We walked into the water to get on the boat – our guide was very friendly but spoke in only Spanish.  He had a lot of information for us – rules, regulations, what to look for – all in Spanish – we have to learn this language.  The boat comprised of a family of 4 from Paris, 4 couples from the US, 1 couple from England, and us.  We had to wear our life jackets for the boat ride.  I was very nervous Peyton or I would get sick so we sat towards the back of the boat for more ventilation.  It was a little rocky.  About ½ way there we spotted whales.  They stopped the boat for about 30 minutes following them.  There was a pair and would jump out the water.  We were quite close to them.  Very exciting.  We then continued towards the island.  Once we got to the island – they gave us a snack – sweet croissant and a banana and Manzana soda.  After we got off the boat – we retrieved our shoes and got ready for the hike.  The split us a smaller groups – we were paired w/ the family from Paris and a guide.  They landscape is very desert like – yet is lush during other times of the year.  You climb over 200 steps and about 1 mile trek to higher elevation.  Once up there – we have a choice to take the short or long hike 2 or 3 hours – WOW!  That is a hike.  We chose the long hike because we wanted to see the Friggat birds w/ their red puffed up necks.  We start our hike and the sun is very bright and I hope I have applied sunscreen enough.  We all have bottled water and sneakers on.  We say through out the trip “Grandma would not be able to make this hike”.  We arrive at the blue footed boobies 1^st.  They are so close – and everywhere you see them in pairs.  Our guide only speaks Spanish but we are able to understand most and man from France can translate to us as well.  The terrain is rough yet the views are well worth it.  Next birds we saw were the Friggats.  The males puff up their necks only during mating season and we are in mating season.  We see only a couple so we stop and watch.  The guide keeps motioning ahead.  We understand why as we follow.  As we crest the corner, there are 100s of Friggats.  They are flying and perched in the trees.  They are fascinating to watch and their beaks vibrate the puffed neck sounding like a drum.  From there, we head further and see the albatross who are laying their eggs.  We are so close you can pick up the birds or eggs.  The heat is intense and we are very thankful for the steady breeze.  Our hike is up and down elevation and as we are heading down –  I slip and fall on my knee.  I am fine but I have a large brushburn on my knee with small pebbles.  I don’t want to worry about it until we get down the mountain.  There is loose gravel and very narrow trails to follow.  We make it to the bottom and the guides have some cleaner (pretty sure it was rubbing alcohol) which felt like fire on my knee.  Next they put a bright pink solution on which hurt worse than the 1^st solution, if possible.  I felt like such a klutz.  We then got on the boat and had lunch (sliced pineapple, tuna sandwiches, soda, and a candy).  They drove us to a cove and whoever wanted could go snorkeling.  Carson got in and saw a few fish.  He said the water was freezing – his favorite was he got to climb on the top of the boat  and jump into the water.  After snorkeling, we headed back.  It started getting cloudy – which don’t know if it was related but the sea was extremely rough.  The boat was full speed ahead.  I kept looking outside of the boat so as not to get sick.  The surf would spray on the inside of the boat – it was pretty chilly.  By the time we made to the shore – my pants and shirt was thoroughly wet.  We took a motor – taxi back to the hotel and got cleaned up and headed to the Whale Café for dinner.  They have great stirfrys.  After dinner, we played Monopoly as a family for about 2 hours.  Carson was the winner and eventually made us one by one surrender.  We had a great day.

We really slept in this morning – till almost 10 am.   We don’t have anything planned – just mabe some beach time.  We ate breakfast @ the Hotel Pacifico.  We saw Dustre and Deite while we were eating.  After breakfast, we went and booked our tour for tomorrow.  We are going to the Isla del Plata which is a 1 ½ hour boat ride.  Along the way, you will also go whale watching.  Should be fun.  Gary is going to book a fishing excursion for Tuesday if he can find some guys to go with.  I went w/ the kids to the Internet Café and checked email since we don’t have any internet at the Hosteria Mandala.  Gary took a motor taxi to the Kingdom Hall to see if Eden – the brother from Australia – wants to go fishing.  Only 3 were at the kingdom construction project – they gave Gary some elementary directions and he set out to find the house.  The town only has 1 paved road and none of the streets are marked.  But somehow Gary found the coral colored house 1 block from the Blue Pharmacy.  Sara and Eden were doing some yard work.  Eden said he would love to go fishing Tuesday morning. 

Gary and I met at the beach.  We laid in the hammocks and I wrote in my journal.  Carson flew a kite and then the kids looked for more crabs.  The temperature was quite cool and breezy.  We really enjoyed the relaxation.  About 4 – 5 kids from ages 6 to 10 years old came over to help catch congers (crabs) w/ Carson and Peyton.  They were cute – I wish I had brought my camera. 

For dinner, we had reservations at the Italian restaurant – Carson wanted to stay at the hotel.  He ordered dinner on his own and played games and got to watch TV which was a treat.  We walked to dinner – which is a pleasant ½ mile walk.  Only downside – you pass the fish market (slaughterhouse – where they bring the catch in at 10 am) it is very smelly sometimes.  Also you have never seen so many stray dogs.  They don’t bother you but they also lay right in the middle of the street and the cars and people go around the lazy dogs.  Dinner was great – we saw some from the kingdom hall construction project.  One of the brothers was from Pennsylvania.  Turns out Allentown and knew my grandfather – Richard Hartman and some other friends from the Lehigh Valley.  After dinner we relaxed at the main house and called it a night.