September 19th through September 25th

September 19th through September 25th:

Monday:  We went to the temple with the temple presidency and reviewed the training films and the temple president's handbook that would make up the training sessions for this coming week.  There are over 300 volunteer workers, men and women, who are coming in assigned shifts to learn how to administer ordinances, work in the office or clothing area, and run the temple.  It is inspiring to be with these members and to see their desire to serve.  All have been to the temple, but very few have been temple workers, so there is a lot to learn about how the temple should operate. We then had a "picnic" with the temple presidency in the cafeteria in the patron housing building. Tuesday through Saturday: We sat in on 2 training sessions each day, each between 3 and 4 hours long.  We also came early to help at the recommend desk and to answer questions.  Between the training sessions on Tuesday we had our weeking zoom meeting with the start up committee. (Long days)  Thursday the Church News published an article on the visit of Elder Neil Anderson to the 5 countries making up the South American Northwest Area: Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezula. It pointed out that 52 years ago there was 1 stake in the area (it was in Peru) and today there are 250 stakes and 46 districts.  

 These are the stake presidents, mission presidents, district presidents, temple presidents, (from Ecuador) area seventies, area presidency and brethren from Salt Lake that came with Elder Anderson.  President Aguirre is standing directly behind Elder Anderson who is in the front row, in the middle.  We can't stop thinking about the miracle of the growth of the church here in Ecuador.  When we were missionaries here in Ecuador in 1971 there were no chapels, no wards or stakes, and only a few members.  As you can see in the chart above, Ecuador didn't have enough members or priesthood holders to have a stake until 1978.  But now it has 42 stakes.  The numbers are interesting, but to see so many faithful people come for training is very inspirational. We have especially been touched to see so many indigenous members from Otavalo come for training.  It is a four hour round trip for them.  They have maintained a very distinct culture and way of dressing.  The first Otavalo member to join the Church was Rafael Tobango in 1968.  I met him when I was a missionary. 

Chruch News from March 4th 1972 Rafael Tabango and his wife and daughter.

There are now 3 stakes in Otavalo (about 3,000 member each) and they are close to forming a third stake.  We never could have imagined how the church would grow in our lifetime.

 I thought I would share some more pictures of our first mission to Ecuador since this week we were busy in the temple and did not get many photos.  

Plaza Grande Quito-1971

Rama 1 Guayaquil

Some of the missionaries at a street meeting.  Sister Irvine is the one in them middle with the big grin.  She is coming to visit us on the 14th of next month.

District conference Quito.  Some of the girls in the traditional Otavalo dress that the women still wear today.

Rama 1 Guayaquil-a branch in a rented building.

Saturday we finally had a good rainstorm.

Sunday we went to church.  These are the sister missionaries assigned to our ward. One is from Georgia, USA and the other is from Cusco, Peru.