Today is Monday, 10 October so I'm behind, since we've been here since last Tuesday, the 4th.  We were actually in Guayaquil on the 4th because we arrived at about 9:30. By the time we got through Emigration and Customs and to our room in the Continental Hotel, it was almost midnight. Getting through Customs wasn't as easy as when we came last year; we actually had to get in the line that was "checked" by them. The "check" involved sending our luggage through an x-ray machine.

We aren't quite as involved as we were last year, although I did trim the edges of the grassy areas today.  We thought we would be able to help more than we are with the group home but it seems they have sufficient volunteers and paid full-time staff (psychiatrist, social worker, and housekeeper) to meet their needs. About all I've been able to figure out I can do is just interact with some of the boys during their free time in the afternoon and evening, but that isn't really much because, like boys their ages in the States, most are absorbed in being on the computers (two we brought with us), internet, and Sony PlayStation 4 (that we brought with us as well).

So, this will not be a day-by-day operation, unless there's something to share or just remember.  Since this is a catch-up, I will break down days as reflected below.

TUESDAY, 4 October 2016

Mike and Judy Hall picked us up and took us to the airport to catch our flight to Guayaquil Ecuador; it's easier to fly into there and get alternate transportation than getting connecting flights through either Quito or Guayaquil - either would involve an all night stay, either in the airport or a hotel.  Of course we did stop at Cracker Barrel in Madison before we went to the airport.

We checked our luggage in, went to the waiting area near the TSA checkpoint, visited with Mike and Judy for awhile then, with about less than an hour to board, we made our way through the checkpoint - our first inconvenience of the trip. I am carrying two new laptops and a Sony Playstation 4 for the group home in Cuenca in my carry-on bag; I also packed all of Jenny's vitamins in her carry-on bag.  When I went through the first TSA check point to verify ID and Passport, the guy told me it was no longer necessary to remove the electronics so I didn't.  As the two carry-ons went through the x-ray scanner, the operator told me they would need to be opened and checked by another agent because she could not identify the contents.  So, after another agent got the bags and proceeded to remove items to visually determine contents, particularly the electronic devices and pill bottles. The scanner could not "see through" the electronics or the pill bottles to determine contents in the bottles or other contents in the carry-on's, thus the manual check.  I had forgotten I had a D-ring attached to one of the strap rings with a knife attached so they confiscated that - it was just one of those things I left attached when traveling in the car so I would have it if needed.  There was no problem, I just explained I had forgotten it was there.

The rest of the trip went well; American Airlines actually gave each passenger a small bag of mini-pretzels on legs between Huntsville & Charlotte as well as Charlotte to Miami.  We had a small meal on the Miami-Guayaquil leg.

Raul Fernandez and Chelita Burbano (husband & wife) met us at the airport and took us to our hotel, the Continental. As previously mentioned, it was midnight so after we got checked in and into our rooms, it was bedtime!

WEDNESDAY, 5 October 2016

After a needed night's rest, we met Raul and Chelita in the dining area of the hotel for our full breakfast, which was included with our reservations.  Raul was suffering from severe allergies but wanted to hang out in Guayaquil for awhile so we walked to the Iguana Park, the very large open market, then walked along the Malecon for a bit. Although I think he had planned to stay in Guayaquil longer, his allergies were so painful, we agreed that we should get to Cuenca where the air is not so bad and he could rest better.  Although suffering, he drove a little while then Chelita took over so he could rest. However, when we got closer to the Cajas mountain range and park, he drove again. We stopped to get a bite to eat so I offered to drive so he could relax and rest, sleep if needed. To my surprise, Raul agreed so I drove the rest of the way across the mountains! It was no big deal.  However, when we got into the Cuenca city limits, Raul began driving, at my previous request, because I felt I was not ready for that experience!

We arrived at Iglesia Bautista de la Gente a little after 5 pm; visited with Pastor Ken and Lisa; Raul and Chelita left for their home and we settled into our cozy, comfortable apartment on the Church grounds but separate from the main building. It has two overstuffed chairs, a queen sized bed, closets, a round table and two chairs, just right for two.  There's also a kitchenette area, with a refrigerator, coffee pot, and microwave oven; a restroom with a sink and shower.  We have no stove so to cook, we can use either the stove in the Church fellowship area or the one in the main kitchen.  So, I think we will do just fine.

Since it is Wednesday, we attended the services; hooked up with friends we knew from last year and met some new ones who are coming since after we left.  Afterwards, it was a nice time of fellowship; after all of that, we went to our room and crashed - we were both exhausted. Raul is still not well so he and Chelita were not there; Karina Padilla made it during the fellowship time; she thought she wouldn't be there at all to welcome us back but her daughter, Amy, got home earlier than expected so she came over.

SATURDAY, 8 October 2016

Not anything special to write about for Thursday and Friday; we got acclimated to the new area and shopped for a few groceries.

Today was a big day because we had lots of work to do to get the new "outside" sanctuary completed before the services tomorrow. God is so blessing this ministry with new people all the time; so many that they have outgrown the indoors facility on Sundays. So, Pastor Ken and others converted the driveway area between the church and exterior property wall into a covered sanctuary; it is very nice.  However, there was a lot to clean, a tarp to hang on one end of the area and, did I mention cleaning!  Several men and a couple of women came over to help and we actually got everything done, including chairs in place.

We are having dinner with the group home boys and interacting with them in the evenings after homework, dinner, and showers.  These boys come from broken homes, some were living on the streets, some are orphans.  Previously, they were in a Catholic orphanage where they weren't really taught much of anything, so things are not quite "calm" yet but Pastor Ken, Lisa, and Desire are doing great at changing their attitudes and disciplines.

Gary Rovetto came over; he and I prepared 152 hamburgers for tomorrow's celebration of the new sanctuary; we cooked 120 of them.



SUNDAY, 9 October 2016

A big day at Church! We had close to 100 people; I'm sure that's a record! Everyone seemed to like the new sanctuary, although there are still some minor things to work out, one being it was too bright for the projector to show the songs. That problem was foreseen though because we were given the songs on paper.  Pastor Ken preached a great salvation message.

As soon as the last "Amen" was said, the mad rush to eat began. It's a good thing we cooked burgers last night! We also cooked about 160 hot dogs. There were other food items but I don't know what they were because by the time Gary and I had all of the burgers warmed, the other 32 cooked, and the hot dogs cooked, the other food was gone.  There were a few hot dog buns left, only because some took their "dog" without buns.  All in all, it was a great turn-out and fellowship.

There were no evening services so we hung out around the Church and visited with Pastor Ken and Lisa, and a few of the church members, as well as some of the boys.

Since there are no TV's on the premises, we are using our laptops to access the internet; so far we've watched a couple of episodes of "Supernatural" on Netflix.  By then, Jenny is ready for bed so I check my FB and e-mails and try to find some news to read. I had a difficult time finding a source for the college football results from yesterday, but finally located them and found out Alabama won - Roll Tide!