count your blessings

News from home give us glimpses of the economic problems, especially the anxiety that is associated with an uncertain future. The apostle Paul said: "for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content". (Phil. 4:11) It's pretty tough to "be content" when the walls seem to be closing in, but that is the challenge and a goal for many of us. Bishop Blotter reminded us that it is good that we are here in Ecuador. We are missing much of the anxiety and concerns that many of you are experiencing. All we can say is, hang in there. Things will be better one day. The people here seem not to be too concerned about the fortunes being dimished or lost in richer countries. Their concerns are more basic, mundane, and short term such as will my bus be on time, or will I have enough for bus fare for everyone in my family to go where they need to be. Sister Rigby and I celebrated her birthday by going to the main part of the city next to the Guayas river to check it out. It was the second time we had been there. We visited a fabric store, other stores and a couple of outdoor malls or really flea markets. Although there are occasional people begging for money,(not unlike Salt Lake City), most people are settled into their routines of buying, selling and going to work. Not much hunger is evident but some students from the US told us that there is malnutrition (mostly protein deficiency among children) in rural areas. I asked the main gardner about malnutrition and he didn't seem to think that it was much of a problem because of the great amounts and varieties of foods that are produced here. People seem to be happier here. (not sure I can justify that statement but I will try). Life seems to be simpler with fewer distractions. This may be due to the fact that the average income is about $250.00 to $300.00 per month. Since there is no cold weather there is no need for expensive clothing, home insulation/heating etc. Food is very inexpensive so they can pay for basic living expenses with the money that they make. But that doesn't leave much for discretionary spending like expensive vacations, automobiles, entertainment systems, computers,etc. Many of us think that this is a good thing here. People can focus on fewer things like attending the temple. And they do. The temple and the lodging building are inviting places for people to come. Here they not only receive the blessings of temple participation, but they visit a clean beautiful place surrounded by inviting grounds to walk and spend time together. To them the sacrifice of traveling by bus for many hours is worth the effort. This is their vacation,the highlight of their year for many of them. Those of us who are familiar with our routines at home, can see the obvious contrasts.
May I mention one individual who is wheelchair bound. He is 40 years old, almost totally dependent upon others for basic needs yet he comes to the temple on Saturday to serve as a witness in the baptistry. He arrives about 8 am, someone helps him prepare for his assignment by helping him dress and moving him to his position in the baptistry. There he sits until 12:30 without a break quietly performing his task. Then one of us helps him take a bathroom break before taking him to the cafeteria for lunch. He returns to his post until later in the afternoon, is assisted in getting back into his own clothes and taken to the front door where someone will meet him for his trip back home. He is the only member of the Church in his family. The remarkable thing about him is his attitude. He is joyful all the time even when awkward moments arise like when he fell down on the floor. (He sort of got dropped) He seems to know that it is not only o.k. to be like he is, but also that he gives other people a way to serve. While we admire his attitude and his "mission" we also consider how blessed we are with a physical fullness and the ability to serve someone else. Ahora, para terminar este relato, deseamos decirles que estamos muy contentos aqui. De estar aqui es una bendicion para nosotros. Esperamos que ustedes tengan las bendiciones de la vida tambien. Hermano y Hermana Rigby