Kennedy and Esmeraldas

Esmeralda is a province in Ecuador a nights ride away from the temple at Guayaquil. There is a stake there by the same name and it was the Esmeralda stake assignment to come to the temple this past week. And they came. Several bus loads of members arrived at the temple around 5 AM. More than one bus load was filled with young men and women of all shades and sizes. Two boys and a girl so short that it seemed impossible that they could be the requisite age to participate in these ordinances as well as many others of every size and color. They were all looking forward to this experience, to perform baptism for the dead. There were adults. New members who wanted to participate in baptisms before they can qualify for a regular recommend. One little white boy (perhaps an albino) was sitting on a bench with brown friends on both sides. If only I could have taken a photo...
Although some of us missionaries visited much of Ecuador this past Febuary, we have not visited the far off province of Esmeralda. Perhaps sometime before we have to go home, we may have the chance to visit there.
Somehow a local stake, Kennedy, had also made an appointment to come to the temple at the same time on Saturday morning.
Kennedy is a local stake with the stake building within walking distance (two kilometers) from the temple. Their stake president has an important fulltime job at the temple and was instrumental in facilitating the participation of the youth on Saturday morning.
This is our home stake. Some of us attend the Urbanor ward and the others attend the Urdesa Norte ward. Although we are only here a relatively short time, and this reality puts a damper on developing close relationships with local ward members, we have already developed good friendships with the people of our ward here. The ward leadership is excellent, the teachers are impressive with their knowledge of the gospel as well as their ability to present their lessons. The average member of this stake is better off economically than members in other stakes in Ecuador. Educationally and economically, this stake is at the top.
There are several reasons to keep a group of youth together under circumstances such as this, but this was no ordinary experience. Adjustments were made. All of the youth were integrated together and each of the youth were given the opportunity to participate in the ordinances.
Again, we were impressed by the diversity of the people here. The physical differences, the various personalities, interests, etc and yet there is more that unifies them than divides them. They are united not only by language and culture but by their faith which is now, after several decades, a central part of their lives. It is a privilege to be a witness of these people coming to the temple from near and far to unite their work in a demonstration of their faith.