a special gathering place

Just met a young couple in the lodging building office. The father approached me and began to speak perfect English which surprised me a little bit because he blends right in with the rest of people here. Dark skin, happy countenance, and a little shorter than the average american. He told me that he was originally from Hawaii. His parents were Samoan with Japanese, African American, and caucasian blood. Having served a mission here in Ecuador, he returned and married a pretty girl from Machala. They now have a one month old baby boy. Their pride and joy. The father teachs english in a private school in Machala and is working toward the goal of returning to the US and working as an air traffic control officer. They have come to the temple with their ward to participate here.
The Machala stake is about three hours away and it is the assigned stake to come to the temple this week. They have been represented every day this week by two bus loads of people- a different ward each day. The youth attend the baptistry, the adults do other ordinances, and the children enjoy running and playing on the temple grounds and in the alojamiento (lodging building). This has been the pattern each week with all of the stakes. They love to come here and they respond with enthusiasm to the invitation of the temple president to attend on their own special week. I can't keep track of the names of their wards, there are so many of them and we have a different one every day. But the pattern is the same. They usually arrive in the early morning hours, dressed in Sunday best, go to the temple and attend a session followed by lunch and another session. Then they board their bus for the return trip. For the Machala stake it is a three hour bus ride. For other stakes the trip requires traveling all night. Then they may stay overnight at the lodging facility which has kitchens. This allows them to stay for two days.
All of this requires a significant organizational effort, commitments of time and money and a desire on the part of individuals to come. It involves sacrifice. For us to observe this is a wonder and a joy. We have not observed disgruntled people. They love to come. Sister Rigby mentioned that they are reluctant to leave the celestial room when they complete an endowment session. There is a certain reluctance for them to board the bus for their return trip. But they are smiling and waving as they leave.
Our job in the baptistry is to train the leaders to assume the recording and officiating roles there. Often their beginning efforts are awkward and strained, but they quickly fit into the job they are to do. Others come here with previous experience and perform as well as any of us.
It has not missed our notice that their journey of "gathering" to the temple here is not unlike other gatherings that have taken place in the church in the past. Their journey is more than a single visit to the temple to perform work quickly. It is an experience that strengthens families. These humble people of limited financial resources come to the temple becase they want to come. They love the Lord and have a desire to serve. What do they get for their visit? Stronger families. The youth and children love to come here. They are with their friends and families. The important bonds are strengthened and they leave here fortified for the challenges ahead.
We love to watch as President Rojas (temple president) greets the group in the baptistry. He often asks the young women to repeat their theme which they stand and do in unison. He then gently chides the young men for not knowing their comparable theme. (objectivos del sacerdocio aaronico). Usually he cautions them to be careful. (cuidase). There will be significant challenges, temptations ahead of you. Prepare and be ready for the opportunities that are yours, he tells them.
I can't imagine a parent not wanting their young man or woman to be here and to participate in this experience. Their young men will go on missions and they will honor the values that their parents have taught them. Their young women will be prepared to meet their special challenges. This temple is indeed a special place for the people of Ecuador. A special gathering place.