Jonathan, Danilo Briones, Sandro Ramirez, & Marcos Munoz

The most interesting part of the work we do here is meeting and getting to know (albeit superficially) the people. This week was a busy week. Usually temples are closed on Mondays, but this past Monday was a holiday and people could attend because they didn't have to work that day. Beginning early in the morning each special session was well attended. Then all week long we were busy with saints from Cuenca who had come with their families. They would arrive in the morning, attend the baptistry or other sessions, return in the evening, spend the night, attend in the morning and then board the bus for the return trip. Another ward from Cuenca would come as they were leaving and repeat the procedure. A group came from Jipi Japa (pronounced hippee hoppa)and others as well. The picture sent in the email is of a young family sitting on the curb with their three small children. When told what a nice family he had, he said that there were three more children playing with their friends by the temple.
In the baptistry, we saw Jonathan a boy much smaller than the other children sitting by him. He had turned twelve in July and was at the temple for the first time. His father was the branch president of the second branch of the Jipi Japa district. I didn't get out of the temple in time to take a picture of their family. Danilo Briones, from Portaviejo, Manabi, with his wife. He is studying business. His wife is an accountant. Sandro Ramirez with his new bride has a tuxedo rental business in Guayaquil. And a bright young man Cesar Padilla, from Cuenca who is a new ordinance worker here once a month, arriving on Thursday night, working Fridays and Saturday returning to Cuenca Saturday night. On Wednesday afternoon, three young people in street dress came into the temple requesting a tour. Cesar explained that a recommend was necessary to come into the temple and told them something of the doctrines and the work that was going on there before inviting them to receive the missionaries for more information. They were reluctant to commit to the missionaries but one of the girls stepped forward and said that he (Cesar) could explain more to them.
Cesar Padilla is a journalist. Having worked for a well known newspaper for some time, he has now stepped out on his own and is publishing a sports magazine called: Amateur Deportes Sin Limites (sports without limits). He left a copy for me which featured an article on Sofia Correa, the daughter of the president of Ecuador, practicing her sport of rock wall climbing.
It is interesting to know these people and discover something of their lives, their dreams, their work, their testimonies and commitment to their church, and their families. Being able to view one group of young people file into the baptistry as another completes their assignment and prepares to leave, fills us with a sense of wonder even amazement that there could be so many Mormons here. I asked a young man what his favorite scripture was. He immediately answered Alma 37:37. (Look it up) These young people are not unlike the rising generation at home. They are working hard to prepare to meet the challenges ahead...
As we were walking home from church Sunday, we noticed a family of seven all traveling together on a bicicle/tricycle. (see photo) They are the Marcos Mu~noz family. Took a picture and promised them a copy if they will stop by the temple and pick it up. Are we enjoying this experience? Yes, just don't know why we waited so long.