The ten year anniversary

The month of August is a month of celebration of the tenth year anniversary of the temple of Guayaquil, Ecuador. Saturday was the last saturday of the month and of course the last chance for many people to attend the temple during the anniversary month. We knew that many people would be there, but we were surprised at the numbers that actually came. There were fifteen large buses in the parking lot in the morning as well as many cars and smaller buses. People from Esmeraldas, Machala, Quito, and many other stakes were there in large numbers. We began with a 7 am endowment session and the baptistry as well. All day long they came, one group after another, often waiting for more than an hour, filling both waiting rooms as well as the cafeteria annex and the hallway for a time. Mostly young people with their friends enjoying the experience but also older people, new converts, and many with their own family cards to be baptized. All the towels were used, washed and used again. The cafeteria was busy non-stop for several hours, people were in the alojamiento and on the temple grounds enjoying the beautiful weather. Three extra endowment sessions were completed as well and several brides were seen outside taking pictures and receiving congratulations from their friends and family.
A DVD commemorative video of the tenth year anniversary has been prepared and will be shared with members throughout the country. In the video, President Rojas talks of the temple being a place of gathering as well as a place of uniting of families. He encourages people to discuss in family home evenings how they might unite their families more as they attend the temple. Is their own family sealed together? If so, then which ancestors might need the saving ordinances.
Often the hours are long for the missionaries here, sometimes without a break. One of the sister missionaries said that she was glad she hadn't waited till she was old to go on this mission. (She is in her early 70s) We chuckled at that. Actually, the missionaries are treated very well here. We have two vacations a year (during the temple closures) and other free time to use as we choose. The mission rules are very informal as we are expected to be able to make good decisions on our own as we go to the stores etc. The maintenance people take care of our apartments and offer to give us rides to the store. They help us with the language, discuss the floral and fauna of the temple grounds, answer questions about the culture, etc, and pamper us with other needs that we may have. For the most part, they are committed to the gospel and participate in leadership positions in their own wards and stakes. We see them in the temple as workers as well as patrons. Some of them are bishops, stake presidents, patriarchs, etc. We learn from them and try to share with them some of our own experience.
We are sad to see Elder and Hermana Mi~no from Quito complete their mission and go home this week. I will try to send some photos by email. They have been good friends and associates in the temple.