convention

We ended July by going to the English convention in Guayaquil, Ecuador.  I can't express enough how much more I enjoy the information in English as opposed to Spanish, even if I understand everything.  There were a couple days and nights there that were unbearably hot.  But the talks and association were great!  Every morning we walked 10 minutes to the meeting point where a contracted van would pick up a group of 15 of us.  We'd ride about 30 minutes out of the city to the branch that also has an outdoor (but covered) assembly hall.  It was different to sing the songs in English again.  This is the same convention that first gave me the goal of moving to another country, back in 2005.  Mikaela was coming back from the U.S. and met us there, so it was really fun with the 3 of us.  We got to meet a couple, Bradon and Kendra, that lives only 3 hours out of our city, serving in an isolated group of 5 people!  I won't go into more detail about the points I liked from the program so as not to spoil it for anyone who hasn't gone.

This is the family we stayed with-


Bradon and Kendra-


With Danielle, Carol and Lois-


These days everyone in the city is getting by with only a trickle of water for part of each day.  We've been managing to wash dishes and flush the toilet, but no water reaches up to the roof where our washing machine is, so we're... conserving.  Everyone keeps explaining that it's because we're in the dry season with no rain.  I think it's a lame excuse because EVERY year there is a dry season this long, and with the millions of dollars that the mine is paying to Cajamarca every year in taxes they could've built a dam or something if they weren't so busy giving themselves raises.  It makes me more irritated that people are so passive about it like there is no choice.  Then again when Peruvians get mad they go out and protest, and I get mad that they're blocking the streets.  It's no wonder Peruvians think all gringos have anger issues.  We're always freaking out about something.

On a side note, me and Forrest are well.  We have been sick with colds, but we've been especially happy for the past couple months.  Last year at this time we were so down and stressed.  Jehovah really answers prayers, and uses his servants here on earth to help.