September 2009

The wonderful choir in the Riobamba District. It was an inspiring conference we held.

Another volcano, one of many along the "Volcano Alley" that runs between Quito and Riobamba.

This is a volcano called El Altar. Surrounding the city of Riobamba are several beautiful volcanoes.

This is a southern view of Cotopaxi, the volcano that overlooks the city of Quito

From our hotel, Rio Marquez in Riobamba, we woke up to see this beautiful site of Chomborazo, the highest peak in Ecuador, sitting at over 20,000 ft.

The time has finally come for the people of Coca to be an official Branch of the Church! What an exciting day.We had the honor of being present on this historic day in Coca as a new Branch of the church was formed.

It was a hot, sunny day in Coca where we were thrilled to be a part of the first official primary held in the newly formed Branch of the Church. We were deep in the Amazon jungle, outside under a thatched hut style roof with twenty children who had lots of energy-we felt a deep appreciation for the new primary president who accepted the call eventhough she was just weeks away from delivering her third child! What an example for us all.

Natalie and Stephanie alongside the river in Tena. what great girls we have- they seem to make the best out of every situation.

While our husbands were at the church calling the new leaders of the branch in Coca, us gals had a nice visit. From left: Sister Vasquez, Stephanie, Natalie, Cindy, Sister Montoya, Sister Griesemer, and little Valeria.

A few of the branch members wanted to stay and linger, and savor the moment of now being an official branch of the church. Our hearts are tender as we think of the Gospel being taken to all people everywhere- even in the jungle!

Here we are with a woman in her home in Coca. Her husband was called as one of the counselors in the branch presidency. She was very humble and willing to serve any way she could.

We had a little bit of a hike to get to the river, where we had two baptisms. We don't remember a time when we were this sweaty- the heat was incredible!

We all had to cross the river to have the best view of the baptisms. A couple members of the branch volunteered to get in the water to help us across. Here is Sister Vasquez and Sister Griesemer making it safely across to the other side. As we crossed the log we all prayed we would not fall in with the snakes, or whatever else was hiding in the murky waters.

Here is Dad with the newly called priesthood leaders of the new branch in Coca Fransisco de Orellana. Presidente Villavicencio is standing in the middle, kneeling in front are two of our great Elders Wortley, and Triado.

The first official primary sharing time in Coca! Natalie and Sister Griesemer are teaching the children how to sing a favorite primary song. It was a joyous day, one we will never forget. It's wonderful to see how the gospel changes lives , no matter where you are in the world.
Here is the home that was donated for the church use in Coca, and some of the branch members after the conference. The beautiful chapel, permanent missionaries, and a radio announcement telling of the formation of the new Branch, has stirred much excitement in the Area. All of this joy came in large part because two of our wonderful missionaries, Elder Katzenbach and Elder Padilla, went out to Coca to see if a branch was possible. It was their recomendation to move ahead that got the ball rolling- Thanks for your hard work elders!

We had the opportunity of having a testimony meeting after two new members of the branch were baptized. It was wonderful to hear their sweet testimonies and experiences.
A perfect day for a baptism. We all felt so blessed to have had the privilege of being in attendence on this special day. Tim was honored to baptize one of the newest members of the Coca branch in the nearby river.

Dad and Elder Wortley with the husband and wife about to be baptized.

What an honor for Dad to baptize this wonderful new brother into the church.