A group of wonderful new missionaries have arrived. Here we are at the Panecillo from where we have a beautiful view of city of Quito and surrounding mountians. L to R, Elder Alacorn (Ecuador), Elder Keeling (USA), Elder Whitlock (USA), Elder Kearns (USA), Elder Cauhauna (Ecuador), Elder Brailsford (USA), Tim and Cindy, Sister Cooper (USA), Sister Menchú (Guatemala), Sister Groesbeck, our fantastic nurse, Elder Buckland (USA), Elder Wallace (USA), Elder Matagi (USA) and Elder Hendrickson (USA).
We are enjoying a nice breakfast with Elder and Sister Nash at Puerto Lago Inn in Otavalo before we go to zone conference with missionaries who come from Otavalo, Cotocachi, Ibarra and Tulcán. What a treat to have a mission tour with Elder and Sister Nash.
Elder Nash and Tim are with President and Sister de la Torre, a couple from Otavalo. President de la Torre is the second counselor in the stake presidency of the Otavalo Stake.
In April we held a special leaders' meeting, with all zone and district leaders of the mission. There were 48 leaders present. It was a great meeting to further define the culture of the mission that we want to enjoy here. L to R in the front middle row: Elder Angel (USA), Elder Quexel (Guatemala), Elder Hymus (USA) and Elder Vergara (Chile). In the back can be seen: Elder Barros (Ecuador), Elder Noe (USA), Elder Paredes (Peru), Elder Smith (USA), Elder Nole (Peru), Elder Alcivar (Ecuador) Elder Cook (USA), Elder Mata (Costa Rica), Elder Murray (USA), Elder Zundel (USA) and Elder Coc (Guatemala).
At our special leaders' meeting, Tim is talking with Elder Cloud, a mission secretary, and to his right are his two Assistants, Elder Dominguez (Mexico) and Elder Samayoa (Guatemala). Our mission secretaries, Elders Cloud and Law and our Assistants Elders Samayoa and Dominguez are such great leaders. We love them dearly,and we appreciate all they do for this mission.
We love Otavalo, Mt. Imbabura, a volcano, stands behind us. It was an especially beautiful day.
We love to get together as mission presidency with the stake presidents from the Quito area, here we are after a recent dinner in our home. L to R, President Montoya and his wife (Tim's first counselor), Sister and President Vallejo (Tim's second counselor), Sister and President Benalcázar (Calderon Stake), Sister and President Angulo (Los Chillos Stake), Sister and Brother Vinicio Vasquez (Tim's executive secretary), Sister and President Meza (Ofelia Stake).
Dad with the leadership in Riobamba, President Vallejo and Venicio Vasquez of the mission presidency. To Tim's left is President Maita, President Luna and the far right is President Quiroz which make up the district presidency.
Enjoying a wonderful lunch, with the Riobamba district leadership,and their families.
Always smiling, the elders in our mission find time for some fun! L to R, Elder Jacobo (Guatemala), Elder Cumez (Guatemala), Elder Moreyra (Bolivia), Elder Coc (Guatemala), Elder Condori (Bolivia), Elder Sotomayor (Guatemala), Elder Matsen (USA), Elder Castro (Mexico) and Elder Lillico (USA)
President Sloan putting the missionaries knowledge to the test! L to R, Elder Dominguez (Mexico), Elder Contreras (Ecuador), Elder Quijada (Chile), Elder Lopez (Mexico), Elder Jiminez (Colombia) and Hermana Nicolás (Bolivia)
In Riobamba the elders fight for a spot on the benches, during the game of musical chairs. Anyone left standing is invited to the front, and their knowledge of the scriptures and Preach My Gospel is tested by President Sloan.
In our recent round of zone conferences, we asked the missionaries to provide their own lunch, to see how prepared they were. We were impressed with the quality of the lunches. Elder Evenson proudly displays his box of "Trix". L to R, Elder Briggs (USA), Elder Robinson (USA), Elder Eliason (USA), Elder Hatch (USA), Elder Evenson (USA) and Elder Di Natale (Argentina)
The Hermanas came prepared with a full course meal. L to R, Hermana Herrera (Guatemala), Hermana Mateo (Guatemala), Hermana Alava (Ecuador) and Hermana Pacay (Guatemala)
The elders went all out with preparing lunches. Here are two hungry missionaries eating jumbo hoagies. L to R, Elder Pereira (Costa Rica), Elder Ubilla (Ecuador), Elder Salas (Mexico), Elder Robins (USA), Elder Vomocil (USA) and Elder Olguín (Bolivia)
Another night of farewells to a marvelous group of missionaries. L to R, Elder Robles (Bolivia), Elder Squires, our departing Assistant (USA), Tim and Cindy, Sister Hernandez (Colombia), Sister Maidana (Bolivia), Sister Del Cid (Panama), Sister Ramirez (Guatemala) and Sister Da Costa (Uruguay). These all have been very special missionaries and we will miss them dearly.
To teach the principle of the importance of the Area Book, Elders Cloud & Law, our mission secretaries, ask Elder Harding to rely upon the strength of the elders below to support him.
The beautiful choir in Riobamba, asked us to take a picture with them. Their music was lovely and inspirational throughout the district conference. We will never forget their special harmonies! Standing next to Tim is President Luna, the first counselor in the presidency and standing behind him is President Vallejo, Tim's second counselor in the mission presidency.
After a wonderful district conference in Riobamba, the family takes a minute to pose before taking off to Baños to enjoy about 24 hours at the base of an active volcano.
Our two assistants, L to R, Elder Dominguez (Mexico) & Samayoa (Guatemala), are always on the go, with backpacks loaded. They never seem to tire, what great examples!
