Preaching assignment...Guanazan

Back in November we had the privilege to preach out in the country for a whole week. Our first assignment!!! Very exciting...also nerve racking since the small town did not even appear on Ecuador's map. We had a lot of un-answered questions. How long is it from Cuenca? Will they have hotels? Restaurants? Gas? How about the weather, cold or hot? Only one way to find out!

After a 5 hour drive we arrived at Guanazan. As we drive by, everyone got their eyes on us. We ask about accommodation and everyone points to the same place: "the city church". Gas? No gas around. Restaurant? Only little places i rather not describe. Having a whole week ahead of us and not knowing what to do makes us panic, so we park on an isolated road right outside town and make a specific prayer to Jehovah about accommodation. We all decide its best to go to the next closest town, Chilla, about an hour away. We drive through the worst roads we've seen so far...

As soon as we arrive to Chilla we spot a humble little restaurant, the only one in town. It was past lunch time and everyone was hungry. The restaurant was very clean and the food was very good. While at the restaurant, a brother we don't know calls, he mentions there's a witness couple living in Chilla, the only witnesses in the surroundings. We think this might be the answer from Jehovah, and  it certainly was. This elderly couple lives hours away from the closest congregation. They are more than pleased to receive us, even offered their house before us even asking. 

Brothers Wilfredo and Soila Maya                          

The brothers house was the nicest in town, with many rooms, comfortable beds and two guest bathrooms! The water was freezing. To take a shower we had to heat up water in the stove and then mix it. We took showers all week from a pot. Brother Maya is building a kingdom hall on the side of his house. He hopes in the future there will be a congregation in Chilla.   

Brother's house

As soon as we had the accommodation matter taken care off, we make arrangements for food. The restaurant owner offers to make breakfast, take-away lunch and dinner for $5.50 per person per day. Awesome deal right?!?

                            

We approach anybody we see on the dirt roads. Most of the people here work in the fields, either planting crops or taking care of animals.  A lot of them want a ride, even though our car was full, suggesting they can go on our legs...

This territory is not assigned to any congregation. We were assigned to preach Guanazan and all of its surroundings, tons of little pueblitos with 5-10 houses each, most of them with a little school in the center.

Most of the houses are scatter in the mountains.

Everyone knows as soon as we arrive, they are not used to getting visitors. First question they have: why have we come so far, who are we? After hearing the Bible's message, they want to know when are we coming back. A lot of them want to learn more. We leave literature and explain how they can study on their own, since we don't know the next time witnesses are going to come around this area again.

Sunday is a market day in Guanazan. Everyone from the surroundings come to town to shop or to sell their goods. I give a set of magazines a very nice lady, she promises to read them. A few days later,  i find her home, in her little pueblito. She recognizes me right away. She brings out the magazines, and shows me all the articles she had already read. She explains that she has been reading a little bit every night with her teenage son, they also compare all the bible scriptures. I can't describe the feeling, its amazing! They are hungry for the spiritual food. 

We also have the privilege to preach at little schools. The teachers we very happy to receive our literature. One of the teachers gets the Great Teacher Book and starts reading one of the lessons right away. They said this kids books are good even for adults. The kids gave us cookies showing their appreciation. 

At about 1 pm everyday we would gather up for lunch under a nice shade. Some days it will take a bit to find a good spot for lunch since there's a lot of animals in the area.

Looking for a Lunch spot

15 minute nap after lunch

Overall, we all had many amazing experiences all week. We left all the literature we had and realized that was not even enough. This has been an experience to talk about, a great adventure to remember... 

Part of our group over the weekend