From Guayaquil to Balsapamba to Salinas de Guaranda to Riobamba in One Day

Milton called late last night to let Walt know we must leave Guayaquil early in order to arrive at Balsapamba for a 10 am service. I went to Paulus' room to inform him but no answer. I both knocked and called on the intra-hotel phone. It appeared that the Paananen's were already sleeping so I didn't knock.

 In the morning, Walt returned to Paulus' door but no answer. The Paananen's were awake, and we agreed to meet for breakfast early. We went to the cafeteria and looked out the window and saw Paulus coming down the street toward the hotel. He had slept outside down by the waterfront on someone's roof because his asthma and allergies were so bothering him!! He said it helped him but there were 'billions' of locust type insects all over near where he was sleeping.

We made to the bus station in time for a 8:30 am departure to Balsapamba. It was a two hour trip. At several bus stops, vendors got on the bus to peddle their wares. "Agua! Agua! Papas!" Water, water, potatoes." 

We arrived in Balsapamba at about 10:40 am and made the short walk to the service site pulling our luggage behind us. Milton and Paulus' wife Lisbeth were already there. The services were held outside at the home of Uvlade Domigis and his sister Julia. Both are single and probably in their sixties or more. Working outside on the home next door was a women who so resembled a girl who had repented on a previous trip. I approached her and asked if she was Dayana's mother. She answered affirmatively. I invited her to the service if she so wished to come. She did and so did her husband Victor.

Walt kept a devotion based on John 8:1-11 on the woman caught in adultery who was instructed by Jesus to go and sin no more. The gospel was offered to all. Victor also wanted to believe his sins forgiven. After the service he stated the 'message' had come at just the right moment of need. We didn't ask for details as to why. He asked when is the next time we will come. In February and March, he was advised. He offered water or soda for our journey. We also enjoyed candies and cheese with crackers.

Uvalde Dominques and Antti Paananen

 

Victor, Clarita, Julia and Victor's wife.

 

Victor's youngest daughter Clarita wanted to show Walt her coloring book which was designed to teach English to Spanish children. Together they practiced, caballo...horse, pato...duck, pollo...chicken.

Clarita shows her coloring book and practices English with Walt.

 

Clarita lived with her sister Dayana at the Dominguez home
while her mother worked in Spain and her father in the orient

 

We made the trip to Salinas in Milton's truck. It is currently our mode of transportation. It is quite cramped with so many people, and I think we all have extra aches and pains from sitting so long in tight quarters. It is, nevertheless, part of the adventure!

In Salinas it was cold and damp both outside and in the factory where the services were held. Seven persons were at the services, not including us. One person was a lady from Italy who was visiting for a month. Her daughter has been in Salinas for 11 months working as a volunteer. Salinas is at an elevation of 12,000 plus or minus.

The women of the factory: Las mujeres de la fabrica.

 

Aino and Avis bundle against the cold.

 

Antti kept the service based on Luke 19:1-10, the narrative about Zacchaus and his conversion. After the service and prayer, Antti asked if anyone had questions. One believing lady said she listened word for word. Many wanted to be assured that heaven was secured for them.

Antti preaches and Paulus translates.

 

We left for Riobamba and the two hour drive ahead of us. It rained much of the way such that we were not able to see Chimborazo. Paulus and Lisbeth rode in the back under a tarp. At one point we heard yelling, and Milton stopped the truck. Paulus said we were taking the curves too fast and it was rough riding in the back. The roads are in excellent condition but up in the mountains there are continual switchbacks.

We did see a few llamas and, much to our surprise, snow! Not much, but enough for Finlanders and Yoopers to either yearn for home or to be glad to be away from home.

One of several llamas.

 

Paulus talked much about his favorite eating place in Riobamba, kind of barbeque place. We didn't eat any lunch so we stopped for supper. It was very reasonably priced but much too much food. Delicious too! Some of it was assigned to Styrofoam containers for Milton's and Paulus' family.

Chicken and potatoes or pollo con papas.

 

Tomorrow is an off day but we plan to visit one or two sights that could be used for future camps.

Walt and Avis