The Paananens Depart for the United States Plus Camp Details

January 25th was a travel day for us. We left Riobamba at about 10:30 am arriving in Quito about 2:00 pm. The trip was about one hour shorter than anticipated, probably because of the light Sunday traffic.

Before departing, Milton Martinez met us at the hotel Monte Carlo to discuss business with Walt as to   costs of the Congregation Days Camp. Food costs for the two service evenings leading into the camp plus the camp itself were $452. The labor charge for a local cook to prepare the food for the congregation day was $30. Walt estimated the total meals served to be about 200. Doing the math means about $2.41/meal. All meals were very good (pollo, arroz, carne de cerdo, bebidas..)

Milton brought us (Antti, Aino, Avis, and Walt) to the bus station. He asked how we felt about the services and Congregation Days. We all agreed they were special. He said he felt good about them  "Yo estoy muy contento." He sent his greetings to all believers and wanted to hear the gospel before departing.

Veronica Ayala met us at the Quitumbe bus station and we all packed into a taxi and headed back to the apartment, Avis sitting on Walt's lap. At the apartment Aino checked and rechecked the luggage,
"just to make sure" (sisu), and looked one more time for the missing camera charger. There was time for a rest and supper as well.

Finally, we all departed for the airport at about 8 pm. The trip took about 50 minutes. The Paananens checked their bags in, and we visited briefly. Then it was time to part with the power of the gospel.  They will crisscross the USA for several weeks, undoubtedly telling and retelling their experiences from Ecuador. Even chicken and rice now has a special memory for them. Maybe someday we will meet them in Finland at their mokki on Kivijarvi.

Words mean different things to different people. Take the word Visa for example. To some it means a document needed to enter a country. To others it means a credit card. We all still had a sense of humor even after travelling for several days together. By the time this post is complete, they should be safely sleeping under a fresh blanket of snow in Minnesota at the home of Jouko and Pirkko Haapsaari, or taking a sauna.

Aino and Antti head for the departure gate.

 

Walt and Avis