Balsapamba, Salinas and back to Riobamba

We were up early ate breakfast with crew and left for Balsapamba. The fields were filled with water and a TV crew was out documenting it so it may have been an unusual rain.. We arrived about 9:30am for services. The streets were nearly empty. Quite a contrast with yesterday. Clarita and her parents were not at the services. They had already left for Ambato.

The services are usually informal and interesting in Ecuador. Today they were that plus more. From the speaker's point of view one can be left wondering where the sown seed landed. Uvalde Dominguez was the only person at the services besides our crew. In the background a rooster crowed. Within view a hen and her chicks pecked away at something on the ground. Baby Allison walked about the informal service site. Katherine Martinez tried to keep track of Allison and changed seats several times. Uvalde's sister Julia arrived and greeted everyone. A man came to ask Julia if he could buy some eggs. She said next week. A large dump truck repeatedly roared its engine within 30 feet of us as it passed. An embankment gave way behind us and a large boulder roller down the hill startling everyone. No doubt the result of the heavy rains. In the meantime Walt spoke using the Gospel of John 3:16-21  as the text and Paulus translated and Uvalde did his best to be attentive.

Walt speaks and Paulus translates.

 

Uvalde listens intently.

 

Julia is Uvalde's sister.

 

This rock slide occurred suddenly during the sermon. The audience reacted to the noise and movement.

 

After the service we encouraged questions. For a short time we talked about the falling away of people from God that is written of in Paul's second epistle to the Thessalonians. Uvalde works in the bush cutting bananas so we ate a few and left for Salinas.

The rain had washed a lot of earth into the road way in several places between Babahoyo and Balsapamba. Not far out of Balspamba toward Salinas the road was blocked and traffic backed up. A part of the mountain had washed completely across the road. Fortunately heavy equipment was already on the job and our delay was not long.

Close to the city a rock slide blocked the road and our way to Riobamba.

 

The slide carried trees with it.

 

We continue on our way to Salinas. At some point as we were cresting a hill we encountered a police check. Neither Milton nor Paulus had their seat belts on which is required for those riding in the front. Driver's license and registration was taken and checked, not too closely though. The rest of us waited in the parking lot of a restaurant which specialized in guinea pigs.

 

Traffic Stop: An officer checks Milton's documents.

 

 

Ummm! A rack of guinea pigs!

 

The cook invited Avis to operate the rotisserie for awhile by pulling on the chord.

 

Later in the day as we drove Milton told the story behind the traffic stop. Milton and Paulus deserved to pay a fine for not using a seat belt. Milton did buy a guinea pig for good measure and we continued our trip.

 

We continued to Salinas where we held a service at the factory. Only five women were present. Walt used an unlikely text which was Amos 8:9-12. The reason for using it is unusual too. He dreamt about it the night before. "Behold the days come saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land not a famine of bread not a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." It is of course related to the time of visitation which nations and people have and can squander.

A familiar 'factory' worker at the Salinas service site.

 

After the service Walt asked the women about their lives. Only one did the speaking. She said they like living in Salinas because it is safer than the cities. She said things have changed in the relationships between men and women. Men help their wives more now and are not abusive of them. Walt asked what caused the change. She said about forty years ago a group of Italians came and taught them about proper relationships. Surprising!

 

Walt asked why there were no men at the services. She explained that the Textile Factory was founded to help women many of whom are single mothers find a new start. So some of them do not have husbands. In the past some men have come to the services. "I forget to call my husband to come." "The husbands are working in the field."

 

We headed for Riobamba and got about 15 minutes into the trip when Paulus remembered he forgot his backpack. Back we went. The ride back was rainy and cold over the top of the mountain. We did see many llamas again.

 

Milton's truck does the job but is very uncomfortable. We spent about 8 hours cramped in the cab. The younger girls however spent the same time huddled in a ball in the box of the truck.

 

Another day of mission work in Ecuador is now over. Our country is the United States of America. Our family is there.

 

Walt and Avis