Couples Camp Day in Guayaquil

Five couples and three other individuals gathered for a Couples Camp in Guayaquil on Friday afternoon and evening at the La Torre Hotel. The Camp opened with a service based on Colossians 3:12-17 a text that is at times used for weddings. Most of the couples have been married for many years. Paulus and Lisbeth were the youngest and married for the shortest time at about three years.

Milton and Alicia Martinez listen to the presentation and comments.

 

Alfredo and Gladys Hernandez

 

Lisbeth listens as Paulus comments.

 

Alvia and Teodoro Hernandez listen to the presentation.

 

The Mite family: Michael, Marianela and Mia

 

Following the service the presentation Sanctity of Marriage was read and questions or comments solicited. On of the attendees was a friend of the Mite's and not of our faith. As a result the discussion veered off the mark and became bogged down in difficult to answer questions. "Why did Moses allow divorce?" "Did he act on his own or was it from God?" "How can it be determined if a marriage is blessed even if the couple has been married for decades?" Walt noted that the focus of the Camp and presentation is the Scriptural basis for marriage and not why Moses had to take the action he did. We don't know all the facts or the exact circumstance involved in the situation Moses faced but it was as the Gospel of  Matthew 19:7-8 "Moses because of the hardness of your heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so."

It was decided to break for supper. After supper the visitor had other business and didn't return to the continuation of the discussion.

Supper break at a nearby restaurant.

 

After supper the group was more relaxed and free to discuss some of the content of the presentation. The culture of Ecuador plays a part in married life also. There is an element of machismo. A man who helps his wife at home is considered weak. One wife longed for appreciation for her work as a mother and homemaker. She noted that her husband words long days and is away from the home much. Another recalled her parents. Her father left for work at 7am and worked until 7pm. He had some days off but spent them away from home so he didn't get to know his family as well as he could have. Now her mother is ill and the father doesn't even know the basics of cooking and caring. Some of the wives did not comment at all on the presentation.

The discussion centered mostly on the practical and human side of marriage. Only the surface of the spiritual meeting was touched on by the couples.

Walt and Avis