Services at the Hacienda La Merced

We spent much of the day walking around Riobamba stopping once again at the plaza to buy a few items. The vendors are gearing up for the carnival too. Hats are a big item because the indigenous men and women wear them.

Beautiful items handmade by the indigenous people.

 

The Riobamba equivalent of Hats R Us.

 

A 'healer' pitches his "cure-all." In the Old West they were
called "snake oil" salesmen.

 

The park we often sit in is dedicated to Antonio Jose de Sucre a hero of Ecuadorian independence. It is fittingly called Parque Sucre or Park of Sucre. In the center of it is the Roman god of the sea Neptune. It is very interesting to sit and watch the people pass by. Very old indigenous men and people can be seen carrying heavy loads and sometimes not wearing any shoes. Many of them do not like to have their picture taken.

Neptune, god of the sea.

 

Services were once again held at the hacienda. About 27 indigenous attended making a total of about 35 people. Services started at about 8:30 pm and finished at 9:15pm.

The text was Acts 8:26-39, the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch. After the services the indigenous asked us to sing in English. Avis, Paulus and Walt sang There are Treasures for Children in Heaven Above using the LLC Hymnal on our I-phone. Following that they sung to us in their native Kechwan language.

Indigenous brother leads the singing.

 

Maria, front, is a common visitor to the services at the Hacienda la Merced

 

The food for the indigenous is prepared over an open fire. Mami Lu does most of the work. She has a special place in her heart for the indigenous people. She is familiar with and sings some religious songs in Kechwan.

 

Mami Lu or Lucha has a serving heart and great love for the indigenous people.

 

Avis and Eylin Martinez provide morale support in the 'kitchen.'

 

Walt and Avis