Hello everyone....
I have heard that some of you have been asking if we are ok. (thanks Webbs) Well we are, just super busy. During the end of Oct. to end of March we were in the states for about 75% of the time. Dad Heilig was suffering with his cancer, and we wanted to spend as much time as possible with him during his last months. Finally on Feb 23rd a little after midnight he passed away. He died faithful, and of course we so look forward to being with him and mom, in Jehovahs new world. Being out of the congregation so much, for so many months, when we finally got back to EC we wanted to just focus on our ministry and time with the friends. That has been very rewarding. Ill share a few things with you, regarding the different things that have been going on in our life, ministry and congregation.
Altiplano Congregation
As you know, if you have been reading this blog, in September 2010 the new congregation Altiplano was formed. We started with 74 publishers, 7 pioneers, 2 elders, and 5 ministerial servants. Since then, in less then a year, we have 4 elders (2 appointed in the last 6 months) 11 pioneers, 6 ministerial servants (2 newly appointed) and 98 publishers, and only 5 of the increase, have been brothers that have moved into the congregation. Growth to the maximum. Several inactive friends from the territory, who haven't been to meetings in years, have been reactivated, to go along with the many, that have started as new publishers. Additionally during that time period, we have had 5 baptized from the territory, and 2 more will be getting baptized at the next convention if all continues to go well with them. GROWTH GROWTH GROWTH! It amazing and exciting !!! All the brothers in the congregation have been caught up in the excitement from the growth, and many are reaching out for more responsibility, with a desire to progress spiritually. I can imagine, with Jehovah's blessing, in the next year we will have several more appointments of brothers to take the lead. Pioneers for those who want to make more of their ministry, and several students that will progress to baptism. These friends have become to us a family. We love them dearly, as we watch them grow and prosper spiritually.
Our Ministry
Outstanding ..... That's all I can say....
Just kidding.
Carols attitude is to try and start a bible study each day and many days she does... its the getting back to them and finding them home, that is the challenge. She has so many really good calls, her call book is full, and she has little time to get back to the calls she has, but when she does and they are home, she usually starts another study. She's a machine.
My ministry is good too, but at this point, in addition to working on my students, I am focusing on the internal ministry, working with the brothers and helping them see themselves as future servant and elders, as well as helping them make the progress necessary to qualify. Lets just leave it there.
Oh the Drama
No not the kind your thinking of, (In our life, not that we haven't had that too, more on that later) but the kind we have at the convention each year. Yes this year I have the privilege of directing the drama on Sunday, you know the one about ...... Oh, I better not ruin it for you, if you haven't been. But it's good, and we are working on it pretty much as a congregation with a few outside helpers from other congregations .... Lots of work and thyme, uh time involved, thus no blog. No Thyme!
Legal Status (Drama in our life)
It's so funny, when we talk to the locals and the brothers, and not just the ones in our congregation, about legal status, visas and getting them renewed. They just look at us like, what are you talking about. "Your Americans, you can do anything you want, go anywhere you want, whenever you want, and however you want". Nope, "not true", and of course they are shocked.
Well here is the rest of the story. On July 6th our legal status runs out, our visa expires. In the past, the branch would provide a letter that said basically, that we and others are working under the direction of the organization, and based on that, the government was willing to issue a visa that is designed for "missionaries". About 60 days before the expiration of the visa, we turn in all the paperwork, and the visa gets renewed. No big deal. It's kind of funny but for the entire time we have been in Ecuador, Carol always said "if our visa gets renewed", referring to the fact, that, we are living during the last of the last days, and the government could change it's point of view and not allow "missionaries" into the country. Well just about the time we were ready to turn in the "stuff" for the renewal of the visa, what the prophetess, said came true! We received a letter from the government saying that the visa was no longer available. But it wasn't the Ecuadorian government that didn't give the ok. It was our government. Evidently the Governing Body made a decision (they have their reasons) and advised all branches around the world that the organization, would not be providing help, for those that come to serve where the need is greater, to obtaining legal status... ie, visas. Needless to say, everyone has been scrambling, including us. (Shock and Ugh) Especially, as at that moment, we were getting down to the time wire, to get our legal status completed, so we would be able to stay and serve. Yikes! We had to get copy of our marriage certificate apostillized and sent from the USA to Ecuador. Additionally we had to make an investment in Ecuador, open a CD and keep the dough in the country. Once that was completed, we had to get the paperwork completed, and then, turned in to immigration. To do that, we hired a couple from Quito (witnesses/lawyers) to care for the process. Interesting thing happened, when they were ready to turn in all the goods to immigration. There was a notice on the door at the office saying the Ministry of Immigration was in a state of emergency and they were not accepting applications from extranjeros/foreigners at this time. Bummer, because that was the last day we had, to get the paperwork in, if not started then, (the process) we would have to go back to the US and start the process.... Not what we wanted to do. The sister called her husband and asked what she should do, "Pray for help". She did, and she was able to make contact with someone she knew, and was able to get the paperwork in, and the process with that ministry started. (Sigh of relief or Shock and Ahhhhh) Of course one thing we have learned here is, nothing is certain and we will see how things happen, going forward. We should know in the next 45-60 days if we can stay and serve. If not? ...... We will make a decision then.... what our next step will be.
Our love to all ..... and we thank you for writing and keeping in touch.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Dry Sunday
The Spauldings, yes they are the couple on the left. The whole world already knows the couple on the right! They are always in ALL the photos. ;-)
This little story was inspired by a DESPEDIDA (good-bye ) for a very special couple from Australia. The Spauldings, Rodney and Karen have over the years served in various fields of full time service. Special pioneers, bethel, regular pioneers, and most recently here in Cuenca "where the need is greater". They are wonderful people and over the last few years we have had the opportunity to hear of their adventures over the years in various activities. Now I know they would say that they are nothing special. They definitely are "special" folks. Very down to earth and fun, with tons of experience in the Truth. They once served in a place that gets as hot as 50 degrees celsius... that's about 130 fahrenheit! ..... No matter how you slice it that's HOTTTTTTTTTTT ! How does one get some relief when you live in a small trailer, ("The Tin Can") with no air conditioning? They told us they would go to the local grocery store and go through the freezer section "looking " for chickens "to buy" never finding the right one, but always searching. (If we could only find it) Can you imagine the reaction of the people working at the strore, seeing these two rummaging through the freezer and always coming up empty handed? I laugh every time I think of that story.... they left us with so many ... we are going to miss them dearly. We weren't together all the time mind you, but when we were, things were memorable.
DRY SUNDAY
Soooooo, we go to the Eucalyptus Cafe (a local, foreigners hangout) on the evening of Sunday, for one of many good bye get togethers for the Spauldings.... It's about 6 PM, and the first order of business is to order drinks. A nice red, margarita, mojito or something like that. Well the waiter reminds us that's it dry Sunday .... and after 5 they "can't serve" alcohol...... then he proceeds to tell us "in normal" drink glasses. So here is the work around. See the video .... this was too much.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Want to catch fish? ... Move to where the fish are biting!
Hello Family, friends and readers of this blog. This blog we write, not with any negative comments, about what the differences are here, or in your part of the world. But rather, with many of the positive differences between here, and many parts of the world, with regard to sharing the Good News of Gods Kingdom.
I can imagine after the Study last week and this week, regarding having a zeal for the preaching activity, all of us are thinking about our attitude toward the work, and the degree of participation we have in it. We received some excellent counsel, regarding the fact, that perhaps some, have lost the sence of URGENCY for the work that is so important. Also, how we can renew our zeal for the work that saves lives.
Carol and I have been so amazed at the amount of activity that there is here in Cuenca, and, I would imagine in all of Ecuador. We haven't received the new Yearbook but I would have to imagine the growth rate in this land, to be in the 6-8% range. That's phenominal! All I can judge from, is what we see here, in the congregations and circuits in and around Cuenca. (there are 3)
For Example
The Webbs (you know who I'm talking about don't you) have between 11-15 students that are regularly attending the meeting in CHICKEN-TAD. (No, of course that's not how it's spelled, but for the rest of us thats how it's pronounced) The congregation has territory in the city of Cuenca, and in the country side where you have seen the Webbs preaching up and down the hills (ok Carl, ..... Mountains) The congregation about 5 months ago, separated the group in the country (Checa) from the congregation in the city and started to hold meetings. At the time my source informed me that they had about 205 at the meetings regularly each week that with about 130 publishers in the combined group. 40 went to the country and 90 stayed in the city. The 40 in the country, have about 80 in attendance each week, and the other 90 that are in the city, have in attendance 160! After just 5 months, they have an increase of over 15% in attendance! And each meeting, my source tells me, that they have new faces in the hall attending the meetings, yes of course, those are new persons studying, and progressing ! Well now they are in the process of perhaps forming the group in the country into a congregation.
Other Example
In the part of the city (To-to-ra-co-cha .... yes it's part of Cuenca) where the congregation is, that we attend. In September a new congregation was formed .... "Altiplano". When we started we had 76 publishers, now we have 90. Some new ones, and some have moved from other parts of the city. When we started we had in attendance, on average 115, now regularly we have in excess of 130. In ther congregation most of the children, we don't have a lot of little one most of the children and teenage youth are publishers. So the number in attendance, are not from a lot of children who are not publishers, coming with parents. The other congregations that the Altiplano congregation was formed from, have seen similar growth. (It's called "the make room in the Kingdom Hall, and then proceed to fill it again, program") About 8% growth in 5 months ... that's just for Altiplano congregation .... I can't speak for the other 2 congregations in exact numbers, but I do know, they too are experiencing growth. All this, while we pass through the territory, about once a week. Yes, the territory, is being worked to life! It's phenominal !!!!
One brothers method
One brother from the congregation, this afternoon ,stopped by for a few minutes, while here we talked about what was happening in the territory (he has several studies that attend). He made the point, that by working the territory so often, we are able to breakdown prejudices. Often people in the territory say, "they don't have time this morning", and then tell us, they will take time, next time to talk. What he has been doing, is mentioning that, they told us last time, they would take time, next time, and this, is the next time. He has had the opportunity to share the truth and start a number of new studies, reasoning with them in this way. (I'm robbing the method)
Tired of fishing where few fish are biting? Come to where the fish are biting!
Imagine yourself fishing, and sitting, and sitting with few bites, let alone fish being caught. A little boring isn't it. Well imagine yourself sitting there, and seeing other fisherman along the shore, with poles bent, and fish being caught. What would you do? Well back in the day when I used to go fishing, I would invade the area, and start to try to catch fish, in that area. When it's hot, it's hot, and I wanted to catch fish.... Jesus said as his disciples, we would be "fishers of men". Friends, the fish are biting, or rather the people are responding, and being pulled into the boat, I mean the congregations. Now another question. Can you see yourself moving to where the fish are biting, and, being caught, and in large numbers, where the fishing is fun and phenomenal ? That place is Ecuador!
Why Ecuador?
Other then the fishing aah preaching? Think about the options you have for weather. In the mountians, if you don't get too much over 9000 feet in elevation, you can enjoy early summer late spring type weather, pretty much year round. Low humidity, nice rains every other day. Sometimes for 30 minutes, sometimes for a few hours. You seldom if ever, have that feeling of being sticky for the humidity. That would be our preference.... So it is, that we live in the mountains, the Andes to be exact.
You say you prefer a bit more heat and humidity? Well then, you have two options, you can enjoy the beaches along the coastline or the other option would be the orient... that is, the jungles of Ecuador, where you will find, waterfalls, rivers and exoctic birds and animals, that most of us only see, on National Geographic. There too the fishing, aaaah preaching work, is going very well. There are options between the area of spring like, and warm to hot climates as well and the fishing is good in those places as well.
Food
That's an important matter. At least it is to us. In Ecuador there is everything and then some. Everything you probably have in the developed world and then you have the exoctic food that are local to Ecuador or the tropical area. Food is not an issue here.
Restaurants
Tons of them. Various types of food and good quality. Clean and very reasonably priced. How reasonable? Well a gourmet meal, with wine and desert for 2 of you will go for $ 18-25.00 todo incluido! (everything included .... even taxes and tip)
Entertainment
Movies? ... Yup! Pretty much anything you can get in the developed world. Anywhere from $1.50 -4.50 for a movie, depending on the day of the week... Want popcorn, soda and a hotdog? .... add $3-4.00 for 2 persons
News? BBC, CNN, Fox News and of course Ecuadorian news and Latin world channels. TV programing that you have in some of those places as well.
Live music and concerts if that's your thing... Cuenca has it's own Symphony and it's good! $10.-15 for a ticket.
American sports too, if thats your fancy. Interesting thing here.... On Direct TV they have all the U.S. games, that you would pay extra for as a package. All the football (NFL), baseball (MLB), or basketball (NBA) programing they have, and people pay extra for back in the States. But the thing is, that here, no one really is interested in it, so they include it a part of the package you pay 40.00 a month for.
And of course if Soccer is your game, there is a ton of that on Direct TV, all inclusive in your package.
Outdoors? Cajas National Park is 30-40 minutes from here. (Cuenca) So if you like to fish for trout then you are in fishing paraíso. (paradise)
Golf?... I don't know, but I do know that you can do it in Quito or Guayaquil ....
How much? Sorry still don't know that one..... But if you have to play, it's available! And of course Direct TV televises all the PGA and other associations from Europe and So. America.
Sound Good? ..... It is.
Will there be challenges? Of course...
If you have followed this blog, you know we have had some pretty interesting stories/experiences. Ones you can laugh about, after the pain is over with .... Then all you have, is great stories to tell, over and over again, to all the new ones coming here.
Challenges
Well, if you don't speak the language ... Spanish is the national tongue here. Of course you will survive, it's just that you will enjoy it more, if you know spanish, when you hit the ground. Preaching in Spanish or one of the other foreign languages, is where it's at. Here again, if you decide to come to live and serve in Spanish (that's what the branch will suggest, Spanish) you will learn, but speaking from experience, it will be a challenge, one that will be fun and scary, kind of like a roller coaster ride, right? Oh yeah, need I mention, humbling?
Cultural differences
Sure.. there's a bunch of them, but with time you do seem to get somewhat accustomed to them. You just learn not to focus on them. When you have 5-10 bible students, and some of them coming to the meetings, that's easy to do. You tend to focus on the positive spiritual side of things.
What more can we say?
There is so much need, thus the expression "Moving to where the need is great". If you are serving as a servant or an elder ... there is a ton of work to do in the congregations. With so many being formed, when a congregation gets more then 2, they usually are assigned to another new congregation, so they can take the lead. One of the DO's in the country mentioned, that one of the greatest needs here, is for brothers that have experience. If you speak spanish, why not give consideration to your circumstances, make it a matter of prayer, and see if you can move to where the harvest is in full swing, and gaining steam. You can live on a fraction of what it costs in most developed countries, probably close to 20-25% of the costs in fact. If you have a fixed income, perhaps a Social Security or other pension check, you will live better here, then in most lands, on that check.
If you lead a simple, but comfortable life as a couple, you should be able to live on a $1000.00 a month in Cuenca. Rent will cost you anywhere from $150-350.00, depending on where you would want to live. All utilities, gas, electric, water, trash, TV, internet will run about 200.00. Food and entertainment $300.00-400.00. Transport (public) $20-80.00 depending on bus or taxis being used. If you have your own car, gas here is about 1.50 a gallon. Cars as you know from previous blog, are expensive here ... used or new they are over priced.
One other thing to consider. There will be set up costs. Furniture, appliances, dishes and cookware, bedding etc. If you pack and bring it, we spent about a 1200.00 to get some stuff here (our bedding, bathroom, and kitchen appliances, along with pots and pans) and then we spent another 5000.00 for the major stuff, like furniture and appliances (the large ones) to get setup. So that must be in your budget as well. There are places that are furnished, however you dont have the choice of furniture or bedding etc... but then you don't have the setup costs either... Some recent arrivals, the Souza family, are renting an apartment for 350.00 a month furnished.
Check out this site for additional information about Cuenca... and possible rentals as they are advertised on the site often. http://cuencahighlife.com/
Sound Interesting but want to check it out first?
That would be wise. Something that may interest you is, the assemblies we have here in English. The principle one is the District Convention usually at the end of July. Also starting this year there is a Special Assembly Day in March. These assemblies are lovingly put on by the Branch. A mini International Convention each year! Brothers from all parts of the world, who have come to serve here in Ecuador, are in your company. What a blessing! It's soooo encouraging and upbuilding.
After the convention, plan time to check out an area where you think you could live. Also, plan time to visit the branch, and talk to the brothers about your desire to serve in Ecuador. You can get a packet of information from the branch, that will help you obtain your Visa, from the government. Once here if you decide to stay for years, you can keep renewing your Visa, that the branch helps you get. If you want to get your residency, that's possible also.
Don't know the Language?
If you would like more information, you can can write. The response may not be immediate, but I will try to get back to you. If you can't make the move, but know someone who could, or, may be interested? Please send them this blog site! Yes you can share it with others. There's no copywrite here.
As Jesus said "the harvest is great, but the workers are few, therefore beg the master of the harvest to send more workers". That's what we are doing ...... Can you come, and share in the great harvest here in Ecuador? If it's your desire, to serve in a greater way during the last days of this system. We encourage you to take steps that Jehovah can bless, in harmony with your desire to serve, where the need is great.
I can imagine after the Study last week and this week, regarding having a zeal for the preaching activity, all of us are thinking about our attitude toward the work, and the degree of participation we have in it. We received some excellent counsel, regarding the fact, that perhaps some, have lost the sence of URGENCY for the work that is so important. Also, how we can renew our zeal for the work that saves lives.
Carol and I have been so amazed at the amount of activity that there is here in Cuenca, and, I would imagine in all of Ecuador. We haven't received the new Yearbook but I would have to imagine the growth rate in this land, to be in the 6-8% range. That's phenominal! All I can judge from, is what we see here, in the congregations and circuits in and around Cuenca. (there are 3)
For Example
The Webbs (you know who I'm talking about don't you) have between 11-15 students that are regularly attending the meeting in CHICKEN-TAD. (No, of course that's not how it's spelled, but for the rest of us thats how it's pronounced) The congregation has territory in the city of Cuenca, and in the country side where you have seen the Webbs preaching up and down the hills (ok Carl, ..... Mountains) The congregation about 5 months ago, separated the group in the country (Checa) from the congregation in the city and started to hold meetings. At the time my source informed me that they had about 205 at the meetings regularly each week that with about 130 publishers in the combined group. 40 went to the country and 90 stayed in the city. The 40 in the country, have about 80 in attendance each week, and the other 90 that are in the city, have in attendance 160! After just 5 months, they have an increase of over 15% in attendance! And each meeting, my source tells me, that they have new faces in the hall attending the meetings, yes of course, those are new persons studying, and progressing ! Well now they are in the process of perhaps forming the group in the country into a congregation.
Other Example
In the part of the city (To-to-ra-co-cha .... yes it's part of Cuenca) where the congregation is, that we attend. In September a new congregation was formed .... "Altiplano". When we started we had 76 publishers, now we have 90. Some new ones, and some have moved from other parts of the city. When we started we had in attendance, on average 115, now regularly we have in excess of 130. In ther congregation most of the children, we don't have a lot of little one most of the children and teenage youth are publishers. So the number in attendance, are not from a lot of children who are not publishers, coming with parents. The other congregations that the Altiplano congregation was formed from, have seen similar growth. (It's called "the make room in the Kingdom Hall, and then proceed to fill it again, program") About 8% growth in 5 months ... that's just for Altiplano congregation .... I can't speak for the other 2 congregations in exact numbers, but I do know, they too are experiencing growth. All this, while we pass through the territory, about once a week. Yes, the territory, is being worked to life! It's phenominal !!!!
One brothers method
One brother from the congregation, this afternoon ,stopped by for a few minutes, while here we talked about what was happening in the territory (he has several studies that attend). He made the point, that by working the territory so often, we are able to breakdown prejudices. Often people in the territory say, "they don't have time this morning", and then tell us, they will take time, next time to talk. What he has been doing, is mentioning that, they told us last time, they would take time, next time, and this, is the next time. He has had the opportunity to share the truth and start a number of new studies, reasoning with them in this way. (I'm robbing the method)
Tired of fishing where few fish are biting? Come to where the fish are biting!
Imagine yourself fishing, and sitting, and sitting with few bites, let alone fish being caught. A little boring isn't it. Well imagine yourself sitting there, and seeing other fisherman along the shore, with poles bent, and fish being caught. What would you do? Well back in the day when I used to go fishing, I would invade the area, and start to try to catch fish, in that area. When it's hot, it's hot, and I wanted to catch fish.... Jesus said as his disciples, we would be "fishers of men". Friends, the fish are biting, or rather the people are responding, and being pulled into the boat, I mean the congregations. Now another question. Can you see yourself moving to where the fish are biting, and, being caught, and in large numbers, where the fishing is fun and phenomenal ? That place is Ecuador!
Why Ecuador?
Other then the fishing aah preaching? Think about the options you have for weather. In the mountians, if you don't get too much over 9000 feet in elevation, you can enjoy early summer late spring type weather, pretty much year round. Low humidity, nice rains every other day. Sometimes for 30 minutes, sometimes for a few hours. You seldom if ever, have that feeling of being sticky for the humidity. That would be our preference.... So it is, that we live in the mountains, the Andes to be exact.
You say you prefer a bit more heat and humidity? Well then, you have two options, you can enjoy the beaches along the coastline or the other option would be the orient... that is, the jungles of Ecuador, where you will find, waterfalls, rivers and exoctic birds and animals, that most of us only see, on National Geographic. There too the fishing, aaaah preaching work, is going very well. There are options between the area of spring like, and warm to hot climates as well and the fishing is good in those places as well.
Food
That's an important matter. At least it is to us. In Ecuador there is everything and then some. Everything you probably have in the developed world and then you have the exoctic food that are local to Ecuador or the tropical area. Food is not an issue here.
Restaurants
Entertainment
Movies? ... Yup! Pretty much anything you can get in the developed world. Anywhere from $1.50 -4.50 for a movie, depending on the day of the week... Want popcorn, soda and a hotdog? .... add $3-4.00 for 2 persons
News? BBC, CNN, Fox News and of course Ecuadorian news and Latin world channels. TV programing that you have in some of those places as well.
Live music and concerts if that's your thing... Cuenca has it's own Symphony and it's good! $10.-15 for a ticket.
American sports too, if thats your fancy. Interesting thing here.... On Direct TV they have all the U.S. games, that you would pay extra for as a package. All the football (NFL), baseball (MLB), or basketball (NBA) programing they have, and people pay extra for back in the States. But the thing is, that here, no one really is interested in it, so they include it a part of the package you pay 40.00 a month for.
And of course if Soccer is your game, there is a ton of that on Direct TV, all inclusive in your package.
Outdoors? Cajas National Park is 30-40 minutes from here. (Cuenca) So if you like to fish for trout then you are in fishing paraíso. (paradise)
Golf?... I don't know, but I do know that you can do it in Quito or Guayaquil ....
How much? Sorry still don't know that one..... But if you have to play, it's available! And of course Direct TV televises all the PGA and other associations from Europe and So. America.
Sound Good? ..... It is.
Will there be challenges? Of course...
If you have followed this blog, you know we have had some pretty interesting stories/experiences. Ones you can laugh about, after the pain is over with .... Then all you have, is great stories to tell, over and over again, to all the new ones coming here.
Challenges
Well, if you don't speak the language ... Spanish is the national tongue here. Of course you will survive, it's just that you will enjoy it more, if you know spanish, when you hit the ground. Preaching in Spanish or one of the other foreign languages, is where it's at. Here again, if you decide to come to live and serve in Spanish (that's what the branch will suggest, Spanish) you will learn, but speaking from experience, it will be a challenge, one that will be fun and scary, kind of like a roller coaster ride, right? Oh yeah, need I mention, humbling?
Cultural differences
Sure.. there's a bunch of them, but with time you do seem to get somewhat accustomed to them. You just learn not to focus on them. When you have 5-10 bible students, and some of them coming to the meetings, that's easy to do. You tend to focus on the positive spiritual side of things.
What more can we say?
There is so much need, thus the expression "Moving to where the need is great". If you are serving as a servant or an elder ... there is a ton of work to do in the congregations. With so many being formed, when a congregation gets more then 2, they usually are assigned to another new congregation, so they can take the lead. One of the DO's in the country mentioned, that one of the greatest needs here, is for brothers that have experience. If you speak spanish, why not give consideration to your circumstances, make it a matter of prayer, and see if you can move to where the harvest is in full swing, and gaining steam. You can live on a fraction of what it costs in most developed countries, probably close to 20-25% of the costs in fact. If you have a fixed income, perhaps a Social Security or other pension check, you will live better here, then in most lands, on that check.
If you lead a simple, but comfortable life as a couple, you should be able to live on a $1000.00 a month in Cuenca. Rent will cost you anywhere from $150-350.00, depending on where you would want to live. All utilities, gas, electric, water, trash, TV, internet will run about 200.00. Food and entertainment $300.00-400.00. Transport (public) $20-80.00 depending on bus or taxis being used. If you have your own car, gas here is about 1.50 a gallon. Cars as you know from previous blog, are expensive here ... used or new they are over priced.
One other thing to consider. There will be set up costs. Furniture, appliances, dishes and cookware, bedding etc. If you pack and bring it, we spent about a 1200.00 to get some stuff here (our bedding, bathroom, and kitchen appliances, along with pots and pans) and then we spent another 5000.00 for the major stuff, like furniture and appliances (the large ones) to get setup. So that must be in your budget as well. There are places that are furnished, however you dont have the choice of furniture or bedding etc... but then you don't have the setup costs either... Some recent arrivals, the Souza family, are renting an apartment for 350.00 a month furnished.
Check out this site for additional information about Cuenca... and possible rentals as they are advertised on the site often. http://cuencahighlife.com/
Sound Interesting but want to check it out first?
That would be wise. Something that may interest you is, the assemblies we have here in English. The principle one is the District Convention usually at the end of July. Also starting this year there is a Special Assembly Day in March. These assemblies are lovingly put on by the Branch. A mini International Convention each year! Brothers from all parts of the world, who have come to serve here in Ecuador, are in your company. What a blessing! It's soooo encouraging and upbuilding.
After the convention, plan time to check out an area where you think you could live. Also, plan time to visit the branch, and talk to the brothers about your desire to serve in Ecuador. You can get a packet of information from the branch, that will help you obtain your Visa, from the government. Once here if you decide to stay for years, you can keep renewing your Visa, that the branch helps you get. If you want to get your residency, that's possible also.
Don't know the Language?
You'll learn, the society has articles about what to expect, in our magazines.
Also here in Cuenca, there are brothers who can provide the Accelerated Language class. The class can get you up and running, with the BASICS of the language, and get you preaching in Spanish, right away. There was in fact, just completed, the first class in Cuenca. Perhaps if you decide to come, and enough other brothers also, another class can be conducted. The class is really fun, and while taking the class you can get credit on your field service time to boot..... if your a pioneer.If you would like more information, you can can write. The response may not be immediate, but I will try to get back to you. If you can't make the move, but know someone who could, or, may be interested? Please send them this blog site! Yes you can share it with others. There's no copywrite here.
As Jesus said "the harvest is great, but the workers are few, therefore beg the master of the harvest to send more workers". That's what we are doing ...... Can you come, and share in the great harvest here in Ecuador? If it's your desire, to serve in a greater way during the last days of this system. We encourage you to take steps that Jehovah can bless, in harmony with your desire to serve, where the need is great.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Customer service and the USA
Customer service .... Usually something that all of us complain about ..... Especially when your trying to return something ..... If you are one of the readers of this blog that lives where the customer service is good then good for you.... No better said, great for you! .... Here in EC there really is no such thing as customer service .... Well they say there is but it really isn't, not in the sense we are accustomed to, that is, if your from the US, Canada or from Australia.
For example......
We are in the US for work and to visit my Dad and other family. The formally know GC asked us if we could return an item they bought, while in the US, sometime back .... Now in EC you have a unwritten 30 day guarantee .... After that if you have a problem it's your problem "not ours" or so they say ... I have figured out a few possible work arounds to that mentality but never actually put them into practice .... Perhaps one day we will try putting them into practice and find out if they really work..... Anyway, the return in the USA .... I go into BBB no not the better business bureau, Bed Bath & Beyoooooond, and the little lady at the "customer service department" asks how she can help,.... I share with her the problem with the item and she does'nt even look in the bag to see what's in there ..... There could have been a dead rat for all she knew .... No she didn't even look .... Just told me to go and get another one ..... Well there were different sizes so I didn't know which one to take back to EC to the Webbs .... At this point the manager gets involved and directs me to the exact item ... I ask what more I need to do and she says "nothing" .... Oh I'm sure there is something I need to do right? "nope" "well yes take your junk and go"! Nothing else? Nooooooo! She says ..... And looks at me like what is your problem mister ...... I'm thinking my problem is I live in Ecuador and this is just not normal, what your doing and I want, I need a little more resistance .... Nasty looks and general frustration when I try to return something..... What's the matter with you people? Oh I know what's the matter with you people, you've been taught to have a measure of customer service.... A really good measure of customer service!
Lesson learned
So the next time you have a problem and have to return something to a store, just remember that customer service does exist in many countries, and if you happen to live in one where it does exist, even if it's not perfect .... Be greatful as you could be trying to return something in EC and have them look at you like your a moron from another planet, and then have them tell you "we don't even sell that here" well not this week you don't ..... But last month when I bought it here you did.... And then have them tell you it's past the 1 month guarantee, Uuuuuuuuugh!
Oh one other thing... now you know, if you stay with the Webbs you have a nice mattress to sleep on ;-)...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)