This is the Lord’s day in the southern hemisphere also! The Bible study and worship hour in Machala is 10:00...or thereabouts. The people of Ecuador are a warm, hospitable people, and their human relationships generally come first over schedules or timetables. The expression, “la hora ecuatoriana” (Ecuadorian time) describes the extremely flexible timetable of the Ecuadorian culture . So, while those of you in the United States are juggling adjusting to the change to Daylight Savings Time, we are spending our day in a culture where “about 10:00” could have various meanings…all suggesting a time after (but not before) 10:00. 
Ines and Elias Davila . Elias preaches for the congregation that meets at their home.
Jane, Ines and April. Ines has on high heels. What she lacks in height she makes up in heart. What a special little lady!
The church in Machala, Ecuador meets at this location.
The 10:00 worship hour began about 10:25, with several people arriving later.
The worship service on Lord's Day morning in Machala. Several men taught lessons.
After a devotional period, the children were sent to classes. The classes meet in the Davila’s house, and Bert volunteered himself and April to teach the school-age children, and volunteered Jane to teach the younger children. He and April had brought teaching materials for the class.
Ines and Elias Davila . Elias preaches for the congregation that meets at their home.Jane, Ines and April. Ines has on high heels. What she lacks in height she makes up in heart. What a special little lady!Bert and April taught the "older" children in the Bible class.
Olen spoke on Sunday evening with Jaime Campas translating for him.
This is a photo of some of the people at the morning service. There were probaly 60-70 present, with several members not there.
The church in Machala, Ecuador meets at this location.The 10:00 worship hour began about 10:25, with several people arriving later.
The worship service on Lord's Day morning in Machala. Several men taught lessons.After a devotional period, the children were sent to classes. The classes meet in the Davila’s house, and Bert volunteered himself and April to teach the school-age children, and volunteered Jane to teach the younger children. He and April had brought teaching materials for the class.
"I love my Bible. I hold it carefully. I listen to Bible stories...."
Jane had only a felt book, but the usual teachers were present to translate and help keep the usual routine for the children. Somehow we managed to teach the classes and keep the children interested for an hour and a half while the adults had a Bible study and sermon(s). Then we all gathered again for the Lord’s Supper.
The four of us returned to the hotel, had a quick lunch and an afternoon meeting with Elias and Inez about the work in Machala and other places in Ecuador. After the meeting, Elias offered to take us for a drive around Machala that included a stop at a banana plantation, picking sugar cane, photographing mangoes, and cacao (chocolate!). Then Elias took us to the dock at Puerto Bolivar to see the sunset. We were back at the Davila house for the evening worship service at 7:30...or 7:45...or…
The service was delayed somewhat because Ines had collected cacao beans and was roasting them over an outdoor fire. The roasted beans were put in a bowl and several of the ladies were taking the husks off of each bean, like you take the brown part off of a roasted peanut. Then the beans were given to one of the boys who ground them, and the resulting material was taken into the kitchen, mixed with milk and sugar, and heated until our worship hour was over.
Olen spoke at this evening’s service, and Jaime Campas translated for him…a lesson on the good Samaritan. After the lesson, several of the men spoke briefly, mostly expressing appreciation for our visit. Then we adjourned to Ines’ kitchen and were served cups of simmering hot chocolate…made directly from local cocoa beams. Happiness!
What a wonderful way to end the day! It was very difficult to say our “good-byes” to the people we have visited with in the church in Machala. Our plane back to Quito leaves very early in the morning from the Santa Rosa airport. Elias has promised to pick us up at 5:30, which will come very quickly. It has been a wonderful visit to Machala. These people will be in our thoughts and prayers from now on.
But now, we need to get some sleep.
The four of us returned to the hotel, had a quick lunch and an afternoon meeting with Elias and Inez about the work in Machala and other places in Ecuador. After the meeting, Elias offered to take us for a drive around Machala that included a stop at a banana plantation, picking sugar cane, photographing mangoes, and cacao (chocolate!). Then Elias took us to the dock at Puerto Bolivar to see the sunset. We were back at the Davila house for the evening worship service at 7:30...or 7:45...or…
The service was delayed somewhat because Ines had collected cacao beans and was roasting them over an outdoor fire. The roasted beans were put in a bowl and several of the ladies were taking the husks off of each bean, like you take the brown part off of a roasted peanut. Then the beans were given to one of the boys who ground them, and the resulting material was taken into the kitchen, mixed with milk and sugar, and heated until our worship hour was over.
Olen spoke at this evening’s service, and Jaime Campas translated for him…a lesson on the good Samaritan. After the lesson, several of the men spoke briefly, mostly expressing appreciation for our visit. Then we adjourned to Ines’ kitchen and were served cups of simmering hot chocolate…made directly from local cocoa beams. Happiness!
What a wonderful way to end the day! It was very difficult to say our “good-byes” to the people we have visited with in the church in Machala. Our plane back to Quito leaves very early in the morning from the Santa Rosa airport. Elias has promised to pick us up at 5:30, which will come very quickly. It has been a wonderful visit to Machala. These people will be in our thoughts and prayers from now on.
But now, we need to get some sleep.
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