Guayaquil

There was a small crowd of people watching a wrestling match on a television screen facing the street in Guayaquil.  This woman caught my eye and I could not resist taking this photo adding to my collection of......

'FACES of ECUADOR'

Coming down off the mountains on the road to Guayaquil takes you to a whole different climate.  There are banana groves and all manner of fruit.  There was one small tree or large bush with pods hanging off of it that I just couldn't figure out.

This is the Cacao plant, where our chocolate comes from!  When the pods turn a yellow color then they are ready to be harvested.  I buy the dark bitter chocolate here and put a bit in my coffee.  That along with eating flaxseed and grapefruits has helped my cholesterol numbers to drop about 30 points.  Now I'm not sure which one has done it but something is working....(When you get to my age you start talking about cholesterol numbers,,,hope I'm not boring you too much)

TAXI ANYONE?

 

 

 

 

 See the bananas growing with the neat green plastic bags over them.  I wonder how they get the bags to grow over them like that?

The best way to store a pineapple is hanging upside down to get at all the sweetness.

These are SOOO DELICIOUS.

Finally we arrive in Guayaquil!

First thing on the agenda after checking in at the hostel.

Street preaching and prayer in the park.

 

 

Oh and I can't forget the Iguanas. Even though we've been to this city a few times, it took Pastor Jesus to lead us to the Iguana park.  We probably walked past it a dozen times and never even noticed it. They are all over the place and have a favorite tree where they hang around like ornaments.

 

Waiting in line for a vegetable and fruit drink next to the hostel. 

 

 

 

 

Revival meeting

The last week in August we had revival meetings with Pastor Jesus Ceyala.  The church received him very well and we were so excited to have our old friend here with us for a whole week. Here are some photos of that week and the next post will have a record of the drive and events in Guayaquil afterwards.  It is much more practical to fly into Guayaquil and then get a ride or a bus the rest of the way to Cuenca.

We had lot's of eats after every service.  I guess if you know anything about us, we've always liked to get everyone together to share a meal and enjoy each other's company.  It just so happens everyone had the same idea and each service someone ended up bringing something totally unplanned.  I did the meal the last night and introduced everyone to New Mexico RED Chili!!...woo.hoo!!...

Ok on the left we have Pastor Jesus, Jose & Maria! Pardon the pun...

And last but not least a view overlooking our fair city of Cuenca.  I think Pastor Jesus is freezing as he is dressed for Guayaquil not the Andes mountains!

 

 

Let's take  a 20 second stroll down the street across from the free market.  It's a very busy part of town.  Turn up the speakers and maybe you can catch the sound of the street vendors selling their wares and fresh fruits and vegetables.... 

 

 

 

 

We are so grateful that the church in Guayaquil  was able to come down to help us on the outreach.  We had a great time.  Here are some more pictures from that day.

It sure is hard to get everyone together for a picture.  The phrase for the day was "Has anyone seen Alfredo?"






I'm not sure but I think he's over there.