PA Group--Day 1

The indigenous people of the communities surrounding Cotacachi celebrate  St. John's Day (el Día de San Juan) with a traditional trot called el sanjuan.  Here the children of Cotacachi participate on Saturday, June 20, in advance of the actual day of San Juan (June 24).

The celebration would coincide with the group's time in Cotacachi.

We chartered a school bus to go pick up the group at the Quito airport.  All we Farnsworths traveled to receive them.  Here is Elías.

Jacob sat with Amelia in the bus.

Joel was ready to go see his friends from Exeter and Bethany.

The group arrived right on schedule!!!!!  We were so happy to see them, including the Encarnación family (pictured here).

Joel and Amelia with Lisette Pérez.

Gaby, Carlina, Joel, Amelia and Lisette

The bus driver Germán loading the bus.

Frank and Gaby on the bus and ready to roll to Cotacachi.

Jacob at the Mitad del Mundo (Ecuator) Monument in Cayambe, en route to Cotacachi.

Another monument across the street.

The group dutifully posed for pictures.

Joel and Amelia are all smiles.

Later, at the Amigos en Cristo Church, in Cotacachi. . . .

Jacob. . .

 . . .and Elías played on the church playground.

Joel helped to watch them.

We had a welcome program later, organized by the church leadership team, with singing. . .

. . .and eating typical foods from Ecuador.

But not before singing the final song!

Everyone enjoyed tasting the various foods, including zucchini brownies, guinea pig, carnes coloradas, fresh Ecuadorian fruit, etc.

 And the fellowship was sweet, too.

The welcome celebration was followed by a group team meeting.

After the team meeting Yan Carlos and I headed back to the airport to pick up Ramón, who was delayed by several hours due to a glitch with his passport.  But he arrived safely, and we were happy to welcome him to Ecuador.

We will share "PA Group--Day 2" soon!  God bless you all!