Farnsworth Forum

From our two then little, now big, pilgrims, Amelia and Joel, we thank God for you and trust Him to bless you all.  This picture was taken during our trip to Plymouth, MA, in May 2011.

For Thanksgiving we had the honor of inviting Morgan's sister Makenzie and friend Maddie for breakfast.  Actually they spent the night with us Wednesday-Thursday.  They were here one week for a missions trip. Our turkey was 19 pounds this year. We seasoned it and stuffed it with celery and onions. Because it was so big, it took longer to cook this year, and we got behind schedule a bit, but everything worked out fine. The menu included, besides the turkey, pilgrim pie (which is kind of a spinach quiche), green bean casserole, sweet corn (the four kernels represent the meager diet of the pilgrims' first winter, during which they often ate only a few dried corn kernels).  This reminder prompted us to go around the table and everyone gave thanks to God verbally. and, of course, the roast turkey. Also, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, which we managed to find in the grocery store here. Amelia and Morgan enjoyed the feast. Ma...

On Sunday, November 2, 2014 (All Soul's Day in English) we visited the cemetery in Cotacachi to show Morgan what happens there.  Many people visit to clean, paint the graves of their dead loved ones.  This is the grave of Marisol's Aunt Marlene's husband Ramiro who died in November 2001, a few months after I arrived in Ecuador as a missionary the first time.  He always encouraged Marisol and me in our relationship and was so pleased when we announced our engagement.  Unfortunately he passed away before our wedding day on July 7, 2002. Here is the grave of a member of the Cotacachi church where I serve as pastor.  I am good friends with his widow, and his granddaughter serves on the ministry team of the church. On this day people go to the cemetery to hang out and "spend time" with their departed friends and family. Morgan, Joel and Marisol gaze at the tombs of Marisol's Aunt Nancy and her husband Germán.  Both succumbed to cancer within a two ...

We spent the Day of the Dead, or finados as it is called here in Ecuador, in Santa Rosa with Marisol's family.  It is a Catholic holiday, All Souls Day, which is the two days after Halloween, or All Hallows (Holy) Eve which was later shortened to Halloween.  The day after Halloween is All Saints Day, which is why All Hallows Eve is considered sacred or holy. Here Elías is celebrating in his abuelito's hammock in Santa Rosa. While cousin Cloe and Jacob look on from their lookout in the nearby playhouse.  Baby cousin Antonito rested in the other hammock. Antonito and proud sister Cloe. Proud cousins Joel and Jacob with Antonito who was born in July. Morgan and Joel look on while Marisol's sister Negui and her mom Zulema transport the colada morada from the smoke house to the kitchen. Elías hides in the hammock. Morgan and Joel sample the colada morada. Colada morada is made once a year for the Day of the Dead.  It is a drink ...