Finally, our international assembly was here, after months of planning. It seemed like we must be about the last ones to have our assembly.
Delegates streaming down into the stadium
This is looking from the section where we sat. The main platform is in the middle of the grassy area (to the right of the photo) where the talks were broadcast in Spanish.
The 4 little tents were for other languages – the tent on the left was where talks etc were interpreted into sign language for the deaf audience, in the next tent some talks were given in the Kichwa/Quichua language, I think the next tent was seating for the next speakers, etc , and the tent on the right was where the entire program was given in English.
We brought FM receivers with us and tuned them in to the appropriate frequency while at the same time trying to tune out the Spanish program which was being broadcast generally over the loudspeakers.
It’s not often a brother gets to wear a poncho while giving a talk – but if you serve in a Kichwa/Quichua congregation, you get to do just that!
In the middle of the photo you can see that in the Kichwa/Quichua section, they had a banner saying “Alli shamushca” – or Welcome.
The sign language section had specially-made large white hands to enhance their “clapping”!
It rained on the Friday but fortunately for us, the section we were in was under cover.
It was nice for us that we were close to the international delegates and next to the Kichwa/Quichua, as it afforded some great photo opportunities!
I’m fascinated by the variety of costumes that are worn throughout Ecuador, but normally feel too embarrassed to do the touristy thing and take photos of everyone and everything, but this was an occasion when everyone had their cameras out and were happy to take photos and have their photos taken.
Some even wanted to take our photos or have their photos taken with us, which was rather a surprise to us, but maybe they were as fascinated with us as we were with them.
This brother at the front in the red poncho kept popping up everywhere and shaking everyone’s hands! I think he was pretty excited to be here.
This young brother was definitely a photo-magnet.
A young girl dressed just like her Mum in indigenous clothing. In many parts of Ecuador people routinely dress in traditional clothing, particularly in the country areas. In the cities, not so much, except Otavalo where the traditional dress is very much the norm.
This sister’s clothing looks a bit more “special occasion” than everyday
A young family who agreed to have their photo taken
Indigenous clothing from various parts of Ecuador.
The blue dresses are traditional Shuar clothing. The Shuar are a tribe that live in the east (Oriente or Amazon region) of Ecuador.
(Also check out the little boy on the right in the red poncho and the hairy legs! Not a Shuar outfit, I don’t think)
Red is also a traditional colour for Shuar dresses. This is the wife of our circuit overseer – they visit a few of the foreign language congregations here, including English. (Weird that we are a “foreign language” here when back home we are in the majority.)
Around the waist is worn a belt/waistband made with decorations which make noises when the wearer moves. Also around the feet (see the previous photo with the sisters dressed in blue).
These 2 sisters are from the Esmeraldas region in the north west of Ecuador
A family with matching ponchos. This design seems to be pretty standard for their particular area (Chimborazo or Riobamba)
Sisters from Guayaquil.
I think this family was from Cayambe, about half way between Quito and Otavalo (heading north-ish)
There was a section of the stadium where you could go to meet delegates from different countries (these were from Puerto Rico) and take advantage of photo opportunities.
We had delegates from France, Spain (I suspect the brother in the red cap is from Spain, but I didn’t get to find out), Puerto Rico, Aruba, Trinidad & Tobago and the USA (sorry to the ones I forgot). And maybe some of the other small islands nearby.
A colourful mix of delegates
I think these sisters said they were from a place about 1 1/2 hours north of Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world, or equator)
Here am I with Ximena, a sister from Cuenca English congregation. Her skirt is typical of those worn by the indigenous women in the Cuenca area.
On the wall behind us are signs in English, Kichwa/Quichua and Spanish.
Speaking of “photo magnets” …
This is Harold, a very tall brother living in Quito (he is in the Haitian Creole congregation). He’s tall by western standards, so to Ecuadorians he seems to be quite the attraction. Lots of brothers and sisters wanted to have their photo taken with him. He had quite a crowd of fans – no sooner had some had their photo taken with him, when the next crowd of fans also wanted their photo taken.
There was a lot of exchanging of “regalitos” (little gifts) at the convention. This is what we came home with.
All up, it was pretty fun!
