A little more of this and that in Zomora

We got mail from Joy and I am so blessed to recieve photos and letters(handwritten) and art from grandkids.......Thanks so much.
 

                                        Here is a phot of a big bug on the front porch! YIKES!
 
Yesterday Rocky and I met with our language tutor for the first time and we feel like he will be a blessing and great help for us. We had to go and pick him up at his house and we came back to our house to meet. On the way back to our house I was turned in my seat talking to Carlos and I noticed a big rat justing lying on the carpet near the back door and I told Rocky that there was a dead RAT in the backseat and he said in the car now? Yes. He got it out when we got home. Rocky had taken the car and had the oil changed and they washed it and Rocky had a box in the back with Misc. things in it and they did not put the box back in when Rocky picked up the car. so next morning he went back and got the box and we think the rat got in  it the night it was left at shop.  It got in the glovebox and chewed a little paper and that is all we have found so far. No Se! why it died but glad and glad also we found it before it smelled.
      It is very wet here in Zomora. To be able to shake the salt out ,i have rice and crackers in with the salt and also have the salt shaker in a zip lock bag. I am really missing the taste of texmex food. If anyone would like to send me a couple of packs of dry taco seasoning it would be used. it could be taken out of original package and put in ziplock and then in envelope and maybe it would not cost  for me to get it.
    Rocky Black
    Correo Central
   Zomora, Ecuador
   South America
 We are learning to be flexible as nothing goes as planned. Be flexible or get bent out of shape.

Bible Study in Village

We arrived about 25 min. early and the house where we have the study was dark and quiet. The little children began to come around and greet us. But no parents in sight. After a few min. here comes a lady out of a trail with a hugh load on her back with a strap across her forehead and carrying a machete. She look worn out from working and carrying the load. It was the lady of the house and following close behind was her husband with his own load. They had been harvesting yuca which is a staple for the Shuar. Yuca is a root and to me it has no taste and is very starchy.  They came through the porch and greeted everyone and went to clean up. They came right out and sat down and we had bible study. I kept thinking that the kids were hungry but they did not say a word. There is 6 children from 15 years old to 2 years old , 5 boys and Jessica who is 9. The children got their bibles and sat on a bench and they looked up every scripture and follow along and sometimes they stand up and read the scripture. Mike and Pat showed us to take a bag of rolls with us and last night that bag of rolls were this family's supper with a glass of soda and they always serve all of the guest before they get a roll and drink. After they had eat that one roll they were satisfied and began to fall asleep from the youngest.

4 of the childrenJonatan and JefersonThe house where we have the studyJungle road we travelriver we crossthe bridge

  We are so very rich.

Market

Went to market this morning and came home with a big chunk of beef weighing 4 lbs and a chunk of pork weighing 4 lbs. That was good but then I had to decide what to do with such a large chunk of meat. So I went about cutting this way and that way and hopefully it will be edible. We got home with just a small amount of tomatoes so we went back and bought more...We love fresh tomatoes! We are really enjoying the fresh fruits. This afternoon I made us a "liquada de fruta con agua" and it reminded me of Guatemala. Lots of fruit drinks served there. Our neighbors upstairs have brought us a serving of what they cook each evening so we are getting to taste Ecuador cooking. I miss hot tortillas....They are not here.

Zormora part 2

A few days before the Townsends left, we had a visit from 3 young men from Ambato and one of the 3 has a full heart for the Shuar people. We were blessed to get to spend time with these special colabors in Christ. On thursday afternoon they went with Rocky and I out to a village called Kiim and we had a bible study with 2 ladies and a couple of children. Rocky and I will continue to visit and see what the Lord has for this village. 
The young man in the middle is Victor and he will help Rocky and I out with ministry  and the other 2 will possible return also. Victor goes to college 4 hours each night and seminary all day Saturdays and he works every day.

   Zomora is a really neat little town. I have not really got to explore much yet but hope to soon. Last week when we went to the market I forgot to take pictures till we were leaving but I do have a couple not so good ones. There is the most neat clock up on a hill and it is very big and at night it is light up.

 We had a homemade hamburger from the ground beef we bought last week.
 
Speaking about homemade..... It has just hit me that there is no take out here in Zormora. There has been something everywhere we have been ....like North American chains but not in Zormora. Good thing I like to cook. But the family that lives upstairs is always bringing us a plate of food. Just now they came down with a shrimp dish and it is very good(muy rico).Yesterday they came with a big bunch of bananas so i made some bread today. 

 

  

The tall pink is cotton candy.

     We are watching "Friday Night Lights" on Tv right now and it has been cool to see things in Odessa and area.

Zomora

I finally feel like we have made it to the place God has called us!!! Last night we went to Sunday night service in Manchanatza and we had to have a boat come and take us across and the river was up and fast flowing. But all went well and we had to climb up a steep and very slipperyhill to get to church. It was a wonderful service....It was a goodbye to Mike and Pat and a hello to Rocky and I. Afterwards it was very dark and it was even more slippery because it had rain more during service. The climb back to river was pretty hairy but we made it and back across the river... Was so glad that we went. God is so good!!!!

The mission house they are building.....

 Preparing to cross..The church...