The People: Part 2

We have been going to a church that meets every Sunday at Fausto's car repair shop. So, it is like we have been going to a  Goodyear or Firestone every week for church. It has been refreshing to go to a church that is not dealing with new locations or "staying relevant". It has been what church should be. Family. Here are some of the people we will be missing from our iglesia. 

Jennifer caring baby Nicolette Ecuadorian Style.

The England Family founded our church. Let's start with the youngest England. We will miss Nicolette's kicking, dancing, squirming, and pulling on her mom's earrings during the music portion of the service. Next, Micheal Jr. will be missed for conversations about music. Andy still has hope for him to start a brother sister band a la White Stripes with his sister Natassja. Also, it was always fun to see what Natassaja was crotcheting every week...from braclets to little stuff animals.  She really has a gift. Jennifer is always friendly and welcoming to everybody she meets. Jennifer has a unique approach to Spanish grammar in that she doesn't always follow the rules, as Micheal pointed out one week. Micheal is the pastor at our church. He has a "Lon like" ability to learn new languages (Lon is Andy's best friend, who speaks English, Spanish, and Hindi). Every well prepared, Bible based sermon is "en espanol".  One teaching that we will remember (we kind of knew it but we needed to be reminded) is that we have already started a family by getting married and family doesn't start when you have kids...it only continues. So next time someone asks when we are going to start a family the answer is we already have.  Andy will miss their semi weekly discussions about American Football and the inferiority of the Seattle Seahawks.  We will miss all five of the Englands. 

Micheal using his two favorite languages. Spanish and body.
From left to right Andy, Micheal, Fausto, and Davidcito are using a part of a plow to cook meat.

Fausto, Estaban, and Hilda at the Wawa competition. 

Fausto is the officially unofficial greeter and usher of our little church. His mutant power is word play and puns.  Sometimes our Spanish does not pick up the nuance of his jokes, but we can tell they are funny by both people's reactions and Fausto's hearty belly laughs post pun. Hilda is his wife and the glue of the church... glue being meals made, competitions organized, and helping with Sunday School. We are going to miss Hilda's insights and thoughtful conversation and we will miss Fausto's one liners and strong handshakes. 

Christmas boots made of recycled Coca-Cola bottles. 

The women of the church are pretty active with crafts and get togethers. Alex who is next to me, has the gift of craftiness with a focus using used and recycled materials. Erika is on the other said of Alex,  and is from the cost, but unlike the people of the cost she speaks slowly so that us gringos can understand her. I am also amazed how she is able to pay attention at church while she patiently runs around after 2 year old daughter. Nancy is down below and helps with Sunday school. She is also the reigning champion of the Wawa competion. 

 We were humbled and surprised at the generosity and love we received during our last day of church. Fausto gave us some t-shirts with the name of his business on it and the church women made cards and gave me some jewelry.  We will miss our churchito. We should have called Michael a month earlier. A shout out to eSteve Heinold for connecting us with Michael and Jennifer. 

T-shirts courtesy of Fausto and the cards we received from the church. Alexandria exhibiting her incredible craftiness once again!

Alex made this "kitchen" out of cardboard and recycled materials (plastic bottle caps etc...). We thought it was really cool because it has an oven and we don't, so we cooked a lasagna.