The wild life on the Galapagos Islands, cathedrals of Quito, handcrafts of Otavalo, Inca ruins near Cuenca, water falls of Banos, and crater lake in Quilotoa. If you were headed to Ecuador these are the sites you would be sure to have on your list to visit.
I have pictures of many of the most popular destinations from my recent visit to Ecuador, but if you asked which me was most magnificent and awe inspiring it wouldn’t be any of them. Don’t get me wrong I loved every beautiful sight.
My favorite part though was when I got away from the tourist hustle and bustle and saw what was hidden behind “must sees” and “must dos.” I had a unique opportunity to do this in Otavalo, Ecuador and it is a memory that has made many other fun vacations fade in comparison.
I was traveling with three former missionaries of Ecuador, one being my husband, and their wives. Though we were visiting many tourist destinations this trip was a bit different. We were seeing Ecuador through the eyes of these missionaries who loved and served with all their 19 year old hearts.
We visited old friends who accepted the gospel and were baptized because of their work. During their time there and under the leadership of President Farnsworth there was a miraculous number of members reactivated and people baptized.
“Elder Beck” had the opportunity to serve in the unique and beautiful city of Otavalo nestled high in the Andes mountains. He arranged to take us on a visit to some of his favorite families and I didn’t really know what to expect. I remembered Otavalo being referenced in talks and heard rumors of “pet” guinea pigs, but I didn’t know much about Otavalo besides that.
If you are reading this you probably know how much I love stories that show how often God reaches out to us. I told another one that happened in Ecuador you can read here. That day in Otavalo would introduce me two of the sweetest and miraculous stories. I wish you could hear them straight from the mouths that spoke them but I’ll so my best to share.
I tell this first story of this wonderful family as it was translated to me. They served us a delicious traditional meal and shared their amazing story. Because of the language barrier there are so many details I don’t have but I think you will love this story all the same.
Five problems solved and a promise in return.
Elder Beck had a problem to solve. The missionaries serving in Otavalo kept getting food poisoning and it was hindering their work. He was able to find a humble (and conveniently delicious) restaurant that practiced sanitary food prep. It was run by a kind and welcoming family. The missionaries were instructed that they were only to eat at this particular restaurant if they wanted to eat local food.
All the sudden the family was serving Elders almost every day. You can guess what happened. The family served food and the Elders served up the gospel.
The husband was very resistant and didn’t want much to do with the gospel for some time. Finally, at the insistence of his wife and children he agreed to pray about being baptized. He had five problems that he hadn’t been able to resolve for years. He decided to fast. He promised God that if He could solve these five problems for him, he would know the church was true and he would be baptized.
Within two weeks every problem was solved or went away.
He was humbled and grateful. To show his gratitude he made a promise to God. He promised that exactly one year from his baptism he would take his family to be sealed for eternity in the nearest temple in Lima, Peru.
During that year a war broke out between Ecuador and Peru. Travel to Peru would be incredibly unsafe and likely impossible. This humble father would not forget His promise. He knew if the Lord wanted Him to keep it He would help his family get to Peru.
The whole family cautiously boarded a bus headed for Peru. At the border soldiers stopped the bus and told the driver to turn around. No one would be allowed to enter Peru. The father plead with the soldiers. He told them where he was taking his family and of his promise to God.
After much back and forth the soldiers saw that this devoted father would not take no for an answer. They were the only ones allowed across the border that day under one condition. They had to sign a paper stating that the country of Peru would take no responsibility if they all were killed.
Their journey to the Lima Peru temple continued in the same manner miraculously overcoming obstacles every step of the way. It was treacherous and at many times seemed hopeless. At one point they hid under a bridge as shots were fired all around them.
He kept his promise. This faithful family was sealed for eternity in the Lima, Peru temple on the day that the father promised. Though the journey home was no less perilous they were protected and arrived home safely.
You might think it crazy even foolish for a family to take such a life threatening journey. Why not wait for the war to end? That thought crossed my mind as the story was told. But this father knew of God’s miracles; He trusted in what He could do. He also knew what it meant to be able to make lasting covenants with Heavenly Father and the importance of being sealed as a family.
The other story that was told was just as sweet but you will have to wait until next week to read it!
