I know you haven't heard from me in quite a while. First because we were moving, then Mark's illness, the drama and our trip to the states. However, I am still having problems with getting Internet at our new house. We have been without service since May and this is really getting old. I am told that perhaps Monday a new company will come and install service, but at this point I will believe it when I see it.
So for all you followers that think I have abandoned the blog or those who have written and never received an answer, you now know the reason. I plan to be up and running as soon as I have INTERNET!
About Me
- Rebecca McCleskey
- In October, 1997, my husband Mark and I, decided to move to Ecuador. We settled in Cuenca, the third largest city. It is nestled in a valley surrounded by the Andes Mountain range. It has been an amazing aventure.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Happy Yet Sad
We have exciting news that has made us very happy and is very encouraging. Mark has been assigned to direct the drama for the district convention this year (in Spanish). Without disclosing details, it is very interesting and to the point and you all will enjoy it very much. What makes us sad is that the first presentation is scheduled for the weekend of our English District Convention which means we will not be able to attend it this year. Oh well, if it Jehovah´s will there will be another English convention next year and this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of the drama. So, we decided to be possitive and enjoy this momment. Love to you all and I hope to post pictures of the drama after the convention. Please keep us in your prayers.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Update
Hi. I'm taking a moment to write a quick blog. We are moved into our new home and despite all the stress with Mark's illness, we absolutly are enjoying it!
Mark is going through the Social Security medical system to get all the tests done and see the specialists. We are very impressed with the Social Security system here. It is well managed and works very smoothly. The tests results should be back today or tomorrow and we will let all know what they reveal.
We got our first house warming gift! Fanny and William along with their girls came for lunch on Sunday and handed us a box. When we opened it there were two small chickens. The girls inform me they are a male and female named Bayly and Flippy. What a surprise! I guess you can say we are officially countryfied!
We still don't have internet so communication is sporatic. But, as soon as we do the blogs will continue.
Mark is going through the Social Security medical system to get all the tests done and see the specialists. We are very impressed with the Social Security system here. It is well managed and works very smoothly. The tests results should be back today or tomorrow and we will let all know what they reveal.
We got our first house warming gift! Fanny and William along with their girls came for lunch on Sunday and handed us a box. When we opened it there were two small chickens. The girls inform me they are a male and female named Bayly and Flippy. What a surprise! I guess you can say we are officially countryfied!
We still don't have internet so communication is sporatic. But, as soon as we do the blogs will continue.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
What's Been Going On
Okay, so we finally get to go ahead to move. We started on a Monday morning and only one brother showed up to help (Mark J. you're a saint). Actually, 6 brothers committed to come, but I guess things came up. After a while, another husband and wife showed up and some sisters from the hall who helped me unpack the kitchen stuff.
It was Carnival week and everything shuts down for the holiday. Carnival is Ecuador's biggest holiday, even more revered than Christmas. So we were anxious to get everything done before the weekend and Mark's elder school. Just when you think you have everything planned, all goes haywired. Mark started running a high fever. By the next day the fever was spiking to 103 and we went to the Doctor. We thought he just had a bit of flu. Well, He was admitted to the hospital immediately. He had uerosepsis which attacked his bloodstream. The doctor told us had we waited one day more he would have died. This was very scary and they kept him overnight giving him strong, intravenious antibiotics. Then he was released and we had to go back every 12 hours to the emergency room for him to recieve 4 more introvenious antibiotics. We had to search the entire city for the medicine, it took us 6 hours to locate what he needed. Finally, we called the pharmecuetical rep and he located the 4 bottles that we needed. Each ampule costs $120 so you can imagine the added stress. He continues to be on strong antibiotics and will have to have a scan soon. Something unusual showed up on his kidney xray and it needs to be investigated as a possible cause for his infection. Mark is recovering slowly; he still is very weak and hasn't been able to work. He is depressed because not only does he feel horrible, this slowed down our move and to top things off he missed the Elder's school again...last time he missed because he broke his leg. So this is what has been happening...
We thank all our family and friends that have been supportive during this difficult time. Your calls and messages have been welcomed. I won't be able to write for a while because we still do not have internet or phone at the house. But, I will try to write once in while when at work when I have access to a computer.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
It was Carnival week and everything shuts down for the holiday. Carnival is Ecuador's biggest holiday, even more revered than Christmas. So we were anxious to get everything done before the weekend and Mark's elder school. Just when you think you have everything planned, all goes haywired. Mark started running a high fever. By the next day the fever was spiking to 103 and we went to the Doctor. We thought he just had a bit of flu. Well, He was admitted to the hospital immediately. He had uerosepsis which attacked his bloodstream. The doctor told us had we waited one day more he would have died. This was very scary and they kept him overnight giving him strong, intravenious antibiotics. Then he was released and we had to go back every 12 hours to the emergency room for him to recieve 4 more introvenious antibiotics. We had to search the entire city for the medicine, it took us 6 hours to locate what he needed. Finally, we called the pharmecuetical rep and he located the 4 bottles that we needed. Each ampule costs $120 so you can imagine the added stress. He continues to be on strong antibiotics and will have to have a scan soon. Something unusual showed up on his kidney xray and it needs to be investigated as a possible cause for his infection. Mark is recovering slowly; he still is very weak and hasn't been able to work. He is depressed because not only does he feel horrible, this slowed down our move and to top things off he missed the Elder's school again...last time he missed because he broke his leg. So this is what has been happening...
We thank all our family and friends that have been supportive during this difficult time. Your calls and messages have been welcomed. I won't be able to write for a while because we still do not have internet or phone at the house. But, I will try to write once in while when at work when I have access to a computer.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Update on Our Move
We got news that the keys to our new home will be delivered Sunday evening and we will be moving on Monday. YEAH! Vamos a ver.
Our Internet will be down for a while so we won't be able to post anything until it gets set up in the new place. Once we are settled and up and running, I will post pictures of the interiors.
See you then.
Our Internet will be down for a while so we won't be able to post anything until it gets set up in the new place. Once we are settled and up and running, I will post pictures of the interiors.
See you then.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Our Soon to be New Home
I thought everyone would like to see photos of our new home, well it will be after February 20. As you can see it has beautiful mountains and once I get access to the inside, I will be posting interior shots. I think we will be very happy with country living.
Friday, February 4, 2011
It Comes With the Territory
This is Mark, making a rare appearance on the blog.
When you decide to serve in a foreign country, you know that there will be sacrifices to make. You know that life will not be the same on many levels, not only a different language perhaps, different food, water and customs but you also know that for many of us, we will not be there at home for certain things. We miss seeing those first steps of our younger relatives and friends' children, graduations, maybe weddings, baptisms and other such milestones. But, as we say, it comes with the territory. It isn't always a total sacrifice, I suppose, thanks to the internet and Skype and other video connections. In many ways we can almost be there by way of these technological advances. They often serve as your link to family and friends. But, sometimes they can be sadly lacking. After all, nothing is like the real thing. So, when my mother passed away last Sunday night after having suffered several years from Alzheimer's disease, I guess it hit home like no other thing that I have missed during the years. Travel there was impeded by financial limitations, the worst snow and ice storms that Texas has seen in many years, not to mention the fact that, for the first time the Superbowl is going to be in Dallas which would have made tickets a valuable commodity especially since hundreds and hundreds of those flights have been cancelled because of the same storms. But as it is in life, it comes with the territory. You do without some things. The difference is, however, that we are Jehovah's people. We know that death is not some stepping stone to the afterlife, at least, not for most. We know that death's sting has been defeated. Our hope is certain. We have no doubt. Of course, we are human and so in spite of our logic in the matter and the fact that death is NOT natural. We do hurt. It isn't easy or joyful. But we also know that time is a great healer in conjunction with our faith. And perhaps one of the most vivid blessings we have is that, no matter where in the world we may be serving, we are with family. Our family here has shown such an outpouring of love and support that we realized once again that we are not without family. The Kelly's invited us to be at their home during the video link to see the memorial service. When they heard about it, several other brothers and sisters expressed a desire to be present as well even though they won't understand the language. But they want to be there to show us who our family really is. So, if you are serving in a foreign field or thinking about doing so. Never forget that we are all foreigners serving in a foreign land. This system of things. We look forward to the day we serve in the one true kingdom. And remember that your spiritual family is comprised of the finest living people on the planet. And by the way...that comes with the territory too.
Mark
When you decide to serve in a foreign country, you know that there will be sacrifices to make. You know that life will not be the same on many levels, not only a different language perhaps, different food, water and customs but you also know that for many of us, we will not be there at home for certain things. We miss seeing those first steps of our younger relatives and friends' children, graduations, maybe weddings, baptisms and other such milestones. But, as we say, it comes with the territory. It isn't always a total sacrifice, I suppose, thanks to the internet and Skype and other video connections. In many ways we can almost be there by way of these technological advances. They often serve as your link to family and friends. But, sometimes they can be sadly lacking. After all, nothing is like the real thing. So, when my mother passed away last Sunday night after having suffered several years from Alzheimer's disease, I guess it hit home like no other thing that I have missed during the years. Travel there was impeded by financial limitations, the worst snow and ice storms that Texas has seen in many years, not to mention the fact that, for the first time the Superbowl is going to be in Dallas which would have made tickets a valuable commodity especially since hundreds and hundreds of those flights have been cancelled because of the same storms. But as it is in life, it comes with the territory. You do without some things. The difference is, however, that we are Jehovah's people. We know that death is not some stepping stone to the afterlife, at least, not for most. We know that death's sting has been defeated. Our hope is certain. We have no doubt. Of course, we are human and so in spite of our logic in the matter and the fact that death is NOT natural. We do hurt. It isn't easy or joyful. But we also know that time is a great healer in conjunction with our faith. And perhaps one of the most vivid blessings we have is that, no matter where in the world we may be serving, we are with family. Our family here has shown such an outpouring of love and support that we realized once again that we are not without family. The Kelly's invited us to be at their home during the video link to see the memorial service. When they heard about it, several other brothers and sisters expressed a desire to be present as well even though they won't understand the language. But they want to be there to show us who our family really is. So, if you are serving in a foreign field or thinking about doing so. Never forget that we are all foreigners serving in a foreign land. This system of things. We look forward to the day we serve in the one true kingdom. And remember that your spiritual family is comprised of the finest living people on the planet. And by the way...that comes with the territory too.
Mark
Saturday, January 29, 2011
We Are Moving Once Again
I have often said that I only have one more move in me and that would be back to the U.S. Well, I guess I have to eat those words. Mark and I have been offered a simple house in the country on a plot of land of about 1 hectare. It's one story with 3 bedrooms and the views are priceless. It was too good to say no. Therefore, we are packing it up and making the change. At the moment, we are nose deep in boxes waiting for the house to be vacated...hopefully by the last week of February. Once things calm down and we get settled I will definitely post some pictures...but, until then you won't be hearing much from us.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Busy, Busy
This is going to be a busy month. First, we are changing apartments. The apartment across the hall is available and since it is more room, we decided to take it. (Also because the owner of our present apartment wanted to rent our apartment out to another foreigner). However, it will only be until March or April when we will be moving out into the country. In the meantime, Mark has a talk on the Circuit Assembly and I have a demonstration; also the yearly pioneer meeting, work and, of course, catching up on our pioneer time since we were sick the last two months. Life if never boring here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)