SPECIAL MEETINGS WITH ELDER RASBAND REUNIONES ESPECIALES CON ELDER RASBAND

On Monday, June 13th, we left early to pick up Elder and Sis. Montoya to accompany Elder Rasband and his wife to Portoviejo and Manta to meet with members and non-members affected by the 7.8 earthquake that hit April 16.  We went first to Portoviejo, three hours to the north, where we expected no more than 200 people because it was a Monday at 11:00 am.  But when we arrived, there were around 900 people in the chapel and overflow into the cultural hall.  Elder Rasband became very emotional when he saw all those who had come.  He spoke for just 10 or 15 minutes, including pronouncing an apostolic blessing, and then spent the rest of the time greeting each person individually with a handshake or a hug. There were about 65 members that had come from Pedernales, the city closest to the epicenter where 80% of the city was destroyed and many people were killed. There was a wonderful spirit in the room and many tears shed.  Afterwards we went 45 min. to Manta where another 500 people were waiting to hear Elder Rasband, and he again spoke for just a few minutes and then greeted each person personally. Pres. Dennis had the privilege of translating for Elder Rasband in Manta.  It was an unforgettable day.  We returned the three hours to Guayaquil that afternoon in time for the Rasbands to catch their plane home.

El lunes, 13 de junio, salimos temprano para recoger a Elder y Hna. Montoya para acompañar a Elder Rasband a Portoviejo y Manta para reunir con miembros y no miembros afectados por el terremoto de 7.8 que ocurrió el 16 de abril.   Fuimos primero a Portoviejo, tres horas al norte, donde esperábamos encontrar no mas de 200 personas porque era un lunes a las 11:00 am. Pero cuando llegamos, había 900 personas esperando. Discursó por solamente 10-15 minutos y usó el resto del tiempo para saludar personalmente cada persona de mano o con un abrazo. Hubo 65 personas de Pedernales donde 80% de la ciudad fue destruida y mucha gente se murieron porque era muy cerca del epicentro. Hubo un espíritu muy especial allí y hubo muchas lágrimas. Después de terminar de saludar a todos, viajamos 45 minutos a Manta donde había 500 personas mas esperando y Elder Rasband hizo lo mismo allí y saludó a cada persona.  Pte. Dennis tuvo el privilegio de traducir por Elder Rasband en Manta. Fue un día inolvidable. Regresamos a Guayaquil esa tarde para que los Rasbands pudieran tomar el avión de regreso a casa.