Here is a quick look at what we have been up to lately.

Training Center - for lack of one window, Frank's move into the workshop was delayed. Once the building was secure, he was further delayed by a well-meaning church member who allowed an auto body shop to bring their guys, their tools, and their dog over to set up shop. After that misunderstanding was cleared up, the guys cleared out. Now the tools are ready to be moved in and the skills classes are about to start beginning with general carpentry and auto mechanics. Please pray there are no further obstacles to this element of Frank's ministry. In the meantime, he has kept busy working on next year's team budget and a new MTW financial reporting system.

Quichua study - I (Darlene) found a manual in a box of old books. It is a language study guide called "Quichua in 10 Easy Lessons" with the subtitle "(the other 40 are harder)". This old typewritten manual has been a great encouragement for me as I return to language study with a simpler, repetitive method that helps me learn. It would be similar to "Quichua for Dummies" which is basically where I am! Since Betty Aschmann and Natalie Booth are temporarily out of the country, I am meeting weekly with their language helper, Betty Malan. Betty has been a real blessing - her father helped translate the Quichua Bible. In a 'culture lesson' yesterday, I learned that widows and widowers a generation ago cut their hair short after the death of their spouse. Only when it grew back to normal (long!) length would they be eligible for remarriage.

Elections - Ecuador held their city mayor and provincial leadership elections this past Sunday. Many incumbents won. It is interesting to us that schools where voting took place had a holiday on Monday in order to clean up! Other schools were in session as usual. We have the privilege of voting for the US presidential election and mailing in our absentee ballots with someone headed to the States today. It has been hard to attempt to converse about politics with Ecuadorians who hear very slanted news from both the US and their own media.

Visa Renewal - Our two year visas expire on November 16th. We have all our paperwork in order (we think!) and need to go through the process of applying for the renewal. Please pray we encounter no glitches or obstacles.

Terry Williams - the trial for those responsible for the death two years ago of her husband, Don, begins November 15th in Alabama. We would ask you to pray for the presence of the Lord to comfort Terry and her 5 adult children during that time. She is here in Quito right now preparing to sell her household goods that have been stored in our home. Please pray that her Bronco will sell and that she can get a good price for her belongings. She will be joining the MTW team in Monterrey, Mexico early in 2005.

Thank you for your prayers and your partnership!

Yours in Quito,

Frank & Darlene Helmly

Address:
Frank & Darlene Helmly
Casilla 17-08-8403
Quito, ECUADOR 
S. AMERICA

Or Care of MTW (letters only)
1600 North Brown Road,
Lawrenceville GA 30043

Financial gifts:
Mission to the World
PO Box 116284,
Atlanta, GA 30368-6284
Payable to "MTW" with Helmly account
#013184 noted. A tax receipt will be remitted.