Going Home
The layover in Quito was quick. We touched down in Atlanta about 5 hours later and stood in line to go through customs. There, tired and impatient airport employees barked orders (in English) at mostly non-English-speaking travelers. Elder Heimuli patiently translated for an older gentleman in line behind us, so he was able to go through security without getting yelled at. Once we got in the terminal and were waiting for the flight to Salt Lake City, Elder Heimuli's appetite came roaring back (well, sort of). It had been a long night, and we were now starting a long day.
Four hours out of Atlanta, we landed in Salt Lake City. Elder Heimuli took the moving sidewalk and down escalator to our waiting, cheering, crazy family.
Aunty Lani made the cutest t-shirts. Put one on the cutest 3-year old (who, remember, was barely 1 when Elder Heimuli left), and it made for quite a homecoming sight!
And once Harrison got hold of his big brother, he wasn't letting go.
Elder Heimuli met a new cousin (Keanen) who wasn't quite sure...
Four hours out of Atlanta, we landed in Salt Lake City. Elder Heimuli took the moving sidewalk and down escalator to our waiting, cheering, crazy family.
Aunty Lani made the cutest t-shirts. Put one on the cutest 3-year old (who, remember, was barely 1 when Elder Heimuli left), and it made for quite a homecoming sight!
And once Harrison got hold of his big brother, he wasn't letting go.
Elder Heimuli met a new cousin (Keanen) who wasn't quite sure...
Tears
As we stood in line to board the plane, Dad and Mom watched Elder Heimuli carefully as he seemed to savor every remaining moment, step, sight of Ecuador. We sat in first class, but Elder Heimuli was across the aisle and a row in front of us. We could see out the airplane windows that it had begun to rain ever so lightly. Elder Heimuli stared out the window, quiet, contemplative. We could only see the left side of his face, but the tears streaming down his cheeks were enough to tell us that he would hold his mission in Ecuador, the people he came to love, and his burning testimony forever in his heart. I (Mom) called to him, and snapped this last picture in Ecuador.
Not long after we climbed to cruising altitude, Elder Heimuli crashed into a deep sleep, barely waking for food or drink. He was exhausted. He had literally worn himself out in the Lord's service. We (Dad and Mom) smiled a grateful smile and took a nap, too.
Not long after we climbed to cruising altitude, Elder Heimuli crashed into a deep sleep, barely waking for food or drink. He was exhausted. He had literally worn himself out in the Lord's service. We (Dad and Mom) smiled a grateful smile and took a nap, too.
Leaving on a Jet Plane
A wonderful family came to the airport to say goodbye. Elder Heimuli taught their daughter, and when he left Guayaquil to work in Jipijapa, he hoped her parents would follow her into the gospel. Eventually, they did!
Dad (Lakei) was somewhat of a star in Ecuador. No, most people had never heard of BYU. But they were amazed at the size of his enormous handshake which completely swallowed up Ecuadorians' tiny hands. At the airport, complete strangers approached him to shake his hand and take a picture, hahaha!
Dad (Lakei) was somewhat of a star in Ecuador. No, most people had never heard of BYU. But they were amazed at the size of his enormous handshake which completely swallowed up Ecuadorians' tiny hands. At the airport, complete strangers approached him to shake his hand and take a picture, hahaha!
Final Goodbyes
From the richest sector of Guayaquil, we left the mission home, promising to see the Ridds back in Utah when they finished their mission in a couple of months. Elder Heimuli took us to one of his favorite areas -- a poor sector called Mapasingue. The love that he and these wonderful people had for each other was very touching.
This was the family of one of his Mamitas (cooks). Her husband gave Elder Heimuli a hand-made tie pin...beautiful.
This was the family of one of his Mamitas (cooks). Her husband gave Elder Heimuli a hand-made tie pin...beautiful.
Leaving Ecuador...One Final Blessing
We checked out of our hotel, dropped off all of Elder Heimuli's freshly-laundered and packaged missionary clothing to the mission office (he basically traveled home with nothing but what he wore on the plane), and had just a couple of stops before we headed to the airport. President Ridd invited Elder Heimuli to come back to the mission home the night of his departure. Handsome Elder H wore his tailor-made Ecuadorian suit.
At the mission home, Elder Heimuli had the very special privilege of assisting President Ridd as they laid their hands upon the heads of hermanas and set them apart as full-time missionaries! If there's a better way to end a mission, I'd like to know what that is!
At the mission home, Elder Heimuli had the very special privilege of assisting President Ridd as they laid their hands upon the heads of hermanas and set them apart as full-time missionaries! If there's a better way to end a mission, I'd like to know what that is!
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