Good Bye to the Ripples

This is one very special couple. They were called to leave their home in Nova Scotia, Canada to serve as missionaries in the Guayaquil Temple several years ago. Neither one had ever had any experience with Spanish. They served in the temple every day that it was open but Brother Ripple had more energy and desire  to serve than the temple used up, so his wife set out to find something he could work on. With her limited Spanish she tried to explain to Sister Valero that her husband was a carpenter and needed additional work to do during their mission. I'm sure it was an interesting conversation. I understand that before it was over there were a lot of sketches on scrap paper and both were in tears. The Valero family had been saving for years and buying used building materials. Their family needed (not just wanted) improvements in their home. It was not completely enclosed--both the elements, and other people, could enter at any time. The bathroom and the kitchen did not have all the most basic requirements to serve their purposes. There were no interior doors or closets. This wonderful couple, who both work outside the home long hours, serve 1/2 day in the temple every Saturday and have heavy responsibilities in the ward did have a need and Brother Ripple was the man to provide a solution.

Debbie and Peter Ripple had been wondering why they were in Guayaquil and promptly decided that the Valeros had simply prayed them here. Over the year and a half of their mission the "house" was transformed into an appropriate home for a family. There remained a problem with the roof that was aging rapidly but the time and money ran out. The Ripples returned home, saved for a couple of years and came back to finish the job. Again they lived in the alojamiento and served as patrons every morning and worked on the house every afternoon for two months. It now has a new roof, several more improvements and will serve the Valero family well for many years.

Brother Valero is a counselor in the bishopric and Sister Valero is the Primary President of the ward we attend. We work with them in the baptistry on Saturdays. They are remarkable. They decided when they were baptized that they would take their covenants very seriously and devote their lives to serving others. They do that. He works in the rice fields that are over an hour and a half away from here. He gets up at 4:30 every morning to catch a bus and returns home long after dark. Sister Valero works as the principal and one of the teachers of a school for handicapped children that is located several hours away. She spends the weeknights in that city and comes home by bus on the weekends and school holidays. Their children are now grown; 2 daughters and one granddaughter live in their home with them. They have educated their daughters and now they each have promising employment. On Saturday mornings the Valeros always say they are fine and not tired.  I am amazed at how much they are willing to do to serve others. Brother Valero comes here to be a home teacher to the temple missionaries once a month. Our records are not even here in their ward. They must not have any idea of what leisure is and therefore do not miss it. They certainly set a great example for us. And they are never late to anything! That is remarkable in a Spanish speaking country. I do not yet have a photo of Alfonso and Mariana Valero.