Update 12/23/06 - Unexpected Miracles

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas has to be one of the most beautiful times of the year. When we were little, it was a beautiful time of excitement and anticipation believing that Santa would bring our most desired presents. As we grew a little older, it was a beautiful time of traditions and memories of Christmas past. As we celebrate each Christmas season, it is a beautiful time to know that God is a God of unexpected miracles. He is the same God today that He was when He sent His only Son to the world in a effort to bring to us the most indescribable gift. Our prayer is that you have received and accepted His most precious gift. God's gift was and continues to be an unexpected miracle and brings hope that unexpected miracles still exist today!

Our first round of Christmas cards were hand carried to the United States and mailed from OMS' headquarters (Mailing from Ecuador is not the most cost saving or secure way of sending our Christmas wishes). Inside the Christmas card, we sent a beautiful nativity scene ornament made out of the Tagua Nut from the tropical zones of Ecuador. However, despite wrapping these ornaments in bubble wrap and shipping them from Indiana, we have received many responses that they arrived in tiny pieces. We were extremely disappointed to hear of this and have decided not to attempt sending out any more. So here's a whole ornament for you:

This Christmas season, we have been busy handing out Navidades from our front gate. Navidades are small bags of goodies that people come by to receive during the week before Christmas. Kind of like extravagant "Trick or Treating". They come rain or shine, and despite very cool temperatures, you can see how one little girl was dressed. It has been a wonderful time of sharing and giving to these children that have so little.

We pray you all have a wonderful time of celebrating our Lord and Savior's birth.

Christmas Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy

Update 12/17/06

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Our Christmas update is forthcoming, but we wanted to let you know of a few prayer requests. We eagerly awaiting the arrival of Cindy's mom, Patsy, on December 19 and Doug's mom, Janie, on December 28. Please pray for their safe arrival (bags, too), their health and safety while they are here, and a sweet time of fellowship. We are so thankful to have family here to celebrate the holidays - what a special blessing!

Cindy has also been given the opportunity to attend an ASCI Christian Education Conference in Sae Paulo, Brazil. She will leave on January 2 ( a day before her mom leaves) and will return on January 7. She will attend with her principal and two other teachers. The language is Portuguese and the currency is different. Please pray for her and the family while she is gone.

Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy

Update 12/03/06 - Basurero

Dear Prayer Warriors,

In case you were wondering, "Basurero" is the Ecuadorian name and Spanish word for "dump", a place where our trash is deposited. (You can click on any photo to view an enlarged image.) This past Saturday, we were blessed with the opportunity to help serve the 2000 to 3000 people that attended this year's 10th annual Christmas party in the Zámbiza Dump. The party was sponsored by the Mission Organization called "Extreme Response". We were scheduled to hand out snacks and Christmas gifts, however we were asked to run one of 46 carnival game booths for the children (and adults). It was an awesome opportunity to help the children (and adults) fish for prizes. It did not take long to connect all 1440 little fish to the clothespin on the line of the wooden poles, as well as the pounds of candy. This activity reminded us of the verses found in Matthew and Mark, in which Jesus tells Peter and his brother Andrew: "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Teams and volunteers came from many countries throughout the world to help with this ministry. It was great to see so many volunteers for many mission organizations and churches, all working together. We were blessed to have Mike Dragon join our family and help in the dump. Mike is a missionary with OMS visiting from the states here on other business, but willingly offered to help.

It was wonderful to see the children's smiles, as well as their parents. For many of those that attended, this is the only Christmas that they will receive or celebrate this year. In addition to the 46 carnival games that were offered, there were evangelists on hand sharing the Good News and eternal Hope of Jesus Christ.

There were also evangelistic movies being showed, and a Spanish-speaking Santa that the children could sit on his lap and have their photos taken with their family. Kids also had the opportunity to make crafts and enjoy live entertainment. At the end of the game activities, each attendee received lunch, a gift of for the adults, and astaple food items children's gift bag.

This was the largest ministry event that we have ever participated in, and was well organized. We can't begin to tell you how thankful we are for your prayer and financial support. For without you, we could not be here. It is such a blessing to serve the people of Ecuador in the name of Jesus, and to know that you are all an instrumental part of everything we do. THANK YOU!

With Christmas season now upon us, we have received some requests for our "snail mail" address. Our address is:

OMS International

Doug & Cindy Tankersley

CCNU Casilla 17-11-4860

Quito, Ecuador S.A.

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Blessings to You!

Doug & Cindy

(You can click on any photo below to view an enlarged image.)