Thank you so much for your prayers while Lucas Pulley was here in mid December. As we had mentioned before, we had received an email from Lucas, sharing how he felt called to spend part of his college winter break here in Ecuador, helping us in whatever way possible. So, we said “Sure, come on!”Lucas arrived here late on Saturday Dec. 13 and was off first thing the next morning, sharing his testimony at Iglesia (church) Bet-el. Later that evening, he had an opportunity to participate in our weekly OMS missionary prayer meeting. Monday, we did a couple of tourist activities, including visiting historic Iglesia Basilica, and traveling on Quito’s city bus system and taxis. Tuesday, we spent the day scraping old paint off the walls in Bet-el, and visiting with Pastor Antonio.
Wednesday, Lucas had the opportunity to experience traveling on Ecuador’s regional bus lines, as we travel to Ibarra. There we met with the Pastor, and took he and his wife and family to a local restaurant to eat. Lucas shared his testimony again that evening during the service, and Doug shared the importance of using your testimony as a tool to witness to non-believers. After waiting in the highway for about an hour, we finally found a completely packed bus back to Quito - 2 hours away.
Thursday, began a longer trip as we left for Sucre, the first of 5 more church visits. Sucre, is actually a house church in a very poor and poverty stricken area. The majority of the people are farmers, trying to make it through each day. This is also 
way off the beaten path, often requiring 4-wheel drive, so they were thrilled when we arrived with 6 benches that had been donated to give to them, as well as our video and sound equipment to show a movie. We showed the movie “Ropa Nueva Para Felipe“, and Lucas had the opportunity to share his testimony. His testimony was well received, and he was also a hit amongst the young gals and children. The hou
se church was generous and served the 50+ folks with piping hot chicken feet soup. I think the kids taught Lucas how to eat the feet. We spent the night in a hotel in nearby Píllaro.Friday, we drove to Latacunga, to visit with Pastor Daniel and Veronica and then later took them and their kids out for lunch at local restaurant. It was a great time for Lucas to get to meet them and for us to show them appreciation for all they do for the Lord. Later that day, we traveled to Salcedo, where we took Pastor Luis and his wife and son out to eat at a restaurant that typically serves
“Cuy” (Guinea Pig) in their menu. We were all disappointed to find out they were out. Lucas was extremely disappointed as we had been discussing this all week. That evening at the church in Salcedo, we showed the movie “Left Behind”, and Lucas shared his testimony. We spent the evening in Salcedo.During Lucas’ time here, he had wanted to find some cheap shoes to take back. So, during some free time in Latacunga and Salcedo, we searched store after store for size 11 shoes. Whenever we would ask if they had shoes this size, they would just give us the look of: “you have got to be joking”. Ecuadorians have small feet.
Saturday was yet another busy day. That morning we visited some local church members of Salcedo, and took a family for a drive near a nearby lake. Later that afternoon, we headed to Ambato so that Lucas could not leave Ecuador without trying the famous Cuy. We found a good restaurant and Lucas was able to enjoy a complete Cuy, eating everything with the exception of the head. He did give it a try.
Then off to Píllaro, where they had an afternoon church service, and this day was especially dedicated to commissioning the students that will be participating in the FLET (La Fundación Latinoamericana de Estudios) theological home-extension study courses. This has been made possible by Ovid Community Church located in Anderson, Indiana. A prayer team from Ovid had visited here last spring, and heard of the need for leadership training, and has given towards creating a scholarship program for the 
interested students. Lucas had the opportunity of helping hand out the study materials that we had brought. Then we were off to Yatchil for our final evening church service. The church had a short Christmas skit prepared, including Joseph and Mary, and Lucas again had the opportunity to share his testimony. After that we showed the movie “Peace Child”. We had a brief service to commemorate the students beginning the FLET courses, and then an alter call was made. That evening we 
had 6 people accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and one of the new believers was also so excited that he asked if he could begin the FLET studies as well. Praise the Lord! After the services, the pastor invited us to join he and his family to the kitchen of his home, where we enjoyed another meal of grilled Cuy and boiled potatoes. It was a great finale to a busy, yet wonderful week. We drove 2 ½ hours that night back to Quito and arrived home at 2:30 am. Lucas had a flight out that next morning.
Lucas was a true trooper. He was very flexible as our schedule changed regularly, and he never once asked “how much longer?”. He and his living testimony were a true blessing to the people of Ecuador, and he seemed very comfortable here and in all that he did. He definitely demonstrated that he is an excellent candidate for career missionary work in the future. He was at home in all that he did and was a real blessing to us! We look forward to hearing how the Lord will be using him in the future.Again, thank you for your prayers as we traveled, and that Lucas was never sick during his time here. Your prayers were a blessing to us, and ultimately to those we visited.
Blessings to You!
Doug
