Dear Prayer Warriors,
Thank you for praying as Cindy's ministers. She continues to be active in leading her weekly bible study, and recently had the opportunity to help coordinate and lead a Women’s Retreat for 5 of our central district’s indigenous churches. The response from the retreat indicates a huge need for women to be encouraged and 
blessed. A supporter, Darlene Schertz, provided lotion for one of the most beautiful moments Cindy has seen in Ecuador. In pairs, the ladies rubbed lotion into each other’s very dry and damaged hands, while praying for their needs. The weeping and tender massaging was testimony to how God was healing and touching their lives. We hope to provide at least one type of retreat annually to each of our 14 churches (additional photos are included below).
Thank you for your prayers while Daniel Schertz of Gibson City was here to serve in various ways. Daniel's arrival was delayed by one day in Miami due to flight connections, and again in Chicago during his return trip home. Daniel arrived last Friday night, along with many of the needed "goods" that had been ordered and were going to be utilized during the Women's Retreat in Píllaro. Saturday morning we were off to Píllaro and Daniel helped with setting up and taking down for the women's 
event. He also had the opportunity to experience life in a community highly populated with indigenous people, as well as partake in some of Ecuador's finest local cuisine: Cuy (Guinea Pig). Sunday, Daniel had the opportunity to share his testimony in a church in south Quito, and do some shopping in a park and markets. Monday, Daniel and Doug traveled to Latacunga for a few days to complete some various and urgently needed repairs on Pastor Daniel and Veronica's house. This was made possible by the sacrificial giving by Daniel's parents and 
sister who donated money for the expenses. Doug & Daniel worked on sealing their cement roof since it had been leaking all over inside their house, and also replaced their Califon (instant water heater), as they had been without hot water for over a year. Daniel 
also had the opportunity to share his testimony during an evening service and they showed the movie "A Thief in the Night". Daniel's servants heart and willingness to be out of his comfort zone were a genuine blessing to the the people of Ecuador and to us. Thank you for coming Daniel!
On Thursday a team of 28 arrived, and Doug is busy helping to facilitate and translate for them over the next couple of weeks. They will be serving in various ways including hosting a medical and eye clinic, giving out shoes, witnessing in parks, passing out tracts, hosting a VBS children's program, serving in a prison, leading chapel at the Alliance Academy, serving in an orphanage, participating in church services, as well as working in some various tourist activities. Just today, the team handed out tracts and led people to the Lord while shopping for shoes to be distributed. Please pray for all of the logistics that need to take place in coordinating this team, the team's health and safety, that they would be accurate testimonies for Christ, and for Darryl & Kelly Chambers as they help to lead, and host the group in the OMS Guesthouse.
March 8 we will be traveling to Riobamba and participating in a special, activity-packed ground breaking service. Ovid Community Church in Anderson, Indiana has donated money that will compliment the money that the church in Riobamba has raised, and construction will finally begin on the property that the church purchased over 8 years ago. The service will include special guests, video recording, communion, music, a meal, and inauguration of their FLET (Theological Studies) students. Then on March 15, we will head to Latacunga where we will be participating in a special off-site Baptism service and inauguration of their FLET students.
David had what was thought to be his final doctor visit today along with a MRI. The doctor said there is still evidence of a head trauma (blood that has yet to be absorbed) as well as some swelling on the front part of the brain that was still visible. David continues to have restricted physical activities and will return in a month for another MRI and doctor's appointment. Again, thank you so much for your prayers for him. It has been such a wonderful blessing to know that so many of you have been praying for him. We also give God all the Glory for healing David so quickly, and attribute that to your prayers.
Thank you for your prayers during Spiritual Emphasis Week at the Alliance Academy. We don't have "big news" to report, but trust that the Word of the Lord will not return void!!
Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy
Thank you for praying as Cindy's ministers. She continues to be active in leading her weekly bible study, and recently had the opportunity to help coordinate and lead a Women’s Retreat for 5 of our central district’s indigenous churches. The response from the retreat indicates a huge need for women to be encouraged and 
blessed. A supporter, Darlene Schertz, provided lotion for one of the most beautiful moments Cindy has seen in Ecuador. In pairs, the ladies rubbed lotion into each other’s very dry and damaged hands, while praying for their needs. The weeping and tender massaging was testimony to how God was healing and touching their lives. We hope to provide at least one type of retreat annually to each of our 14 churches (additional photos are included below).
Thank you for your prayers while Daniel Schertz of Gibson City was here to serve in various ways. Daniel's arrival was delayed by one day in Miami due to flight connections, and again in Chicago during his return trip home. Daniel arrived last Friday night, along with many of the needed "goods" that had been ordered and were going to be utilized during the Women's Retreat in Píllaro. Saturday morning we were off to Píllaro and Daniel helped with setting up and taking down for the women's 
event. He also had the opportunity to experience life in a community highly populated with indigenous people, as well as partake in some of Ecuador's finest local cuisine: Cuy (Guinea Pig). Sunday, Daniel had the opportunity to share his testimony in a church in south Quito, and do some shopping in a park and markets. Monday, Daniel and Doug traveled to Latacunga for a few days to complete some various and urgently needed repairs on Pastor Daniel and Veronica's house. This was made possible by the sacrificial giving by Daniel's parents and 
sister who donated money for the expenses. Doug & Daniel worked on sealing their cement roof since it had been leaking all over inside their house, and also replaced their Califon (instant water heater), as they had been without hot water for over a year. Daniel 
also had the opportunity to share his testimony during an evening service and they showed the movie "A Thief in the Night". Daniel's servants heart and willingness to be out of his comfort zone were a genuine blessing to the the people of Ecuador and to us. Thank you for coming Daniel!On Thursday a team of 28 arrived, and Doug is busy helping to facilitate and translate for them over the next couple of weeks. They will be serving in various ways including hosting a medical and eye clinic, giving out shoes, witnessing in parks, passing out tracts, hosting a VBS children's program, serving in a prison, leading chapel at the Alliance Academy, serving in an orphanage, participating in church services, as well as working in some various tourist activities. Just today, the team handed out tracts and led people to the Lord while shopping for shoes to be distributed. Please pray for all of the logistics that need to take place in coordinating this team, the team's health and safety, that they would be accurate testimonies for Christ, and for Darryl & Kelly Chambers as they help to lead, and host the group in the OMS Guesthouse.
March 8 we will be traveling to Riobamba and participating in a special, activity-packed ground breaking service. Ovid Community Church in Anderson, Indiana has donated money that will compliment the money that the church in Riobamba has raised, and construction will finally begin on the property that the church purchased over 8 years ago. The service will include special guests, video recording, communion, music, a meal, and inauguration of their FLET (Theological Studies) students. Then on March 15, we will head to Latacunga where we will be participating in a special off-site Baptism service and inauguration of their FLET students.
David had what was thought to be his final doctor visit today along with a MRI. The doctor said there is still evidence of a head trauma (blood that has yet to be absorbed) as well as some swelling on the front part of the brain that was still visible. David continues to have restricted physical activities and will return in a month for another MRI and doctor's appointment. Again, thank you so much for your prayers for him. It has been such a wonderful blessing to know that so many of you have been praying for him. We also give God all the Glory for healing David so quickly, and attribute that to your prayers.
Thank you for your prayers during Spiritual Emphasis Week at the Alliance Academy. We don't have "big news" to report, but trust that the Word of the Lord will not return void!!
Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy
