It has been a while since you received our last written update. Not because we haven’t had anything to share… just little time to share.
Some of the activities that have taken place since we last wrote include: attending national church association meetings in Cuenca and Guayaquil, multiple church visits and dinner invites, Central District Pastoral meetings, church anniversaries, preaching, Christmas concerts, basketball games, and a brief trip to the beach during the Christmas break.
Last week, we spent four days in our annual Field Council Meetings at our Camp Pallatanga. This is the meeting in which all of the different areas and ministries of OMS share what has been taking place over the past year as well as sharing plans for this year.
Two weeks ago we had the opportunity to attend an indigenous (Quechua) six-hour long wedding, in which we did not know the bride or groom. However, we were recognized multiple times and Doug was called forward to pray for the new couple. Later, he was called forward again and presented with a poncho as a reminder to pray for them (and the church) each time he wears the poncho.
This week Doug plans to visit churches in Riobamba and Sucre. Shortly before Christmas, one of our rural house churches in Sucre was broken into. A group broke in and threw everything out into the street, including the benches used for the church services, all items from the kitchen, and other personal belongings. This was definitely a move of opposition to the growing number of evangelical Christians that have been meeting there. On January 14, Doug had the opportunity to visit the church members to encourage them in their stance for Jesus. Doug was thrilled to see that the church had changed locations (houses) and had already begun building
a church. Doug hopes to return in the next few days to help deliver some needed windows for the new church building. Please continue to lift up Pastor Rafael and the congregation as they face persecution. Ask the Lord for protection and wisdom as they make a bold stance for Christ in Sucre.David has been busy with his basketball schedule, and Jonathan has begun attending a “Skate” church on Sunday afternoons. This is a ministry in which the theme of skateboarding is being used as an outreach to Ecuadorian youth. Spiritual Emphasis Week is February 8-12. One of Alliance Academy alums, Mateo Hess (Class of 1980), is bringing a ministry team for that week. Pray for them as they prepare. Pray for our student’s to be open and ready to respond as God leads.
We have been invited to assist in several marriage seminars targeting the parents of Alliance Academy first graders. The first seminar is February 26th. Please pray for Fabian & Levis Cortez (OMS national missionaries) as they prepare. Please pray for a good response to the invitation. Pray that couples would be receptive to biblical teachings on marriage.
Our preparations continue for our HMA (Home Ministry Assignment) beginning in July, 2010. We praise the Lord for providing a couple to house-sit our apartment while we are gone. We are also very thankful for the use of a vehicle, offered through Missionary Motors during our time in the states. Please pray for the financial aid needed for David’s college. As our time draws closer, we will keep you updated with additional needs during our time in the states.
As we close, we’ll share a quote that we read this week… “It isn’t our ministry, it’s His. It isn’t what we are doing for Him, but what He is doing through us.”
Thank you so much for your continued prayers for us. It is through your prayers… that we are enabled to see Jesus work through us.
Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy
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