Update 12/09/10

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Greetings from bitter cold Central Illinois! We trust you had a thankful Thanksgiving and are enjoying and relishing in the advent season. It really is a wonderful time of the year – especially the music. Christmas music rings louder and truer every year!

We have had many opportunities to share about Ecuador these past couple of months. From our annual mission conference to youth groups to nursing homes, we’ve enjoyed sharing to anyone willing to listen. We do not have any presentations scheduled for December, but that is giving us time to minister in other ways. We hope to make many personal visits to our local supporters this month expressing our gratefulness. Pray that the weather will permit this goal.

Thank you for your prayers on behalf of our boys. David finished his soccer season and is doing much better transitioning into college life. Jonathan continues to thrive here in Gibson City, making honor roll and good friends. Please pray for both boys and their time behind the wheel. David received his license upon our arrival but doesn’t have much experience, and none on slick roads. Jonathan plans to begin Driver’s Ed in January. The snow and ice has us all a little on edge.

We have had several email contacts from our churches in Ecuador. It’s so good to hear how they are pressing onward in their work for Jesus. Doug has been able to send several official greetings to be read during various special church events. Please continue to pray for our national pastors and leaders in Ecuador. We are constantly looking for ways to encourage and support them during our time on furlough. We presented the need for leadership training scholarships during our annual mission conference at Gibson City Bible Church which helped to raised over $6,000 for Ecuadorian leaders. We are also currently working with a group of elementary children on Wednesday nights, encouraging them to help with the needs of our Ecuadorian pastors. During the month of September, these children raised money for Sunday School supplies for a pastor in Quito. In October, they raised money for a communion set for a pastor in Píllaro. In November, they raised money to help a pastor feed poor children in Latacunga. This month, they are raising money for Bibles in Yatchil. We are so thankful for the ways that we have been able to stay connected.

During January, we will direct all of our attention to support raising. For various reasons, we need to raise an additional $2400 per month in order to be fully funded and released to return to Ecuador. If you would like to host a small group to hear about our ministries in Ecuador, please let us know. We will be heading to Florida in February for a 10-day mission conference and would love to stop by if you are in that direction. We also hope to make a trip to North Carolina in the Spring and would love to connect if you are in this direction.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year, remembering that Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy