Why is it when you are on a ride, screaming that you want to get off, they go faster? That is how we are feeling! We really don't want to "get off", we just want it to slow down a bit so that we can enjoy the ride. Please pray that we will persevere with wisdom and grace as we wrap-up our last 3 1/2 months here in Ecuador. We seem to be easily tired and stressed lately.
In February, Doug attended the annual national pastor assembly meetings, and also had the opportunity to help with church construction in Sucre. You may remember that Sucre is the small community where we had shared that they have recently received some persecutions in the area. However, they are continuing to move forward with new church construction, and we are looking forward to participating in their church dedication within the next month or so.
More photos of the church construction can he found by clicking here.
The boys are doing great! The Fall/Winter sport awards banquet brought awards for both: David received "Most Hustle" on the basketball court and Jonathan received "Best All Around" in volleyball. Both boys are now on the soccer field, however, they are not on the same team which means lots of bleacher time for us!
Please continue to pray for them during the next 3 months. For David, as he relishes in each senior/annual event and as he makes the final decisions on college. Jonathan has been attending "skate" church. It has been a wonderful blessing for him. Pray that the Lord will use his leadership skills while he is attending this church. Cindy has started her final Bible study on Heaven. It continues to be a beautiful privilege to teach God's word to these women. Please pray for her as she teaches on Wednesdays, and for someone to continue leading this group while she is gone on furlough. Her classroom continues to be a hub for mentoring teachers and praying with them. God has really grown this area in her life and she is so thankful for the close friendships she has developed over the past few years.
A small group of Ecuadorian pastors within the AAI have organized a three-session event utilizing the movie, Fireproof. In the first session we viewed the movie which was held on February 26. We appreciated your prayers as the invitations went out. We have received very encouraging feedback. One couple made the decision to divorce, however, after viewing the movie they have committed to the 40 day "Love Dare". The following 2 sessions will be group discussion, the first of which is this Friday, March 12. Please pray for these couples and pray for us as we help to encourage and support them.
The dangers of traveling continue to increase with traffic and uneducated drivers. One accident claimed 3 lives of a family of 4 from the Alliance Academy. The Landines family were Ecuadorian missionaries serving in southeast Asia. They had been home on furlough and had attended our school for the past 1 1/2 years. They left our school at the semester to return to their hometown to spend time with family before their return to Asia. On a weekend getaway, they were victims of a hit and run truck driver. The parents and their 8 year old son died in the accident leaving their 10 year old daughter, Alejandra. Please pray for her and the family. Please also remember to pray for us as we have much traveling to do in the months ahead. Pray for our 17-year old vehicle to run well and that Doug will be alert on the roads.
Last weekend, we saw another deadly accident between a bus and the remains of a pickup as we traveled to Riobamba to meet with their church leaders, and this coming weekend we will be traveling to 5 churches for "despedidas" (saying farewell for now) as well as a special service for another group of church members that will begin their Theological (FLET) studies. Next week, Doug will be attending the Ecuador Field Council meeting, and the following week, we will be traveling to another church in the opposite direction.This week we will begin attending a bible study course on the books of Hebrews and James that is being offered at the Alliance Academy. The course will run for nine Thursday evenings in March/April/May, for a total of eighteen hours of teaching and discussion. We are excited about the opportunity to attend bible teachings that will be offered in “English”.
In our last update, we reported that we have a couple to sublet our apartment here in Quito. We are so thankful that we do not have to add packing and storing all our belongings to our list of things to do. We would appreciate prayer for our need to locate a small, fairly maintenance free, and partially furnished house in our hometown of Gibson City, IL. We plan to arrive in Gibson City around July 1st and will need the house for 1 year (if the Lord allows us to return to Ecuador by then).
We are continually reminded of how blessed we have been to have had your support these past 3 1/2 years, and are reminded of the following verse: "From the fullness of His grace, we have all received one blessing after another." (John 1:12) Thank you for being such a vital part of our ministry!
Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy
