Update 03/22/07 - North Coast District Churches

Dear Prayer Warriors:

Thank you for your prayers, as Doug has returned from a great trip visiting the North coastal churches (Distrito Costa Norte) last weekend and earlier this week. This was the trip in which a group of prayer warriors from the U.S. came with plans to travel through the northern coastal district of Ecuador to visit 20 OMS-planted churches, praying for the pastors and over the church and neighborhood. Jerry and Clara Mattocks (OMS Prayer Champions of Ecuador) from Pennsylvania came along with Dick McLeish of OMS' Men for Missions International. Tom Stiles and Darryl Chambers of OMS Ecuador were also a part of this team. It was extremely hot and humid the entire time - much like your hottest and most miserable day in the US during July/August. They visited 14 churches.

Many of these churches were located deep within the swampy banana plantations and rice fields. They were unable to locate some of the churches and others were to far away to reach within their allotted time frame. Many of the churches were rather primitive and their needs were great. But, it was wonderful to see and hear of how they have been working and growing with so little. No bibles, books, study materials, or basic provisions such as benches to sit on. The team met with the pastors, some church members, visited with them and prayed for them. The team's arrival was extremely encouraging to those they visited and the locals were very sad to see them go. Be sure to check out the photos (below) of the churches from this area. These are not churches that are within the district that Doug is currently assigned to work with, and there is a need for another Missionary to work with these churches in the role of District Liaison. Perhaps the Lord is calling you? Please pray for a missionary to come and work with these churches.

Jerry and Clara have now returned to Pennsylvania and they are now in the process of updating their files and will be trying to recruit Prayer warriors for these churches and locating individuals, groups, or churches that would be willing to adopt one or more of these churches and begin praying for them regularly. Please join Jerry and Clara in prayer as they seek to find these individuals, as well as someone that is willing to coordinate prayer for the churches in this district (District Prayer Coordinator).

As Doug continues his language training, OMS recommends that we change instructors and types of instruction occasionally to experience different types of teaching methods, and get to hear other national's dialects and vocabulary. After listening to the pastors Doug visited, he realized it was time to make a change. So, yesterday, he visited a language school (Cristobol Colon) located in the central part of the city and took an hour-long placement exam. He will begin class next Monday and will have class daily from 10 to 1 (plus lots of homework). He will also be taking the bus back and forth (which takes about 30 - 45 minutes each way). He now has to inform his instructor whom he has been using for the past 8 months, telling him of the news that he will be changing. There has been a strong relationship built between them, so we are sure he will take it rather hard. (Update 03/23: Doug's language instructor took it rather well, and we will be working towards continuing to strengthen that relationship.)

This past Wednesday, we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary, and this was actually our second anniversary celebration here in Ecuador. We were here with a short-term prayer team back in 2005. Cindy has been wanting to go to the Fondue restaurant located close to us in Plaza de las Americas. We took the kids last night and when we got there, there was a sign on the door that said "after two years, we have decided to take a vacation" and it was closed. It was rather humorous, since during Cindy's last birthday here in October, we went to a restaurant called "El Tartaro" and it too was closed for vacation. So last night, we ended up eating Mexican. She's still looking forward to the Fondue.

Blessings to You!

Doug & Cindy

(Click any photo below to view an enlarged image)

Iglesia Evangélica de Fe – San Juan; Pastor Alfonso

Banana Plantation Roads:

Shekinara de Dios – San Juan; Pastor Sra. Diana

Iglesia Maranatha – San Juan; Pastor Sra. Esmeraldas

Imperio Nación de Cristo – San Juan; Pastor Emiliano

Iglesia Rosa de Saron – San Juan; Pastor Emiliano

Iglesia Evangélica Maria 2 - San Juan; Pastor Sra. Herminia

Iglesia Evangélica Jehová Shalom - San Juan; Pastor Sra. Herminia

Iglesia Evangélica Elim - San Juan; Pastor Sra. Lorena

Pan de Vida (De Fe 8) - San Juan; Pastor Guido

Iglesia Príncipe de Paz (De Fe 9) - San Juan; Pastor Pedro

Iglesia Evangélica Getsemaní - Ventanas; Pastor Carlos

Iglesia Evangélica Cristo Viene – Pueblo Viejo; Pastor Patricio

Iglesia Bíblica Confraternidad – Quevedo; Pastor Rolando (left)

Iglesia Monte de Horeb – Quevedo; Pastor Francisco

Pastor Rolando and Monte de Horeb Youth Leaders – Mónica & Mariana

View during the trip

Update 03/08/07

Dear Prayer Warriors,

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Eph 6:18

As we think of this verse, we think of those of you that have been praying for us. Doug recently had the opportunity to attend and speak at a Missions Conference at the Gibson City Bible Church, as well as at the First United Methodist Church in Gibson City, and the Christian Bible Church in Cissna Park. It was during these speaking opportunities, that Doug had the opportunity to share how we don't take lightly, our need and thankfulness for Prayer Warriors to be interceding to God on our behalf. We are extremely thankful for your prayers and we covet them as well.

Other than coming down with a sinus infection and watching it either rain or snow every day, Doug had a good and blessed time in Illinois. He was able to visit with his parents and sister, as well as many friends and supporters. Doug also had the opportunity to share about our work here in Ecuador with the local FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and with the High school youth at the Gibson City Bible Church. Thank you very much for your prayers. His trip went smoothly, and despite some minor delays, his travels were seamless.

Next week (March 14-20), Doug will be a part of a group of prayer warriors coming from the U.S., traveling in the northern coastal district of Ecuador to visit 20 churches, praying with the pastors and over the church and neighborhood. Jerry Mattocks (OMS Prayer Champion of Ecuador) from Pennsylvania will be heading up this group, and Tom Stiles and Darryl Chambers of OMS Ecuador will also be a part of this team. Please pray for humble hearts that we may be sensitive to the spiritual needs in each of these churches, as well as traveling mercies.

Town ----------- Church Name -------- Pastor
BABAHOYO ------- PHILADELPHIA ------- Saul Vera
BABAHOYO ------- THE BEAUTIFUL ------ Blanca Viejo
BABAHOYO ------- CHRIST IS COMING --- Martires Rizzo
BABAHOYO ------- JEHOVAH HEARS ------ Alicia Garrido
CANAVERAL ------ JEHOVAH HEARS 2 ---- Alicia Garrido
JUJAN ---------- THE GOOD SHEPHERD -- Benigno Tomala
PATRICIA ------- JEHOVAH HEARS 1 ---- Alicia Garrido
PUEBLO VIEJO --- CHRIST IS COMING --- Pedro Calderon
QUEVEDO -------- FELLOWSHIP BIBLE --- Rolando Barzola
QUEVEDO -------- MOUNT HOREB -------- Francisco Zorrilla
RICAURTE ------- NEW JERUSALEM ------ Jairo Alava
SAN JUAN ------- SHEKINAH ----------- Juan Lucio
SAN JUAN ------- ELIM --------------- Lorena Arias
SAN JUAN ------- SHALOM ------------- Espana Avila
SAN JUAN ------- FAITH -------------- Alfonso Terranova
SAN MIGUEL ----- JEHOVAH HEARS 3 ---- Alicia Garrido
SANTO DOMINGO -- FELLOWSHIP BIBLE --- Xavier Borja
VENTANAS ------- FAITH -------------- Hitler Carriel
VENTANAS ------- GETHSEMANE --------- Maximo Juca
VENTANAS ------- CHRIST REIGNS ------ Pedro Calderon

Our son David recently returned from his ministry trip to the jungle where he and his Christian Service Outreach team from school, visited 3 villages, conducting VBS (Vacation Bible School) type activities and church services. His update (written by David), is included below.

Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy

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February 25, 2007

Hey Everyone,

I recently returned from a jungle trip with my CSO (Christian Service Outreach) group to three remote villages. We went to Archidona, Pano, and Campana Cocha. It took us between 7 and 8 hours to get to our first stop in Archidona. We had about three minor bus problems but got there safely. We led a VBS (Vacation Bible School) type of program for the kids at each of these villages. (You can click on any photo to view an enlarged image.)

The VBS program didn't start till around 3:30 so we decided to go drop all of our stuff off at the house in Pano which is where we would be staying for the next 3 nights. That was about an hour trip from Archidona. So we hopped back on the bus and headed towards Pano. After getting there, we formed a big line and loaded all of our baggage into the house which was the pastor's house. There were two basketball courts right across from the house, so my friend Jake and I headed over and played with the kids a little while. After about 30 minutes we were back on the bus, going back to Archidona, doing make-up for the clowns and mimes, and doing last minute preparations which is a little tough to do on a bus constantly hitting pot holes. We started the program with songs, and then had a variety of different fun things, including puppets, skits, a little mini lesson, games, crafts, clowns and mimes. I was part of the mime group, mostly because it was a non-speaking role...and I don't know very much Spanish. Our mime skit was in a circus and about how a clown had always wanted to be a trapeze artist, but never got to be...then one day he finally decided to do it and fell and broke both his legs...and the message behind it was that God can use you just the way you are.

After we finished, we headed back to Pano where we were staying, and played with the kids till dinner. A lot of us were soaked because here in Ecuador it was a holiday called Carnival, which is basically a country-wide water fight...so the kids had water balloons, water jugs, and silly string, and we were their main target. However none of us really minded considering the temperature was at the least 90 degrees. It was UNBELIEVABLY hot and humid.

Then Sunday we attended church service in Pano which we led, and then later in the day had VBS. Which was the same program. So in between our ministering we had our meals and free time...During our free time we played basketball, soccer, "pato, pato, ganso" (duck, duck, goose), red light - green light, hung out and just talked with the kids, played tag, and then my favorite was going down to a small river to bathe and swim. Every morning we'd go down to the river which was like a 5 minute walk to go shower, and then we'd make 1 to 2 trips in the day just to swim and have a good time. The kids would see us going and then grab your hand and tag along. When we would get there, the Ecuadorian kids would just strip down to their underwear and jump in. Half these kids looked like they were under six but could swim like a fish. There was a huge boulder in the middle that we'd could jump off of, so you'd jump off that or play King of the Hill with the kids...it was lots of fun.

Monday we went to an actual remote village which was Campana Cocha. Here we did the same things with VBS. However we had to take about an hour trip on to a big river and then we had to take long motorized canoes to the village, these canoes held about 10-12 people. When we got to the village we arrived on a beach, we then hiked just a little ways to the village, where would would be doing our program. There was one problem in Campana Cocha though...the kids didn't speak Spanish, then only knew Quichawa, so I think they didn't understand a lot of things, afterwards we played a little soccer and then decided to head back. In Campana Cocha it was a lot hotter, just sitting on a bench I was dripping in sweat, it was probably 10 degrees hotter...I was soaked in sweat, so after we got back, we went to the river to cool off, and then had some free time. That night we went out to a nice restaurant, and had some really good breaded shrimp. We went back to the house where we were staying...there were three floors, the girls got the second floor and the guys got the third floor which was the loft...which got extra hot...you could feel the difference going from the second floor to the loft. So we just kind of hung around that night with the kids. Also, everyone thought that the only way to bathe was the river but a sponsor and 3 of my friends and I found a shower! We made a truce not to tell anyone, and would sneak out every night and shower off, so we wouldn't be sleeping in our sweat like everyone else..jeje.

But anyways, Tuesday came, we had breakfast and packed our lunches, said goodbye to all of our "nuevos amigos" (new friends), and got back on the bus for a long trip home...

Thank you for your Prayers!

Blessings,
David
email: soccernut_516@hotmail.com

Update 02/11/07

Dear Prayer Warriors:

Thank you so much for your support this past month. In the midst of Spanish lessons, teaching, basketball games, and more, we've spent the past couple of weeks getting our home organized and working through all the little quirks (cold showers for several days, our dog Sam living on the roof, etc.)

Our first OMS Field Council meetings went very well. It was a great time to learn all about the OMS Ecuador's work and plans for the future. During the meetings, Doug was appointed as the new Field Council Chairperson and will be leading this summer's Field Retreat and next spring's Field Council meetings. Is the Lord leading you to bring a team to Ecuador? If so, the OMS guest house is up and ready with the capacity of 24 guests.

David is doing well in school and is now co-captain and starting on the basketball team. It's been fun watching him score double digit points each game and he is averaging 19 points per game. He is now preparing for his first mission trip within the jungle. This is part of his Christian Service Outreach which is held every Wednesday night. He will leave on Saturday, February 17 and return on Tuesday, February 20th. They will work in a couple of villages doing VBS type programs and then travel down the river by canoe to another village to minister to the children. Please pray for his safety and for him to make an eternal difference in the lives that he touches.

Jonathan continues to make adjustments and the transitions are hard for him. We were hoping that the "new house" would help him feel like calling Ecuador his home. However, he continues to long for his home in Gibson City. Please pray that the Lord would change his heart and that he would realize the importance of obedience even when it makes us uncomfortable. Please also pray that he will be able to identify his role of ministry. We decided to get Jonathan out of the city and clean our lungs in Mindo. (They say it takes 5 hours to clean our lungs from what we breath everyday here in the city.) Mindo is two hours from Quito where you can cross a ravine in a crude looking open cable car 1750 feet above ground, to hike through the rainforest, swing from vines (ropes), jump from 40 foot cliffs (into the water below), visit butterfly gardens, and view waterfalls. What a blessing to spend some family time together. Check out our Blog for pictures ~ they are fantastic!!

Doug is eagerly anticipating his arrival in Gibson City on February 22. His schedule so far will be (updated 02/16):

• 02/24 - Gibson City Bible Church Missions Conference, 6 pm.
• 02/25 - Gibson City United Methodist Church, 8:45 am.
• 02/25 - Gibson City Bible Church Missions Conference, 10:20 am.
• 02/25 - Christian Bible Church in Cissna Park, 6:00 pm.
• 02/26 - Speak: Gibson City Bible Church Missions Conf., 6:45 pm.
• 02/28 - GCMS High School Fellowship of Christian Athl., 7:30 am.
• 02/28 - Gibson City Bible Church H.S. Youth Group, 7 pm.

Please pray for safe travels and a blessed time with family and friends. Pray that Doug can accurately testify to all that God has been doing since we've arrived in Quito.

Cindy has been greatly encouraged by the spiritual growth of one of her Korean students. Unlike the beginning of the year, Ryan is so excited to learn about the Bible and has even asked to pray for our lunch several times. Cindy also continues in a spiritually growing relationship with two Ecuadorian teachers. They are planning on meeting together for a bible study two days a week. Pray for Cindy as she will lead this study and seek opportunities to minister to these two ladies.

We also want to mention that we are blessed in how the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) from the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley (GCMS) High School are working hard towards supporting our mission work here in Ecuador. They are planning to host a mini-camp, as well as motivational reinforcement to be held at the Gibson City Bible Church on Sunday, February 18 from 2-4 pm. They will have a guest speaker - Walt Ayers from Clayton, Ohio. Walt has been a coach and player, but his biggest claim to victory is his decision to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He now has victory over his life and cancer through Jesus Christ. He is a great motivational speaker, can talk to an audience at any level, bring a smile to someone's face, bring a tear to the eye, and motivate people to become better individuals. They will not be charging an admission fee, but will be collecting a love offering that will go towards supporting our mission work here in Ecuador. Some of the local businesses in Gibson City are helping to cover expenses for the guest speaker. Students and adults are welcome. We pray that you will consider attending this exciting event and help support the efforts of FCA.

Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy