The Tankersleys

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Update 08/26/07

Dear Prayer Warriors,

It has been a busy time since our last update. Our Field Retreat and business meeting went well, and we thank you for your prayers. We spent four days at OMS' camp in Pallatanga, 6 hours south of here. Serving as the Field Committee's chairperson, Doug was responsible for organizing and leading this event. A British couple, Mike and Dot, led us in a workshop on conflict, team building, and marriage. Dot is a missionary kid (MK) of one of the original OMS staff that entered Ecuador from Colombia back in the early '50s. Our son David, was in charge of all organized sporting events, including Frisbee Golf, Kickball, Badminton, Ping-Pong, and of course, One-Fly. During this time, Doug was also elected to begin serving on the OMS Ecuador's field executive committee. This committee assists the Field Director with the major decisions regarding policy, property issues, personnel, etc. They meet about 8 times a year to review issues and set policy.

David had all four of his wisdom teeth removed, and two of them were very difficult to extract. He was very sore for the first few days and also came down with a virus during his recovery time which added to his discomfort. However, thank you for your prayers, as he has recovered quickly and has been back to soccer practice. Yesterday, he made a quick one-day trip to Shell, Ecuador. His friend's Dad flies for MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship). During his time in Shell, he had the opportunity to see some of his friends from school that live there during the summer, and also had the opportunity to walk around in the house where Nate Saint (martyred missionary) lived while serving in Shell. For those of you not familiar with Nate Saint, in 1956, he and four other missionaries were killed in Ecuador by the Waodani (Auca) Indians they had come to serve. David also saw the communication room that was used to communicate with the missionary's planes, as well as an original basket that had been lowered down to the Waodani Indians to exchange gifts. We have attached some photos to our Blog, and the address is listed below.

Jonathan is doing well, and still enjoying his summer vacation. He is still in the creative mode, and built a trap to catch live birds. In additional to his other birds, we now have an extra cage with a Dove that he captured, living in it.

In our last update, we requested prayer regarding the Chambers family leaving for a year of home ministry assignment. They are the family that have been running the OMS guest house and coordinating arriving short-term mission teams. Missionaries working at OMS' headquarters are planning to come in January to assist with that vacancy. However, prior to that time, we will be taking on additional responsibilities as we move in this Tuesday and take over running the guest house for the next 4+ months. This will be a huge change for us as we continue with our other ministries. We are receiving quite a few bookings, including 7 different groups (so far) that will be staying with us over the next 2 months. We are excited about this ministry, but a bit nervous as well. We know the Lord tells us to not to be anxious about anything, but the Chambers have done an outstanding job in running the guest house, and we have some very large shoes to attempt to fill. Please pray for us as we learn the logistics of how to run a guest house, and that we will demonstrate a servant's heart towards those we serve. During the time that we will be living at the guest house, another young couple (Phillip and Melissa) who just arrived and are in desperate need a home, will be moving into our house. They moved here from the US with only 4 bags, and need housing during the first semester of the school year. Melissa will be serving as an English teacher at the Alliance Academy during the first semester. We praise the Lord in how He orchestrated our house to be available for them to use.

Over the past couple of weeks, Cindy has been busy preparing for school to begin. So far, she will have 16 first graders in her class, with around 75% of those children as ESL students (engish as a second language). School registration is scheduled for this coming Wednesday and school begins this Thursday. The boys have enjoyed having the summer off, but both seem a bit ready for school to begin. Please pray for Cindy, David and Jonathan as they begin the new school year, and that they would represent Jesus in all they do and say.

Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy

Friday, July 27, 2007

Update 07/27/07

Dear Prayer Warriors,

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior..." Luke 1:46
In this scripture known as Mary's song, Mary recognizes and accepts the gift God had given her. We, like Mary, don't want to deny, belittle, or ignore our blessings either. We want to bring glory to God and rejoice in all that HE IS DOING!!

Cindy spent several days over a 3-week period in an Ecuadorian Christian school traveling an hour each way on the local bus-trolley system. She is convinced that she has mastered the survival level of Spanish. This experience has touched her heart to reach out to Ecuadorian educators with support and encouragement, as these educators have so little. She is in the preliminary stages of creating an outreach project through the Alliance Academy to minister to these educators. Pray that the Lord will lead and guide her planning, and her desires to reach Ecuadorian teachers with the resources that the Lord has entrusted her.

We were blessed with summer visitors. Carrie Davis joined us for two weeks. She was born and raised in Ecuador until her 10th birthday, while her parents ministered here with OMS. They are now ministering at OMS headquarters and Carrie wanted to visit her ol' stomping ground. We would all agree that one of our favorite times with Carrie was while playing with the children at the local dump and being utilized as the children's human jungle

gyms. Carrie had been here for several days when Cindy's mom arrived for her second visit. We all headed to the coast for the first time and spent three days on the beach. All three days in which we never saw the sun and were quite cool. Upon our return, Cindy spent some quality time with her mom,

while the rest of the gang were involved in ministry. David and Carrie joined one-half of the short term mission team from Houston, Texas to minister with Vacation Bible School in one of our area churches in south Quito. Doug and Jonathan joined the

other part of the team to minister in another church with remodeling the interior of their sanctuary.

Last Sunday, Doug had the opportunity to visit Iglesia Fuente De Vida in Riobamba. This church is one of the 14 that he will be working with, and is the furthest from home. It took about 3 hours to arrive and about 4

1/2 hours to return, thanks to Sunday evening traffic returning to the city. This church has purchased property to build a new church, but there is no team scheduled to come at this time. Please pray for this church as there are some conflicts between the church leadership and their pastor.

We leave on Monday morning for our annual field retreat in Pallatanga. We will meet up with all OMS/Ecuador missionaries for a time of fellowship and refreshment. Thank you for your prayers as Doug has prepared and organized for this retreat (his first responsibility as Field Council Chairperson). Please pray for Mike and Dot Fry from England as they lead our retreat with teaching, devotions and communion. Please pray for our older MK's: David, Jonathan and Courtney as they minister to the younger MK's: Elizabeth, Isabel, and Elijah. We will return on Saturday.

Upon our return from Pallatanga, David is scheduled on August 9th to have all four wisdom teeth removed (he would appreciate your prayers); Cindy will begin preparations for a new school year; Jonathan will relish his final 3 weeks before school starts, and Doug will meet with the national District Superintendent to formulate a plan to begin ministering to the 14 pastors and their churches. We will also be experiencing a void in our lives as our dear friends/co-workers - the Chambers family, leave for a year of Home Ministry Assignment. They currently run the OMS guest house and coordinate arriving short-term mission teams. Please pray for our field leaders as they decide how to best handle their absence in the void of these ministries as well.

Blessings to You!

Doug & Cindy

.......Lunch in the rain forrest ..........................Beach in Same, Ecuador

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Update ~ One Year Anniversary

Dear Prayer Warriors,

June 27th will mark our one-year anniversary serving in Ecuador!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! Thank you for allowing us to serve here. Your giving and your prayers are what enables missionaries like us to stay on the field. We look forward to the next year of our five year term.

Here are 5 ways that we know we have been in Ecuador for one year:

Salchipappas have replaced our American staple of peanut butter and jelly.
Cindy enjoys doing laundry on the roof.
It's a must to have mayonnaise with our French fries.
We haven't experienced winter yet.
We miss our family and friends so much!

Our school year is finished and what a wonderful year that we have had. The boys were promoted and Cindy will repeat first grade again next year. We were greatly surprised and encouraged when she was awarded "Teacher of the Year" at the Alliance Academy. She has always loved teaching, but teaching in Quito seems like a "special" assignment delivered from the hands of God. Cindy plans to continue with leading the Bible study this summer. The ladies have completed the book of John, and their summer schedule is yet to be determined. They will begin the book of Acts when they start again. Another Ecuadorian lady, Lorena has joined them. Please pray as they try to blend all their summer schedules and join together to study God's word. Cindy has been visiting an Ecuadorian Christian school in South Quito. It's been quite interesting as she learns about the Ecuadorian school system. It's quite different from an American system, and it is all in Spanish. She has a vision to outreach to Ecuadorian teachers with educational ideas and activities that they can use in their classroom.

(Click any photo below to view an enlarged image)

Doug had a small 2 week reprieve from language school due to scheduling. However, he was using all his Spanish skills when our computer crashed and had to purchase a new one with the Spanish version of Windows Vista. However, we were quickly back up and running, and he has been back in language school. In fact, he has only 3 more weeks! This will conclude "this year's" Spanish requirements. Once he is completed with his language studies in July, he will be meeting with the national District Superintendent of OMS affiliated churches, to plan our their schedule for the coming year. He is excited about moving into his full-time work with the national pastors and churches. Please pray for Doug as he moves from his language studies into his full-time role.

In other news, we have celebrated both of the boy's birthdays for the first time in Ecuador! David turned 15 in May and Jonathan turned 12 in June. Jonathan complete his basketball season and his team received 3rd place in the local tournament. He also continues to enjoy his 5 birds. In early June, David had the opportunity to minister in one of our house churches during their Children's Day, where over 60 children and parents attended. We always knew that he was quite a clown!! He also recently returned from a week at the beach, where he attended a youth camp through the local English Fellowship Church. In July, an OMS family friend will arrive on the 6th, and Cindy's mom will arrive on the 10th. Please pray for our time together, and the for the health and safety of both.

A week ago, we were provided with an awesome opportunity to share with a group of 19 short-term missionaries from Bloomington, IL. Before they began their time ministering in the Cuenca area, we were able to join them for breakfast and share how the Lord had brought us to Ecuador and about the ministries that He prepared for us.

One additional pray request is for our good missionary friends - the Chambers, who operate the OMS guesthouse here in Quito and coordinate short-term mission teams. The Chambers had originally raised support to be here for 15 months, but have been here for over 24. Just recently their support account went into the red, and it appears as though they we will be returning to the states at the end of this summer to raise additional support so that they can return back to Quito. Despite this situation, they rejoice over the way the Lord has continued to provide for their ministry and that they were able to be here for 10 more months than planned. Please join us in prayer for the Chambers, as they seek to raise additional financial support that they need.

Thank you again for all of your support over the past year. We could never be here without your support, and you have all blessed us greatly. "From the fullness of His grace, we have all received one blessing after another." John 1:12

Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy

(left) Cindy helping with face painting during the recent Children's Day activities.

(right) Doug and Jonathan enjoying a camp fire during Father's Day.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Update 04/25/07

Dear Prayer Warriors,

During the first week of April we were able to host some of our supporters (people just like you). Barb and son, Jackson Mills from Chicago, Illinois wanted to see what Ecuador was like and experience some of the ministries that we are involved in. They participated in an Alliance Academy field trip with 60 - four, five and six year olds; they spent 3

hours in a Spanish speaking Good Friday church service; viewed Quito from 14,000+ feet above sea level; straddled the equator; missed an English Easter service; and played with children at the city dump during the five days that they were here. We pray that God will continue to use this small glimpse of His work in their lives.

The boys are doing well. For those of you who have focused your prayers on Jonathan's transition ~ THANK YOU!! We have seen an amazing transformation. We're seeing much of our Ol' Jonathan again. We attended David's spring sports banquet where he received MVP from his basketball team

and a special Best Defensive medal from his coaches. He also scored 236 points this season.

Doug began another Spanish class, and will continue studying through mid-July. This Sunday, he plans to meet up with the District Superintendent of the churches that he will be working with, to discuss beginning to attend district activities, pastoral meetings, etc. Cindy is researching opportunities for summer sessions of Spanish (no break for her this summer). Please join us in praying for the right Spanish training and comprehension of the language. It continues to be our #1 challenge/frustration.

Cindy's bible study continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Libby and Silvie. They spent several lessons studying for Easter. Cindy had the Resurrection Eggs sent from the States for her classroom students and Silvie was determined to be the new owner of the set. Praise God that she took them to her family on Easter Sunday and retold the Easter story to many who heard it for the first time. Our relationship is really growing with Silvie and her family. Silvie's husband has really connected with Doug and always has lots of spiritually related questions for him.

We are reminded daily of the provision that God has given to us through answered prayer and sacrificial giving. We share with everyone that asks, and even those who don't, how we are able to be here serving Jesus in Ecuador, and it's only through your obedience and faithfulness!! We thank you for being obedient to what the Lord has called you to do on our behalf.

On a side note: If you are so led, there are two additional, very easy ways in which you can help to support OMS International:

GoodSearch - An Internet Search Tool, and for every search on the internet, OMS receives one cent. http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=838654. We have made this our home page.
Community Plus, includes a group of online merchants that if you make an online purchase, by first going through Community Plus, they will donate a portion to OMS http://www.communityplus.com/. We have signed up and it was very easy.

Blessings to You!
Doug & Cindy

Thursday, March 22, 2007

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