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| Winding down...or speeding up?!
Our church-plant in the Primero de Mayo neighborhood has been born, raised and has now reached maturity in the 3 years we have been working there. In two weeks, the church will be celebrating the historic signing of the founding members as well as formally becoming part of the Association of Evangelical Berean Churches of Ecuador. Soon after that, there will be a formal recognition of the leadership board of deacons and elders. As we prepare to depart for a year of home assignment, it is an incredible blessing to know that we leave behind a stable, mature church where only a short time ago there was none.
The men of the church have been preparing for the naming of a formal leadership board. Though they are not all candidates for leadership, they are all studying the principles of a spiritual leader together every Thursday night. By the end of this month, our goal is to name one elder and three deacons to the leadership board of the church. Please pray for Pablo, as he will be the elder in charge, Vicente Carrillo, Vicente Echeverría, and René Bermeo as they take on the role of deacons.
As we mentioned in our last update, there is more than one way to preach the Gospel. Many times our actions speak much louder than our words. This is the reason that we as a church took on the project of the community well in Primero de Mayo. The well has been around as long as anyone can remember, but in recent times has been abandoned. Because of this year's drought, the drinking water from the city has been cut-off in the neighborhood, sometimes for days at a time. This has brought back a need for an alternative water source. One entire day was spent cleaning out and digging the well deeper to provide this constant alternative source of water. Now there are plans in the works to install a hand pump and a secure cover to preserve the functionality and safety of the well for years to come. It's through community projects like this one that our church has "enjoyed the favor of all the people" (Acts 2:47) in Primero de Mayo.
Thank you for your patience with us as our level of activity this month has made it difficult for us to send out updates more often. The month of March is a critical month for us. Here are a few of the most important events: March 12-13, Puembo church youth group staying at our home. March 14, signing of the first membership of the church. March 15-25, hosting Tony Hart as he gives several conferences. March 28, Wedding of Vicente and Fanny Echeverría. As always, your prayers for us are an essential part of the ministry. We are looking forward to seeing you soon. May 1st is not far away. | |
Wednesday, March 3: February was a month full of activity. As our 4-year term here draws to a close, it seems things are accelerating rather than slowing down. We are making plans for our time in the US as we also prepare the ministry here for our absence. 
For valentine's day, our church celebrated with a trip to Atuntaqui (Ah-tune-TAH-key), a town about 45 minutes to the north known for it's manufacture of clothing. The men in the church decided to pool their resources to pay for the trip, food included, for everyone. It was their Valentine's gift not only to their wives, but also to the single mothers and widows in our church. 45 members of church were able to attend, all loading onto one bus. We went first to a family park with a huge playground, and a slide that everyone tried out. Then we enjoyed the Atuntaqui clothing fair together. It was a special time of bonding and fellowship.
We also received a visitor from the USA this month. Maurice Harton is an appointee with CrossWorld who is evaluating where God is sending him to serve on the foreign field. After visiting a number of other countries, he came to spend ten days with us in Cayambe. While he was with us, he attended all of the various ministries of the church including the kids club, youth group, men's Bible study and even preached on Sunday morning. He especially had opportunity to participate with the youth group on a hike to the river nearby and go on a trip to Mindo, the bird watching capital of the world. Please pray for Maurice as God speaks to him through these experiences and shows him the area of the world he is called to. | |
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