Missionaries to Ecuador

We did it! "Beyond Words" mural ministry went to the Galapagos Islands to paint the creation murals! Here is the website for the trip. It was everything we imagined and more!

Website for the Alliance Academy if you are interested, and my personal artsy webpage.

AN OVERVIEW OF OUR WORK THIS YEAR

We are focusing in three distinct areas right now:
The first is at "Linaje Escogido" church, where we are doing discipleship and involved in the leadership. Our goal is to build up this "outpost for the Gospel" so that we can reach the surrounding area which is void of the gospel. God is putting together many things at the same time, all centered at and around Linaje Escogido church, an hour and a half outside the city and up in the mountains.We've finished building the sanctuary, and are training the church members to be ready to disciple new converts. We are helping build up the church membership through programs for women, men, teen, and kids also.

The second area is in the villages above Linaje Escogido church, with our team of Ecuadorian missionaries which we formed last year. We have launched a campaign of evangelism in these villages up this long and windy cobblestone road on a weekly basis, starting with the very next pueblo, "Cangahua Pungo". Chaupiestancia, then Monte Serin alto are the next two villages. There is no evangelical presence in any of these areas, and persecution exists against the gospel.

The third area of focus is in the "Cayambe" area, an indigenous farming area about 2 hours away. We are working with a small church in the Chambitola community, which is in an area completely isolated, and where farming is the way of life. Most of the people still speak "Quichua" at home instead of Spanish, and are simple and precious. The big need here is discipleship and resources such as Sunday school material and pastoral education.

 

As you may remember, we held a Christmas outreach in this closed area, and were received by the people very well. Unfortunately, in the weeks following, the local Catholic church visited the people who were there, and intimidated them into not allowing us to come teach them the bible as they originally wanted. We were told that they still wanted to, but were afraid because of the threats they had received. One family, however stood up to this intimidation and we started meeting in a grain shed. It has been a blessing holding this bi-weekly meeting with people so hungry for God's word! Please pray for growth and protection against those threatening us and the participants.

Please visit the La Victoria webpage.

We continue to host a number of short term teams this year. Please visit our Short term mission webpage for more information.

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Family Update

Melissa is finishing her first year at Ole Miss, and doing very well. She is in the honors program, involved in BSU, and meeting lots of new friends. She definitely loves college life!

Andrea is finishing 9th grade homeschool, and made lots of new friends on the Galapagos islands.

Rachel is finishing 7th grade strong, and also made lots of friends on the Galapagos islands.

 

• Rod went along on the Galapagos trip, and was the evangelist team with Kenny Digby.
  
• Orphanage "Jardin de Eden": We continue with our School grades incentive program, where we give a dollar for every "A" on their report cards, and it is really having a dramatic affect! We also take at least one team year here to help them.