What an incredible journey, and to think that it is just beginning!

Leaving our home church of Choestoe Baptist was so very difficult. Choestoe is not just our home church, they are family. When we moved to Blairsville, we couldn’t see what the Lord was doing. In hindsight, He was doing more than we could ever understand.  Our friends from various states, cities, churches, homeschooling groups and community activities have enriched our lives and serve as a phenomenal support system for us. Their prayers, calls and notes of encouragement keep us smiling as we venture out on this path the Lord has us on. 

Being sheltered in the mountains was a wonderful environment for our “incubation period”. Now as fledglings preparing to leave the nest, we are being exposed to different cultures, values, and attitudes. Our children are beginning to understand the reality of the changes we are all going to have to adjust to.  It is a great comfort to know that our God will be with us as we let go of the nests edge. He will be the force that lifts us and keeps us afloat.

We are currently in a little town called Floral City in central Florida.  When Mr. and Mrs. Knowles first approached us with the offer of staying in their home while on deputation, we had no idea that it would end up being less that 15 miles from Eric’s parents home!  It also put us in the right place for the Lord to bless Eric during the week with a christian employer that’s flexible on scheduling the hours where we can still meet with our ministry partners during the week.

We have been having a wonderful time visiting: First Baptist of Coleman, where our long time friends Steve and Twyla serve with their family, First Baptist of Lake Panasoffkee, where Amy was baptized and where we were married, and Fort Cooper Baptist Church were Pastor Marni put us in touch with a long lost friend and pastor, Pastor Britt. In addition to the various churches, we have an amazing opportunity to witness to our new neighbors and co-workers. We are all on the mission field right now, right here in our own country.

Would you like to keep in touch with the ministry?  While still not complete, our webmaster, Josh Dyer, has added new links and new content. We will be adding to our blog weekly for you to come by and peruse. The girls and I will be encouraged by you leaving comments.  If you are following us online either by web page (www.soallmayknow.org) or our Facebook page, you have probably noticed that we aren’t as active as usual. That’s because we don’t have internet at the house and taking daily trips into town would use up too many of our resources (time, gas, and money). Not online? We will be sending out newsletters via snail mail every month or so!  So please bear with us and our sporadic schedule. I think God is just preparing us to be a bit more flexible 🙂

Have you been feeling led to partner with this ministry? Well, there are numerous ways you can participate. We know that not everyone is called to get on a plane and fly to the equator! And not everyone is able to contribute $100 a month. But anyone who is willing can be a part of the work we are all called to do. Anyone? Yes, my dear friend, anyone. 

By far the most critical area is prayer. You can pray.  We covet your prayers. Please pray for our mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health. Please pray that the Lord will direct our steps, that we not stray from His path, and that He will open and shut doors.  Pray that we will quickly adapt to the culture, language and climate. Pray for His wisdom, grace and mercy to cover us daily.

Some of you are able to be a part of this ministry by partnering with us financially. Please don’t allow the adversary to persuade you that any amount is too small.  When you commit to any monthly amount, no matter the size, it allows us to serve as hands and feet and to budget for our needs.  We need $1,100 more in pledges prior to leaving.  We are praying about attending a language school the month prior to leaving for Ecuador. We also will need funds to purchase beds, appliances, and a car once we arrive. If you feel led, you can send your financial contributions to Jungle Kids for Christ, PO Box 151891, Cape Coral, Florida 33915. Checks should be made out to Jungle Kids for Christ with Studebaker on the Memo line. (If it doesn’t say Studebaker, we don’t receive the funds!) If you want to set up a one time or monthly contributions by e-check, Paypal, or credit card you can do so on our web page. 

So what will we be doing in Ecuador? We will be teaching and attending school, attending a local church, ministering to the more remote villages of  Pununo and Pusuno, while learning the language and culture of the people.  We are so very encouraged to hear that the framing for our housing is complete and a team will be working on drying it in  during the month of March!  Thank you for all that you have done and all that you are doing. It takes an entire body to do the work, and it is an honor to serve with you.

So All May Know Him,

The Studebaker Family

Eric, Amy, Madeline, Abigail and Elijah