Dear Friend,

 We made a commitment for one year and we weren’t sure what it would lead to.

 And now it is half over.

 As we sat for a family discussion this week, one of my daughters declared that we belong in the jungle.  Not in the States,  but where the Lord has called us.  The jungles of Ecuador.  I am encouraged by such youthful faith and wisdom.

 Our school year here ends in July and then we will be  returning to the States.  Ready to share what we have been blessed to see. What we have been blessed to do, and how we have been enabled to serve.

What we are called to return and do.

 So why am I sending you this letter?  Because once again we have an empty calendar, waiting to be filled.  Stories of God’s Word, His calling, and provision and pictures of His people, waiting to be shared.

  When can we come and share with you and your church?

 So All May Know Him,

www.soallmayknow.org

I crawled back into bed after a quick trip to the restroom. Ever so quietly so I wouldn’t wake anyone up I returned to my bed to sleep.

Then it hit me.

Suddenly and without warning. A searing pain from my hip across my back and down my leg.

Forget being quiet, just scream.

I do not know if the terrible little creature climbed into my bed and was waiting for me, or if it hitched a ride on my pajamas. I didn’t even know it was coming and never thought to check.

But I knew once it bit me.

A screaming mother in the middle of the night wakes everyone up. After checking all the blankets and everyone’s beds, they went back asleep. I lay in bed holding a compress on the bite.

The proof was about six inches long and three inches wide. It held a fever for three days. It is still there a week later, a reminder, but no longer is tender to the touch. I wonder how long the scar will last.

Sin is similar.

We get into a comfortable spot and let down our guard. When we are tired, have needs and just don’t stop to evaluate our environment or actions; the enemy awaits.

Then it hits us. And when it hits, it hurts. It usually doesn’t effect just one individual, the ripples spread to those closest to us. Those waves bring fear, concern and hurt. The scars remain, often serving as reminders for years to come.

Is there a sin compress? Something to draw out those poisons and speed the healing?

An activated charcoal and onion poultice just isn’t going to do it.

But Jesus can.

He has promised to wipe it away, throw it into the sea, and forget about it. The sin is going to cause pain, and the scar may linger, but until you get the poison out – it just isn’t going to heal.

Did you get stung by something?

There are no appointments needed and no co-pay , just stop in and see the Great Physician.

A

Ecuador is a beautiful place. From the top of Tungurahua to the smallest blood sucking insect in this jungle…. His creation is incredible to me.

Tungurahua

The destructive blast of an 11,000 ft volcano is nothing compared to the glory of the one who created its insurmountable power and breathtaking beauty.

Psalm 8:1 says, O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, You who set Your glory above the heavens!

Wow! I can hardly breathe when gazing at His spoken creation. I can only imagine what it’s like above the heavens. Soon and very soon we are going to see the King….what a great a song!

Eric

In containers, in the fridge, put it all away where he can’t find it!

(Not sure why I have declared it a “he”…)

Peanut butter mixed with rat poison in place.  Right next to the spot where the soup mix and pancake mix used to be.

Lights out…

And we have victory.  All the peanut butter poison m ix has been eaten!

Well, we thought we had victory.

He was so thirsty after his poison snack he ate through the juice box.

Night #2, he ate through the raisin bag and another soup mix.

We’re going to town tomorrow night for a trap and more plastic bins to protect our food.

We lost the battle, but the war isn’t over Mr. Mouse!

A

The Dust

“ The Dust”, as the locals call it, are barely visible to the naked eye, but the power in their microscopic jaws makes known their presence.  You thought an ant was strong and determined. If one millimeter of your skin is not covered (especially around the ankle area) you will know quickly that you’ve been visited.  Much like sin, “The Dust” are present and ready to devour our flesh when it is made available for their feasting.  I have found some important  things out through trial  and error. Bug spray does not  work. Insect soap only works temporarily. They must be deaf, because yelling only gives me a headache. By clothing myself completely, I am hot and a bit uncomfortable, but well protected. The breeze blows gently to cool me down, and “The Dust” is carried away on the wind.

We are clothed in righteousness by the blood of Jesus (Revelation 3:18). We are to put on the whole armor of God each and every day (Ephesians 6:10-20). And we must walk in the Spirit and not according to our flesh (Galatians 5:16). With the help of the Holy Spirit let’s starve “The Dust”.

Eric

On the 10th of this month we will have been here in Ecuador for three months.  Time is flying by and we pray to make the most of every moment.  One of our favorite ways to make the most of our time here is to walk the streets of Misahualli when we go to town.  We visit with shop keepers and children from the school. We make new friends and practice our Spanish and pray for God to use us.

We were greatly encouraged this week when we stopped to say hello (again) at one of the businesses. The wife offered to make us some juice and stay and let Elijah play with their children.  Madeline and Abigail were able to practice their Quichua on the husband who is fluent, and afterwards Eric and  he compared various sports injuries.  Truly, it is feeling like home here and it is as if the people are accepting us more. Sometimes,  it feels as if the progress is slow and I have to remind myself that we haven’t even been here three months yet!

We were blessed to travel to Ambato this weekend for Eric to attend a conference with local pastors and missionaries.  He had a wonderful time, was encouraged by the fellowship and messages, and had his batteries recharged!  Thank you Thomas and Deborah for the invitation.

The 5 hour ride through the mountains to Ambato allowed us to view a couple of active vocanoes, see several waterfalls and stop in an old lava flow and pick up volcanic rocks.   Although it was great to shop in a big grocery store and have the luxuries of being in a very “American” city… we know that God has called us to the jungle and that is where we belong. <3

I think about the book of Acts.  Paul stayed in Asia two years so that all had heard the Good News.  Then in chapter 20  Paul is talking about finishing his race. It is easy to focus on the “race” terminology and not give proper thought to the rest of the chapters.  The parts where this man Paul was giving and pouring himself out for these people.  Not just finishing the race in first place, but finishing well.

Growing up, many times I heard, ” If you’re going to do it, do it right the first time” I would race throught my chores, doing them nominally in order to be free to serve myself and my desire to go outside and play.   Somehow, my parents would find the clothes under the bed or toys stuffed in the closet and I would be called back in to do the task correctly.  My parents were doing their best to instill in me that it wasn’t about the quantity of time to complete the task, but quality of the completed work .

In elementary school I was able to participate in “Field Day”.  In case you aren’t familiar with the concept, a couple of the elementary schools got together and competed in various events.  I recall being thrilled to compete in one of the long distance events and envisioned myself easily outdistancing the competitors as I ran my second lap around the track.

It was not a prophetic vision.

I failed to pace myself and did not win the coveted first place ribbon.  At the time, I was heart broken.  That’s okay, because I have learned that  often the prize comes by learning from my mistakes.

What about you?  As servants of the Most High, we are all in the race.  Some of us have gotten tired and are sitting down.  Some of us have fallen and need to get back up again. Others are still looking at the route before them and doubting their ability to compete. But our names are on the roll and He expects us to finish well.

To finish we must begin.  Finishing well begins on our knees.  Let us begin again then, striving to compete as He enables us, and not stop until we have finshed, and finshed well.

I am so thankful that we are running this race together.

So All May Know,

Amy

“She wasn’t afraid of swimming in the deep end, way out of her comfort zone.

When you can’t touch bottom, you touch the depths of God.” A Holy Experience

Have you ever read something that just shines a spotlight where you’d prefer it stay dark?

I have a confession.

I am scared of swimming in the ocean. (I almost drowned Eric once because I thought I couldn’t touch the bottom.) This fear? There are many reasons and they all have something to do with lack of control. The waves are unpredictable. The boundaries are undefinable. The depths are unfathomable. It’s altogether uncontrollable. Yet I love to hear it. Dip my toes in it. Get up early and stay up late to watch it.

But I fear getting all the way in it… most definitely.

So this devotion struck a nerve.

Is this the way I want to be in my relationship with God? The way I desire my children to be?

That spotlight?  It shines on questions that beg to be answered.

Am I willing? Willing to not ask what I might have to do, not ask for full disclosure, not imagine the God of the Universe as someone to be negotiated with. Willing to jump in all the way and trust Him?

Am I willing to experience more of this great God I serve than just the ankle deep that I so frequently settle for?

Secure in my Savior’s unpredictable, undefinable and unfathomable depths?

I know that I am, because He IS.