Hello!

Here’s a quick update on the happenings here in Ecuador.  Thank you for taking the time to read it and, most importantly, to join us in prayer!

Recently:

Elijah lost another tooth.  He isn’t enjoying seatwork, but loves to work on projects with Eric or be outside.

We searched all over to find a special thermometer for Madeline’s Biology course and finally found one (with help!)  Her classes are going well.

School has resumed in the house. Abigail is doing well in her studies and is learning to sign a song to share at church.

Malachi is starting to scoot and laugh.  He is sleeping less and growing fast.  Our updates are likely to stay brief as there is now limited time now to type without baby drool soaking the keyboard!!

We’ve replanted the aquaponics bed and garden, replaced a pump in the aquaponics system and Eric has made a few repairs to the car.

We’ve hosted several families for dinner and tea, and cleaned and prepped the SIP to re-open.

This week:

Children’s English and Bible classes resume this Wednesday.  After much prayer, there is one BIG change this time- it’s free.  We’re expecting more children and more FUN!  The money from the classes was paying the rent, but we are trusting that God will provide the $200 needed every month. Please be in prayer for all the aspects of this ministry:  evangelism,  outreach, safety, love, discipline, wisdom….

We visited the orphanage and saw several faces we remembered.  Sadly, many faces we loved aren’t there any more.  Some of the children have been relocated with family members and some of the staff is gone.  One staff member that isn’t there is the director.  We are scheduled to meet the new director this Friday.   Please be in prayer that we will have God’s favor and continued access to the children on a regular basis.

Every Friday (beginning this week) we will open up the SIP to the community with music, a devotion, snacks, and games or a movie.  Our focus during this time will be on teenagers and young adults.  We’re actively inviting other churches and the unchurched to join us.  Please be in prayer that this reaches many and opens doors for  salvations and discipleship.

This week  begins Elijah’s Spanish classes 2x per week.  He was so little and cute, no one ever corrected him and he has not acquired as much of the language as we would have hoped.  Please pray that he and his teacher will bond, that our little man will be a good student, and that he will learn much.  Prayerfully, we will be able to add on classes for the rest of the family.

Eric gave the message this past week- in Spanish!  We’re so proud of him as he strives to learn the language, disciple and share the Gospel.  He is back on the rotation for preaching and will be helping with the discipleship of the Paute youth group on Saturdays. The adult Bible and English class will begin this Thursday.  These will be given at no charge as well.

Also, this week Eric will be preparing for his drivers license test in Spanish (English isn’t offered).  This is especially difficult because it utilizes a completely different set of vocabulary that we have been learning and in written form is without context clues.  Please pray that he won’t stress out and will do well on his test.  Eric will have his hands full throughout the week.  Please keep him and the ministries he is serving in your prayers.

This week we will be able to deliver 50 copies of a chronological Bible study to the local church.  We purchased the study (in Spanish) from NTM before we returned and the local copy shop is duplicating and binding it.  Thank you for helping fund this <3

Coming soon:

In October we will be making a trip to the jungle. Please pray that the car we were able to recently purchase makes the trip safely and that it is a fruitful time.  We are beginning the planning now.

We are super excited about the prospect of groups coming to serve with us here in Ecuador.  There have been people inquiring about coming with groups from church or work, individuals and families.  Some people have asked about staying long term. (You can stay in Ecuador for up to three months without a visa!)  Would you pray that God will open and close doors as He brings workers to His fields?