Three Adults Baptized

Last Sunday, May 27, three adults were baptized because of the ministry of the Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Manta. We are very thankful for the two Marcos and one Bárbara who gave testimony to their faith in Christ through believer's baptism. God has been very good to us! Each of them gave a lovely verbal testimony about their walk with Christ, thanking those who have been instrumental in bringing them to personal commitment to follow Jesus. Each time we step into the waters of the great Pacific Ocean to observe this ordinance I give thanks to God for his work in creation and in the new creation of a life transformed.

Bible Institute in Quito

Last Tuesday afternoon Joy and I had the opportunity to travel to Quito to attend the 20th Anniversary service of the Baptist Bible Institute of Quito (Instituto Bíblico Bautista de Quito). BBFI missionaries Jim and Sharon Smith have done a marvelous job with the ministry of training pastors and other church ministry workers. Well over 300 students have taken classes and 34 have graduated; 10 of whom are currently pastoring churches. Joy and I enjoyed our time of fellowship with the Smiths, the students and the graduates who attended the service. We are grateful to have been invited to share our memories of the years we were part of the Bible Institute, and we are thankful for the opportunity to develop a similarly fruitful ministry in Manta.

Mother's Day

We had an exciting Mother's Day at the church in Manta. First at 9:30, there was a reception for all of the ladies. Joy served cinnamon rolls and mocha bars along with a devotional. There were more than 40 ladies present. Then in the service at 10:30, we had a small gift for each of the 35 moms present. We had a total of 99 in the service. Afterward we offered to take photos of each mother with her family. That will make a nice memento for many of them.

Prayer

Please pray for our son-in-law Mike Lewis. He just had emergency surgery for apendicitis. Mike and our daughter Mandie have been in South Korea for less than a year. Besides the illness and surgery, this is a new cultural experience. Since they are young newlyweds, this is a challenge they are facing together for the first time. Please pray for his recovery and recuperation.

As a native of southwestern Kansas, my heart goes out to the people of Greensburg. I remember visiting Greensburg's Big Well and giant meteorite. The stubborn grain elevator left standing reminds me of how, when traveling on the Great Plains as a child, I would look ahead to the grain elevator of the next town on the horizon, watching it grow closer and closer until I could read the town's name on the "huge" building and could look to the horizon for the next one. Knowing the character of Kansans, I fully expect the citizens of Greensburg to rebuild. I am praying for God to work as Comforter and Refresher.

As always, thanks for your prayers for us.

Retreat for Pastors' Wives

The Pastors' Wives' Retreat was held April 26 to 28, 2007. BBFI missionaries Lois Tignor, Sharon Smith, Sylvia Wells, and Joy planned the retreat and did the teaching this year as well. The theme centered on the names of God in the Bible and emphasized practical applications of the truths revealed in many of the divine titles found in Scripture. There were 45 ladies in attendance, the largest group at this annual event during its ten-year history. As usual, the lovely grounds of "El Prado Baptist Camp" was the site of the retreat. There was fun, food and fellowship in abundance, and it was a privilege to minister to the Lord's servants.