Family in Manta Ecuador

Family in Manta Ecuador
January 2015

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

A Cold October Day


Weather and temperature are relative, right? Right! William and Mariselly (a married couple), and Denny (on the right) were baptized on Sunday after church. They and about 20 of our congregation braved the cold October wind (at least it seemed cold to all of us) and gathered on the beach. Baptisms are always exciting for our church. We sing a little, ask the new disciples to give a word of testimony, and pray as a group. Since we don't have a church building with a baptistery, we celebrate these public professions of faith in a public place. The sunbathers, strollers, and swimmers don't usually seem to mind our presence, and sometimes stop to watch or even ask questions. This time we weren't there very long. Once some of us were wet and standing out of the water we hurried to our homes to warm up!

Thanks to the Smiths for 30 Years of Ministry

Jim and Sharon Smith have been BBFI missionaries to Ecuador for more than 30 years. Now they are beginning a new phase of their ministry at the Baptist Bible Fellowship Mission Office in Springfield, MO. This month we who have had the privilege of being influenced by their lives had an opportunity to say, "Thank you," and to give them a good send-off. The photo shows Jim and Sharon along with their children Stacey and Zac. Joy took this picture after they had received the hugs and best wishes of a few hundred people at the end of a testimony service at the church they founded in Quito more than 25 years ago. Pastors and members of churches and ministries that have grown from that work were present as well.
I also had the opportunity to attend a retreat for pastors and church leaders a few days before the good-bye service. Jim was the conference teacher at the retreat. It was awesome to be able to share that time with three of the ministry leaders from our young church in Manta. I pray that they will be motivated to work faithfully for the Lord and to serve others just as Jim has done.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Women's Bible Studies and Men's Breakfast

This past Friday Joy started leading a new series of Bible Studies for women. There is always a good number of ladies interested in her study groups. This time she is offering an alternative schedule to be able to include more women and yet keep the groups relatively small. Each Friday she will be meeting with a group at 3:00 in the afternoon and with a second group at 7:00 PM. More than 30 are signed up for this six-lesson study.
We don't see as many men involved in Bible study groups, but we have had a solid group of 15 to 20 men participating in the 9:30 AM men's class on Sunday. Today we had a men's breakfast at our house and 10 came for fellowship and prayer. That is a good number, and we had a great time.