Trip to Quito

In April we had the opportunity to go to Quito for a few days. While we were there we enjoyed the hospitality of missionaries Cliff and Neoma Mcghee, and visited with Glenn and Sherri McGhee as well. We got to visit a couple of churches in the McGhees' ministry. We especially enjoyed visiting the church in Mushuñan. Several years ago our supporting churches contributed to buy the property where the church meets, and now they have a beautiful building as well. I enjoyed preaching there and in the church in La Victoria.

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.

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.

A Week in Quito

Last week we were in Quito visiting friends and shopping for a car. We enjoyed seeing how the work we were involved with during our years in Quito has developed. One of the projects in Mushuñan recently began using their first church building on some property that we helped raise money for several years ago. One of the young men we helped train is now the pastor of that work.

Our good friends and fellow BBFI missionaries Glenn and Sherri McGhee and Cliff and Neoma McGhee are doing a marvelous job with all of the ministries of Iglesia Bíblica Bautista in Sangolquí outside of Quito.