New Dirt

Just a couple of weeks ago dump trucks were taking dirt away from the property. Now dump trucks are bringing new, better dirt to the property. This is important because Manta's soil is very sandy and it is located on a major fault line. We get to pay for getting rid of the old dirt and bringing in new dirt! It's exciting because we are getting closer to actually building something.

Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas!

We have a lot to be thankful for. We enjoyed a super Thanksgiving holiday with some missionary friends--Joe and Sylvia Wells, and Stacey Smith. Our traditional turkey dinner was awesome!



Meanwhile, Christmas activities have begun at the church in Manta. The ladies held a five-hour seminar/luncheon/Christmas party at a local restaurant. Sylvia Wells was the guest speaker. There were games and a holiday choir. Everyone had a great time.

Sun and Sand Saturday

On Saturday we had a men's activity--football (soccer) and volleyball (ecua-volley) at the beach. When we schedule outings for the men's group, we never know how many men from the church will be able to get off of work in time or will remember the starting time. This was the best-attended men's activity so far. Sixteen showed up! Several of them were newcomers to the church. The team leaders did a good job of contacting the guys. We had a lot of fun, considering how many of us are somewhere over the proverbial hill. Ecuador has it's own style of volleyball. Each team has three men and they play with a soccer ball. It is not easy, and is especially tough on sand. The soccer was fun, and I even scored a goal! My first goal since elementary school! Besides the sports, we enjoyed ceviche, and had a short devotional time. It was a hot afternoon. Everyone was worn out by the time the sun went down. More than a few of the guys mentioned sore legs, backs, and shoulders on Sunday morning, but they also asked when we could do it again.

Clearing Land

The land is cleared and ready for the next step! It was encouraging to see the dump truck drive away with the last load of unwanted rubble. Now we are ready to see dump trucks drive in with loads of things we need. Please continue to pray for the building project for the church in Manta. We would love to be meeting on the property by June of 2009.

Not All Things Seem Good

In the past couple of months we have had at least our share of the flu. One week in particular the germs passed from Teddy, to Joy, to me and sent us each to bed in turn. It is no fun to be sick, to feel weak, and to have to be still.
Lately, one of the men in our church who had seen some tremendous changes in his life has struggled to stay free from the grasp of drug use. He has had a few set-backs. His wife is battling despair and fear that he is on another downward spiral.
Two of the couples who were important parts of the beginning of our church in Manta have been notably absent from the unity and fellowship with the rest of the congregation. The church continues to change and grow, and maybe that's an excuse from their point of view, but it is painful for me to see some of those who worked and contributed to the first steps in starting this church missing out on the joyful results and the excitement about the future.
All of these things seem negative in themselves, but I believe in the power of prayer and in the promise that all things, even those that seen bad, work out for good through God's providence. We count on your prayers for each of these concerns.

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.