DAY 3
"I lift my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from The Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1
Today has been an extremely busy day for our team. One team went to a Bible study that we had planned this morning, but our friend was busy with customers. Of course, this was no accident, but once again, a divine appointment. We walked across the street to a barber shop and were able to share the gospel with a young man waiting on his friend to get a haircut. A seed has been planted in this young man's life and we pray that it takes root.
The team split into 3 teams and headed to hand out flyers. We covered about 5 miles and handed out 150 flyers for tomorrow night's movie event. Pray that this community will show up and respond to the gospel, and lives will be changed!
After we handed out fliers, 1/2 of our team went to Paola's school where she teaches English. As the team arrived, they were able to speak with the administrators of the school, 2 adult men. The team was able to share why we are here, and the men began to ask many spiritual questions. They were very hungry and asked us to come back and share more with them. One stated that his wife was a believer but he was not. The team had to leave that meeting to speak with the class. In class, the students asked questions and the team was able to share the gospel through their questions. This was such an uplifting experience for us!!! After class, the head administrator asked that we continue to come to the school and share with BOTH the students and the adults! He even said, "this is your home." Praise the Lord for open doors!
The other 1/2 of the team stayed at the apartment and Chip led a bible study and 11 of our Ecuadorian friends showed up. We talked about how hard times will come, and temptation will hit us, but The Lord will fight for us and if we stay in his word, pray every day, and fellowship with other believers, with his help, we will be victorious. The conversation turned to Romans 10:9-13, and the gospel was presented. We are certain that several here were not believers. More seeds planted.
There were a few other bible studies today. People here are hungry and they want to learn more. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. This is a photo taken before our bible study tonight.
DAY 4
"Porque de tal manera amó Dios el mundo que ha dado su hijo unigénito para que todo aquel que en él cree no se pierda más tenga vida eterna."
Juan 3:16
Another full day in the books here in the city we love, Tabacundo. This morning we started out with an amazing devotion and prayer time and Miguel, our translator, shared his testimony with the team. We left feeling refreshed and renewed. We split teams again and one team headed out to Bible study with Maria and Hilda. We studied Matthew 28:19-20 and the parable of the seeds with them and encouraged them to share their faith with others.
Another team stayed and popped popcorn for tonight's movie and then set out to visit Marta in the market and she wasn't there, however, her son was. Of course we didn't leave without sharing the gospel with him. He was receptive, but insisted he'd already received Christ, even though he gave us the "good person" answer.
After these two appointments, we handed out fliers when, by no accident, we met a young lady named Maria. She had no idea that hell existed. We were able to share with her and have an appointment to visit her again on Thursday. She is very open to the message of Christ. We gave her a Bible, please pray for her as we continue to share.
The team met up at the apartment and prepared for the evening events. We split up again. One team went to Paola's class and one team went to show the movie War Room.
The team at the school was able to share the gospel with 25 students. We answered many of their questions about what we shared. Several students were extremely interested. We ran out of time and Paola will be following up with them. *These were not the same students that the team was able to share with last night.
The movie night was fantastic! We had 42 people attend the movie and once it was over, no one moved. Several people stuck around and we prayed with many of them. Please lift up Rosio who is struggling with a broken marriage. She is a very broken woman.
Your prayers are being answered here! We can feel the Holy Spirit empowering us each time we share. Thank you all so much!
DAY 5
"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:3-6
I can't begin to express to you all how in tune this team's hearts have been. We have functioned as one, and each and every member of this team has shared their testimony and shared the gospel of Christ. I'm so thankful to our Lord for orchestrating every step of this journey so far.
Today our team was able to get out and experience some Ecuadorian culture. We purchased some souvenirs for those at home holding things down. We were also able to visit Peguche Waterfall in Otavalo. We were once again in awe of the beauty of the Lord's creation. We serve an amazing Creator!
While we were in the market, we met Juan, a fellow believer. It was a sweet time of fellowship with a brother in Christ. We also had a chance to share with a man whom we've visited before who used to live in Miami.
We are ending the day with a surprise birthday celebration for our beautiful Ecuadorian friend and partner in His work here, Paola. We're so grateful that the Lord put her in our path.
Continue to pray as we enter our last two days of ministry here. We have another big movie night scheduled for Friday night. Also, pray for our team as saying goodbye to our friends is never easy.
DAY 6
"This is the day The Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"
Psalm 118:24
I'm in tears as I type out today's update. The team walked back into the apartment tonight and we all agreed that today's update should be called, "Best Day Ever!"
Our morning started off with a visit from 2 young ladies. One of them accepted Christ on a previous trip. She brought a friend to the apartment this morning. The same friend was at our Bible study Monday night. She was also at the movie on Tuesday night and asked to come by this morning to ask some questions. Well, those questions led to Lorena trusting Jesus as her savior! Praise The Lord!!! Our entire team was in tears. And this was the start to our day.
The next appointment was with a young woman named Maria. If you'll remember yesterday, she was the woman we encountered on the street who didn't know hell existed. Well, after some discussion and sharing the truth of the cross with her, she also accepted Christ!!! Number two of the day, again, a team in tears and praising our Lord.
Some team members had Bible study with Hilda, who is a new believer and very hungry for the word. We encouraged her to share with others. And she asked about baptism, so we shared some scriptures with her and left her some to read and pray over. I see a baptism in her future!
As that team came back to the apartment, Ronald, a young man team 1 met last week, had brought his friend, Paul, by the apartment. And guess what? Paul accepted Christ too!! Our God is so good.
All this happened before 3:00. We headed to Cayambe to hand out fliers for our last movie night tomorrow night. We passed out 100 fliers. Pray that there will be a great turnout tomorrow. After handing out fliers, we had a dinner prepared for us by Jhoe's mom. We laughed so hard, and cried so hard, and shared the best time of fellowship with a family here that has truly become a part of our family. ❤
Many other divine appointments happened today and this week. Please come to our share night. Although I must warn you, this team is on fire and may talk for a while.
We love you all and we appreciate your prayers and support. Tomorrow will be so bittersweet. Sweet because we know God will be faithful and we will see more wonderful things. And because we are loo
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