Hello from Quito

Well, God has done some amazing things here in Ecuador. It is hard to recap all the things that have been significant this past week. I can't believe we have only one day left on this trip. It has been a blessing to hang out with the kids, teach them, and play futbol. No matter what age they are they are still great at soccer! Their smiles are what really melt your heart. They are living in poverty, yet still they give you the biggest smile when they see you. And so much more when you have established a relationship with them.
It has also been wonderful to get to know some of the people who are involved with the church that we have been working with. Last night we had the opportunity to have dinner at a member of the church. It was great just hanging out with them asking questions and fellowshiping. Of course all communication is through a translator, and I think I am the worst of the whole group.
It will be sad to leave Quito, but I really miss my family. Technology is wonderful in that we have been able to communicate while I've been gone. God has also pushed me farther to rely on Him and Him alone. It is so freeing to know that God's plan is so much better than my plan.
I can't wait to see you all in a couple of days!!

Justin

From Ecuador

First of all I'd like to give a testimony of how God is working in my life through this mission trip: Before when I was not on medication and was mentally ill I was really needy and didn't have much to give. Now, I am diagnosed and on medication. The Lord has healed me and is working through me. I have been able to give of myself during this mission trip. Praise God.

Second, I would like to share one of my favorite Bible verses which we memorized for this trip. I hope it speaks to you as it speaks to me: "I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "No one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this ageand, in the age to come, eternal life." Luke 18:29-30

Jherysa

Wow! What an amazing week we've had! It would be virtually impossible to communicate all that God has done in and through us this week but I would like to list some of the highlights and some of my impressions (in no particular order).

1. Connecting with about 450 bright eyed children during three different VBS's, and being able to see the genuine joy that we were bringing to them as we shared the love of Jesus with them and taught them about how important they are to God. Almost every child left with a photograph of themself with a neat frame and a sentence below their picture that says Jesus Me Ama (Jesus loves me). Most also received a bible or a portion of the New Testament as well.

2. Doing prayer walks in two different communities and being led to several different people whom we were able to share the good news with in a comprehensive and relvent way and then praying with six of them to receive Christ as their Savior.

3. Doing sports evangelism in La Comuna, the neighborhood near San Pablo Iglesia where we've been ministering most of the week in conjunction with Thomas and Shirley Brinkley who've founded and are directing a ministry called Nuevos Amigos. We played futbol (soccer) with the team from San Pablo, but even the kids made us look ridiculous as they dribbled the ball between our legs etc... We had the chance to share a brief gospel message with those kids and then to give them some toys as Christmas presents since most probably did not receive much if anything this Christmas.

4. Going out on a Chiva (an open air bus with a flat roof with railing) complete with an indigenous Ecuadorian band i.e. drums trumpet, saxaphone, trombone, playing loud Ecuadorian music as we drove all over the city on New Years Eve waving at people and blowing our whistles. People on the streets started dancing when they saw us coming and waved and smiled back at us.

5. Being able to pray for Thomas and Shirley in the church where they are ministering and feeling that we were really able to bring blessing and support to their lives.

6. Taking a taxi last night to find an open "Cabina" so we could call Terrie before her surgery this morning.

7. Smelling the aroma of the fresh baked wafting out the bakery where we bought bread to give to the community where we ministered today and then getting to eat some of it piping hot right out of the oven.

8. Last but definitely not least sensing God's presence in my life and the infilling of His spirit daily as I stepped out of my comfort zone again and again and saw Him work in and through me and take my meager offerings and use them for the blessing of others and for His glory.

Kenny Shoemaker

Dear family and supporters,

Hello from Ecuador! What an amazing trip it has been. Our flights arrived safely and our accommodations are wonderful. On the first day we visited the orphanage, For His Children, and got to play with the kids and love on them. There were about 8 infants and a lot of the kids suffer from physical and mental disabilities so you could only imagine how touching the experience was. Seeing the kids respond so strongly to our touch and embrace was an extremely heart wrenching experience but we were all thankful for the time with the orphans.

Since that first experience we have remained busy. We carried cement blocks to the cite of the playground where the missionaries are building a playground for the kids in the neighborhood (paid for by ACC). The missionaries hired a church member to oversee the construction project which will continue long after we have left.

The dentists have pulled some teach but have thankfully also had the chance to join us during our VBS, sports evangelism and door to door ministry we have done. If I had to guess we have probably prayed with about 20 families to accept Christ and have so far passed out over 200 bibles. We have done several sports evangelism events - one of which had us playing the football team from the church - and we got crushed. The two VBS's we have completed have ministered to over 400 children. Seeing the kids memorizing scripture, being silenced by the skit or the pride in holding their own picture craft stand out as highlights.

Tomorrow we travel to the Covenant Bible College where we will conduct a dental clinic, additional door to door evangelism and another VBS. Keep us in your prayers.

For me, the most amazing moment happened today when a women we were praying with teared up and through the tears told us how much it means to her to get to spend a little time in fellowship with us. I pray we continue to encourage all those that we meet. Thank you Steph for making it possible to go on this trip and give Drew and Kate a big kiss from me. I can't wait to kiss you all in person on Friday.

Scott