2023 is here! Happy New Year!!

 January finds us both looking back over 2022 as well as making plans for the new year of 2023. Remembering the many challenges of this last year we are thankful to see God’s faithfulness through each one! January a year ago found us with the main road to the city closed due to a major landslide; in May Kevin had the motorcycle accident which left him with a broken ankle.

In the ministry we spent many hours teaching and discipling the youth with two Bible courses. We thank God for the open hearts we see in so many of the youth; during 2022 we realized that much of our time we poured into this younger generation. God is at work in these young lives; we pray we can keep up with what He is doing!! 😊

This new year promises to continue this theme of the youth…there are now over 50 students enrolled in the two different youth courses we are teaching at the moment. Jeison and Abraham are two teens learning to play the guitar and cajón with Kevin each week; they are helping us with worship each Sunday. One-on-one discipleship time with the youth happens each Friday and Saturday as we do make-up lessons and help with course homework.

Three adults and four youth are coming regularly with good enthusiasm to the Bible teacher training classes. From what we can tell, 2023 promises to be a training and teaching year! Many years ago, Paul told Timothy, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have hear from me…entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2 ESV) How we long to pass on that truth of God and the message of His grace to faithful leaders among the Awa. Please pray that God would raise up those faithful ones.

And we sincerely thank you for taking part in all of this by your prayers and support!

In HIS grip,


👁️👁️ Keep reading below to see some picture highlights of 2022! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Picture Highlights of 2022!

It does our hearts good to hear Abraham and Jeison singing and practicing together on the guitar and cajón!

Three cousins Abraham, Daniela, and Jeison going with us to help with a Christmas program in a community west of here.

Kevin with Gloria’s husband Guillermo studying a Bible lesson. Guillermo is the president of the community of Palmira; pray that he would become a faithful church leader as well.

Humberto and wife María are a blessing to us; their faithfulness over many years is a testimony to their family. Pray for Humberto as he studies with us in order to teaches his own family the Bible lessons.

Lucas, a young German friend currently studying in seminary, is spending two months here helping us with the ministry. He recently started a new Bible class in Rio Verde with a group of 11- and 12-year-olds. We are thankful for his help! Lucas hopes to return to Ecuador as a missionary in the future.

What a fun day we had in mid-December at Humberto’s house for a Christmas program! About 30 of his family and relatives showed up for singing, teaching, a craft and lunch together.

Pizza party in Palmira!! Manuela, Jeison, and Abraham happily learned the art of pizza making, while a small crowd of little folks helped to devour the delicious hot slices. For many it was their first taste of pizza…. they were puzzled and fascinated by the mushrooms and pepperoni.

Pray for compassion and kindness as we live here among the Awa. Whether we are just putting on Band-Aids or helping in some other way, we want to truly SEE 👀 the ones God brings our way.

Paulino’s sons Rómulo and Abraham are two young fellows we love to spend time with. They are both working hard to finish high school, and homework help is often greatly appreciated! Pray that these young men would faithfully follow God.