February 2024 - Teaching Truth to the Next Generation

 

Teaching Truth to the Next Generation -February 2024

Having worked here with the Awa for close to 29 years, we have seen this next generation grow up literally in front of our eyes! Over the years we have taught many children the truths of God’s word, and find such joy in seeing some of these teenagers and young adults continuing to grow in Truth as they keep listening to and following God.

The beginning of 2024 turned our focus in a new way to this young generation, as God gave several occasions to spend time with some of the Awa teens. January 27th we had our first “Sábado de Jóvenes” (youth Saturday) in Lita, which turned out to be a great time together. We left Rio Verde with 11 happy teenagers maxing out our truck space, and Graciela joined us in Lita. We watched the first “Tetelestai” video in Spanish, and we were blessed to see how well they listened! Playing games and cooking lunch and cleaning up together was all done with lots of happy chatter. March 2nd will be our next encounter and already more youth are interested in joining us.

January 31st our friend (and Word of Life alumnus) Pastor Walter and I took three of Paulino & Manuela’s young adults to Quito to visit the Word of Life campus there. The students and staff graciously received us and showed us around. Rómulo, Abraham, and Anahí went home with much to think on! They have shown an interest in studying there, but at the same time just the idea is daunting! The big city of Quito is scary, education at a higher level is challenging, and having a monthly bill to pay seems overwhelming. I encouraged them that if God has this for them, He will surely open the way before them.

This last Saturday we had a work day to earn money for some of the teens who signed up for the Mission’s Carnaval youth camp. For Jeison, Pedro, Anahí, and Jenny this is their first camp and it’s another stretching experience! Pray for the four of them, as well as Abraham, during this coming weekend (February 9-12), that their hearts will be encouraged to know God better. We think just seeing such a large crowd of youth also learning to follow God will really blow their minds!

So yes, please pray for the next generation of Awa who will be the future church here! The modern world is becoming more of a force in their lives through cell phones and high schools; they are facing so much more than their parents’ generation did even fifteen years ago.

Please join us to pray:
that God’s truth, poured into their lives, will be an anchor in the midst of turbulent times.
that out of these youth God would raise up those who would follow Him faithfully.
for Rómulo, Abraham, and Anahí as they consider attending Word of Life.
for Kathy & I to have compassion, patience, and energy! as we walk beside these precious young lives.
Praise – our coworkers the Shaubs are now back in Ecuador!
 
In His grip,

Kevin & Kathy