April 2024 - Living Water

 

April 2024 Living Water

We’ve had some unusually dry weather here in Ecuador over the last few weeks. Seeing the dry dusty road baking in the hot sun and our garden plants drooping limply reminds us how important water is for life. Our plants need water, our dogs and geese and chickens need it, and so do we!
 
The Awa Easter conference theme this year was “Living Water”: “If anyone is thirsty, come to Me!” Jesus said. How well the Awa understand that thirst for water as they hike along a trail or work with a machete out in their fields! At the end of one of the Conference teaching sessions, I asked the question, “Are you coming to Jesus for that Living Water?” For us, this was the highlight of the conference as we went around the group Awa-style, and one by one the youth and adults gave their answer:

• “Yes!! For many years I have been believing in Jesus and coming to Him!”
• “When I was little, I believed. But over the years Satan has tempted me to do wrong, and I haven’t always followed. But I am believing in Jesus and wanting to follow Him well.”
• “I am listening to God’s words. As a child I didn’t hear any of this, so it is new and different for me. But what I have heard is good, and I want to continue listening!”
• Three young women, with big smiles on their faces, for the first time said publicly, “Yes, I have come to Jesus!”
• One young fellow with much embarrassment admitted that he had come to Jesus but hadn’t been following Him faithfully. Another young fellow said he couldn’t quite say…. In both cases we appreciated the honesty!

Amidst all the fun, food, games, and fellowship, it was a blessing to us to hear these testimonies. Thanks so much for your prayers for these special days with our Awa friends!
 
If you’d like to see some extra Conference pictures, here’s an album: Conference Photo Album
 

Time in the USA

We are making plans to fly to the USA in mid-August for a six month visit! We are excited to see our family (grandson Miles has a new little baby brother!) and we are also joyfully hoping to visit friends and supporting churches during these months. We definitely appreciate your prayers for wisdom in planning as there are many miles to cover! And please let us know if you’d like us to stop in as we criss-cross the country. 😊
 
In His grip,
Kevin & Kathy