Here are some pics from the Conference

Awa Conf 2011

Awa Conference 2011!

Thanks for your prayers! This year the conference had a very different feel.  For one, the place was different, as we held it here at the Outpost. The food was different, as it was all planned and cooked by the local believers. Instead of us providing hospitality, the Awa took care of it themselves. In fact some of the visitors from the lowlands stayed in different houses during the three nights up here because of so many wanting them to come and stay with them!  It was a real answer to prayer to see the maturity of the believers as they took ownership and responsibility for the conference to a new level. Wow!

This year Doug and Milton taught through the first part of Daniel, as Doug just recently completed the first draft translation of that important OT book.  Those familiar testimonies of faith and faithfulness—like Daniel in the lions’ den-- were heard for the first time by many that came.  In the afternoons I taught some simple principles of money and debt from a Biblical perspective, as easy credit and loans have become an increasing problem here in these mountains. Paulino led us on Sunday morning as we remembered Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.  This was followed by the official recognition of Paulino and Milton as elders among the Awa believers.

Paulino and Milton both demonstrated their leadership in so many ways during the conference. The maturity and wisdom they displayed in the planning was incredible, even in such simple areas as the food. Each morning they discussed with the ladies what should be cooked, and made sure there was what was needed. They organized men to carry water up from the spring. They waited until last to be fed, to make sure there was enough food for all. Milton even helped to serve food one day, a definite ladies’ job! They earnestly taught, admonished, and encouraged their fellow believers. One of the highlights for me was overhearing Milton in deep conversation with Alfonso, Meregildo’s neighbor, about what it means to be saved. As Alfonso expressed his worries (he can’t read, he can’t help getting drunk), Milton patiently encouraged him and reminded him that salvation rests in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Both Alfonso and his wife, along with their adult son (Manuel), all made a public show of their trust in Christ on Sunday.

Ok, I want to get this off, so I’ll close off for now, so you can praise the Lord with us for His wonderful work in the hearts and lives of the Awa people.

In HIS grip,

Kevin & Kathy

 P.S. For you prayer warriors, here are some more specific answers to your prayers!

• ·         Conference supply run:  Both of our trucks were still stuck on this side of the landslides on Wednesday; so along with Porfidio and Cecilia, who came along to help, we hiked over past the landslides and caught a local truck down to Lita, and a bus out to Ibarra. We borrowed the Mission truck to bring the supplies back, and by that evening the road was open, so we only had to carry the heavy load the 10 minutes to our houses.  (The landslide fell again later that night, but then was opened back up again the next day.)
• ·         We had wondered how the hospitality would go, for the Awa coming from afar. Meregildo butchered a calf at his house, left his wife preparing a feast, and hiked over and waited for five hours at the end of the road until the folks arrived. He even loaned his boots out to one girl who arrived in flip-flops, and rode back on his horse, barefoot, holding two of their kids! The huge grin on his face told of his joy in serving them.
• ·         The Lord’s provision in great weather during the whole conference.  There was a noticeable 3-day lull in the heavy rains!
• ·         The Lord’s grace and love in dealing with up to 65 people here at the Outpost! For the most part, the children played cheerfully, without leaving too wide a path of destruction behind them. J The water supply here is tight with so many—but the ladies doing the cooking were real troopers.
• ·         More than sufficient food! (We started off Friday morning butchering a cow out back!) It was a true feast! On Sunday many made the comment that they were going home full!
• ·         Thursday afternoon we heard a huge clap of thunder and soon realized a lightning strike had taken out the electricity for most of the valley. Friday we survived on battery power (for showing the Jesus movie) and were amazed to have it return Friday evening. The electric company had come, hiked up, and fixed it---a real miracle on a holiday weekend! (Kathy says maybe they were angels in hardhats! ;)