July Bruce Brief

There are piles of boxes and crates stacked in our house here in the mountains, as we pack up our belongings and prepare to move to Ibarra for the last two weeks before our flight. Amidst the chaos of packing, reality is finally sinking in—we will soon be there in the USA! A few months ago we wondered if all the details would ever pull together, but we are thankful to have seen God’s hand at work, putting the ‘puzzle pieces’ together. Just to give you an idea: 

 

---Milton and Delia and family have now moved up to take care of the church while we are gone! Several other families wanted to come to be caretakers, and there was the potential for a big disagreement, but the Lord was faithful and finally brought all of the believers to the same conclusion (having Milton here). We are thankful to see a growing excitement in Milton as he seeks to faithfully keep the church going and administrate the church property. He’s already been planting yucca here close by, in preparation for Sunday meals together. ?
---We have prayed for a helper for Milton, to help him out on Sundays, as Paulino, living farther away, can’t be here consistently. Andy Shaub’s language helper, Marco Antonio, has been taking a driving course each weekend for the last six months, but the course ends this month. “I’m planning to come and help Milton while you are gone!” Marco told Andy a few weeks ago. Marco is able to read well in Awa, and he is gifted with a helpful, gentle personality. We are thankful for this provision from the Lord.
---The boxes and crates of our belongings we’ll store in our apartment in Ibarra. The Lord has provided a new missionary couple from Germany to live in our apartment there for about half the time we are gone. They are newlyweds, so don’t need all three bedrooms---one bedroom we’ve turned into a storage unit and it is stacked high not only with our boxes, but the Shaub’s belongings as well!
---Our truck sold in just a day! We hadn’t even had time to put a ‘for sale’ sign in the window, when we got a visit from two Ecuadorian brothers, who decided in just five minutes that they would take it. In the meantime, we’ve not been without wheels, as we are able to drive the Shaub’s truck, since they decided not to sell it.
We are thankful for a God that sees the ‘big picture’ and is able to piece together all those small details in a way that brings Him glory! ? 
Milton and Paulino would greatly appreciate your prayers as they often face criticism and complaints from their own people. For the Awa to stand alone, in the face of opposition, is very difficult; they are a group-oriented culture. Recently the church has been accused of bringing division to the people---which is considered one of the worst evils to the betterment and unity of the Awa communities.
Several factors have come together to help us make the decision to make our return on March 30th next year. That gives us 8 months in the USA, which will very likely fly by…we look forward to worshipping and fellowshipping with many of you, as our hearts are always greatly encouraged by seeing how God is at work in your lives! And we pray that we can also be of encouragement to many. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Heb.10:24-25 ESV

“….For He who promised is faithful!” Heb 10:23

Kevin & Kathy  

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