In just a few short weeks, we'll be saying our good-byes to our church and
family here. We are so appreciative of the time God has given us here and how
He has prepared our hearts for returning to Ecuador.We'll be leaving Keilah here with her grandparents; she'll be working and preparing for her wedding to Jeremy Windler this summer (July 29th, here in New Hampshire). Kenny continues to work at Liberty University in Virginia--we are thankful to have one last week with him this coming week before we head out the end of the month.
Many challenges await us in Ecuador and we are grateful for your prayers. Our field director and his wife, Rainer and Kathi Kroger, will be in Germany for several months, and we will need to help out with some of the leadership responsibilities for the field. As we return to the Awa ministry, we greatly desire God's wisdom in knowing how to balance compassion and truth as we face Milton, Paulino, and the other believers, along with the communities of Awa around us who are the on-lookers in the present situation. Please pray with us that God will uphold His glory and His name among the Awa.
I had a good
conversation with Milton on the phone the other day. He is facing the many
consequences of his sin, and living through a difficult time as he feels the
public shame. We pray that God will work a deep repentance and humility in his
life in these days. "I am really hungry for God's word," he told me
repeatedly. ( Because of his embarrassment and shame, he has not been attending
the Sunday meetings.) We are thankful for our Ecuadorian co-worker, Jaime
Muenala, who has been faithfully taking the truck up to RV each Sunday to be
with the believers and teach from the Psalms. The picture shows the group
meeting in Rio Verde several weeks ago. Just a couple of weeks ago Jaime said
there were 20 Awa there, which was good to hear!April 3-5, just three days after we arrive, will be the annual Awa Conference. We don't know quite what to expect, and won't have much time there on the ground to prepare....so again, we are thankful for your prayers!
In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy