We are back in Ecuador!

Thanks for your prayers for our trip; God was gracious to help us along the way with His mighty hand. Goodbyes are always hard, and even harder, we are learning, with a little grandson to leave behind! But even there we felt our Father’s comfort. And truly we had much to be thankful for along the way: The big pile of heavy suitcases didn’t break our backs :-) and even though Kathy got the ‘red’ light and had to go through customs, there was no problem with any of the suitcases and she wasn’t delayed more than five minutes. We even had an empty seat beside us on the flight from Atlanta to Quito and were able to stretch out a little more!

Adjustments are always in order as we switch worlds: first back into Ecuadorian life, catching up on what is going on in the country and wrapping our tongues around Spanish; and then on into AwaLand, and thinking and speaking as our Awa friends do. We were joyful to see many of our co-workers and friends in this first week here! The Shaubs and the Awa church had planned a special Sunday for us, with a delicious lunch of chicken soup, lentils, rice, yucca, and plantains. We were received with much love and even a few hugs, which means much when coming from our rather stoic people.

In 2 Corinthians chapter one, Paul calls our God the “Father of mercies and God of all comfort” and goes on to comment that God comforts us in our struggles so that we will be able to pass on that comfort to others who may be in need of it. As we look back on our six months there in the USA, Kathy and I felt that comfort and encouragement from so many of you! Please pray with us that as we jump into life here that we would be able to pass on to our friends here that same comfort, mercy, and encouragement.

A few prayer requests:
    • For God’s guidance as we join with our coworkers Andy & Chrissy to make up a ministry plan for 2020
    • For new Liebenzell missionaries Marcel & Faith as they adjust to Ecuador and begin Spanish studies
    • For the pastor of the Cotacachi church, Walter and his wife Pamela, as they face some difficult decisions concerning their future
    • For wisdom and unity as I re-join the leadership team here
    • That we would face the challenges of ministry with our hearts resting in our Sovereign God

In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy