FEBRUARY – IT’S ‘CARNAVAL’ TIME!

The happy sounds of children laughing and playing fills the air in these days of ‘Carnaval’ holiday-time. All across Ecuador, people enjoy this season by splashing water—and often other much stickier substances like eggs, borojó fruit, and brightly colored powders---on each other. These are the days of fun and celebration before Ash Wednesday February 26th, which began the more serious 40 days of Lent countdown until Easter week.

But in some ways the happy sounds are only a superficial mask to the darkness that reigns in so many homes here in AwaLand. As we get caught up on the local news, tales of immorality are rampant, unhappy homes and broken relationships. My heart was saddened this week as I sat with V., one of my Awa friends, and he openly shared with me that he no longer wanted to follow God. “I’ve watched the ones who supposedly are following God,” he said, “and I’ve seen their poor testimonies and immorality. And God took Paulino early, when he was young still. I’m just not wanting to follow that path anymore.” Please pray for V. – we know that God is not finished with him yet.

We are reminded of the seriousness of the spiritual battle that is taking place here in these mountains, a battle for the hearts and minds of the Awa. Please pray that, like Peter in the storm, our eyes would stay focused on our Father God!

Your prayers do make a difference! One way we have seen God at work answering those prayers (right in the midst of the battle!) is in Paulino’s family. During the last 8 months since their father’s death they have had many struggles, but we have seen signs that they are turning to God even in those trials. Last Sunday, while daughter Anaí said the six memory verses from Romans to our coworker Andy (and so earned her new Bible story book!), another daughter, Martha, came to me to ask about being baptized, along with older sister Monica and brother Rómulo.

Another one of Paulino’s sons, Abraham, bravely decided to attend the Mission’s Carnaval youth camp, even though he was the only Awa going! Our German Impact helper Lucas has been a great encouragement to both Abraham and Rómulo, encouraging them to follow God.
In HIS grip, Kevin & Kathy Bruce

                                                             Picture of the month:

2 Thess. 3:2-3 “…For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful….”