This last month was filled with joyous moments, including an annual
retreat with our Ecuador field coworkers and a visit from one of our
good friends and home church pastors and wife, Tom & Leslie. Both
times we found to be full of good fellowship and encouragement as we
continue to work as God’s ambassadors here in AwaLand. How we need God’s
enablement to keep on keeping on, seeking to love each person God puts
in our pathway with His compassion and truth!
Another highlight over the last month was spending two different
Saturdays with a special group of Awa….those who desire to be involved
in Bible teaching to their own people.
Humberto, a believer from a community further west of us, has been
asking for some time for a course to help him become a Bible teacher.
With our coworkers the Shaubs, we planned to begin this course in
mid-August. We also asked the believers in our area if anyone else was
interested. To our surprise, 15-year-old Jeison quickly spoke up, saying
he would like to come to the course. Later two teenage sisters,
Graciela and Isabela, also showed interest in attending. Our good friend
Gloria, who helps teach the children in Palmira each week, also
promised to join us.
Asking God for His wisdom and help, we planned a Saturday to begin
the training. Humberto agreed to come on his motorcycle and to spend the
weekend with us. Thus, on August 13
th we sat down with six
of the believers and began the class. We discussed together why God’s
word is so important as a sturdy foundation for our lives.
Three of the youth participants--Jeison, Graciela, and Isabela (along
with cousin Daniela)--have started helping on Sundays with the
children’s Sunday School in Rio Verde. This is definitely a new
development and we are blessed by their willingness to take part!
Early in September we spent another day together, Humberto arriving
this time with his grown son Orlando. We were blessed to go over Genesis
chapters one and two with them, discussing how God spoke into being the
world, and how He created Adam and Eve. This weekend Humberto and
Orlando had more urgency in returning to their families Saturday before
dark, so after helping with some motorcycle repairs, they took off.
Please pray for these precious brothers and sisters in Christ who
have tasted of the goodness of God’s truth and desire to share it with
their people! This week Humberto had a difficult experience when he was
taken hostage overnight by some ‘bad guys’ in his area. We feared for
his life, but the next morning he was returned apparently unharmed. At
this point we are not sure what truly happened but sense the opposition
of the enemy in stopping Humberto from teaching God’s word. Thanks for
upholding him and the other course participants in prayer; pray for
courage and for God’s protection.
We are writing this from an airport in Pennsylvania today, as we are
traveling to the USA for a short visit. We will be helping Kevin’s
parents who are in the process of putting their home in NH for sale, as
well as making a visit to see our children and grandson who are
Stateside. Kathy will also have a checkup with her doctor. Lord
willing, we may even be blessed to see some of you in person! 😊
In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy
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Pastor Tom & Leslie
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Sweet times of fellowship
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Our Ecuador Field Retreat
(We have a multi-national team representing 10 different churches and ministries here in the north of Ecuador!)
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Teaching those who want to teach
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Who knew motorcycle repairs were part of the missionary job requirements!
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Thank you for your prayers! |
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