We
wish each of you a very blessed Christmas! For many of us December is
full of programs, preparation of presents, cookies, and songs, and
gathering with friends and family. Outside our surroundings are a bit
different, with the sun shining on bright green mountains and the lively
songs of toucans and ani cuckoo birds, but here in AwaLand we are also
in the midst of celebrating the Christmas season! What a privilege to
join with you and so many others around the world as with different
languages and different cultures we all rejoice together over God’s very
special gift to us in the person of Jesus!
December 4th the Impact team did an evangelistic drama in both Río Verde
and Palmira. We loved seeing the faces of our Awa friends as they
followed the story of a disheartened young man who finally found Jesus.
This Saturday we are going with a group to Humberto’s village to teach
and share the traditional Ecuadorian cookie bags. We appreciate your
prayers for an invitation we’ve received to go to Middle Río Verde
community for a program on Friday, December 23rd. Marco Antonio, a
teacher in the school there, invited us for this day, saying, “The
people in this community need to hear what the true meaning of Christmas
is, that it is really about the coming of Jesus!” While perhaps Marco
is saying what he knows we like to hear :-) we do appreciate the
opportunity in this community to “share the light of the gospel of the
glory of Christ” (2 Cor 4:4).
We
had a beautiful day for the baptism of Christian and his wife Ana
Patricia and young Jeison on November 5th. A good crowd gathered at the
Lita River near Jeison’s grandpa’s house, and after the baptism we
shared a picnic lunch together on the nearby rocks. One surprise for us
was that Ana Patricia’s father and mother and sister joined us for the
day! Ana is the first believer in her family, but she was not ashamed to
stand before them on this day publicly declaring her faith.Gloria continues to struggle to heal from her surgery. Her finger is not healing quickly, and she is still dealing with a fair amount of pain. She is home but has had to make the trip back to Ibarra each week for continued doctor appointments. Pray for a full healing for her hand, and that she will be strengthened in her faith during this trial.
Thank you for joining us in the celebration of Jesus, and for being a part of shining the Light here in the darkness! Merry Christmas!
“For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6
In His grip,
Kevin & Kathy
