April –Is sure not the way my calendar originally looked!

In his recent book Coronavirus and Christ, Pastor John Piper encouraged us with the thought that this extraordinary time of pandemic is too big of an opportunity for God not to have big purposes in allowing it. Amen! We have prayed much that God will accomplish His purposes not just in us, but also in the lives of the Awa during this time.

For the first three weeks of the quarantine, we made many long trips to the city to help our Awa friend Marco get to his much-needed dialysis treatments. As our travel options became further limited by new restrictions, and the 2 p.m. curfew was enforced, we were thankful to make new arrangements for Marco. He spent a week with our Liebenzell pastor Enrique and family before finding more permanent housing within walking distance of the hospital. His nephew Lisandro has stayed with him and we are thankful to hear they are doing well. Thanks for your prayers!

Here in the mountains of AwaLand we have now had a full month of pretty much just staying put. We are sad not to be able to have Sunday worship meetings together and that we had to cancel our Easter Awa Conference (which hopefully we can re-schedule for a later date). But we are thankful for many blessings: our co-workers the Shaubs here with us, fresh produce that is locally produced (plantains, oranges, lemons, milk) as well as adequate supplies, steady electricity and internet access, and a country life that allows us a little more freedom to exercise and work in our backyard garden.

And we are also thankful that God has allowed us to accompany the Awa communities around us and is providing opportunities to serve the believers and other friends and neighbors. In this rural area where most all are occupied in the unrestricted work of agriculture, life for our neighbors continues much as normal. There is just a bit less traffic and meetings in groups is prohibited. In spite of that, I’ve been able to continue recording weekly Bible teaching and posting both on the little Wi-Fi server at the church in Palmira as well as to many individual cell phones. With our coworkers we also video recorded a few worship songs, which seem to be a big hit. :-) 

Our little Wi-Fi server

 

Grandma Delfina stopped to get the latest news on travel restrictions

 

With the only working internet in many miles, several young fellows often drop by to check email and do other on-line business. Three of these young men are local teachers who need to keep their official paperwork in order. Others stop by for news of the ‘big sickness’ or just for some words of reassurance. We’ve had many conversations along these lines: “You know, because of the big sickness, many people are afraid they might die. But if we are knowing God, we don’t have to be afraid, and we can pray and ask for His help. Right now is a good time to be looking for God and listening to His words.” Thanks for your prayers that many hearts (world-wide!) would turn toward God in these days.

In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy

Picture of the month:

How we miss gathering together with the believers on Sundays! Pray for God’s timing in resuming services again.

March – Let your light shine!

Greetings from Ecuador. As we follow the news closely along with all of you these days we are thankful that our HOPE does not spring from our circumstances or our trust in the authorities, but from the One who holds all the universe in the palm of His hand. Kathy and I are fine here, bracing for the ‘storm’ that may or may not be coming 😊 as this week brought the first confirmed case of corona-virus in our area. Thanks for your prayers! Pray that our light will shine in these days and that we might lead other to know the HOPE we find in Christ.

Ecuador has followed the example of most of the world, closing its borders and restricting travel and activities. So like many of you we are not able to do ministry in the normal ways, and are looking for creative ideas on how to continue to be a blessing. Streaming our Sunday services to the Awa is not a possibility, but I was able to put a little wifi accessible computer in Palmira and we will record teaching to put on it. Then, as in most households in Palmira there is someone with a smart-phone, they can walk close to the church and connect to the wifi which will have a simple web page where they will be able to download the message to take home and listen to with their families. For Palmira, which lies in a cellphone dark area and no internet service at all, we hope the novelty of it will motivate them to try it anyway! 😉

At present here in Ecuador the public bus system is also suspended, which means by default we become the local ambulance. 😊 One of our Awa friends in Palmira needs regular dialysis treatments which he can only get in the city of Ibarra. For the present some travel is permitted for personal vehicles for essential purposes, according to the last digit of your license plate, odd or even. By God’s grace, between the Shaub’s truck (last digit 7) and ours (8) we have all the days covered. So yesterday we drove our friend Marco out to Ibarra in Shaub’s truck and dropped him off at the hospital for his treatment, picking him up in the afternoon and bringing him home again in the evening. Pray for us to have wisdom to help Marco in these days; we are thankful that he seems to understand salvation and thus has a Heavenly Father to walk with him in these difficult days.

And we really do appreciate your prayers that in these days when our people are experiencing great fear, that we could be a Light among them and share the message of Hope.

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

 

In HIS grip, 
Kevin & Kathy

 

Picture of the month:

Matthew 19:14 says, “but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven’” A few Sundays ago this was the text for my teaching — which was quite pertinent since that Sunday we had about a dozen 3-4 year-olds who not only don’t sit quietly but often climb like monkeys in the windows while I am teaching! 😊 These are two adorable little sisters, Daida and Maily, who sometimes come to church with their aunt.

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….”

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

Happy New Year

After a joyful week of Christmas with our kids, we now find ourselves with full and thankful hearts as we look ahead to a new year. We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have been a part of our lives, sharing with us the joys and sorrows of this last year. We are truly honored and blessed to serve alongside you in that great Kingdom work of sharing God's wonderful message of HOPE to the world around us.

Now, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope! (Rom 15:13)

In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy

November News

Rest & Renewal

The last few months have been filled with a busy calendar and many miles of travel. Meeting with so many of you who share the vision of reaching the Awa (and the world!) has been a great encouragement to our hearts. We find it truly amazing that so many of you pray for the Awa, know many of the believers by name, and actually read these long, rambling prayer letters we write. May God richly bless you!! :-)

The month of November began with a gentle and refreshing time of ‘rest’ as we attended a SonScape retreat in Colorado. During the week-long retreat there were times of encouraging teaching, good fellowship in worship and meals together with our hosts, as well as many quiet hours for prayer and reflection. We felt the heavy burdens, losses, and worries of this last term fading as we were able to focus on the One who calls to us: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

(Matthew 11:28 NIV) In our September letter we had mentioned our prayer that God would show us how to find a heart-rest for the burden of ministry we have struggled under. We are incredibly thankful for how God is teaching our hearts to “Be still and know that I am God!” right in the midst of stormy seas, crumbling mountains, and raging nations. (see Psalm 46) We also see His provision as He renews a passion in us for ‘God-worship’ among the Awa people.

November also finds us settled here in New Hampshire, where we are blessed to be able to stay in my parents’ house while they head out to spend the winter in Florida. This week we saw the first few snowflakes of the season floating down, making us thankful for the boxes of winter clothes we found in the attic! This month includes eye-clinic, chiropractor, and doctor visits for us, as well as the joy of being more involved at our home church here in Spofford, NH.

As the Thanksgiving season comes upon us, we are thankful for..

• safety in many miles of travel in our Righteous Rides van.
• our daughter Keilah doing well after the snakebite; your prayers and concern have been so greatly appreciated!
• the strikes and riots in Ecuador calming down.
• God’s provision of strength for the Shaubs as they minister to the Awa children, youth, and adults.
• the blessing of attending the SonScape retreat.
• our God who made us, knows us, and sees our hearts (as David said in Psalm 139).

 

We wish you a blessed Thanksgiving! 

May you, along with us, be thankful that as His children we are….

...in His grip, Kevin & Kathy

September and October travels and adventures...

Wow, last month went by so fast we failed to get a letter out to you all! :-) This week finds us unexpectedly in the state of Missouri (more on that below), enjoying the last warmth of the summer before fall arrives.

Yes, we have been busy...but such enjoyable busy-ness!! Kathy and I often remark that we are greatly blessed as we travel to give ministry updates to the different churches and folks that support us because we get to see firsthand so many who are spiritually alive, doing the work of the Kingdom. We find ourselves greatly encouraged to see God at work through you...rubbing shoulders with so many of you is certainly a great privilege!

And yes, we have traveled far and wide, logging in over 7000 miles. A big THANK YOU to all who have provided hospitality to us along the way (and to those who are planning on receiving us in the future). Thank you also for praying that we can be a blessing wherever we go as we share about Jesus' gift of 'grace upon grace' (John 1:16).

Being here in Missouri this week was a bit unexpected! A week ago Sunday our daughter Keilah was bitten by a large copperhead snake while she and Jeremy were heading out for a swim at the lake here at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) where they are students. Keilah was in front, pushing our grandson Ronin in the stroller, and they were just arriving at the lakeside when she felt the snake bite her (none of them saw it til afterwards). We are thankful Jeremy was able to rush Keilah to the hospital right away, as she went through several hours of miserable pain and vomiting before being released the next day. Over the next few days the redness and swelling increased, but now, a week later, Keilah is recovering remarkably well. We are glad that we were able to travel down here to be with her and Jeremy as she recovers from this traumatic event. Of course we always enjoy the time with little Ronin as well! We thank God that the snake did not bite one of the many children who were around that day (including Ronin in the stroller!) as the bite of a copperhead, though rarely fatal to adults, can be to children. Today, just over a week later, Keilah was even able to attend classes here at the MTC! 

This week has been a tumultuous week in Ecuador. The government announced that it could no longer afford to keep the nation’s fuel subsidies in place.

This news caused the transportation companies to call for a country-wide protest and strike, blockading the roads and marching in the streets. The government then declared a state of emergency in order to have the authority to clear the roads and provide safety to the citizens. It is sad because some of the ruffians often take advantage of such chaos to loot the stores and markets. After two days the transportation strike was called off, but the uprising has been carried on by the many rural indigenous groups.

Some protests have turned violent, and there has been one reported death. Please pray for the country of Ecuador, that peace and stability can return. Our missionary coworkers down there have all been okay, although they have had to lay low during the unrest, and food and gasoline are in short supply.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our coworkers the Shaubs and the Awa ministry. Life in the mountains remains mostly calm, even when the political problems in the city escalate. There are advantages to working in a remote village as opposed to urban life!

In His grip,
Kevin & Kathy

Picture credits: Kevin preaching: Dick McCreight, Ecuador road blocks: www.teleSurTV.net