A whirlwind?!?

The summer has been a bit of a whirlwind for us, although definitely an enjoyable one! Our two weeks in the USA for Kenny and Sophia's wedding were full of good moments with family and friends--what a blessing to us! We were grateful for God's gracious help in allowing almost every day to go as planned! We are thankful for good health and safety in all the miles we travelled. It was very special to have most of our days there with Kimberly and Keilah and husband Jeremy. We asked God to stretch the few days we had with Kenny and Sophia, and He did just that--we had a lovely time with them. Meeting Sophia's family was a highlight for us; we appreciated all the hard work they put into organizing a beautiful wedding and reception!

Literacy...

 Returning to Ecuador we jumped into a literacy workshop with the Shaubs and Jerry and Joyce McDaniels, Ethnos 360 literacy consultants. What an intense time of working with the Awa language! We learned much, not just about literacy but also as we finalized many syllable breaks and spellings; trying to regularize the way we spell many words. Working with the most commonly occurring syllables, and slowly adding in more, we created four Awa literacy primers, four short practice readers, and many worksheets. Marco Antonio, Andy Shaub's language helper, was quite faithful in creating and checking short stories, and translating the teacher's manual. He had to put up with much English conversations going on around him as we worked with understanding the literacy computer program and what came next each day! Again and again Marco expressed his appreciation that books were being made to teach his people to read and write their own language; this is a desire he has had for many years.

And what's ahead?

The church construction in Palmira is finally forming into a reality: several dump-truck loads of gravel were delivered while we were gone and we have begun to have regular work days to gather rocks from the river for the foundation. Paulino and the other believers in Palmira are excited to see progress being made! Also, the end of August we are planning a field conference for the Liebenzell missionaries and pastors in Lita. We pray it will be a time of fellowship and refreshment for all.
In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy

for a printable version click here

July Update

Greetings from the middle of the world!

The annual Medical Caravan, with Shelia and our friends from Kentucky, has come and gone. Around 350 Awa were seen in the three days the group spent in our area, and many children participated in VBS programs in two locations. One highlight of the time was helping our friend Agustin, who lost his hands years ago while fishing with dynamite, receive a pair of prosthetic hands. He was quickly able to use them to hold a cup and a fork. Pretty amazing!

This year I accompanied team member Pat Boggs as he helped to train firefighters at the Ibarra Fire Station #1. As I translated for Pat, I learned more than a few new words, both in Spanish and in English! One day we spent with the new recruits showing them how to carry and set up ladders quickly and efficiently, and practicing throwing out fire hoses. As I interpreted for Pat, I found myself teaching and representing skills I really know nothing about! :-)

Just as I was a 'window' into good fire-fighting skills (interpreting for Pat, who has 29 years of experience), so I am reminded that our job as God's representatives is to be a 'window' into His heart of redemption from sin, and His grace, love, and mercy. I am also a recipient (not an expert!) in these facets of who our God is. Our desire is that the Awa may clearly 'see' our Lord through us.

We are excited to fly to the USA on July 17th for Kenny and Sophia's wedding! The wedding is the 29th, in Purcellville, VA. While much of our short trip will be spent in NJ (at the Liebenzell center) and VA, we do hope to attend a family reunion and spend one Sunday, the 23rd, at our home church in NH. We wish we could see all of our friends and family!

Returning to Ecuador July 31st, we will join our coworkers the Shaubs in hosting a literacy workshop with an international team of consultants from New Tribes Mission (Ethnos 360). Working alongside four Awa men, three of whom are teachers (Teacher Andrew from Palm Community school, Marco Antonio from Middle RV school, and Gilberto from Low RV school), along with our neighbor Milton, the goal is to produce an updated Awa primer. We are thankful for the materials we have on hand, from Wycliffe translators Lee and Lynne Henriksen, which will give us a good jump start on the project. The process of working with the written language will also give the teachers ideas for how to use the primers to teach the children in the schools, something that has been on Marco Antonio's heart for quite awhile. Please pray for us, the team of consultants, and the four Awa fellows during the course August 2-18. Pray especially for the spiritual state of each of these men, and that they will attend the course faithfully in order to understand the process well.

Prayer points:

• Thanks for praying for Meregildo, our neighbor who has distanced himself from the church. God provided a good opportunity to talk with him and wife Clemencia. Meregildo shared with me that many folks say that he will be 'contaminated' (by Milton and his sin) if he comes to church. I was able to ask him, "Meregildo, has God changed? Yes, people can sin, but does that change who God is?" Pray for Meregildo as he thinks over our conversation.
• Marco Aurelio, our Awa friend who is on dialysis three times a week, has also begun to join us on Sundays for the Bible teaching. His youngest daughter, Carmen (13 yrs old), is also attending Sunday School. How we long for them to understand God's gift of salvation! Pray also for his kidneys to heal, as they were damaged in January from a time of dehydration without medical intervention (from gastritis and vomiting).

Thank you for sharing in the work here!

In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy

<for a printable version click here>

June Update

How we have enjoyed the last three weeks with a visit from our daughter Kimberly! She finished up her classes in Wisconsin and flew down here on May 16th. Her friend Zach Burt came along with her for the first two weeks of her visit, and it was good to get to know him a little during those days. Zach grew up as a missionary kid in Thailand, so is used to living overseas, although the Thai language is much different from Spanish! Zach flew back to Missouri May 30th, where he is working in construction over the summer, and Kimberly stayed with us for another week before flying back to work her 5th summer at Whispering Winds Bible Camp. What a blessing it is to hear how God is teaching Kimberly (and Zach!) through the classes and life at NTBI over the last year! In August she is looking forward to going back for her second year of classes there, and the learning and adventures that God has in store for her.

Thanks to those who specifically prayed for our Internet connection to be restored! Two weeks ago the satellite dish was replaced in the community center, although no-one knew the password. :-) This last week we were finally able to find the password and are thankful to have the Internet access again at our Outpost. The connection doesn't always work well, and it is rather slow, but we are thankful for the help in being able to communicate better.

We also thank you for your prayers for the group of Awa believers as we seek to work through the many issues surrounding the situation with Milton. For several Sundays after Conference I continued to teach from the book of James, especially concerning our 'words' (the tongue!) We used several small skits to show how our words can build up, or tear down; and how our words can communicate good counsel from God's Word. In God's grace, several of Milton's sisters and sisters-in-law were present, specifically the ones that were struggling in this area. Milton has continued to come for church and the weekly Bible study, and last Saturday we had an especially good time together looking at how God calls us to respond when those around us act in unloving ways. Over the last few weeks we have been talking with Milton about how to articulate a meaningful public confession to the church body. This is very difficult for him, as previous attempts (especially two years ago, when we were not present) were met with harsh words from the other believers. Please pray for Milton as he works through what repentance signifies, not only in his own heart but before the church and before his community.

Would you join us in praying for Meregildo, one of the Awa believers? He has quit joining us on Sundays, saying that he is not wanting to follow God anymore. For many years Meregildo and his wife Clemencia have counted themselves as part of the fellowship. We remember at least one specific occasion when Meregildo gave a clear testimony of his faith, and we have seen God change him over the years, especially in the area of drunkenness. But his children have never made the decision the follow God, and at least some of the present problem seems to stem from family strife. Please specifically pray for good opportunities to speak with him.

Summer is just on the horizon! God is shaping our summer to include beginning the church construction in Paulino's community (the first loads of materials should be delivered this coming Monday! Wow!) as well as a quick (but joyful!) trip to the USA in July for Kenny's wedding. We aren't sure what this summer may hold for each of you, but we pray that you face the days ahead with a confidence that God is at work in your lives and in the lives of your family. How thankful we are for His faithfulness!

In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy

<for a printable copy click here>

Awa Conference

The 20th annual Awa Believers' Conference has come and gone! Thanks for your prayers! We were thankful for the energy and strength that God gave us during the days. And we were also thankful for much collaboration from the Awa themselves. Everyone participated in bringing food. Paulino, along with sister Gloria, were a blessing during the days as they helped organize the ladies to peel potatoes and yucca and corn, and to cook the big pots of rice. Paulino even arrived before 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday in order to get the lemongrass tea boiling bright and early! Digna was the first to arrive on Sunday, so she made the tea that day. The many children who came were also cheerful helpers, wanting to carry food and dishes for each meal, and anything else we would let them carry (especially if it had anything to do with games!)





Together we watched the “John” version of the life of Jesus (taken directly from the book of John), a good visual reminder of Jesus' suffering and death for us. Sunday morning we watched the final moments, showing the resurrection. I taught the adults from James chapter 1, and we learned Matthew 22:37 as a memory verse together: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” In contrast to several years back, when memorizing verses was a new and rather strange exercise, this time the children learned the verse so quickly! That was fun!

The continuing situation with Milton made for some difficult moments, however. Palm Sunday Milton's wife's sister had the baby, another little boy. While Milton had decided to stop the relationship with his sister-in-law back in December, the birth of the baby brought many ugly attitudes to the surface again. Harsh and hurtful words were said, and as a result Milton didn't come to Conference Friday or Saturday. I skipped lunch on Saturday to find Milton (hanging out at the market down by the Rio Verde school) and talk with him. Milton was hurt, upset, and quite angry. I came back to Conference with a heavy heart, really not knowing how to handle the situation (except to again ask God for wisdom!) At that point we decided not to have the Lord's Supper together the next morning, as is our yearly tradition, as there were many ugly attitudes being displayed. I just told the group that we were postponing having the Lord's Supper for a month.

And then Sunday morning Milton showed up! He was still hurt and short-tempered, but at least he was here! Paulino and Gloria received him kindly (despite his surliness). Gloria told us later that while God is helping her to understand what forgiveness means, her sisters and sisters-in-law still don't understand. She told us, “They just aren't hearing God's word and understanding it. The answer is in John chapter 8! [the story of the Pharisees bringing to Jesus the woman caught in adultery] Jesus said to the woman, 'Go and sin no more,' and that is what Milton is wanting to do now, leave the sin behind. But they don't know how to support and help and encourage our brother to do what is right. They still just want to punish him by saying really bad words to him. How can we help my sisters to understand?”

We would appreciate your prayers over the next few weeks as we seek to work through the ugly words that have been said, and teach how God wants us to use our words to edify and encourage others. For many weeks we have prayed that God would prepare Milton to confess to the church at large (with a humble, repentant heart) and that the body of believers would join Gloria and Paulino in forgiving him. We are asking God for much wisdom (as per James chapter 1!) and believing that He is able to do this mighty work.

We also want to ask for your patience in our communications as our connection to the internet from Rio Verde quit working about two weeks ago. Usually we are in the city every two to three weeks, and we are thankful to have those opportunities to catch up on email. We do have a 'smart' phone, but as we are on the fringe of cell coverage, what we can do with it is limited. For some time now we have been trying unsuccessfully to find other options for internet service; there aren’t too many potential customers where we live. :-) Anyhow, thanks for your understanding and patience with us!

And thanks for participating with us in the ministry here! We treasure your prayers, encouragement, and your notes and emails; what a blessing the Body of Christ is to us!

In HIS grip,

Kevin & Kathy

April showers

April is here, complete with rain showers! We are thankful that while it is raining steadily here, the rainy season hasn't brought major damage to our area. Parts of Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia have suffered with much heavier rain, causing flooding and mudslides, and many casualties. Some predictions call for continued rain into May, delaying the beginning of dry season.

Easter and the annual Awa Conference (April 14-16) are just around the corner, and we are preparing all that accompanies this time....Bible lessons for kids and adults, memory verses, crafts, music, the Jesus movie, fun games, as well as a project for the men (making a folding wooden chair) and for the women (making banana cake over a campfire). Andy and Chrissy Shaub are gathering the food we need from the store (like rice, lentils, and beans), and the Awa will all help bring what they can from their farms—bananas, yucca, lemons, homemade sugarcane sugar, and chickens.

Our hope is that our Awa friends will gain a deeper understanding of Jesus' death for them, and respond with open hearts to love our Risen Savior. Thanks for joining us in prayer for this special time together!

Milton continues to come to Friday Bible study, and to most Sunday meetings. We would ask for prayer that his heart would be softened towards God's word; and that he would grow in a deeper repentance. (He sometimes points the finger of blame at others, including his wife Delia.) Yesterday, on Palm Sunday, the baby that he fathered with his sister-in-law Elvia was born...another healthy little boy. (We got to be the ambulance and made a very fast trip to the hospital, and Kathy accompanied her doing the birth.) Elvia now has her hands full with 18 month old Benjamin as well as a newborn, and only her elderly parents to help. We continue to pray for Elvia's continued repentance. Since December, when Milton had chosen to step away from the relationship, she had been quite angry with us for our part in that decision. Recently she has been much more open towards us.

 We continue teaching in both Palm and Rio Verde community schools, and it is a joy to get to know the children and their families. Learning the names of over 200 kids is a challenge we are still working on! Each teaching day is an exercise in flexibility as we never quite know what situation to expect—disorganization abounds! :-) We appreciate your prayers for great patience and wise teaching skills! But each of these kids has great worth in God's eyes, and we are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of their lives. Many of these same children come to Sunday church as well, many without their parents.

In  HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy

tasty ittal

March is the month for the delicious 'ittal' /EE-tal/ ants! Everywhere we look, there are little holes in the dirt...places where the Awa have used a knife or machete to dig out an ant. Our friend Teacher Andrew told us yesterday that he had taken his whole kindergarten class on an outing to dig for ants.  This is definitely a favorite season for the Awa! The gold rush is over as quickly as it began....all the glitter that attracted so much attention turned out to be just fool's gold. (In other Awa communities, they really are finding gold...just not here close by! In many ways, we are thankful that the hubbub has quieted down.) A thanks to many of you who are praying: on Friday, March 3rd, Milton and wife Delia came for the first time of Bible study together. (This was after trying to do this for three weeks in a row; reasons just kept coming up to prevent them both being here at the same time.) We looked at God's creation of Adam and Eve, and His purposes and plan for marriage. As we remind ourselves so often, GOD is ABLE! One way He has answered our prayers for Milton and Delia has been by allowing their whole family to be sick over the last two weeks, causing them to all spend more time at home together. And....we have exciting family news! Kenny and Sophia have picked a wedding date for this summer: July 29th.  Two years ago, on July 29th, our daughter Keilah and Jeremy Windler were married...so that date is turning out to be quite an important one in our family! We are joyful and thankful for all that God has done in Kenny's and Sophia's lives to bring them to this point. They have a few busy months ahead of them as they not only plan the wedding but also Sophia is finishing up her Cinematic Arts program and will graduate from Liberty in May. So yep! We are planning a quick summer USA trip so that we can be with them on their special day. :-) In HIS grip, Kevin & Kathy Pray for: the Lord's timing in getting the materials for the church construction in Palm community preparation for Awa Conference April 14 – 16 Marco Aurelio, an older Awa friend, with health trouble and has been hospitalized God's gracious hand in pulling our summer/fall plans together: a quick trip to Kenny's wedding in July August 1-18 a literacy seminar travel to Germany in mid-September in order to participate in some Mission days there

Gold Rush

Gold Rush

The Awa are buzzing with the latest news....gold was found just a few kilometers away! Over the last weeks, many went to see the action, coming home with bits of rock with shiny flecks in them. Gold fever settled in...there were fights, knifings, and supposedly one fellow died when the bank caved in. By this last weekend, the government had to send law enforcement to calm down the situation. Here closer, the Awa started thinking...remembering that they have seen such shiny flecks in many of the rocks here. “Why, probably that rock we always see down at the river really is gold!” And the local gold rush is now going full swing!

But God's word is pertinent, and even has something to say about gold....on Sunday we went over the verses in Psalm 19 that remind us that God's laws and commandments are “more to be desired than gold, even much fine gold...” That struck a chord in the believers' hearts and brought smiles to their faces. “Yep, when we go to Heaven that gold isn't going with us!”

A Special Visit

My parents, Irvin and Nancy Bruce, are here for a two month visit. We've enjoyed several weeks with them so far, as they have taken part in our daily lives and ministry here. They are especially enjoying the beautiful weather, a break from the New England winters they are used to!

Milton

Thanks for your on-going prayers for Milton. Since the beginning of the year, for five weeks in a row he has showed up faithfully for a weekly Bible study, and then again for the church service on Sunday. Many days are a struggle for him, as he continues to reap the harvest of 'thorns' that he has sown, especially with his family. Many days he is discouraged; some days he just takes off and stays with a relative instead of coming home. Still, we see in him a desire to walk in obedience to God's truth. Together we are studying Jesus' life, and memorizing verses like Philippians 4:8; and I've been asking him those hard questions...”Have you seen the sister-in-law this week?”, “Are you seeking God and reading His word?”, and “Are you communicating with your wife about where you are each day?” Although he continues to struggle in many ways, there is a hint of joy returning to his face....the beginning of the fruit that obedience brings. Still, his position is 'fragile'---especially since the sister-in-law continues to seek him out. Please pray for a steadfast perseverance for him; that the Lord's mercy and grace would uphold him as he faces each struggle, specifically with his wife.

Building "God's House of Prayer"?

January brought heavy rains---muddy roads and landslides. Some days our road has been closed and on two trips to the city Kathy and I were delayed by mudslides. We looked at the empty lot in Palm community and shook our heads...How will we ever get “God's House of Prayer” built in time for April's conference?

But we see God's hand at work...Christmas Eve a supporting church (Asbury United Methodist, in Allentown, PA) took up an offering for the construction. In January two cement builders, both believers from Ecuadorian churches, went up to check out the lot and help us think thru the construction needs. And this week the weather has been drier; perhaps the road will soon be passable for the dump trucks to be able to deliver the sand, gravel, and cement needed to get started! These next few weeks will tell; thanks for your prayers.

As you live out this new year, may our God and His precious words be your treasure!

In HIS grip,
Kevin and Kathy

for a printable version click here