Hosting Missionaries

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We have been long-time friends with HIram and Janeth, who are from El Salvador. They work with the Church of God as mission facilitators in several countries. We have made many trips together to the Quichua communities, but now, since we can't travel, we can at least host them. They will stay with us for three days as they attend a nearby conference of COMIBAM (Cooperation of Mission Agencies in America). Then they will head off on Sunday to visit other churches and communities in Ecuador, before heading back to El Salvador. They expect to visit again in November.

New Neighbors


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We met them in church: George and Wilma. Nice couple with a five-year old. Our friendship grew quickly over two months. Since they lost their jobs during the Pandemic and now have only occasional work, we invited them to live with us and move into the first floor of our home. We help them with the rent, and they help us with cooking and yard work. Nice combination, especially for Faby as her health slowly improves.

Fellowship

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Even though Faby’s health is limiting our visits, our home is open to everyone. Sunday, Abel, the pastor from Capulispungo who pastors the migrants in Quito, called: “Can we come for a visit?” “Sure!” I expected their family of five, but they came with another family, whom we know well, of four. The more the merrier! Put more water in the soup! I made some rice to eat with fried eggs. (The PBJ of Ecuador.) Suddenly I received another call: “Can we come and visit now?” “Sure!” The more the merrier. They are a family of only three, but came with another visitor. (They also brought a fried chicken.)

So about the same time, 1:30 pm, we received thirteen visitors: seven adults, one youth, and five kids. No problem. The more the merrier. The children spent their time in a small pool we have. Filled with hot water, they played until it was time to leave. (Forget about eating.) We adults enjoyed the combined food, then played Chinese checkers and “Jenga.” Good to see everyone and enjoy the fellowship.

We’ve been cleaning out our house. I gave Abel a whole set of inductive bible studies. He took them home, and after looking them over, realized he had a whole program for his church. Glad he can use them.

We continue to pray for Faby’s health. Improving, but not at 100% yet. We also hope to have another family move in with us and help us with cooking and gardening. All in God’s hands and timing.

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Doing Theology

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Let’s begin with Acts 16:31 - “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.” I have heard many people say that this is a promise: If you decide to believe, then eventually, everyone else in your family we also come to believe, one by one. Naturally, if you come from an individually oriented society, you will see this verse in that light.

But, if you come from a community oriented society, you may see this verse very differently. Paul and Silas are talking to the head of the household: the jailer. If the head of the household decides to believe, then naturally, everyone else will be part of that decision. The decision is a group decision, not an individual decision.

Our western theology says that salvation is an individual matter. The Quichua communities in Ecuador have traditionally functioned as units. It is natural and logical for the Quichuas to make group decisions. So why can’t salvation (believing in the Lord Jesus) be a group decision?

Theology is culturally bound. Not everyone agrees with that, but I find that when you are bicultural, you will agree. It’s very difficult to see your own “cultural lens” unless you have made the transition into another way of seeing things.

Western theology is based on propositions and logic: Who is God? Another way of doing theology could be based on the question: Who are we as the people of God? Rather than ask, “What do we believe about God?”; we could ask, “What is our identity in Christ?” (“Our” is plural.)

Doing theology. Not easy, but necessary.