Geography

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I have learned in working with the Quichua that most cannot read a map. I can imagine that in the mountains with few roads, you navigate mostly by looking at the mountains. Luis Ortiz (who lives way up in the Andes Mountains in "Sablog") calls me to ask for help in teaching a bible geography class. He sends me the class syllabus. It has no maps! How can you teach a geography class without maps? He even confessed to me that he's not very good with maps. So I sent him some maps from a Bible atlas. Then we had our own class: we reviewed several maps of both Old and New Testament. Also, from my experience with the Quichua, I find the best way to teach is to have the students draw/copy the map on the clean sheet of paper. Then ask them to find various places on the map. He's teaching this course by petition of the main indigenous seminary in Colta, Chimborazo. So I have the privilege of teaching the teacher.

Quichua Ministry

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Tuesday, Palm Missionary Ministries, to which we belong, held its first gathering of most of the missionaries here in Ecuador. I had seen most of them in photos, but we finally met each other in person for a time of sharing and fellowship.
One of them, Pedro Pablo, is a Quichua pastor from Riobamba. The next day he came to our house for a visit, and I felt like I was back among the Quichua in Riobamba. We had a lot in common, and had a lot to talk about. He may use our house on Sunday for baptizing some members of his church. He also needs help in developing a web page for his foundation. The ministry among the Quichua continues.

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Health

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We continue to struggle with Faby's headaches. Some days are good days and others are tough. Although it's becoming a way of life, we pray for healing. God is good and He is faithful! Psalm 143:8

Questions, calls, and visits

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We no longer travel to the Quichua communities in Chimborazo, but the contacts remain. Last Saturday we received a visit from Abel Coro and his family. They are from Capulispungo, but now live in Quito. We had a good visit got caught up with them.

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Then Monday, I received a call from Segundo Puculpala. Who lived in the mountains, but has migrated to New York. He now pastors a church in Queens of an Ecuadorian congregation. He called to ask me for advice and help to promote his ministry.

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Then, Wednesday, Luis Ortiz calls me from his community, Sablog. He just bought a new computer and didn't know how to install Word. Together we figured out how to use Google Docs.

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Finally, Juan Manuel, another migrant from Capulispungo, now living in Quito, calls me just to say Hi.

Then, out of the blue, I see a message from Luis: "Where's the bible verse that says we should be silent in the temple?" (Hab 2:20) I answered, but still don't know why he's asking the question.

We may not be traveling, but our friends still seek us.

Pressing on

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Looks like this ministry may go on for a while. At least this group of kids is faithful. Now I realize that all my work last year in teaching kids on Zoom is paying off. I'm enjoying the classes and the kids do too. We have a plan to study events in the life of Jesus. This lesson covered Jesus healing the paralytic. Anibal continues to invite the children in his neighborhood. May God bless this effort to teach a few kids about Him!

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