The Church never dies
29/06/25 15:58
We closed our church over 20 years ago, but the fruit remains. Yesterday we received a visit from two of our church members: Eulalia and Maggy. Both have new husbands (I never knew Eulalia's husband, and Maggy lost hers to cancer.) They've been wanting to visit us for some time, and they finally found us at home! Eulalia and her husband, Samuel, live in Oklahoma, but are planning to live in Ecuador. Maggy married Carlos, who is one of Faby's cousins. (Small world!) The fact is that although the church no longer meets, the disciples continue.
Dilemma
17/06/25 20:19
I've written much about Pedro, our alcoholic friend in the park. (Black sweater in the photo.) Friday he betrayed me. He attacked Faby's nephew who lives with us. David went out to buy bread and on his return Pedro, in the lead with two others, attacked David. He put up a defense, but three on one have the advantage. David ended up with a dislocated and fractured shoulder. A neighbor's security camera captured the whole deal. The next day Pedro came to our door to ask for bread. I asked for an explanation of the fight and he gave me none. So I told him until he changes his ways from being a drunk and betraying a friend, he's no longer welcome. I hope and pray he reacts and repents.
Ministry
12/06/25 19:09
Pedro comes by often. It's not just for food, but for friendship. Every time he shows up I remember Jesus' words: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Mt 25:40 We shared a meal together. He really appreciates it.
On another note, in our Tuesday night Bible study we are reading Paul's letter to the Ephesians. In chapters 2 and 3, Paul emphasizes the unity of Jews and Greeks into one body, people, nation. Here in Ecuador, many Christians are leaning toward the doctrine of celebrating Jewish traditions and laws. I'm amazed because it's not just young Christians but older ones. I ask, "Don't Christians read the Bible?" and understand all that Jesus did and all that Paul struggled against. We discuss how Paul in Ephesians chapters 4,5, and 6 explains that the Christian life concerns character, family, and an example of love and service. Nothing to do with laws and regulations.
Ministry in New York
03/06/25 19:04
Me talking with Segundo on Whatsapp.
New York. Four of Pastor Antonio's children have migrated to Queens, NY. They all live together in one apartment and two are married with kids. Antonio gave the second youngest (Joel) my telephone number, and I had the opportunity to talk with him and his younger brother Javier. Javier's English is coming along. He wanted to practice it with me. Whereas Joel's English is limited because in the store where he works, most of the folk speak Spanish. But Joel wants to study the Bible, and asked me for advice. I sent him some material from the Navigators to see how "it fits him." He's also looking for a church. Turns out he's almost in the same neighborhood as Segundo Puculpala.
We worked with Segundo here in the Chimborazo Province before he migrated to New York three years ago. He called on Friday to ask for help. In the church he leads, they finished level one of Discipleship. He needed someone to design the certificates for the graduation on Saturday. I asked him for the info and made up a diploma. I assumed he would reply with some changes, but I guessed he accepted my design since he didn't ask for changes.
I met these youth in their "natural habitat" here in Ecuador in their communities deep in the Andes Mountains. Now they're in the city of New York, struggling head on with a new culture and language. I often wonder if they now understand me better, and my calling to missions. "How could someone from the US leave his commodities and move to Ecuador, if we have moved in the other direction?" Someday I hope to hear their answer. Joel, in 22 years old, told me he has thought about becoming a pastor and returning to his community of Capulispungo someday to replace his father as pastor of the church there. May God answer his prayer, and mine too!