October 2025
On the Homefront
27/10/25 14:35
With Faby's mental health declining, our house remains the center of our present ministry. The Tuesday night meeting continues to furnish fellowship and Bible study to a small but steady group. We have visitors drop in and who enjoy games and puzzles at the living room table. And Pedro has come by twice to make more bracelets to sell. We have two family units who live in our other house, plus a nephew in a small apartment out back. That's a summary of our Homefront.
Lasting relations
20/10/25 12:42
"I have to give the sermon tomorrow and don't know what to say. Can you help me?" I haven't seen Manuel Lema for 5 years! But he still remembers me when I taught a Bible course in Capulispungo. In the photo we traveled to his community in the mountains to give him his graduation certificate. That was our last visit to the communities before the Pandemia Lock-down in March 2020. Now, years later, he calls me for a sermon outline. As I remember, his Spanish isn't that good (His native language is Quichua.), he can barely read and write, but he was one of the most faithful students for years, sometimes hiking from the highway (10,000 ft) to Capulispungo (12,000 ft), when he couldn't find transportation. But I'm sure in his context, and in his language, with a few verses I sent him, his sermon will meet the needs of his congregation.
Horse Therapy
12/10/25 18:41
Faby dreams of owning a horse, which, of course, is just about impossible for us. My solution is to find a ranch that hosts horse rides. We tried two places this week. The first is more for day trips, but the second (in the photos) lets you ride around the soccer field for no extra cost. Once you're used to riding, they have longer rides for which you pay an extra fee. Faby held on for about ten minutes. They let me wander around the field for almost a half hour! I'm praying that Faby will be satisfied with visiting the ranch and stop longing to buy a horse.
Youth retreat
06/10/25 10:27
The leaders came on Wednesday: "Can we use your house for a retreat?" "When?" "This Saturday!" "Okay, but I don't have beds for ten." "We'll make do." I would say that's pretty typical here in Ecuador. Actually the leaders from the same church have held retreats here for the past three years, so we were not strangers. This time the worship team came. All youth. They stayed less than 24 hours, but Saturday night we held a productive session of singing, Bible study, and sharing. Sunday morning after breakfast they led a few games that held a lesson each. Then they took off before noon. Short but sweet. Our home is always open for guests and ministry.
