Serving Those Who Serve

Waiting and Telling - See What They Can Do

2010-07-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 40:31 is just about my all time favorite verse. “Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won’t become weary. They will walk and won’t grow tired.” Any way you look at it “waiting” on the Lord does several things:
1. Renews or gives strength
2. Makes us soar like eagles (not even sure all the implications of that one)
3. Helps us walk and run without getting tired or weary

I want to share with you a small testimony of my healing of rheumatoid arthritis—not the actual story of my healing, but what the waiting and then the telling has done.

I had RA for about 15 years. I was prayed for by “the best of the best prayer warriors” if you know what I mean, but it just never happened. Last year though, about this time, a friend at IHOP (International House of Prayer in Kansas City) said she wanted to pray for me—she did—and God healed me. When I was first healed, I was telling anyone who would listen (sometimes probably even those who did not even care). Needless to say, my life has been drastically affected by my healing, but eventually just about everybody I talked to most of the time had heard me. So I sort of stopped “telling”.

About 2 months ago, we were headed to a ministry in New Mexico and did some visiting along the way. SOOO, I got to re-tell my story to old friends (some who did not even know that I had been healed) and also to new friends and to people I had never met in my life. What do you think happened – first of all I realized again and yet it seemed for the first time exactly what God had done for me. I saw the encouragement, excitement, and joy “the telling” brought to those who were listening and realized YOU HAVE TO KEEP TELLING THE STORY.

After our trip I was reading “my verse” one day and realized that “telling” and “waiting” had a lot in common: both renewed strength, made the teller and the listener soar, and enabled walking and running without getting tired (and for me that has literally happened).

So, find that story that God has given you to tell; something in your life that you know needs to be shared. You will find it will renew, give strength, and encourage others. Now, I know sometimes the waiting is so hard and sometimes we would just like to give up, and just forget about whatever we were waiting for; so I would like to close with the chorus from a song by Laura Hackett, a worship leader at IHOP. “What do I do here in the waiting? What do I do here in the tension of my unsatisfied heart?” And here is her answer in the song—“I fall into grace again like a child I am”.

Grateful for the Body of Christ

2010-04-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

First of all, thank you again to all who prayed for me during my father's illness and death and for all the cards and beautiful flowers. What a wonderful blessing to have such dear and faithful friends to gather around and lift us up.

We just got back from Ecuador and were there during the celebration of "Dia de Ramas" or as we call it, Palm Sunday. It is still amazing to me after going back and forth to Ecuador now for so long the extravagance of Palm Sunday--beautifully woven crosses, flowers, and baskets, fiestas, processions through the streets, and beautiful services in the churches. But then Resurrection Sunday, the most incredible, victorious day goes by without so much as a whisper of the miracle of that day! But praise God we know what happened--He arose! Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again! Hallelujah!

We had a very productive visit and came home with a potential for 4 more projects in Ecuador. Three of those would be with HCJB Global. We will be heading back to Ecuador in September to assess a site in the oriente (jungle), a site in the sierras (mountains), and also a potential community demonstration garden. The fourth would be with a home for abandoned children at Shell called "Casa de Fe". So please lift these up with us and pray that we would be able to assist the missionaries there as together we bring "First the bread, then the Bread of Life".

Strength and Courage,
Becky

How do you know?

2010-03-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

How do you know when you are in Ecuador?

When a policeman "cat calls" with his truck horn a pretty lady.
When you try to pay for a $4.95 purchase with a $5.00 bill and you are asked if you have exact change.
When two policeman "who look like the Jonas Brothers" are cruisin' around in their cop car with their girlfriend(s) in the back.
When you are served lentils with your KFC order.
When you get french fries with your Pizza Hut pizza.
When you take your life into your own hands just by crossing a street. The vehicle has the right-of-way or so it seems.
When a car alarm goes off every few minutes and takes forever to get turned off.
When you are in a worship service and the preacher's phone goes off and he answers it!

Crazy February

2010-03-10T06:47:00.000-08:00

Last week we were coming home from a 7-day road trip to GA and TN. Becky comments, "It feels like we have been gone a month!" To which I responded, "Well actually for the past 28 days we have only been home for 5 of those days." Crazy how time gets away from us.

However, God provides for us those places of rest while on the journey. Thanks to Darrell and Janet for the 2 days of fun, food, and fellowship. Oh, and movies too. --- DN

Those Water to Wine Events

2010-01-23T11:16:00.000-08:00

Those Water to Wine Events

Last Sunday Doug preached on the story of the wedding at Cana. We all know what happened there and how the water was turned to wine—fantastic wine! But Doug did not talk about that. His point was the last verse in that paragraph: “So he revealed his glory and his disciples put their faith in him (some versions said believed in him).” Doug challenged us to find those “water to wine” events that cause us to put our faith in or believe more in Jesus. He reminded us that not all those events had to be earth shattering. So, I have been reflecting on that all week and have discovered I have many “water to wine” events and I would like to share a few with you.

First of all most of you know how sick my dad has been and was recently told the cancer had come back on his arm and he needed another biopsy. He called this week with the results of the tests and this was the report from his lips with a tearful voice: “Tell everyone God has answered our prayers—NO CANCER!” And he thanked everyone for their prayers.

Last week, I sent out a request for money for school books for the children at the school in Paraguay which is part of our ministry at the Ag Center there. The current process is that the teacher copies from the one book she has; writes everything on the board; then the children copy it down—not a system that is very conducive for a great learning experience. The plea from the director of the school was if we could maybe bring $300-500 that could be a great start on getting some books for the kids. Well, it looks as if we will be bringing at least $1,500. You just cannot imagine what this will mean for the school and how it will affect the education of these children!

Now my first 2 examples were—WOW!! AWESOME!! My final “water to wine” event is one so small it might have been missed had I not been really looking for those moments. Our 3-year old grandson was asked if he knew where Jesus was. He responded, “Sure, He is at the store with daddy.” How incredible that this 3-year old already believes Jesus is always with us-even in the store. Obviously, he already knows and trusts in Jesus without any grand, earth shattering event in his young life.

What are your “water to wine” events that cause you to believe more and put your faith more in Jesus? Look for them. Cherish them. Share them so others can believe more or just maybe believe for the very first time.

Strength and Courage,
Becky

Where does our help come from?

2009-12-21T12:56:00.000-08:00

Where does our help come from?

Just last week I was needing extra strength and energy and help because I was with Sarah and helping to take care of her, a new grandson, and 2 very energetic big brothers. I was exhausted at the end of 2 weeks, but it was a joyful time; especially since Caleb was such a good baby. I just could not thank the Lord enough for all the incredible blessings.

Well, yesterday morning, we got a call and my dad was being rushed to the hospital because he had been found at his home and could not move or speak. I was praying and asking for totally different help and strength from the Lord. Not sure I was thanking the Lord like I was for my previous week. It turns out that my dad has a strong infection running rampant in his body from a recent surgery and skin graft (he has no lymphatic system so that makes everything worse). He is better, but we still do not know exactly what the infection is or why it hit him so quickly and so hard. Please keep him (Charles) in your prayers.

So as I sit here in the hospital looking at my dad sleeping, how grateful I am that our God, our Help, our Strength is here in both the precious times of welcoming new life as well as the times when we are walking through the days when we are helping those who “are not so new”. As each day brings new and different circumstances into our lives—both joyful and sorrowful—praise God that His mercies are new every morning as He walks with us through our life and all it brings.

In this Christmas season, celebrate with me the One who was sent, Emmanuel—God with us that we may know where our help comes from—it comes from the Lord!

“Time Flies—Even in the Mission of God”

2009-12-03T13:43:00.000-08:00

Can you believe that 2009 is almost gone? The old saying about time passing by so quickly the older you get is amazingly true. Though it has seemed overwhelming and like a whirlwind at times, it has been a wonderfully productive year for Agrimissions. The Small Garden Demonstration project at the INNFA Center in Gonzanama was completed only to have doors opened in several communities for new projects. In Paraguay, we have taken over the responsibility of getting the center fully operational. Currently, we are designing the project in Costa Rica for The Refuge (the rescue center for sexually exploited young women) and in the initial planning phase of two new projects with SIM Ecuador. On top of all this, we are working to get the training center initiated at the Crockett headquarters—which is something you may not know much about yet, but you will soon.

As Agrimissions moves into 2010 and as mentioned in our Fall 2009 newsletter, there have already been more requests for assistance than we can handle—the calendar is already getting full and 2009 is not even over! Besides the international assistance, there have been quite a few requests for assistance stateside also, which is unexpected, but a blessing and welcome addition to the workings of Agrimissions. A very exciting and important event in February, 2010 is that Douglas will assume the role of director for Agrimissions as Larry Williams steps down from that position.

In December, Doug along with staff from The Mission Society will be in attendance at Urbana 2009. This is a conference hosted every three years by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and will see an attendance of 15,000-20,000 university students. Hopefully while Doug is there, the story of Agrimissions will be told and there will be students who feel called to agriculture and the mission of God and respond. Since one of our major endeavors in 2010 is to add more members to “Team Agrimissions”, pray with us that time spent at Urbana will be the spark to achieve this undertaking.

Besides workers, our second great need for the coming year is the never ending story for all faith-based ministries—Finances. First and foremost we do want you all to know that because of our very generous and faithful support family, we are ending the year on sound financial footing. However, we do need you to know that with the pending 2010 requests for assistance, our needs are even greater. As you look to the end of 2009 and into next year, please consider how you will be a part of Agrimissions to continue to bring “First the bread, then the Bread of Life”.

"Keep My Heart"

2009-11-04T09:45:00.000-08:00

Wow, in the month of October we really burned up the road (about 5,000 miles)—going to tell the story of Agrimissions, bringing assistance concerning agriculture and development, and getting to visit our support team. We began October by heading out to Lubbock, Texas; then headed east to Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee; and ended up the month visiting members of our support team near Houston.

So many people’s response is, “I could not stand to be on the road that much. Don’t you get tired of it?” I have to say we really love it! I won’t dare say that we don’t get physically tired (cause we’re old), but we never get weary of being able to share what God has done, is doing, and what we know He will continue to do.

While in Tennessee, our daughter, Sarah, who is due to deliver her third child the end of November called and said she was having some problems and had to go to the hospital. We sent word out and people began praying and God took care of her immediately. She is fine—no more problems—still waiting for that grandchild. Thanks for all your prayers.

God has blessed Agrimissions so incredibly that we continue to get requests for assistance—which of course, means more travel, raising more funds, etc. But if you really want to know the truth, I (Becky) just want to hang around to be able to take care of a new grandbaby in just a few weeks. Is that awful for a missionary to think?

In the midst of all our travels and trying to prioritize our work schedule between international travel and assistance, national travel, deputation, and trying to establish the headquarters at Crockett, the Lord brought the words to one of my favorite songs to my mind and brought peace to my heart. “Keep my heart tender before you Lord, able to hear your voice and follow. Keep my heart yearning to know you more, eager to hear your word and obey. King of love, Lord most High, Morning Star, keep my heart.” Once again in the middle of all our “busyness”, we can rest in the fact that the One who called us is faithful. He will keep our hearts tender, He will put a new song in our mouths and we will be able to declare His works, His glory, and His goodness. He will let us know what is important to Him and He will accomplish what He started in us.

Talk Much About the Lord

2009-10-10T10:32:00.001-07:00

Talk Much About the Lord

Ephesians 5 gives us some excellent guidelines of how we are to conduct ourselves as the Body of Christ and also how we should treat one another. One of the best pieces of advice we are given is to always get rid of our anger toward one another before the sun goes down—boy, how many times have I held something against someone for years! Another thing is that we are to speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. One translation says we should “talk much about the Lord to one another”. I really like that. It made me begin to examine how I talk and what I talk about everyday—to my husband, my children and grandchildren, my friends, even the cashiers at Wal-Mart.

Then I got to thinking about James and what it tells us about the tongue. It can either be constructive or destructive. It can bring life or death; blessings or curses. Holy Scripture tells us that we can even bind or loose things. Do I really believe that my words are that powerful?

As Doug and I have been trying to balance all that we believe the Lord has us doing right now, I begin to wonder, think, maybe even grumble, “How in the world are we going to get all this done—not only physically but financially?” We are trying to fulfill all the requests we have for assistance not only abroad but also here in the U.S.; we are trying to be sure we are faithful in our support raising and good stewards; and we are trying to establish our training headquarters here in Crockett, Texas. I find it easy to get discouraged (maybe it has something to do with the fact that I’m oldJ); but then as always the Lord does great things to lift me up and make me know that, “Faithful is He who called you Who will also do it”.

The most incredible thing I need to tell you all is that God has healed my rheumatoid arthritis which has greatly enabled me to do more. Or we receive our donor report and someone has sent us a really generous gift. We truly do have a loving, gracious, wonderful, faithful Father who loves His children and loves to give us good gifts. So, if the Lord is for us, who (or what) can be against us? Not time or money, or lack of it; not age; not anything.

As we all go about doing what God has called us to, let’s forgive one another, encourage and pray for one another, talk much about the Lord to one another, and always rejoice in the Lord.

“But…What am I going to do?”

2009-09-19T07:30:00.000-07:00

Back from the Agrimissions Ag Center in Paraguay which is in a pretty remote part of the country where we had no transportation, television, emails, or telephones-that is unless our phone booth was working which was the big tree at the top of the hill. We did have electricity except for about a day and half and the weather was wonderful except for a “tormenta” (huge storm) the night before we left.

I always wonder what I will be doing when Doug and I go for an “ag trip” since I am not the agriculturist in the family. Well, at the Ag Center in Paraguay, I transplanted tomatoes, mended fences, installed a small bucket kit drip irrigation system, and even learned a bit of surveying and how to do an “Arkansas 90”. We got some planting done; relationships were cultivated; we were able to purchase not only one, but two pair of shoes for the kids—one for summer and one for winter; and we had enough money left that had been donated for the shoes that we purchased some supplies and curtains for the school. In the summer months, it can get up to 110 degrees and the school rooms get unbearably hot; so curtains will be a wonderful blessing.

Most of you probably don’t know this about me, but I love to sweep—weird pastime, huh? Anyway, as I am observing the people who live around the Ag Center, I notice that at least twice a day the women sweep their “yard” which is red dirt; they do this to clean all the animal (how can I say this nicely) “leavings”. Now, at the center, we have beautiful grass that has been planted, hence my first thought was, “Boy, I bet they would love to have lovely green grass instead of red dirt.” But Doug told me the people thought we were crazy for having all that green grass because you can’t see the poisonous snakes or other dangers!

Do we do the same thing in our lives? We plant pretty green grass and have beautiful landscaping outside, because it can hide all the “dirty leavings and refuse” in our lives; but it can also hide dangerous and lethal pitfalls. We all know the scriptures concerning looking good on the outside, but being filthy on the inside. But these scriptures really come alive when God so lovingly and beautifully illustrates these principles so vividly and clearly.

Thanks so much for your prayers while we were gone—they truly lift us up and help us to stand.

Can We Worship When God's Answer is No?

2009-08-15T15:02:00.000-07:00

In June when Doug went to Paraguay, he left Crockett in 105 degree weather, but arrived in winter in Paraguay. He came back telling me that less than half of the kids from the Susannah Wesley School located about 100 meters from the Ag Center were not in school because it was just too cold for them to walk up to 2 miles barefooted to school. Doug told the director of the school, Angelica, that by our August return we would hopefully bring enough money to purchase every student a pair of shoes. God wonderfully sent more than enough money from our grandsons who gave us the earnings from their lemonade stand; from a vacation bible school class in South Carolina; and individuals whose hearts were touched by the story of the kids and their need. We came to our Father with a petition and He lovingly said yes.

This past week, we presented some more requests to the Father. We prayed for a baby born with some terrible physical conditions, but the baby died. We asked for the life of a mother and her two pre-mature twins—they are getting stronger and stronger every day.

Did God listen to some of our requests and not to others? Did he answer some and not others? Or do we just not like the answers we get sometimes? How do we respond when we do not get the answers we want? King David prayed for the child of his affair with Bathsheba for seven days, but in the end the baby died. When King David was told the child had died, he got up, washed his face, and asked for food; but the most important thing he did was “worship God”. My prayer is that I, that we will all be able to respond like King David did, no matter how God decides to answer our prayers.

We leave for Paraguay and the Ag Center in a week. Please keep our travel and our time down there in your prayers.

TIME WELL SPENT

2009-07-28T14:37:00.000-07:00

We have been able to spend some time with our grandkids this month--not just a few hours, but a few days. We got to see the wonder in the eyes of our 2 and 5 year-old grandsons, Cade and Cole, as we watched a Fourth of July fireworks display together. We watched as Lyle, our 15-year old, shot an eagle in golf--even if you are not a golfer that is truly exciting! And I got to have a really fun time in the golf cart with our only granddaughter, Caitlin, who is 12, as she tried desperately to get me to let her drive.
We hear that it isn’t the quantity of time we spend together, only that is needs to be quality. I am just not sure I agree with that. As Doug and I were traveling down the road, we saw a huge sign at a church that read, “30 Minute Worship!”. Can you imagine telling someone, “I can only spend 30 minutes a week with you; but it will be “quality time” because I really want to have a relationship“. I promise you that those days we spent, that quantity of time, with our grandkids was and is vital to building a relationship with them. Time--it is essential to building relationships in the workplace, in our families, in the community of God.
Our 2-year old grandson told his rendition of the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus like this: There was lots of water. Peter cried, “Help, help”. Jesus said, “Give me your hand”. Doesn’t that just about say it all. When we cry out, Jesus is there, but we will only trust Him if we have spent time in building that relationship with Him.
We will be home in Crockett and at the Agrimissions headquarters for 3 straight weeks for the first time since we moved here! So pray with us that this time will be used to not only get much needed physical work done at the property, but that we would spend time working on building relationships and letting a world that is drowning know all they have to do is reach out a hand to the One who hears their cry.

Home - but only for a while

2009-07-05T17:24:00.000-07:00

I guess I should not say this, but I am glad that June is over. It was an incredibly busy month for us and when we stay on the road for so long, it seems like it takes forever to catch up on what we need to do here. But, it was also a very productive month. After a 2500 mile trip to South Carolina and Georgia, we came back with the blessing to aggressively pursue our intern program and also an agricultural short-course geared to be a fast, but packed week-long program for either missionaries home on furlough who feel that they need some agricultural education or for short-term teams who want training before they strike out on a mission trip.We returned so excited, but also with the “What now?” questions in both our minds. We have so much to do to get ready for this endeavor and our tendency is to begin to try to figure what we lack in order to get the job down. A really good friend who is serving with his wife in China said he had a similar situation and felt he had been truly sufficiently trained. But in his praying realized that what needed to happen was for more sin and self-sufficiency to die. He thought he needed more knowledge, more information, better skills, etc. Instead, God gave him the gifts of brokenness, weakness and peace.So as Doug and I begin the endeavor to establish these programs at the Agrimissions headquarters in Crockett, please pray with us that God will also give us the gifts we need to accomplish this work and not the gifts we think we need.
Strength and Courage, Becky

"Go Forth and Do"

2009-06-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

Back home -- This past Thursday night we pulled into Crockett about 10 p.m. after doing about 2,500 miles in a week--so thanks for your prayers for our trip. We had a great time with Norm and Cindy and their extended family in Givhans and speaking at three churches in that area. We had very successful and productive meetings at The Mission Society concerning the training we want to pursue at the Crockett campus--everyone was very excited, encouraging, and gave their blessings to "go forth and do". So we have a tremendous task ahead to begin writing curriculum for not only an intern program, but we are hoping to begin some short courses to train short-term teams before they go out--so pray, pray, pray! Becky

Agrimissions Family at Work

2009-05-24T20:34:00.000-07:00

Wow! The old saying, "many hands make light work", is not only so true, but a wonderful blessing. The Agrimissions Board of Advisors came to Crockett May 13-17 to help us in our clean-up of the Agrmissions property. They came from Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, and Australia. We cut brush, cleaned the green house, painted, fixed benches and tables, prepared a garden plot, installed security lights, and I could go on and on. All that was accomplished in 2 days would have taken us weeks if not months. Far above all the work that was done though was the wonderful fellowship and relationships that were deepened as we worked, sweated, laughed, ate, and prayed side by side. What a joy to be part of the Body of Christ. Blessings to all who helped us.
Our traveling begins again on Monday when we go to Costa Rica to assist an orphanage in possibly helping to supply a garden spot to add to the food source for the children. And we are on the road again pretty much the rest of the summer. So please keep us in your prayers as we are burning up the miles - both on the road and in the air. But above all pray that the Lord will continue to use us as we work to bring "First the bread and then the Bread of Life".
Finally, something that we have not really mentioned in our prayer requests to you is our financial needs. Because of our travels and the responsibilities we have in establishing Agrimissions International Headquarters in Crockett, we find ourselves in need of at least a part-time gardener and overseer of the grounds, gardens, and greenhouse. Therefore, please pray with us for the finances to support this endeavor and also for the person of God's choosing.

2009-05-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it - we've not been out of Texas now for 20 days - that may be a record. But we are enjoying being able to concentrate on working at getting the Agrimissions campus closer to being the working ministry of "First the bread and then the Bread of Life". We are still cutting and clearing brush to get ready to put in our demonstrations plots. And I would like to say we are patiently working at all we need to do; but it is hard to be patient when you have waited for something for 25 years. It's like I told Sarah the other day when she was trying so hard to be patient with Cade (our 5-year old grandson) and his temper when he got out in t-ball and jumped up and down on the first base bag. I reminded her of God's line in "Evan Almighty": "When you pray for something like patience, do you think God just gives you patience or does He give you opportunities so you can learn to be patient?" So please continue to pray that we will use these "opportunities" to learn to be patient and know that God will give us and help us complete the desires of our hearts in His time. Isaiah 40:31 - "Those who wait on the Lord will mount up with wings like eagles. They will walk and not grow tired and run and not be weary."

"Household Salvation"

2009-04-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it back home to Crockett, Texas. Our trip to Ecuador this time was both difficult, but also a great blessing.
This time of the year in Gonzanama can be very, very wet and this trip was no exception. It rained all but a few days while we were there making travel very hard because the roads fall away, have landslides, and lots, and lots of very big holes.
But, we did get to see all of our "Gonzo and Portete familly" while we were there. The spiritual growth of these new followers of Jesus is absolutely phenomenal. It was so exciting to see "Crazy Maria" with a healed mind and her only desire now is to tell people about Jesus and pray with any who will let her. She used to be so loud and in your face about everything and now she is such a soft spoken, peaceful, calm disciple. Also, seeing Sara, the wife of one of the original men who came to the Bible study in Portete. Knowing that her husband, Olger, was a drunk and could be trusted, she gave the Friday night study 4 weeks to prove something to her. She would come and sit with her arms crossed and then leave. Well, let me tell you that woman no longer exists. Olger, Sara, and their 2 daughters have all come to faith, been baptized, and have now started a Bible study of their own. Is our God awesome or what?!
While there we also discovered the potential for several more projects in Ecuador - one with a large group called HCJB. These could really be wonderful opportunities for Agrimissions, please keep these in your prayers.
So we are back in Texas for a few weeks. We will be hosting our board of advisors for a big meeting in May which is going to be a lot of work, but also we hope a lot of fun for all the members of our board who have never been to Texas.
Thanks for praying for us and holding us up while we were abroad. We love you all and are so grateful for your love, friendship, and participation with us in the mission of God.

It's always hard

2008-07-05T16:02:00.000-07:00

It happens every time we leave the country. It's hard coming back and it's hard not coming back.
But each time I hope, just hope, it will get better, that is, the leaving part. Leaving here and leaving there.
This time I cried, right in the airplane. I thought "God please not here, how embarrassing."
We were about 10 minutes from our touch down in Alexandria, LA and it happened again --- I saw their faces. -- Doug

Home again, gone again...

2008-05-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

Some time since my last post. The phone lines in Gonzo. just ain't up to speed to handle a blogger. But we are home...but not for long. Have some time to spend in the states then off to Ecuador again in June. Our 5 weeks in Ecuador was wonderful, but wet. Rained the first 21 days. But we were able to install the demonstration garden at the day care center. Have some great stories to tell about the garden, so make sure to read our June newsletter.

Oh, and I do wish you could meet the Pinta Family --- Jorge (dad Pinta), Erica (mom Pinta) and nine beautiful kids. Here Becky is receiving her farewell gifts. 18 months ago we started a Bible study along with Chandra (SIM-Australia) with the Pinta family. At that time the Pinta family numbered 10; Esteban was yet to come. The study has now grown to about 20 adults and 20 children. No, Jorge and Erica did not have 12 more children in 18 months --- just one! The other dozen or so are Portete kiddos.

Here and There

2008-03-23T17:05:00.000-07:00

This week we pack. Pack for 5 weeks. Returning to Gonzanama, Ecuador to install a garden and simple irrigation system at a daycare center. That's the easy part. What we have found hard is being here and not being there or being there and not being here. Wonder if that's how Jesus felt when he left the Father to come be with us and when he left his followers to return to the Father's side?