Fall Break Mission Trip to Ecuador

    October 9-17 was fall break. This time was spent in Ecuador sharing the gospel with anyone who would listen. Why Ecuador? I felt strong that God was leading me to spend my break in Ecuador.For the most part people in Ecuador are hungry for the gospel and will listen as you share.
    Our mission team worked in Qaevado, Ventannas and Quito. The Lord blessed and our work was fruitful.
When the people we spoke with asked what church or religion we represented, we readily answered. We went to Ecuador not representing a church, a demonination or religion. We went representating Jesus Christ as the only way to have sins forgiven and a right relationship with God. People argue about particular churches, demoninations or relgions. However, when confronted with Jesus and the gospel, people are presented with a choice. Many people in Ecuador chose to accept God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
    I thank God for His leading and His allowing to be part of the presentation of the gospel. I thank God that He allowed me to see Him work miracles in peoples lives. It was a wonderful fall break.

Days of Pressure, Trials and Testing

  The last several weeks have been some of the toughest of my life. Everything in my life seems to be a source of pressure and trial. People, circumstances, and things that I have always counted on have become a source of insecurity and stress. I find myself in all things cast upon the Lord. In my head I know that is not a bad place to be, however, my emotions are not quite as sure. Anxiety and worry creep into my consciousness at will and I am forced to make a deliberate decision to trust and not be afraid. With the Lord's help, I am seeking to be obedient to His command and to cast all of my cares upon Hom. I am claiming His promises, His presence and  His power. I am determined to walk by faith and not by sight. I know that He is involved in the details of my life and that He is working out His plan for my good and His glory. That is all that I want to want, even though it is quite uncomfortable just now. What time I am afraid, I will trust in you." (Psalm 56:3) I will trust in you and not be afraid." (Isaiah 12:2) You have promised never to leave me nor forsake me, (Heb 13:5b) and, that You are working all things together for good according to your purpose of conforming me to the image of your Son." (Romans 8:28-29) Thy will be done and not mine.

On Mission in Ecuador

   May 29-June 5 are the dates that I served with WHEW Missions in Quito, Ecuador. Quito, located in two valleys and surrounded by mountains, is a city of approximately three million people. It is a beautiful place where wealth and poverty meet.  The people we interacted with were friendly and amazing in their determination, resilience and discipline. It was a privilege to meet them and get to know them a bit.
  Our mission team was made up of seventy-three people plus translators. We worked with five churches, five schools, an orphanage, a children's hospital, a women's prison and did street evangelism. Many lives were touched including ours. Many people came to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
  I am deeply grateful to those who made it possible for me to go, to those who provided supplies and materials to be used, and for those who prayed for the team and me as we ministered there. Only God knows the rewards you will receive and the fruit that was born as a result of your efforts on behalf of the mission trip. Thank you and God bless you.

Mission Trip to Ecuador

Twenty-four days to Ecuador

   On May 29, 2010 I will be headed to Ecuador with WHEW! (With Him Everyone Wins Missions Organization). Our mission team of seventy-five people will work in the Quito area. We will be doing door to door canvasing in the mornings, Bible carnivals in the afternoons and have services in the cooperating churches at night. I have been brushing up on my Spanish, but we will work with translators. Please pray that God's name will be glorified and His purposes be accomplished through this week long endeavor.
  I am looking forward to being in the land where  the majority of The Calling took place. I doubt if I will have time to visit the Otavalo area, but I hope I can.
 I ask that those of you who pray to please pray that God's purpose would be accomplished and that many would come to know Him during this trip.

Spring Vacation

  Peopel tell me that I work too much. I suspect that is true. Oftentimes I do feel trapped in my daily routine. Last week my daily routine changed. As a teacher, I began my spring break holiday last week. However, as often is the case, I am not having much of a break. A very dear friend passed away last week. His homegoing became an occasion of remembering him and ministering to his family and friends. I also had my family to consider. Therefore, a break filled with inactivity was out of the question.
  I have begun to suspect that my idea of a break and the reality of the meaning of a break are two different things. I now believe that taking a break does not mean inactivity, but rather means changing activity. It is having extra time to do things you could not do before or allocating time for activities you did not carve out time before. I have had extra time this week to spend in Bible study, prayer and ministering to people that I do not get to visit very often.
  My spring break has not been a time of inactivity, but a time of different activity. I have definitely enjoyed it and felt much satisfaction in doing something different. My break has been refreshing, relaxing and has prepared me for diving back into my daily school routine.
  I have discovered that I need to do this "break" thing more often, not necessarily by having time off, but carving time out. I need to step out of the rut of routine and step into deliberate breaks of doing something different for short periods of time. Quite possibily this is the answer to my weariness. We shall see.

Getting Into the Spirit of Christmas

I attended the performance of a singing Christmas tree the other night. The music warmed my heart and the story reminded me of the Great God that we have. The story fit present day realities in our country. A man had lost his job, couldn't provide for his family and couldn't seem to find another job. His wife was a Christian, but he was not. He could not figure out how a babe in a manger could offer him hope in the midst of his dilemma. With the help of a man he met while drinking coffee, he was to start at the manger, but not to stop there. He told him to trace the little baby's life as he grew, became a man, entered His ministry, died on the cross, was buried and rose again. As I watched the progression of the story and the man's journey, to faith I was reminded of how great and gracious our God truly is. I was reminded how He is with His children in whatever we face in life and how He is our hope. As I listened to the Hallelujah Chorus being sung, I was reminded that one day the kingdoms of this earth will become the kingdom of our Lord and God and He shall reign forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. May God's richest blessings be yours.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

    Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. Most people seem a little nicer, a little more concerned about others and a little more cheerful. Unfortunately, most people end up a little more or a lot more in debt after Christmas. Possibly this once a year occurrence of people being their very best selves and going deeper into debt, could be assuaged if people remembered the true meaning of Christmas is not temporal or material.
    God the Father sent His Son to be born as a baby that He might experience life as one of us yet without sin. He lived, minstered and died on a cross to pay for the sins of all mankind. He was buried but rose again on the third day. Remembering that the babe in the manager grew up, became the Savior and rose again as the victorious Lord of life, can help each of us remember that Christmas is a constant thing. As we remember this, maybe we will be our best selves all of the time and will remember that Christ is the secret of a truly wonderful and successful life. As Dr. Adrian Rogers use to say, "If you want to find out how rich you really are, add up what money can't by and death cannot take away."
If this babe in the manager has become your personal Savior and Lord, truly you can experience the true meaing of Christmas all year round. Merry Christmas to all.