Christmas parades in Ecuador

A man in a monkey costume led the parade that passed in front of the church. He represented the sacharuna, or the legendary bigfoot/mountain spirit of the Andes. He shook my hand right after I took the picture.









Dancing ladies and men followed him. The men wore flesh-colored mesh masks. One man, dressed in a military uniform, carried a doll and a drink.



What was the purpose of this elaborate parade? The people were honoring baby Jesus in an effort to earn grace and mercy from God. After all the dancers, a group of men in business suits marched, with one carrying a doll representing baby Jesus. People in Ecuador will pray to baby Jesus because they think he is more likely to be merciful and kind than an adult Jesus.

These parades will be repeated many time during the month of December. As I write this, I can hear the music of another parade. I want to stop the parades and shout, "Jesus Christ is no longer a baby! He grew into a man, died and rose again. He paid the penalty for your sins, so you don't have to."

When I share the gospel here, people have difficulty understanding God's grace. The fact that He paid it all, and they owe nothing is hard to comprehend. They spend their entire lives paying for a debt that has already been canceled on the cross.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2 :13-14 (ESV)

Snow Days, Andean Style

Severe winter weather is passing across the US. Even my mother in south Louisiana and my son in New Orleans have had snow recently. Here, in the Ecuadorian Andes, we don't have a winter season. It will probably never snow at our house.


However, we had a day of snow last month. The day after Thanksgiving, our family went with another missionary family up Mount Chimborazo, the mountain in the banner at the top of this page. Chimborazo is home to vicuñas, a cousin of the camel and the llama. (Some visitors from Oklahoma called them "long-necked deer"!) We saw several groups of this graceful mountain animal. We drove to the first refuge, a building located at about 15,000 feet above sea level. Mountain climbers stay there and at the second refuge to acclimatize to the altitude before ascending to the peak at 20,565 feet. Patches of snow surrounded the first refuge building.

We hiked to the second refuge (16,500 ft) through snow. The altitude and dry air caused us to stop and rest frequently. As we neared the refuge, snow began to fall. We played in the snow and threw snowballs. The teens made snow angels. At the second refuge, we were greeted by a man who offered hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and the traditional remedy for altitude illness, coca leaf tea. After a rest, we hiked back down to the cars. We drove back to Riobamba, leaving the cold and snow behind us.

We don't have winter, but we can experience snow and ice with a 45 minute drive.

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. Proverbs 25:13 (ESV)

SLAM! That door closed

Tonight, one of the daughters from my Sunday afternoon study went to the Thursday study and asked Johnny to tell me not to come back. The mother is afraid that the landlady will kick them out if they have a Bible study. They have lived and worked in this rented building for years.

I am discouraged, frustrated, and literally, in tears. On Sunday, they were eager for the Word, and asked me to come earlier next Sunday so we could have more time to study. Now- SLAM! The door is closed. Their fear is real. When the local believers were looking for a place to rent to meet, they had difficulty because many people refused to rent to them. Many people in Guano are hostile to Christians.

This family is hungry for the Word. They want to follow Christ. I know that God is faithful and He will finish the work He began in them. Some of them can attend the Thursday night study, but several can't.

Right now, all I can do is pray for Anita, Yolanda, Marta, Rosa, Luis, Freddy, and Fanny.

God surprised me!

The people of Guano have long been closed to the Gospel. We have been working there for 9 years, and no group has lasted. On Sunday afternoons, Johnny and other believers meet at a house in Guano for Bible study. Sunday is a big day for the businesses that depend on tourism, so the owners and workers are not free then. Instead of attending the study, I spend that time visiting the businesses and building relationships.

The small shop had rugs and tapestries on display. Large wooden looms were set up against the walls. The owners, like many families in the town of Guano, made their living making and selling hand-knotted rugs. I greeted the wife and her two adult daughters and invited them to the film and Bible study on Thursday. One daughter began to ask me questions about God and the Bible. I sat down, opened a Bible and we had an unplanned Bible study right there! During the study, a daughter-in-law came in and joined us. They asked me to come back the next Sunday afternoon. That Thursday, the mother, Anita, and a daughter, Yolanda, came to the film.

I went to the shop yesterday expecting to lead a Bible study with three women. The mother, her two daughters, and a nephew were waiting for me. We sat beside the loom and I taught about salvation and grace. Later, the daughter-in-law came in. Then, a son and his wife joined us. I love to see people’s faces light up when they understand what Christ has done for them! They asked me to come every Sunday.

We’ve been praying that God would work in people’s hearts in Guano. Why was I surprised to see seven people gathered to study His Word with me?

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. Acts 26:18 (ESV)

The Happiest Woman in the World!

"Today, I am the happiest woman in the world."

Veronica's testimony in church this morning began with those words. Three months ago, Veronica was depressed because her husband had left her for another woman. At a time when she was desperate and no longer wanted to continue living, Veronica opened a Bible and found a tract with our phone number. She has no idea how the tract got there. She called us, and we met with her. That evening, she accepted Christ as her Savior!

Since the first of August, Veronica has been at church every Sunday morning. She has grown in the Lord, and has dedicated her two small children to the Lord. Last Sunday, she was baptized.

When we met her, her husband, Luis, had refused to speak to her for several months. He has recently eaten meals with them as a family. Two weeks ago, he agreed to meet with Johnny, and Johnny shared the gospel with him. Luis did not accept Christ, but we and the church are praying for him.

Today, Veronica is the happiest woman in the world. God has not solved all her problems. Her husband is still with another woman. She said, "The battle for my husband and my marriage is not mine. It belongs to the Lord." Veronica said that she has had the chance to share with friends when they ask how she can be happy. She has the peace that only God can give.

Veronica, and others like her, is the reason why we are here in Ecuador!


Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

Fanesca Evangelism Update

Maria Elena owns the store where I buy baby gifts. She attended church for the first time when she offered to help us make Fanesca, the traditional Easter soup. She and her family have attended regularly since then. I told her story in an earlier blog entry.

Last Monday, Maria Elena prayed and asked Christ into her life!! Did you hear the angels rejoicing?

Pray that her husband, her four sons and her daughter also come to know Christ.

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10 (ESV)

Volunteers Labor in the Harvest

God has sent us many laborers into the harvest fields this year. Ten volunteer work teams have come to Ecuador to work with us. Three more groups are coming this fall. These people have given of their time, energy, and money to serve beside us in Ecuador!


They have led retreats,

prayerwalked,

given eye exams and eyeglasses,



provided medical care, and taught English classes as an outreach. A group coming in September will put drop ceilings in a school to keep the volcanic ash off of the children as they study. Another team of professional counselors will train local Christians how to counsel in critical areas.

Several teams have come to Riobamba to explore possibilities and plan how their church or association can partner with us. Another one of these vision teams is coming next month.

Our church planting strategy includes abundant Gospel sowing, evangelism, discipleship, and leadership traning. Volunteers have helped us in each of these areas. Hundreds of people have heard the gospel through their work and have said that they want to know more. Many have accepted Christ as Savior. Local believers have grown spiritually. These volunteers also encourage and provide special fellowship for our family! When they return to the US, they have first-hand knowledge of God's work here and how to pray.

And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Luke 10:2 (ESV)

Pantries and Peanut Butter Cups

A friend who is coming on a volunteer trip next month wrote, “What can we bring for you?” What a great question! All missionaries have a Wish List of items that they can’t get in their country. Each of our children also has a favorite candy or snack that cannot be bought here. If you looked in my pantry, you would see my stockpile of canned pumpkin, Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning, maple flavoring, salad dressing mix, cocoa powder, cookie sprinkles, and other special supplies. Other treasures are stored in our chest freezer. There, you would find pecans, chocolate chips, and the most important thing, peanut butter cups. I love peanut butter cups, but no store in Ecuador sells them!

Our son, John Mark, is in college in New Orleans, where he can get all the US treats that he can afford. However, he misses the Ecuadorian snacks. Every chance we have, we send him a package with plantain chips, mango-flavored drink mix, local cookies and other special items.

While we were living in Honduras, a friend came for a visit and brought a large wholesale-size box of peanut butter cups. I was thrilled! However, before I began eating them, my sensible husband intervened. He counted the number of weeks left before we would travel to the US, and divided it into the number of peanut butter cups. “If you ration them weekly, they’ll last until we leave”, he said. I wasn’t happy, but like a good wife, I submitted. After about a month, I reached into the box to get my allowed peanut butter cup. When I opened it, it was covered with mold! Every cup left was moldy and had to be thrown out. If Johnny had let me eat them all in the first week, then they would not have been wasted!

The real lesson learned from this traumatic experience 20 years ago was that peanut butter cups are perishable. Now, I keep my stash in the freezer! I even prefer them frozen now. The texture is different and I enjoy it. Try a frozen peanut butter cup and see if you like it.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Puppies

Nine weeks ago, our Siberian Husky gave birth to seven puppies. We were fascinated as we watched the mother, who had never had puppies before or gone through childbirth classes, take perfect care of each baby as it was born. She cleaned each one thoroughly and bit the cord. The little blind puppies knew exactly what to do also, and squirmed toward their mom and found a food source. We were amazed at God’s design.

Over the next weeks, we enjoyed having 7 puppies. They grew to be healthy, playful creatures. When they were 7 weeks old, we began to sell them. We went to Maria Elena’s baby clothing store and put a sign in her window. She saw the pictures of the puppies on the sign and said, “We need a dog. Our dog died this week of a tumor. He was 15 years old.” Her husband and sons came to our house that afternoon and took home a puppy. We had given each puppy a name and that one was Brees, after the Saints quarterback. They kept the name as they understood it. The puppy is now called Breex.

Maria Elena and her husband Carlos have been attending church on Sunday morning since Easter. The puppy has given us a common point with their sons. This past Sunday, the entire family attended a church picnic. We are praying for an opportunity to clearly share the gospel with them.

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation---if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. I Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)

“I know how to make fanesca!”

We stopped by the baby clothing store to invite the owner to the Easter celebration. I had bought baby gifts there for several years and had formed a relationship with Maria Elena. She lives near the mission church, now called Followers of Jesus Christian Baptist Church.

I invited her to church and said, “Afterwards, we’ll serve fanesca.” Fanesca (fah-NAYS-kah) is a thick dried fish and grain soup traditionally served during Easter week in Ecuador. The preparation is long and complicated, and very few women know how to make it. The church was buying the ingredients and the women of the church had planned to meet Saturday evening so that each of us could take home an ingredient and cook it. Sunday morning, we would meet at a church member’s house and together prepare the fanesca.

Maria Elena said, “Who’s making the fanesca?” Before I could respond, she said, “Who knows how to make fanesca? I know how to make fanesca!” I invited her to come and help. She said, “You have to season the white onions just right, or it won’t be good.”

Sunday morning, I brought my pot of peas to the kitchen where we were cooking. Maria Elena and her husband were there. She spent two hours working with us in the kitchen, cooking grains, onions, fish, and other ingredients. She didn’t stay for the service, but left for a family gathering in another town. The fanesca was delicious, and everyone had a good time of fellowship after the service.

Monday, she called me. “How was the fanesca?” I told her that it was really good. She said that she and her husband would be at church the following Sunday, and they were. She had already met many of the women and enjoyed the service. When she left, she said that they would be back.

I’m praying for the salvation of Maria Elena and her husband, Carlos. Should we call this Fanesca Evangelism?


that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. I John 1:3

Was it time to "shake the dust off of our feet"?

The new church had grown and was meeting three times a week. They were discipling people and reaching out to the community. One weekend, the leader, Holger, fell back into drinking. This, along with other influences, tore the church apart. When we visited the location the following week, the sign was gone, and the benches and pulpit were thrown in the yard. The congregation was scattered. They had been wounded not only by Holger's actions, but also the blatant sin of another Christian leader.

For the next 6 years, we continued to visit Elsa, Holger's sister, and her adult children. They attended the mission church a few times. Shortly before Christmas, she told us that she had chosen not to be a part of anything that evangelicals did. For Christmas, we took her a plate of Christmas cookies. She was not home, so we left it with her daughter. Last week, Johnny went to their home, but no one was there. He left an invitation to a movie that we were showing at the church on Friday night.

When Johnny got home, we talked about the situation with this family. We have spent much time with them over the past 7 years. We have prayed with them, and for them. I wondered if it was time for us to let go and move on to more fruitful fields. Johnny reminded me of Mark 6:11, "And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them."

That evening, while Johnny was setting up the film at the church, Holger walked into the building. He said that Elsa had sent him. We had not seen him for years. Later, his son and family also arrived. We were very glad to see them and invited them to the Easter service.

God had clearly told us, "I'm still working in this family. Don't quit."

They did not come to church on Easter. I don't know what will happen, but we know now that our ministry to them is not over.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippains 1:6

Always Fall, Never Spring

I sleep between flannel sheets all year. We're just a few hours south of the equator, so we don't experience changes in seasons. At 9390 feet above sea level, our daily temperature ranges between lows in the 40's and highs in the 70's. We have fall weather all year.

From our rooftop terrace, I can see 4 snow-capped mountains on a clear day. We are about 45 minutes by car from the snowline of Mount Chimborazo (pictured at the top of the page). When we want to experience winter, we can drive there and play in the snow. The only place that my children have ever seen snow fall is at 16,000 feet!

Summer is a 7 hour trip away. We spent the New Year holiday on the Pacific Coast, where we enjoyed the hot, humid climate of the beach. We played in the waves, explored tidal pools and came home refreshed.

I think that I miss spring more than any season. I haven't experienced spring since 1998. I miss seeing the change from the drabness of winter to the colors of spring. I love to see trees budding and violets peeking through the ground in the woods. Spring reminds me of new life and new beginnings.

At this altitude, the foliage is a drab green. Everything seems to be the same color. The dryness of the air and the low concentration of oxygen limit the growth of the foliage. When it rains here, most of the water runs down the mountains into the Amazon area.

When we travel over the eastern ridge of the Andes and down into the Amazon basin, we see the foliage change. I am always fascinated as the greens get greener and the colors get brighter and deeper. The plants become larger. The leaves are broader and thicker. The flowers become flamboyant. Color bursts out everywhere! This is as close to spring as I've gotten in Ecuador.

I love living in the Andes, but I miss spring.

"Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." Acts 14:17

What does a missionary wife and mom do?

What do I do with my time? This week has been as normal as any week, so I'll give you a peek into my schedule.

Sunday morning, we walked to church. The mission church meets in a storefront building two blocks from our house. That afternoon, my husband, Johnny and I went to Guano, a nearby town for a prayer meeting at a friend's house. When we got there, we found three other families from the mission church had come over for lunch. We were glad to see them all fellowshipping and enjoying time together. One family left, and the others stayed for the prayer meeting. Some other believers who live in Guano also arrived.

We had a good time of sharing and prayer for God's direction in beginning a new church in Guano. Afterwards, the two families from Riobamba rode back with us. We stopped near the park in Guano and treated everyone to mochaccinos. The coffee shop there has the best mochaccinos that I have ever had! They are topped with fresh-whipped cream. Mmmm. We are building a friendship with the family there and hope to lead them to the Lord. I call it Mochaccino Evangelism.

When we got back to Riobamba, Johnny and I spent a couple of hours giving marriage counseling to some local believers. I think that nothing makes me appreciate my husband more than giving marriage counsel!

Monday through Friday, I supervise Andrew and Hannah's schoolwork. They attend an online school, NorthStar Academy, and I have to be sure that all of the work is done and turned in. On Thursday morning, Andrew dissected an earthworm for his biology class as I helped.

Monday afternoon, I met a friend for coffee. She is from Honduras, has lived in New Orleans, attended the same college as our older son, is married to a man from Riobamba, and is a writer. I spent 11 years in Honduras, have lived in New Orleans, and now live in Riobamba. I also write. She and I have much in common and I enjoy spending time with her.

This week, I also spent time talking with our older son, John Mark, on the phone. He is a sophomore at the University of New Orleans. Two weeks ago, he had an accident in a recreational-type vehicle and broke his left leg. He'll be in a cast until May. We have an Internet phone with a US number, so we are able to talk with him without paying high phone bills. This helps me as a mom. I can't be with him during this time, but I can talk with him. I can also see him on the webcam.

On Wednesdays, Johnny and I have a lunch date. We spend the morning together and then eat lunch at a local restaurant. Yesterday, we saw some of our local believers and visited with them while we were out. A friend of mine recently had a baby, so we shopped for a gift. The woman at the baby store lives near us, and we invited her to attend the services Sunday. She sounded interested. Her son was there, and he knew Johnny. As they talked, Johnny learned that this young man had attended one session of an English Bible study that Johnny had taught in the fall.

Johnny and I also spent time together working on emails and paperwork related to the mission board. We have several volunteers coming down over the next few months, and we worked on plans for them.

Friday afternoons and evenings are set aside as Family Time. We take turns choosing a restaurant and planning our evening. Our Family Time has included hiking, swimming, horseback riding, board games, movie night, baking, going to a fair, visiting a museum, and other fun activities.

What else have I done this week? Meal preparation takes more time here. Everything I cook is from scratch. We have very few convenience foods. I make biscuits from scratch. Yesterday, I made chicken-barley soup with fresh vegetables.

In my free time, I read, exercise, listen to music, talk with our kids, play with our dogs, and play on the computer.


So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10 :31 (ESV)

Water

This time of year, water is an important part of the celebration of Carnival. The people of Riobamba have a city-wide water fight! If I walk along the sidewalk this week, I take the risk of being bombarded with water balloons, shot with a water gun, or having a bucket of water poured on me from a roof or balcony! As I drove down the main street yesterday, someone sprayed the side of the truck with water from a hose. I was glad my windows were up.

In Riobamba, we receive water from the street for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. On our roof is a large tank that fills up when the water comes in. (pictured) An electric pump delivers it to the house when we need water. When the power is off, as it often is, we have to turn a valve to allow the water to flow down by gravity. We have less pressure, but we have water.

The water from the street is not clean enough to drink. Every Thursday morning, a truck delivers 5-gallon jugs of purified water to our house. They take our empty bottles and replace them with full ones. We put the water in a dispenser on the counter. We have a water filter, but it hasn't been connected to the faucet, yet.

Water is essential to life. It is necessary for drinking, cleansing, food preparation, and more. I have been without water, electricity, phone, and internet. By far, the most essential of these is water!

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39 (ESV)

I'm glad I'm a part of the family of God

We attended the service at the mission church near our home this morning. This group of believers has been meeting for less than two years, and rents a storefront that once was a seafood restuarant.

The service was directed by Alex. Alex is our vet. Alex was not a believer when we met him. We have 3 dogs, a cat, 2 birds, and a rabbit. Through various pet illnesses and injuries, including the death of two huskies, we had many chances to talk with Alex about Jesus. In July 2004, in a Bible study in his home, Alex accepted Christ as his Savior. We call this Pet Evangelism. He is now the treasurer of this new church and is beginning a new outreach group in his town.

The man greeting people at the door was Juan. Juan owns our favorite pizzeria. We brought a volunteer prayerwalk team there to eat several years ago. After the pizza, they asked if they could pray for him and his family. This opened the door for my husband to begin studying the Bible with Juan and his wife Susy. After a few months, they became believers. Let's call this Pizzeria Evangelism. As I looked around the room, I saw our former next-door neighbors, who met Christ while we lived beside them. I am thankful that many of our friends have become members of the family of God.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13 (ESV)