Ecuadorian Trek

Tim and I had an encouraging, enjoyable, and we believe productive

time in Ecuador.  Our travel via air and land were rather uneventful

with the exception of riding crowded buses on some very steep grades

and crooked roads which, as you may have guessed, provided just the

right conditions for car sickness to abound all around us!  So much

for the fresh air of the Andes!

As planned our brother Juan met us at the airport and escorted

us to a number of meetings with indigenous church leaders.  The

various locations fleshed out quite a diverse group of church leaders.

Our first meeting was with a group from long established churches in

the Quito area.  They were very transparent as they shared that

continuing in the western model simply wasn’t reaching their people.

They were weary of attempting to keep lifeless machinery running.  Oh,

but what an excitement was revealed when they realized that programs,

buildings, and even American missionaries were not the answer but

rather the revealed Word of God.  Nothing is needed but a Holy Spirit

empowered implementation of the truths found therein.

Our second meeting was as if we were seeing firsthand the Book of Acts

fleshed out.  Brother Juan has laid a Biblical foundation of what the

Church should be.  The believers have eagerly taken hold and are

actively learning how to become a God reliant reproducing church.

The various meetings in the Puyo area revealed similar conditions.

Weariness seemed to accompany those who were exposed to the

constraints of buildings and program oriented ministries. On the other

hand, there was a perceivable excitement in the places were buildings

and programs were not the focus.  All, however, were greatly refreshed

and encouraged as they were again reminded that God has provided

everything necessary to see the Great Commission to its conclusion.

Our responsibility is simply to embrace and obey His teachings.

Our families, ministries, and work required this trip to come to a

conclusion.  Our thanks to each of you who prayed for us, our

families, and most of all the glory of God in our absence.

Thankfully His,

Tommy