Gracios A Dios

Gracios a Dios,
The Lord continues to bless our family by working through our struggles, challenges, victories, defeats, issues and experiences.  He is the rock, the stabilizing force which sustains us...1 Sam 2:2, 2 Sam 22.32, Psalms 18:31

Thanks to God,
He provides a Faith Family and fellow believers that although far in distance walks alongside, encourages, sends, supports and most importantly prays with us!  We are so grateful for the prayers and skype calls from so many.  This week we hosted both Bob and Suzi Flanders from Brook Hills who were here simply to love on us and the kids, and share their 25 years of experience with our family as member care!  Please lift up Madge Noland in her Mom's passing.  Madge is the picture of love, encouragement and comfort that comes to mind when caring for brothers and sisters in Christ!  2 Cor 1:4, 2 Cor 7:6

Gracios a Dios,
For the people in our lives in Ecuador....  Adam Yoder, Brent Becker, Jeff Shurman, the Evan's Family, The Gozales Family, our vacation crew (they know who they are), Carolyn Wofgram, The Brock's, the Nichols, The Moreira-Montenegro Family, Jesus, Ephrahim, Columbia, Christian, Tio Bill, Ms Dorothy, Roberto Bravo, the entire Puga Family!  They have shaped our experience here, without them there would be no learning, understanding or adjusting to sharing the Gospel in this context!  Romans 12:4-5, 2 Cor 5:10, Eph 4:4, Col  3:15

Thanks to God,
For provision and investment in our lives by others and us in them - with Christ at the core!  Recently, Tim and I participated in a Men's retreat to study/reflect on what it means to be a real man.  We were challenged both there and through circumstances in our own lives over the course of the last two weeks.  HIS example is the one that is set before by using others and HIS sacrifice, why lean on anything else to hit the mark! John 13:15, Phil 3:17, 1 Thess 1:7-8, James 5:10, 1 Peter 2:21

Gracios a Dios,
That we are continuing to rely and be dependent on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for language learning, development of the camp, assimilation of new partners and those HE has called according to HIS purpose instead of leaning on our limited understanding of our knowledge of how HE orchestrates and purposes things.  Give us the strength and courage to throw away all that is not found in HIS Word and doesn't Glorify HIS Name among the Nations!  Psalms 138:8, Isaiah 14:27, Lamen 2:17, Acts 13:36, Romans 8:28, Eph 1:5, Rev 5:9-10

Servant Leadership

We see so many arbitrary and contradictory things here in Ecuador that it becomes difficult at times to square it with our North American frame of reference.  How can a people put so much emphasis on having full-breed dogs when the cost of them is the same as in the states while the average salary is roughly $300/mos.?  Or why does a culture which treats each other so rudely on the road (drivers are three times more aggressive and discourteous here than NY city drivers) greet everyone in the room as they enter an eating establishment with ' Buenas Tardes' or 'Buen Provencal?'  Yesterday, as I was driving down a busy road, I noticed a boy on foot trying to catch up with a horse running loose along a fence.  To help out, I tried pulling in front of the horse twice to cut off his advance so the boy could put a harness on him.  The horse managed to get away both times and I last saw both disappear into a residential area after he thanked me for helping.  I'll finish the story later and explain why this is relevant to the topic........

Servant leadership is many things, but arbitrary and contradicting it is not.  I'm currently doing a study on the book of Joshua to use his leadership as a model to teach spiritual principles utilizing the confidence course we are developing here at the camp. In the first chapter of Joshua, the Lord simply states three things as he charges him with his ministry: 'I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised to Moses.' , 'No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life.' and 'As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.'  Inherent in those statements: HE always proves faithful to HIS word, ordains the events in our lives for HIS purposes, no new work is being done - just being built upon, blessing comes with obedience and HIS power is available to us if we are in HIS will.  The encouragement is that even with imperfect models in our lives, we learn that the Kingdom continues to advance regardless the failure or in completion of our individual work, our predecessor's or the ability of either.  Joshua simply led with a sole focus in mind, pleasing God.  The evidence is in the results: Joshua's defeat at Jerico, destruction of Ai, defeat of the five Amorite Kings, conquering of the southern cities and the defeat of the Northern Kings, the eventual division, allotment  and appointment of the Land.  Afterwards, the Lord reminds Joshua at Shechem in Joshua 24:13-14, "So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.  Now, fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness."   Who are we giving credit to of that which is given to us?  The legacy of Servant Leadership is 'paid forward' as seen in verse 31 of the same chapter, "Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel."

I have been convicted of what this looks like in my life about how I am preparing my kids for their future lives.  Is it man-focused or God-focused?  Am I teaching them more about how to get good grades, get into college or how to improve rather than teaching on overall personal responsibility, how to deal with disappointment in people and circumstances by changing their focus and helping to direct them on the path that God is shaping for them?  What if they want to take a more non-traditional route?  Am I more focused on the head rather than the heart?  On behavior rather than belief?

There are several pictures of Servant Leadership I have in my mind.  One is of how the orphans serve each other on the foundation.  As inconvenient as it is, no one 'owns' anything, it is all shared.  Home is not a location but a state of security in their mind based in relationship with others.  Family is not blood related but based on 130 others caring for needs by apportioning skill sets and looking out for the welfare/well-being of others first above their own.  Lastly, adoption is not done on paper or through legal channels but occurs in the heart by the miracle of salvation!

 The second picture is that of two second grade classes at Alliance Academy holding a drive by collecting clothes, shoes and toys because their needs were more than met but they heard there was an orphanage in the Los Chillos Valle that could always use those items.  On the receiving end is a Director apportioning those items appropriately among the needs of orphanage.  A Director who as a boy himself came to the same foundation 40 years earlier because his father was shot to death and had no where else to go.  A Director who could have been comfortable in that position just looking out for his own interests in a system that relishes power and position.  But, he chose to use his position as a platform to birth five  churches to provide hope to the hopeless and unveil a faith with a future.

Normally, I like to leave us out of most discussion but this hits close to home and is relevant to the topic.  The last picture is that of family members who had 3 months to prepare to uproot, move and adjust to a language and culture they neither chose nor were familiar with.  A family living and bridging between two very different worlds on a daily basis: the very rich in Quito and very poor in Conocoto.  No better example was the recent decision for Maggie to participate in the play, "Puss and Boots" and the families corporate commitment.    Sounds simple enough but it took significant effort by each person to pull it off.  Rehearsals took place each night until 6 pm and the last two weeks from 6-9 pm.  School lets out at 3:45 pm and we live an hour away.  Translated, since Ann chose to do the choreography for the show, it required her to be there for rehearsals after all day teaching and sometimes taking two buses home. The boys had to do the same every day I didn't drive to pick up the girls.  I'm starting to think there was some grain of truth in Hillary Clinton's statement, "It takes a village to raise a child".............This picture will always remind me of the sacrifice and servant hearts it took to allow Maggie to worship Christ with her God-given talent.

   So, where does the horse come in?  Later on that day, I ran into the same boy on his horse with the  loose horse in tow.  I gave him a thumbs up and began to wonder why I couldn't get this event out of my head.  And it dawned on me.  If we want to be servant leaders, we must first desire to want to bring our direction under the owners control.  It is not in our nature to be saddled, given tasks or be led by the reigns. We yearn to 'do our own thing' and run wild like that horse.  Secondly, the rope attached to our halter is necessary for two reasons.  We must  follow His lead for both our safety and His purposes.  He knows where the work is, the direction to get there and where home is!  Have you made it easy for people to follow your Servant Leadership or is it arbitrary and contradicting?  When we look behind us, how is the well-being of those who are following us?  Are our actions, behaviors and decisions based on  what we can see ahead or do we have the end in mind?

HIM, HE and HIS

Many things are uncertain in this world but there are three things I am certain of:  My complete dependence on HIM, HE is soveriegn over all things and HIS Gospel has, is and will advance regardless of what I or anyone else does!  Kind of takes the pressure off...

Much has happened in a month since we last shared.  We were robbed at home of computers, clothes and money but HE gave me the opportunity to go home to replace those items, reconnect with friends and faith family members, find someone to take over the properties and to do my taxes.  All would have been impossible without going back, Gracios a Dios!  Our clutch went out in the DMP vehicle and cost a fortune but HIS provision in utilizing the buses again reminded us of the daily grind of the average person here.  The 8 inches of rain this month thus far was held off by HIM long enough for our recent team to pour the final abutments for the roads, set both railings and electrical poles, paint both the gates and the amphitheatre.  The last two weeks of play practice from 6-9 every night at school in Quito an hour away has allowed me to have time and dinner out with my family while giving Maggie and Ann the ability to worship HIM and share their God-given talent reflecting God's glory.  Our youth from Brook Hills blessed our family during the recent trip between March 17-23rd with encouragement, prayer and physical help.  Although one of the members of the group had his passport stolen 15 steps from the bus on the way to the airport, he was able to stay three extra days to get police report, new entry stamp, photos and new passport to return finally yesterday.  He met new friends, spent time with us and had a 'behind the scenes' look at living in Ecuador.   This group proved out many firsts.  They conducted VBS in Yurac, an idigenous indian village about 45 minutes away, with a local partner.  This produced a lasting bond with the community, an impromptu sharing off talent among the young people and according to Jesus (his home church) 35 kids who would never have set foot in an evangelical church or heard the gospel if it wasn't for our team!  Gracios a Dios!

Our clutch apparently wasn't fixed properly because it began slipping on the way to school again two days ago.  Yesterday it was back to taxi's and buses in getting Fisher around for the passport, to the airport and home.  Thanks to HIM, HE has given us another reminder of our reliance on HIS provision and an opportunity to demonstrate patience, trust and giving up control to a God that has the power over it all!

Thanks to our faith family who came or stayed but prayed, gave and loved!  You shared, showed and taught the Word, but in your Serving, He was made known in the World......."By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."  John 13:35

Mateo 4:4

   As I crack my eggs this morning, I notice the yolks are more orange than yellow.  See, my chickens are finally producing after 4 months and $30 worth of morrocho (corn).  I finally broke down and asked Tio Bill for help because the hens weren't laying eggs.  He said,"That's easy, just modify their diet.  Let  'em out so they can eat insects, throw some apple cores in the cage and once and a while give them a piece of bread."  It took a whole two days to prove true.  We can learn so much from simple, practical things in our life like: ask questions, modify and most importantly what we consume changes outputs!

    I just dropped off our first construction team from Crossgate Baptist in Arkansas.  All were not familiar with each other before they came.  It was raining when the came and left, although the Lord was gracious holding it off while we worked.  They worked harder, faster and longer than I asked.  They left their tools, clothes and suggestions behind to encourage, resource and help me to accomplish our goal here.  I can't express the gratitude for these five southern guys who gave up their time from work and family, sacrificed their resources and poured themselves into two projects at the camp which would have been impossible to replicate with local help.  They finished what they came to do.  They demonstrated what a selfless, servant should look like!

     We were in much need of building catch basins for the culverts (to divert massive amounts of water off the paths/terrain) and constructing partitions for the multipurpose building to sleep girls and guys. They came up with the design, modified it when needed and both led/followed according to the weather, task and challenge.   Much of what we did constantly had to be changed (Gringo's use 2 X 4's - we had to mill them to spec from a local).  It all sounds simple but these guys live what they read, know and say.  You could tell that the Word permeates their lives, demonstrated in how they worked, played and joked (they gave me the nickname Pharaoh - we used gravel instead of straw!)   Like good, southern gentlemen, they loved to eat the food prepared by Teresa or in restaurants during the cultural day.  But, it was them living out "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" in their lives here, that the Word walked!   Show the Word.....by feasting on the Word!

Salmos 121

     For the last six months on a clear day, we've been able to see three volcanoes from our vantage point on the campamento.  On the left sits Cayumbe past the Cumbaya valle, on the right Cotapaxi off towards Ambato and dead ahead with its peak bearly visable is Antisana.  Year round, the peaks are snow capped which feels odd when the sun is scorching down at 85 degrees.  Since we moved here, our family has talked about 'driving to the snowline' which we were told we could do.  That day finally arrived yesterday.

     After some grumbling, we were off.  Our trip took us through our valle to the other side of the second range of the Andes, just beyond on the other side - Antisana.  It wound us around the rural town of Yurag where we will conduct VBS with future teams and a site where we have ministry partners.  We passed beautiful vistas, roads with no guardrails and multiple unnamed sport fishing locations full of mountain rainbow trout.  As we began to climb the vegetation became shorter, the sun stronger, the air colder, the oxygen thinner and looking down I noticed the tank emptier.  Mistakenly, I forgot to tank up and was on 1/8 tank.  We were stopped at the entrance of the park and given instruction by the ranger - stay on and stick to the roads.  The land was privately owned and full of cattle and gorgeous fields of verdant green crops.  We broke the rules by getting out, exploring the creeks and a farmhouse and trying to catch trout by hand.  We finally made it to the top but were unable to reach the snow due to our gas situation and lack of planning (need permission? tickets?), not quite sure.  We quickly took pictures and began the long 'coast' downhill saving gas on the 8,000 foot high decent.  A few simple things occurred to me on the trip down.........

How often I repeat the same patterns over and over.  Wanting to see something so far off or reach the peak, I fail to be truly prepared for the trip or bringing what I need to sustain us.  Or, not following simple instructions like sticking to the road given us (the direction is for our good, not bad - why do we always interpret it as the latter). 

     Since school started, we have lived two distinctly different lives.  One on and around the AAI campus and one here in the Los Chillos Valle.  Many things are different between the two: the people, traffic and driving patterns, abruptness, socioeconomic status, education levels and time sensitivity to name a few.  Ann, I and the kids have had to cross over that bridge daily which takes patience and agility.  Five miles and a ridgeline makes a huge difference (just think Mountain Brook and downtown Birmingham).  It can make you weary, tiresome and at each others throats.  I realize we can't do what we need to do, be who we need to be or go where we need to go without HIM leading the way.  Please pray for us in this time.  It's hard to know what altitude we sit, whether we are on a mountain or in a valley.  Are we in need of oxygen or as parents, spiritual leaders and partners are we allowing God to work through us?  I do know that we need to continue to 'fill our tanks', trust in HIS watchship by not trying to 'fix' things and look to the ONE who made it all......

I look up to the mountains-

does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble;

the one who watches over you will not slumber.  

Indeed, he who watcher over Israel

never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you!

The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

The sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm

and watches over your life.

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, 

both now and forever.

Agradecido

  At the six month point in camp development, we are overwhelmed at HIS provision and plan to bring people together to make it happen while developing relationships for the Kingdom!  I stand in awe that what was discussed over 40 years ago between Momi and Popi Davis is now becoming a reality in front of our eyes.  Less that one year ago, we had never heard about Houses of Happiness (orphanage) nor Campamento Amistad Con Dios, never met the board, director nor even considering Ecuador.   The Lord's timing is perfect in that HE chose us and our good friends the Brocks at this place, now to plant our lives for the purpose of building up the body and spreading  the Gospel through the camp.   

        Please, continue to pray for our families: on this side as we continue to develop relationships, learn language, plant seeds in the community and at the school (AAI), while selling houses, moving stuff, getting kids ready for college and changing addresses on the Brock's end.

        Let me provide a quick update on the progress of the camp.  Since we put in our new paths, we have had many downpours (@ 4 inches in 5 hours) which has made most non-functional.  I am in the process of using a backhoe to dig a trench and culvert system to divert the massive amount of water that flows across and down the 25 acres.  In addition, we are making great progress on the Cafeteria (Multi purpose building) which will house and feed our groups this year.  We have completely wired the structure, hung all the lights, reinstalled hot water lines for the showers, added an extra shower for both the Men's and Women's side and tiled all four. We are in the process of picking out the appliances for the kitchen to make it functional.  We just purchased the iron and tubing to construct the beds and tables.  Also, as of this week we added the electrical line for the breaker box from outside the camp to the first structure.  That enables us to receive power from the transformers to run power to the rest of the camp.

         We are grateful for and looking forward to the teams that are coming.  It was also encouraging to host our first team from Brook Hills that provided a second Christmas for our kids!  Join us in celebrating HIS provision for our lives and the camp needs.  Fingerprints can be found on each piece of material that is bought, each person that builds something here and the kids from the orphanage whose needs are cared for and about by people they will never meet!

 Genesis 1:3

 Psalm 51:7

 

1 Corinthians 3:9-10

 

Luke 4:18-19

Colossians 1:24-27

'Hasta Luego'

"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 

1 Cor 3:11

Simple wisdom comes in many forms but when delivered through the yoke that God intends, it carries a lot of weight.  Since September, I had been struggling with 'completion' and 'scheduled construction' anxiety of the camp.  In addition, I began to feel isolated with little connection and without local contacts to support our work.  My friend and ministry partner, Ronnie Brock, in his familiar approach, reminded me that we are not building a camp but constructing one.  The difference between the two is that our foundation is in HIM, and those relationships HE chooses to give us is how we will be able to build and accomplish it!  Two weeks ago I began to trust in HIS timing and provision after Ronnie shared this with me.  The God of the universe is more than capable to fight our battles...

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it.  The world and all those who live in it.  ........Who is this King of Glory?  The Lord is strong and mighty, the lord is mighty in battle.  Lift up your heads, O you gates, lift them up, you ancient doors and let the King of Glory come in.  Who is this King of Glory?  He is the Lord almighty......"   Psalm 24

In addition to our camp and ministry needs, I had been praying specifically for needs within our family.  Four long months of worrying, watching and waiting gave way to two quick weeks of seeking, submitting and studying which in turn led to the following:

*  We found two local nationals as interns this summer (built in interpreters).

*  Ronnie and I discovered that an important contact with Compassion International lives right here in Conocoto.

*  We found multiple ways to plug into three different church plants right here in our valle.

*  Finalized a rural ministry site while picking up a good friend along the way.

*  Found a potential sports ministry partner to host teams/camps from Ecuador and the US.

*  More donors and giving on both the DMP and personal end (one we never met before).

*  Connected and made friends with 5 new families for 5 days at the beach (we found a 20 foot bridge over a canal - it was a sight to see a dozen American kids, Ann and I, jumping off the bridge while 50 Ecuadorians looked on taking pictures - also our kids have chosen to jump into life here with both feet literally and figuratively by not keeping one foot on the bridge when it comes to relationships).

*  We found a reasonable SUV for both the camp/school transportation to purchase (our third driver in 4 mos. informed us last week his taxi broke down and would not be able to take them for over a month).

*  Commitment to a multiplying church and home bible study for our family.

*  Encouragement from hosting our first group of the year and life long friends: Ronnie and Callie.

 

HIS provision is overwhelming when we trust in HIS timing and plan for our lives.  Life is difficult. Problems are real.  Solutions are complex.  Who and what do we turn to? 

06/01/12, 12:36:43

As I travel home on the bus today, the date and time flashes across the electronic banner above the drivers head.  The date is confusing because the day here always proceeds the month.  Don't we always confuse our days and months according to how long we think something should take or God to act?  More importantly, time is not static. We are one moment closer to eternity.  One of the clearest examples: 6 kids have been buried in 6 months in our cemetery.  Each as a result of a car: riding or being hit.  Superficially, our nature immediately focuses on poor/inadequate supervision, parenting and/or driving. In reality, its a result of one man's sin that entered the world.  His disobedience can only be reversed and made right by one mans obedience!  Adam's choice is washed clean in Jesus' blood!

Our family made several observations during these funerals.  The sound of the dirt hitting the coffin is deafening.  It clarified the reality and finality of the moment.  Also, we all help in shoveling dirt to fill up the ten foot deep hole.  The family won't leave until that takes place.  It is the most physically demanding thing I've done in my life and normally takes 6-8 people, 45 minutes to complete the task. Then, the grave is crowned to sit the flowers on and the family says thier final prayers.  At the last funeral where we know for sure that the child and family were Christ followers, the phrase 'Hasta Luego' was repeatedly heard several times.  Although we did not know this child in life, I am certain we will meet and 'see him later.'  It's the uncertainty of knowing the five other children's location that brought us here.....