We just returned from the other side of the Andes mountain range where it rains a lot (almost every day), bringing life to the lush steep mountain slopes covered with a canopy of what seems to be an unlimited variety of trees and giant ferns (up to 50' tall) and grasses (up to 20'). El Chaco (meaning the flat plateau in the valley) is the village that we have visited on our previous 5 trips. Iglesia de Cristo el Unica Esperanza, (Christ the Only Hope) is a "covenant" church that we support and partner with in ministry to the surrounding communities up and down the Quijos river valley. Pastor Enrique is an amazing leader and shepard to this fast-growing family in Christ.
The LIFT team is currently resting, before heading out tomorrow to Oyacachi, because of being tired physically, but very full in the spirit after a very full 5 days in El Chaco. We shared in 5 different services over 5 days - ministering to and being minstered to as we shared in worship, skits, testimonies, sermons, dances and times of just hanging out or playing soccer and building relationships with our Ecuadorian brothers and sisters. Five years ago the church conisisted of less than 30 people - most women and young children. Now it is thriving with a vibrant youth group, strong male leadership and a strong women's ministry - filling to about 100 people on Sunday mornings. God is using Enrique and the spirit-filled members to impact this village of about 7,000 people.
LIFT was greatly blessed by the people on Monday night as the congregation surrounded the team and prayed over them. It is amazing of how much happens in relationships in such a short span of time with people who are a from a different culture and speak a different language. The blood of Christ is what bonds us together as family and is such an strength for all Americans - from the northern and southern hemispheres as we grow to appreciate how great our God is and how he is active and alive in the hearts of men and women not just on this side of the world, but all over this globe as his kingdom advances with force against the retreating darkness of this world. God is light and his love shown in the lives of so many people (including us) once lost and broken is such an inspiration and draws our eyes on Him and Him alone.
Pray for LIFT as we serve at El Refugio tomorrow and on Saturday to continue a lot of manual labor in helping them prepare for their adventure mud race coming up in a few weeks - opening the door to many Ecuadorians who may not know God. Pray also as we head to the indigenous Quechua village of Oyacachi at 10,000' in the Andes and minister with the church to the youth of that village for 2 1/2 days.
A few of the students have been struggling with gastrointestinal problems. It seems to last only a day or two, but is not much fun when dealing with it. Pray for health for the team as they will be very busy and for making time for solitude with the Lord to be renewed and strengthened spiritually. The prayers of all of you teaming with us is much needed and appreciated. Thanks for joining us in all of this.
Be sure to check out the recent pictures on the LIFT Discipleship Program facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/liftdiscipleshipprogram
Tim
The LIFT team is currently resting, before heading out tomorrow to Oyacachi, because of being tired physically, but very full in the spirit after a very full 5 days in El Chaco. We shared in 5 different services over 5 days - ministering to and being minstered to as we shared in worship, skits, testimonies, sermons, dances and times of just hanging out or playing soccer and building relationships with our Ecuadorian brothers and sisters. Five years ago the church conisisted of less than 30 people - most women and young children. Now it is thriving with a vibrant youth group, strong male leadership and a strong women's ministry - filling to about 100 people on Sunday mornings. God is using Enrique and the spirit-filled members to impact this village of about 7,000 people.
LIFT was greatly blessed by the people on Monday night as the congregation surrounded the team and prayed over them. It is amazing of how much happens in relationships in such a short span of time with people who are a from a different culture and speak a different language. The blood of Christ is what bonds us together as family and is such an strength for all Americans - from the northern and southern hemispheres as we grow to appreciate how great our God is and how he is active and alive in the hearts of men and women not just on this side of the world, but all over this globe as his kingdom advances with force against the retreating darkness of this world. God is light and his love shown in the lives of so many people (including us) once lost and broken is such an inspiration and draws our eyes on Him and Him alone.
Pray for LIFT as we serve at El Refugio tomorrow and on Saturday to continue a lot of manual labor in helping them prepare for their adventure mud race coming up in a few weeks - opening the door to many Ecuadorians who may not know God. Pray also as we head to the indigenous Quechua village of Oyacachi at 10,000' in the Andes and minister with the church to the youth of that village for 2 1/2 days.
A few of the students have been struggling with gastrointestinal problems. It seems to last only a day or two, but is not much fun when dealing with it. Pray for health for the team as they will be very busy and for making time for solitude with the Lord to be renewed and strengthened spiritually. The prayers of all of you teaming with us is much needed and appreciated. Thanks for joining us in all of this.
Be sure to check out the recent pictures on the LIFT Discipleship Program facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/liftdiscipleshipprogram
Tim
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