Tuesday Morning Evangelism in the Park

The photos speak for themselves.

Actual Christmas Eve Service

We didn't expect many people on Christmas Eve as most are with families as Christmas Eve dinner is traditionally eaten at midnight. But we had a time of sweet fellowship with those who came: Mike's teaching, along with egg salad sandwiches and chips by candlelight. How good can it get?

Christmas Dinner

We had a delightful Christmas dinner and time of fellowship after the Sunday evening service, December 21st. There were presents for all. Thank you, Mark Cahill - who wrote and donated the books we gave to all the adults and teens for Christmas. Thanks to Toby Erwin and David Dalkey who donated the toys and toothpaste and such that were given out as well. Thanks also to Maria Burbano organized the dinner.
After supper we had kind of a praise sing-along-kareoke time. In the photo you see Emanuel on electric guitar, Raphael playing guitar, and Johnny and Sue singing I've Got Peace Like a River.

Natalie Marin and Mike. Pray for the recuperation of her eye. So far, the treatments don't seem to be doing much to straighten it out.

Myriam and Maria serving dinner.

Bible Club Christmas Presentation

The Bible Club leaders - Gloria Barriga and Olimpia Dragu - planned a presentation for the parents of the children in Bible Club. Gladys and Rafael Marin worked with the children to present a Nativity scene and some choreographed Christmas music. (As you can see in the photo, the choreography was not exactly synchronized, but was joyfully danced!) We had never seen most of the parents before this night, but they came to the presentation. We rejoice that the church was full of first-time visitors and that many parents were moved by the Spirit of God to receive Christ as their Savior.

Youth Group Christmas Drama

Estefania Barriga, one of our young women, wrote and directed the Youth Group Christmas drama. It told the story of the creation of the world, the fall of Adam and Eve, the birth of Christ, and the salvation that comes through him - all through music and mime. They presented the drama twice: at the Bible Club presentation and at our Christmas service. In this photo they are getting ready for their first performance.

Ladies' and Men's Meetings

The Saturday before Christmas found us in our ladies' and men's meetings, and were such a respite in our busy holiday schedule! Eduardo Valle taught the men on characteristics of one who walks in the spirit. Sue is teaching a series on taking every thought captive.

Drug Rehab Center Ministry

Enrique Plaza and Mike, along with Raphael Marin and Eduardo Valle, have been going to a drug rehab center on Thursday mornings to minister the Word of God and encourage the clients in their battle for freedom in Christ. They present four short teachings after a time of praise and worship, and the clients rotate from one teaching to another.

Saturdays of Growth

Here are some photos from a few of Saturday's events: Evangelism, Youth Group, Lunch, Mike's class, and Bible Club.

Mike and Carlos giving a tract to a little boy.

Carlos and Enrique praying with two women to receive Christ.
Getting organized for Youth Group.
Lunch between sessions.

Mike's Saturday class.

Bible Club getting ready to practice for Christmas play.

And, the younger members of Bible Club finishing up their craft with Olimpia and Lucy.

Meeting of the Mission

The meeting of the mission went well, although there is still lots of work to be done before we register the mission with the government. We elected new officers by a unanimous vote: President, Pastor Juan Franco; Vice-President, Eduardo Valle, Secretary, Lorena Guerrero; Treasurer, Guillermo; First Vocal, Pastor Mike Stevens; Second Vocal, Susan Stevens; Third Vocal, Norma Franco. A vocal is something like a stand-in. If someone leaves the committee, these folks move up the list.

Thanksgiving

We'll be spending Thanksgiving weekend in Quito with Pastor Juan and Norma. We need to have the yearly meeting of the "Mission" here in Ecuador. We are a legally recognized church at the moment thanks to Pastor Hadley and his work here years ago.

According to Pastor Juan - who is the President of the Mission - there are some possible issues with our continuing legality:

1) Someone used our legal status to bring "missionaries" into the country from Columbia;

2) the president is upset with the churches here because they were against the new constitution which opened the door to legalizing abortion and homosexual marriages. He has already not renewed the legal status to some large evangelical churches for this reason.

3) We've moved the location of the church in Quito several times. Since many people look at the church as a building and not as a Body of believers, this appears shady to some.

Please pray that we are able to continue with our legal status.

Beach Trip

The same weekend we were in Quito, Gloria and Olympia took the Youth Group on a retreat to the beach in Salinas - about three hours away. They returned refreshed and energized and are now preparing a drama for the Bible Club Christmas party. Since most of the parents of the children do not attend church, we are planning this as an evangelistic activity.

Fruit

When in Quito last weekend, we had the pleasure of seeing Alejandra. Mike met Alejandra eight years ago when she was in Voz Andes Hospital. He led her to the Lord, and later her family followed in this decision. Her mother and sister have been faithful in the church all these years, but Alejandra chose a rockier, wandering road. What a delight it is to see her firmly in the church again - what a mature Christian she is developing into.

Hi, from all of us in Iglesia la Gracia.

Bible Study with the Godchildren

We went to Peguche for "Day of the Dead" and had a wonderful time with our indigenous "family." One of the highlights was having a Bible study with our godchildren around the kitchen table after a lunch of three ears of corn.

We also spent a day with the church in Quito. Here we are with Pastor Juan, Norma, their daughter, Maria Belen, and Romina, a girl who started attending Bible Club and who is now running Bible Club, along with Maria Belen.

Heeeeeeeere's Johnny!!

Johnny lives near the church and has Down's Syndrome and a pigment disorder. Our church is in a rough neighborhood and Johnny has grown up the butt of many jokes and unkindnesses. He finds our church to be a haven; he attends every event and helps out with cleaning and setting up and taking down chairs. He's a valued part of our Body.

Conference with The Andersons

Wow! What a few months we've had with visitor after visitor. The icing on the cake was our visit with David and Heidi Anderson from Baltimore. Heidi shared at the Women's meeting - in words and in song. David taught meat-filled messages about The Bride of Christ.

Conference on The Holy Spirit

Travis Stevens, Toby Erwin, and David Dalkey visited us for a week and presented a conference on the Holy spirit. Travis was the keynote speaker, and Dave and Toby shared powerfully as well in the four evening conference. Evangelism and visitation were enjoyed by all. Toby and David also shared at Sue's school - planting seeds there - and at the end of the week we enjoyed a trip to the beach with a bus full of folks from the church. Thanks so much, you three, for the varied ministry and service to our Lord and Savior.

Olimpia Dragu

We are thrilled to have Olimpia Dragu here with us. She'll be part of our team for almost a year. She's settling into her apartment, and has already had the youth group over for lunch. She's an amazing people person and willing to do whatever the Body needs.

Saturdays to Grow In

We're starting a new schedule this Saturday!
10 am - Bible Club and Evangelism
12 pm - Foundations class taught by P. Mike Stevens
1 pm - Lunch - free for students
2 pm - Youth Group - led by Gloria Barriga, taught by Susan Stevens
4 pm - English class taught by Olimpia Dragu
5 pm - Evangelism
6:30 pm - I, II, III John & Revelations class taught by Eduardo Valle

All classes are free of charge!

Welcome

It's been a delightfully busy fall - delightful because of a series of visits. Our godchildren and their cousins visited from Peguche, Olimpia Dragu arrived from Romania, a group came up from Lima, Peru, and we're counting the days until our son, Travis, arrives on Saturday. He's bringing two friends with him and they will put on a conference about the Holy Spirit.

In the midst, we welcome you to our new blog. We'll try to catch you up on events in the recent past and fill you in as we go forward from here.