Conference with Pastor Drew Part IV Quito

Oh...we love, we love, we just love Quito.
Pastor Juan and Mike

Praying for Quito

Pastor Drew making a point.

Mike and Juan

Conference with Pastor Drew part III Peguche

Although the plan was to spend a relaxing day in Peguche, eating at the "fam's", walking to the waterfall, and having a Bible study, the day ended up being a bit rushed. Mike found out once they got to Peguche that the road was soon to be closed for most of the day. So they ended up with a lot of time on busses and little time in Peguche. As you can see, though, a little relaxation and a Bible Study were fit in.

Conference with Pastor Drew part II Baños

Has the shekinah glory fallen upon Pastor Drew???
Emanuel, Eduardo, and Rachel evangelizing in the park.

Mike teaching.

Pastor Drew with Eduardo translating. I wish I were good at witty captions, for this photo deserves one.

Ecuador's been experiencing blackouts of 4 to 8 hours a day due to lack of rainfall and the fact that most of our power comes from hydroelectric damns. so here the church has a candlelight Bible Study.

Conference with Pastor Drew Part I in Guayaquil

Mike welcomes Pastor Drew Wileczek onto the platform. His messages were heart-changing, grace-filled, and convicting.
Kids gathered in front for the object lesson.

Pastor Drew and the crew from Peru relaxing at our house.

Mike's cousin's husband playing a song during worship service. Alex heads up worship at a nearby church.

Day of the Dead visit to Otavalo

Olimpia and the "fam" in Grandma's kitchen.
Yarina and Mike at the cemetery.

Guaguas de Pan (Bread Babies--traditional Day of the Dead treat)

Mike and Sue--high carb lunch of potatoes and rice.

Noemi's Quinceanera in the Country

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles was changed to Cars, Busses, Canoes, and Foot for Noemi's quinceanera (15th birthday celebration). Her mom wanted Mike to share God's Word with her family. I wish we could report many hands waving in the air to receive Christ, but unfortunately, they kind of slunk out of the room one by one on various pretexts. Those of us from the church who stayed quite enjoyed the message.

Olimpia's back and we're so happy!

After 5 months in Rumania and England, Olimpia's back and we're so thrilled.

Pastoral duties

Some pastoral duties are more fun than others. Here's Mike attending Lady Plaza's music program at school.

Recent Baños Trip

Two weeks ago, P. Mike and Enrique went to Baños. They usually have ten to twelve people come out to the Bible studies. Some highlights recently have been new believers going out evangelizing and new visitors to almost every Bible study.

Spring Semester Bible Institute

Perfect Attendees honored!
Fundamentals class receiving their certificates. Taught by P. Mike.
Gospels class receiving certificates. Taught by Eduardo Valle, not in photo.
English class--taught by Olimpia Dragu (not in photo)

Drug Rehab Ministry

The ministry in the Women's section of the drug rehab clinic is going well. Maria Burbano and Carmen Sotomayor from our church go faithfully every week. While Olimpia is in Europe, one of our elders has been teaching, but recently Maria taught for the first time--ever--and loved it! We shopped with her last night for an interactive discipleship resource that she can use with the women--finally deciding on the Navigators series.

Quick Newslets

• Mike and Eduardo returned early this morning from Banos. They spent a lot of time investing into people they'd met and had some first time visitors at the Bible Study. The regulars were asking them to come every week saying that they have a lot of questions and a great need for teaching.
• Bible College is finishing up on Saturday for the semester break. Thanks P. Mike, Eduardo, and Olimpia for teaching those classes.
• P. Mike and Sue are off for the states on Saturday. They'll be there for two months visiting family, going to the GGWO Missionary Conference, visiting churches and Mike will be officiating in the wedding of Mary Cromwell in Annapolis, Md.

Olimpia's Adieu

Olimpia went to England and Romania for the summer with plans to return in July or August. We miss her much even though it's only for a few months. Here are photos of the elders praying for a safe trip for her and of an impromptu drama: Charlie's Angels.

Banos Outreach

The Banos Outreach is going well. Twice a month, Mike and a few others are visiting and evangelizing and having Bible Studies.

New Outreach! Please Pray With Us!

P. Mike has been spying out the land, and -- unlike with the 12 spies that went into Canaan -- it's a go. God and the elders of the church (in that order) have given the green light. We're going to begin a twice monthly outreach to the town of Baños in Ecuador. Baños is in the Andes Mountains and is about halfway between Quito and Guayaquil. I think it's about a 7 1/2 hour bus trip from Guayaquil and a 3 1/2 hour bus trip from Quito.
When Mike and the folks from the Carlisle church were in Baños, several people spoke with them about starting a church. Mike returned to Baños a week later and spoke with those people again. He and the elders decided to start a twice a month trip to Baños where they will evangelize, visit people who have expressed an interest in the church, and have a Bible study. Please pray with us as we begin this outreach - Mike, Eduardo, Olimpia, and perhaps others are making the first trip this Sunday night and will stay for two days.

The city of Baños is situated on a ledge on Mount Tungurahua. It is known for it's lovely climate, Catholic Basilica, volcanic baths, and periodic volcano drills as Tungurahua is an active volcano - and the largest volcano in Ecuador.
Baños is located on the edge of the Oriente - the jungle area of Ecuador. The verdant mountains inspire wonder as we think about our amazing Creator.

The power of Tungurahua also inspires awe. We made our first friends from Baños in 2000 in Peguche. The town of Baños had to evacuate due to volcanic activity and we met a lovely couple who had to leave their hosteria (small hotel) in Baños and managed a hosteria in Peguche that we loved. Please pray for the people of Baños as we respond to the call.

Conference with Pastor Ray from Carlisle

We just finished a wonderful three-part conference with Pastor Ray and a group from the church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The first phase was in Guayaquil, the second phase was in Baños, and the third phase was in Quito. Some attended one phase, others two, and still others were able to attend all three. We had visitors from Peru as well as our visitors from the states. We had delightful times of evangelism, teaching, fellowship with one another, and just had a lot of fun whatever we did. Women's meeting in Quito.

Pastor Ray teaching and Eduardo translating in Quito.

Sue teaching at women's meeting with Silvia Albuja translating. What a team!

A group that took the teleferico up Mt. Pichincha. We were blessed with a clear day and had a wonderful time of prayer for the city of Quito.

P. Mike preaching with Eduardo translating...well...I had them get closer together so I could take a quick shot.

P. Mike and Justin Shaller heading out for some fun in Banos.

In the bus on the way to Banos.

P. Ray and P. Mike - committed teachers of God's words and friends.

Sue and Shannon doing the object lesson for the kids in Guayaquil. Just one question: Why aren't the kids facing the object lesson??

P. Mike and Sue - photo op in Guayaquil. :-)

Group from Guayaquil: P. Ray, Alice, Donna, Becky, Shannon, and Sue

Evangelizing in Guayaquil