Leaving

As planned, we are leaving Ecuador tomorrow, June 13th. We are thrilled to be leaving the church in the capable hands of Pastor Alfredo Barriga. We're not sure whether we'll be staying in the States or going to Costa Rica--we'll let you know as soon as we know! Alfredo is shown here preaching at LAMCON (Latin America Missions Conference) in Lima, Peru

Please Excuse Me . . .

 I know I haven't been too faithful keeping up this blog, and I apologize.  Last night the churches in Guayaquil and Quito combined to give us a good-bye party.  The love shown filled our hearts.  After 13 years--6 in Quito and 7 in Guayaquil--we're leaving.  We have tickets to fly to the states on the 13th of June.  God has been guiding us a bit strangely . . . not that I'm complaining, it's been quite an adventure.  He's closing lots of doors, and a few doors were open that we didn't feel were God's will.  So we're sending our stuff and heading to Florida, although I'm applying for jobs in 4 states:  Vermont, New Hampshire, Georgia, and Florida.  We don't know if this is a permanent move stateside or just for a year or two.  Time, and God, will tell.

Above are some of our beloved friends and co-laborers in the harvest.  Top row left to right Elder Raphael Marin, Gladys Marin, Pastor Juan Franco, Pastor Alfredo Barriga, Bottom row left to right, Mike, me (Sue), Norma Franco, and Gloria Barriga.

5th Annual Conference with Pastor Ray

P. Mike, P. Ray, and Guillermo (translator) praying before the service.

Yvonne (visiting from Lima, Peru) , Shane, Mike, Sue, Alice, P. Ray, and Jeff. Shane, Alice, and Jeff came with P. Ray from Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

P. Ray, Ritchie, P. Mike, Shane, and Jeff at the Malecon.

Starting the New Year With P. Stan and Karen

Mike praying before the message.

Evangelists in action!

KFC and a time of sharing with the body in Quito.

Mike getting ready to bungie off of the bridge in Banos.

P Mike

Mike's been invited to speak at various area churches. Here he is speaking at Jesus, Door to Heaven Church.

Conference on Prophesy with Pastor Sheff

Pastor Sheff, his wife Kim, and Jim Seaver came for a visit which included spending Day of the Dead in Otavalo and Peguche with our dear indigenous "family"

All participated in making gua-guas de pan, a traditional bread

The conference itself was amazing and everyone was edified.

Christmas Dinner at the Church

Mike's Birthday (Surprise!)

Everything has a slightly bittersweet tinge to it this year, as we know it's our last year here in Guayaquil. The church had a big surprise party for Mike at our house.

Baptism

Pastor Juan, Jose, and Pastor Mike

Pastor Juan, Miguelito, and Pastor Mike

P. Mike, Sue, P. Juan Jose, and Miguelito

In October we had a wonderful visit from some of our favorite Quitenos--Maria Tiban and her three sons, Jordan, Miguel, and Jose. One of the highlights of the visit was Michael baptising Miguel and Jose. They are fruit from our first year in Quito!

Evangelism Home Run

Mike came home from evangelism yesterday and told me this story, "Richie and I went out to evangelize and we looked up to the second floor of this house and saw two people sitting at a table by the window. We asked if we could come up, and they said sure once they understood what I was asking. We climbed up the ladder-like staircase on the outside of the building and when we entered, four teenagers, a child, the mom, and the dad, along with a friend who was fixing the tv, gathered around when I asked if I could tell them a story.

I told them the story of the Prodigal Son and asked them to identify the characters. Then I explained the gospel, and asked who wanted to receive Christ. It was like they were hanging on my every word. Everyone prayed to receive Christ."

We Ask for Your Prayers

In May, just before we left for the states, we announced to the church that this school year will be our last year in Guayaquil. We'll be leaving in June 2012. Please pray for a pastor to be raised up for the church in Guayaquil and for us to know God's will for our future.

Last but not Least

We finished up our 6-state stateside tour in Maine. First Mike spoke at Pastor Waterhouse's church and then he spoke at Pastor Sheff's church on a missions weekend they were having. Jim Seaver also spoke about his trips to Cuba and Quito as well as Pastor Cannon who spoke about Haiti and Debbie Colby who spoke about Thailand. The Sheff's graciously loaned us a van for the New England portion of our trip and we greatly appreciate it.

Heading home. This is the challenging part. Fitting all my books in the suitcases. It's a good thing that Mike is a GREAT packer.

Family Reunion

The highlight of this trip was our family reunion with Mike's family. Here's a shot of Mike's immediate family.

The Vermonters Welcomed Us

As usual, we visited Pastor Harold Noyes church in Vermont, and it was twice the blessing that it usually is as we got to visit with Mike's Mom & Dad at the same time as Dad is working with Harold in the church now. We are so grateful for the support we receive--both financial support and prayer support--from this church as well as the friendship we have with Harold & Patti.

We LOVE Those Quaker Staters!

From fellowship on the golf course, to time with the former Karen Sawtelle, who was a missionary to Guayaquil with her husband in the 1990's, we had a great time with our Pennsylvania friends!

Mike shared at Pastor Ray's church and with the youth group guys and Sue was able to share with the gals at a meeting held at Shane & Becky's house. We're already planning toward next year's visit from the Pennsylvanians.

Daniel Post Visits and Falls in Love

...with Guayaquil and the church here, of course.

Conference with P. Ray & P. Sheff: Quito

P. Ray, P. Mike, P. Sheff

Boys 'splaining the Sunday School lesson to Mike

"The boys" from Guayaquil.

Smile!

The Quito worship team treated us to folkloric dances

Conference with P. Ray & P. Sheff: Guayaquil

This year's conference with Pastor Ray started in Guayaquil. Seven members of his church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania came with him. We were also joined by P. Sheff, his wife, Kim, and Jim Seaver from Maine as well as Rachel Wileczek and Jamie from Peru.

We had a leadership and pizza night at our house, a beach day, and an amazing conference with the pastors. In addition, Jim Seaver taught a class on music ministry to about 20 people and Rachel taught a class on teaching children to our Bible Club and Sunday School teachers. All were well-received.

Conference with P. Ray & P. Sheff: Otavalo

The trip to Otavalo was for shopping, relaxing, and visiting our indigenous family, who guided the group to the nearby waterfall Here's Alberto (back to the camera, P. Mike, and P. Juan.)

Fairy and Shane walking toward the waterfall.

Mike greeting Michelle (one of our god-children)

Graciala, Mike, and P. Ray greeting the fam

Alice enjoying the shopping

Conference with P. Ray & P. Sheff: Baños

These photos are from Banos where the group evangelized by day and studied by night.