Where to start? The time that the group was here was amazing. Many things did not go as "planned" but everything worked together for God's glory. It was wonderful to have Tuan Nghiem and Mark Erickson here. They threw themselves into the "bootcamp" (the first couple of days here where they are challenged with situations and experiences to get them into a cross-cultural mindset) and into the outreach in Chichico Rumi.
Thanks to all of you who were praying for Linda. She is the mother of one of the missionary gals here. Linda was to come down several days before the jungle outreach and prepare the group for the children's activities. She had started on her adventure Saturday, the 13th of June, and arrived Thursday, June 18th. She was flying standby and she kept getting pushed aside...even to the extent that she was supposed to be on one flight but they overlooked her...but not before her luggage was put on board and went ahead of her to Ecuador! It seemed the enemy was really trying to throw the whole event off. God really spoke to Linda about all of this. Even though the enemy was trying to stop the event, God used it so that we wouldn't rely on our own plans but that we would rely on Him. If she had been there with plenty of time we may have relied on how prepared we were...but we needed to totally rely on God.
Friday in Chichico Rumi some of us painted a local school and others laid brick for the back wall of the church. We then had a couple hours of games in the afternoon and invited the kids back Saturday for more games and activities. Saturday morning right as we were starting the outreach the skies opened up and poured out much rain on the tin roof of the church. Linda had to use the microphone so that she could be heard.
During the day there were several games and activities going on, including a parachute game, face painting, coloring, and duck, duck, goose. During the games Linda and I would take aside 8-10 kids to present the Gospel to them. The first group we had consisted of ten kids...9 of which excepted the Lord! Other groups we would gather maybe only one child would receive Jesus...but after the whole weekend there were about 30 kids who had received Jesus! Some of the older kids received Bibles and during the activities started a more in depth Bible study time with Mark Erickson and some of the other Ecuadorian youth who had come with us from Quito. They started by writing down the Roman's Road verses and had discussions.
What touched me very much was watching Pastor Jorge during the Sunday service. There were several kids there and adults in the service. I am not sure how many usually attend the Sunday service, but just to see how he was looking out on the congregation with such love in his eyes just melted my heart. Jorge and Erika are the ones planting the church there in Chichico Rumi and his eyes looked like he was seeing a glimpse of his answered prayers for that area.
Mark and Tuan returned to Seattle this last Wednesday. Thursday Potter's Wheel students started arriving. Again, Potter's Wheel is the 6 month discipleship training school held here at the house with North Americans. We started orientation for Potter's Wheel today.
There has been some time to rest these last few days...which has been great! : ) I am so excited to be here and to work with Steve and Sandi Youngren as well as Amie Youngren and the rest of the team.
Thanks you all again and again for your prayers! I am in continual need of them. Please continue to pray for:
The Ecuadorian people: more opportunities for people to hear about Jesus and begin a relationship with God through His Son.
Health
For my father back home: he has lost all ability to walk at this point after the knee surgery and they don't know why. Please pray that he would run to Jesus and that he would receive healing.
For the Potter's Wheel students that will be here for the next 6 months: that they would be impacted with God's Word and His mission.
For the staff here. For strength and wisdom.
Thank you all for your support! If anyone would like to give an offering to the work here in Ecuador please give all offerings to
Sonrise Chapel - 11625 Airport Rd Ste D Everett, WA 98204 425.355.9129 Office
If you don't want to remain anonymous please let Sherrie know to let me know...I really like to know who to thank!
You can also contact me via facebook or by email holygroundhere@yahoo.com
Love in Christ,
Tiffany
