The Body of Christ

This last month has been a great time of the Lord speaking to my heart and giving me more and more passion and peace here in Ecuador. In my last letter I shared the beginnings of some culture shock that I have been going through. Even more I have received peace upon peace from the Lord. When we feel uncomfortable, confused or maybe even angry living in another culture it is a chance to let God be glorified through our weakness. I think of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). When we all spoke the same language we tried to make a name for ourselves by making a very tall tower. God dispersed us for a reason. He confused our language for a reason - so that he would be glorified. If I am a fool so that He can be glorified then I will be a fool with all that is in me...I say this as I continue to learn and dislike being a fool sometimes! : )

In August all of our North American Potter’s Wheel students were staying in Ecuadorian homes for two weeks. This is their "homestay" that is usually the highlight of their six months here. The students take a two-week break from their classes that they take here at the base and they become a part of an Ecuadorian family for those two weeks. Just today we were all together debriefing with the students. We heard some amazing stories of how they were all stretched, frustrated and received revelation living in this different culture.

While the students were gone I had plenty of time to prepare for the upcoming IBCI graduation here in Quito this coming Saturday. Our prayer is that eventually the Ecuadorian students of IBCI would get a passion to carry on the work. IBCI is a handing off ministry. The Tena IBCI office is self run now and we are praying for that same thing here is Quito. This last month I was given the task of administrator for IBCI Quito in this interim period. Amie Youngren is the administrator over all of the Ecuador IBCI offices. Steve Youngren is the director of the IBCI offices as well as teacher for many of the classes each month. Together we have been brainstorming new policies to make this next year in Quito even stronger before the start of the new school year in October.

This last month I have also been preparing to teach New Testament Survey to the Potter's Wheel students this September and part of October. I am also preparing to teach a few discipleship courses for our morning devotions.

Heavy on my heart these days is the greater need for unity in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4). Divisions and backbiting are a daily reality in the churches here in Ecuador as well as all over the world right now. Just the other day we had a Jehovah's witness come to our door here. Mormon's are making a huge presence in the jungle areas. While we are busy fighting between denominations the enemy is taking ground with false, misleading teachings! This should not be so. I ask us all what we are going to do about it in our little corners of the world? How can we be loving our Pentecostal brother, along side the Baptist and Lutheran, alongside our Assemblies of God brother or Churches of God brother? I see so much pride and possesiveness at the root of divisions here. Are we building our own ministries and neglecting God's Church? Are we many times straining out the gnat and swallowing the camel? What happened to the city churches written to in the New Testament? What can I personally do? By God's grace and wisdom we can choose to stay out of the gossip and seek for peace amongst one another. If there is a major theological heresy we must speak the truth in love. Be in prayer with me about this. I believe this is a bigger issue than we have given credence to of late.

Prayers:

For the upcoming IBCI graduation this Saturday the 5th of September. Pray for a great time of celebration and fellowship in the Lord.

Please pray that more of the Quito IBCI students would get a passion to take IBCI on and be evangelists to their Ecuadorian brothers.

Continue to pray for Jorge and Erika - the two pastors in Chichico Rumi. Pray that those that heard the gospel in June and July's outreach would continue to grow and share with those who have not heard.

Please pray for my monthly finances. I am asking for more monthly supporters. I find I am falling short in many areas. If you would like to host a dinner or dessert to help raise support for the work here in Ecuador please contact me to receive a fundraising package in the mail.

Thanks you, thank you all for your prayers and love towards all that are near and far. We need each other in the body and I am grateful for each one of you.

Love,
Tiffany Butler