Broken window

We were with family at Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), when the 4.6 magnitude earthquake hit. Where we were it felt like a series of waves moving across the earth. It seemed to go on for about 35 seconds. What we heard of the quake from those in Quito was that it was very sharp and short. I suspect it has a lot to do with type of soil and what type of building you happen to be in.


When we got home, our dog was very nervous, probably in part because where she normally sleeps is directly below the window that broke and there was bits of glass all over the area. It must have been terrifying for her. The next day I went to find some glass to replace the window.

 

Allas para Volar

Con Alas para Volar (in English, "With Wings to Fly"), is a full-length movie made in Ecuador and sponsored by CristoPol (the organization of Christian Police). The plot-line follows a young couple who meet, fall in love, get married have a son and then separate. The story is told from the perspective of the son as he works at getting his parents back together. In the end the family learns about Jesus and how He needs to be Lord of their lives.

The story is great and very timely as it treats a topic which has been growing in importance here in Ecuador. The movie is receiving very positive comments from people exiting the theaters after viewing it.

Pray with us that God would use this movie to touch lives and marriages for His glory!

Closer to home

Last night at 11:23 pm we had a rude awakening. I woke up to the sound of glass smashing and then I realized that the building was shaking. Just 10 Km north-east of Quito was the epicenter for a 4.7 magnitude earthquake. It was quite shallow at a depth of 8 Km.

Joshua woke up and shouted earthquake and Joel slept through it all.

Marlene told me that the window in Joshua's room was broken and when we looked out through the curtains in our room we noticed that we didn't have much glass in our window either.

I went to find some plastic and tape to cover the windows. Before stepping too close to the building to put the plastic up, I was examining the windows and walls to make sure nothing was going to fall me.

There were two broken windows from the owner's apartment as well.

An hour later the lights came back on and we could try to get back to sleep.

From the reports we've seen this morning there was light damage, mostly broken windows and a couple of slight injuries as a result.

The personalized touch

Near the end of June we were able to share with a family who have a son who is hyperactive (Anderson, far right in the photo). They had been unable to come to one of the conferences we had given and contacted us to see if we could share with them.

Near the end of the time with them, the parents gave their hearts to Jesus! We were able to direct them to a church that is in their area of the city and we are trusting that God will continue to draw this family to Himself and help them to grow in their knowledge and love for Him.

Ministry

We had another opportunity to share with teachers at a local school about food allergies and hyperactivity. While we had a couple of technical problems, the interaction was a benefit to those present.

The group was 26 teachers and at the end several stayed behind to ask us more questions. This is a common pattern wherever we go. Always someone can identify with what we are sharing and can take the information and use it.

It is always a joy to be able to share our faith at these talks.

Spelling Bee Champ

The school the boys attend held a Spelling Bee in English with various levels for the different grades.

For the two weeks previous to the event, Joshua would come home, do his homework, and then ask me to help test him from the list of 250 words they had given him. Some of those words were fairly difficult!

From each class only a few students were picked so I guess his practicing was paying off as he was one of those selected for the competition.

When the day of the contest arrived, Marlene and I went to watch him. There was one time when he was given a word that he had difficulty spelling the night before. I was thinking, "Only one L, Only one L." He remembered his practice and spelled it correctly.

When it came down to Joshua and one other student, they went back and forth, each providing the correct answer. But then the other student made a mistake and Joshua was able to spell the word and won his level! We all thought he would just get a certificate of achievement, but he ended up with a $25 gift certificate as well. We were telling him that all of his hard work had paid off.

Garlic anyone?

We had a few garlic cloves sprout before we could use them so we decided to plant them. I've never actually seen a garlic plant live so it is kind of neat seeing them grow. They have good sunshine and water, and the soil is fertilized and the evidence is in the plants growing.

We didn't see anything for about three weeks after planting them, but just within the past two weeks they have really starting growing.

That's how it is with God's word. We can plant seeds and we can be watering seeds wherever we may go. But many times we don't see any results. That can be discouraging.

But we need to remember Paul's words to the Corinthians. "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." 1 Cor. 3:7. So, although we may not see the results immediately (or even possibly in this life), we must continue to do our part and let God do the growing.