http://www.alangordon.org/index.htmlHot News!enen2023-12-26T10:24:41-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Mon, 9 Jan 2023 10:30:03 -0500Blog 20232023-12-26T10:24:41-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/9f6dd03ed1227f128609499f8c9c6f06-50.html#unique-entry-id-50http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/9f6dd03ed1227f128609499f8c9c6f06-50.html#unique-entry-id-50

One year with the kids! In January, Anibal asked us to help him with a new children's ministry, and that resulted in dedicating one year of Saturday afternoons to these children. This Saturday we celebrated Christmas and created a short drama of the birth of Jesus. We have a more or less stable group of six, with seven or so irregulars. Anibal wants to take a break for a few weeks. Will we continue next year? We hope so. We'll have to restructure and plan anew to keep investing in the lives of these children.



]]>Blog 20232023-12-18T15:50:34-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/178f74c08ed8f4c2676b8a6d48eab425-49.html#unique-entry-id-49http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/178f74c08ed8f4c2676b8a6d48eab425-49.html#unique-entry-id-49

They dropped by for a visit: 4 adults and 6 youth. A 4 hour drive from Guaranda. Actually, six from Guaranda, and four from Quito, but they are all family from the Quichua communities in the mountains. Two took the university entrance exams Saturday. So they are planning to study here in Quito. The youth played ping-pong and games while we adults conversed. This is the next generation. Thankfully, they haven't migrated to the US. Their future depends on their studies. Hopefully we can have a part in that and in their spiritual development.

]]>Blog 20232023-12-11T22:05:39-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/f38a593c83738dfc75f8257dc24f6420-48.html#unique-entry-id-48http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/f38a593c83738dfc75f8257dc24f6420-48.html#unique-entry-id-48
We are very thankful to God! After two or three years of battling with Faby's headaches, we have found an answer. The doctors always said that the headaches were tensional from her back neck muscles. But the medicines and treatments they recommended didn't work for Faby. One night I realized that she slept with her pillow under her shoulder and not just under her head. Also she often rested on the couch with her head bent. Correcting those two errors has really helped! We also bought an easy chair so that when she rests during the day, her head is straight and well supported. Worth the investment! We thank God that her headaches have almost disappeared. ]]>Blog 20232023-12-05T12:12:38-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/cff418aec13f247effd67d4e14ca0bf2-47.html#unique-entry-id-47http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/cff418aec13f247effd67d4e14ca0bf2-47.html#unique-entry-id-47

Not exactly another pandemic, but that's what it felt like. We haven't been able to drive out of our garage for three weeks now. (Except for two quick trips when the street was more or less pasable.) Reminded us of the lock-in during the Pandemic. Tomorrow they're supposed to clear the dirt and rocks, and so we may be able to get out again. Hopefully, this week they'll pave the street.

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To celebrate my 63th birthday, the Saturday kid's bible class held a party. We had a record of 13 kids! Of course, with finger food, pizza, cake, and ice cream, who isn't going to show up? It's a nice group. We hope and pray that all of them will continue to come for the bible lessons.

On a different note, we continue to talk with the folks in the park, getting to know their stories. One of them, Pedro, sleeps on the street. Would you believe he owns a house? Last night he told us that since a group is smoking marihuana in his house, he prefers to sleep in the park. What a story!

]]>Blog 20232023-11-21T17:59:23-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/6e01cd972ed049fe6006d69f47164fa6-45.html#unique-entry-id-45http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/6e01cd972ed049fe6006d69f47164fa6-45.html#unique-entry-id-45

Since we're not traveling anymore, our focus is the park in front of our house. I've been maintaining the water fountain and meeting lots of people. A group of jobless men hang out daily in the park. They tend to spend their time drinking. Faby and I both talk with them and are making friendships. We need lots of prayer. Only God can change their lives. Here Faby is talking with a group of them on the park bench.

Last Monday I met an "angel." I was digging the ground in the park to repair the water line to the public restrooms, when a young fellow approached and said, "May I help you." I was shocked! No one has ever asked me that. Most people think I'm getting paid by the town. He took over my digging and then for the next two hours helped to change the main water valve to the bathrooms. Turned out he's our next door neighbor. He knew me, but I didn't know him. One of the differences is that he's Venezuelan. For some reason, many Ecuadorians think work is degrading. I didn't know how to thank him enough. Then yesterday he came over and asked if I had a drill. They just moved from the first floor to the second floor of the house and needed to do some installations. So I spent some time helping him.

We're getting to know our neighbors.
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I admire the perseverance of Anibal. For various reasons, (health, holidays, elections), we haven't been able to help out for the past six weeks. But Anibal does the best he can, and the children keep coming. This Saturday I felt out of shape. I had prepared a drama lesson on the Day of Atonement, with the children as the actors. We tried acting out the whole process, but the children were restless, and I realized that I have to adapt my strategy to a new group of children. New for me, since I've been out of action for a while. All in a day's work. ]]>Blog 20232023-11-03T10:33:31-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/d60449596154aa6909a3c4eaac47f91b-43.html#unique-entry-id-43http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/d60449596154aa6909a3c4eaac47f91b-43.html#unique-entry-id-43

Monday morning Faby woke up feeling well. So I said, "Let's go to Riobamba." We hadn't been there for almost a year. I needed to register our pickup truck there, plus we wanted to check on our apartment, which is now empty and ready to sell. Faby made the trip okay and we were able to register the truck and visit some folks. The trip back was difficult for Faby who suffered the whole way with a headache, but we were glad we made the trip. It brought back lots of good memories.

]]>Blog 20232023-10-28T11:21:46-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/820c36d054066ac65faa6d397fb52c30-42.html#unique-entry-id-42http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/820c36d054066ac65faa6d397fb52c30-42.html#unique-entry-id-42

The right timing. Friday we sponsored a community meeting about crime prevention. Our back yard serves well. About twenty persons attended. The purpose was to coordinate community alarms to alert everyone when someone spots suspicious activity. We plan to install four sirens. I was glad to meet new neighbors. After all, that's my purpose.
]]>Blog 20232023-10-19T20:52:02-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/288b2f6fe91156db692f1398fa2e3ef8-41.html#unique-entry-id-41http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/288b2f6fe91156db692f1398fa2e3ef8-41.html#unique-entry-id-41
God, grant me
The serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

I would add to the last line "and the timing." Because often I can't change something now, but if I wait for the right moment, yes I can make a change. Here in El-Tingo, I want to make small changes. The challenge is to coordinate with the neighbors. That requires waiting for the right moment.
I had to wait for the right moment to gain control of the water fountain and do the maintenance, but I'm still waiting for the community coordinator to let folks know what I'm doing.
The neighborhood wants a community alarm to alert everyone when thieves are present. I had a siren. I bought a smart plug, and installed both, connecting them to the internet. I can connect everyone's telephone to the siren, but the right moment has not arrived. I have to wait.

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"It's not my job!" Is the usual attitude toward anything outside one's house. "Leave it to the city maintenance."
In order to serve others and to get to know our neighbors, I decided to take on the job of cleaning and maintaining the water fountain in the park. (I did this several years ago also.) It took my a while to get the key to the water tank and pump, but since no one keeps the fountain clean and working, I finally got "permission" to cut off the old padlock and put on a new one. (We couldn't figure out who had the key.) So now every week I drain the fountain, sweep it out, and turn the pump back on. As a result, I meet people in the park. Getting reacquainted with our neighbors is the first step toward sharing our faith. Mat 5:16
]]>Blog 20232023-10-05T09:52:31-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/62de214f0517828ba7cdce6ac30746b0-39.html#unique-entry-id-39http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/62de214f0517828ba7cdce6ac30746b0-39.html#unique-entry-id-39

I was looking for someone to paint this picture. Then I realized that I could cut and paste images with the computer.
When David fought Goliath, he trusted God for the victory (1 Sam 17:37,47). My interpretation is that an angel struck Goliath and knocked him out. David's stone only gave the angel the signal.
My prayer is to see the spiritual reality that surrounds us. God is always at work. His angels never rest. Science has blinded our vision. We only see the physical world. O Lord, open our eyes that we may see (2 Kings 6:17).
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A parade blocked the road. We had to make a detour. The town was celebrating the Virgen. We arrived late. Anibal wasn't there. None of the kids showed up for the Bible class.
Then Anibal arrived with two new girls: Anahí and Luna. We didn't hold a formal class, but talked around the small tables and reviewed last week's lesson and craft. Then Anahí told me why she had come. Nicol, (photo below), is her friend at school. (Nicol is our most faithful student in the class since February.) And when they get together at recess, they talk about God!
The apostle Paul often wondered whether his efforts were in vain or not (Gal. 2:2; 4:11; 1 Cor 15:2; 1 Tes.3:5). Just hearing that Nicol is sharing her faith with her friends at school, makes our efforts worth it. 1 Cor.15:58

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We have continued the Wednesday night Bible studies since February. It's been a small group, but recently two more couples have joined us. I enjoy Pastor Alberto's visit, because his church nearby is Quichua. So I get to practice my limited Quichua with him. The group is diverse, but we're getting to know each other better. ]]>Blog 20232023-09-11T12:22:13-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/2a5ed645d8df617e1f7b5123fd072eed-36.html#unique-entry-id-36http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/2a5ed645d8df617e1f7b5123fd072eed-36.html#unique-entry-id-36

I was doing pretty well with keeping the kids of all ages together for the Bible class until … we starting looking up and reading Bible verses. Then the younger ones got bored and restless. So … I had to plan one activity for the younger and another for the older. The craft (paper folding and drawing) they can still do together, but we really need another teacher for the smaller ones.


]]>Blog 20232023-09-04T09:23:30-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/e63b9095f0975c1c674730877f6ad6ec-35.html#unique-entry-id-35http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/e63b9095f0975c1c674730877f6ad6ec-35.html#unique-entry-id-35

Sunday, 1pm. We're about to sit down for lunch. The food is on the table, and the doorbell rings. A family arrives at the back entrance: Javier, Carolina, and their son Matias, whom we have known for several years. Carolina has worked in our home. They came to visit. We gave them some oranges while we returned to our lunch. Then we talked, played games, talked, shared coffee, solved puzzles, and talked. They left at 7pm. We all enjoyed the time together. More and more I'm convinced that people long for fellowship in a home. We can provide that. Romans 12:13 - "Practice hospitality."]]>Blog 20232023-08-28T14:42:46-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/c202be049f1e566bfc9344af701b1dfd-34.html#unique-entry-id-34http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/c202be049f1e566bfc9344af701b1dfd-34.html#unique-entry-id-34 ===

The first example holds 4 pictures, seen by folding and opening in the middle. The second example folds into a box.
The first is the story of Abraham and Isaac, and the second shows pictures of Jesus' birth.
I use these (and others) with the kids on Saturdays. Works better for me than just narrating the story. The kids enjoy coloring their example which I print in black and white.

===



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School starts tomorrow, Tuesday, for these kids. So next Saturday, we hope to see a more stable group. Of these six, only three can read. The others are too young. Although the youngest girl in front of me stays attentive when I work with the older ones, the two across from me have a short attention span. Faby helped me keep those two occupied. I was pleased that the three older ones really enjoyed looking up Bible verses. We're memorizing the first 5 books of the OT and the first 4 of the NT. They themselves have made it a competition to see who finds a verse first. Hopefully, next week, we'll have another 4 who can read. Then we'll see what to do with the younger ones. Always a challenge.
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Take a lesson from our dog, "Bellita:" sit back and relax, and trust God for His timing. School starts next week for the kids. During vacation the attendance has been irregular. I hope that will change when classes start. Our Wednesday night Bible study continues. More than a class, the group is becoming a family. Not sure where we're going from here, but the two couples and single woman are faithful attenders.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul."
Psalm 143:8


]]>Blog 20232023-08-07T10:11:50-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/0e252d4896afb1764fba244e23c92afa-31.html#unique-entry-id-31http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/0e252d4896afb1764fba244e23c92afa-31.html#unique-entry-id-31

Good to see Faby back in action again. Still struggling with health issues, headaches and memory, but we're trusting God for each day.
This week God led us to a Quichua church only 15 minutes from our home! We're talking with the pastor about where we might fit in and help.


]]>Blog 20232023-07-31T12:57:38-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/823b598b575492ee0546aa9299764659-30.html#unique-entry-id-30http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/823b598b575492ee0546aa9299764659-30.html#unique-entry-id-30

Danilo came to Quito for an eye checkup. (We have known him and worked in his community for several years.) Friday, we picked him up from the bus stop and drove into Quito for the appointment. I assumed he would return to his community, Shobol Llinllin, Saturday morning. He decided to stay for Saturday. We took an outing to a bird preserve. In the afternoon, we led our weekly bible class for kids at Anibal's home.That night we played Rummi. Sunday, Danilo and his sister, Valeria, slept in. He had told me he wanted to leave around noon. At 1pm, we all decided to cook up a big lunch. He seemed reluctant to leave at 3pm. He confessed he had enjoyed a wonderful vacation from the stress of work and school. Nothing like a home and refuge for a weary friend. ]]>Blog 20232023-07-24T22:02:46-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/d76c80b6fd16ae26a1830c06b3f8dffa-29.html#unique-entry-id-29http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/d76c80b6fd16ae26a1830c06b3f8dffa-29.html#unique-entry-id-29

Not one person in this photo has previously enjoyed a stable home with both parents. (Not even Faby.) Jorge and Vilma live with us.This is Vilma's family: her second husband, four children, and three grandchildren. (Plus her son's girlfriend.) They spent Sunday afternoon at our place celebrating Scarlet's 10th birthday. Two of Vilma's grandchildren are spending their vacations here at our house. They prefer staying here than at their own homes. Vilma's daughter is also living with us along with her son. He enjoys playing here with his cousin and uncle (5 year old). Our house has become a home and place of refuge and security for most of these folks. Our ministry to them is being an example of a couple sharing their home with others.
(Correction: Vilma's youngest, Neytan, 5 years old, is now enjoying a stable home.)]]>Blog 20232023-07-17T15:36:07-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/7a8eba73ce85c831dff6e1212f83701a-28.html#unique-entry-id-28http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/7a8eba73ce85c831dff6e1212f83701a-28.html#unique-entry-id-28

The pastor of Capulispungo, Antonio, dropped by on Sunday. He was visiting some of his folks from Capulispungo. Usually he stays with his oldest daughter, Ester, but she, along with her husband and children, have migrated to New York. So he told me a while back that he would need a place to stay. Glad to see him after some time. We got caught up on each other. Capulispungo no longer has youth or children. All have left the community. Andy, Ester's son, had attended my bible classes for children for over a year, both presencial and virtual. I was anxious to "see" them and since his grandfather was with me, we gave them a call. I was able to talk to Ester, her husband, Marcelo, and Andy. They're fine, but I could tell they were lonely. Not easy to migrate to the US. Since they have no papers, they cannot be employed. They can only do temporary jobs that pay cash. The conversation woke me up to their reality. But there's no turning back. They have to stay and work til they can pay off their debts here in Ecuador.
After the call, Antonio and I talked about the future of Capulispungo. Most have turned to raising cows and selling the milk. They really need to process their own milk, but the older folk have habits hard to break, and they're content with just selling the milk to the truck that passes by daily. Youth have energy and ideas, but they don't want to stay in the community. For them, their future is elsewhere.
Many folks and institutions want to help these communities, but it's not easy. They will have to decide to change, if they want a new future.
]]>Blog 20232023-07-10T09:41:55-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/326a85c3e183d6b267b2eb8267534e6a-27.html#unique-entry-id-27http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/326a85c3e183d6b267b2eb8267534e6a-27.html#unique-entry-id-27

KIds: Since school is out, some of the kids are on vacation, visiting their relatives in other regions. So we only had three this Saturday. Still, those who come are eager to do so. We continue with the bible lessons: the 12 tribes of Israel.
Faby: Still struggling with the headaches, although they are not so frequent. Physical therapy seems to help a lot. We continue trying to learn the correct exercises.

]]>Blog 20232023-07-03T17:43:04-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/0d2bdce8834c4e16795cf2c8934836f0-26.html#unique-entry-id-26http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/0d2bdce8834c4e16795cf2c8934836f0-26.html#unique-entry-id-26
I maintain that learning needs to be active. Listening to someone talk is the least effective method. Planning the activities is the burden of the teacher. I continually pray for creativeness and effectiveness. The computer and printer are my main tools for now. This lesson on God's covenant with Abraham. I thought went over pretty well. We read Genesis 15 together. They tried to count stars I had printed on one sheet. Then we ripped three printouts of animals in half and passed a lit candle through the middle. The next sheet had questions with the answers in a word search. Finally they colored the two scenes of Abraham counting the stars and the fire passing through the animals. I think I enjoyed preparing the class as much as they enjoyed the paper work.

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Saturday we reviewed and made a list of all the generations from Abraham to Jesus, which we find in Matthew, chapter one. (I illustrated generations with photos of six generations in my family.) I've never seen a lesson on this before. In fact, I've seen a lesson book for children that starts with the Creation and the Fall, and then jumps to Jesus dying for our sins, totally ignoring just about all the the Old Testament story and context for Jesus' coming. The generations in Matthew 1 link Jesus to the history of Israel, beginning with Abraham, not with the Creation.
After the children highlighted and decorated each name, and we taped them to the wall, God inspired me with a key question: "Who comes after Jesus in this genealogy?" We all had to think about that for a minute. Who are the children of Jesus? We are! And our memory verse is John 1:12. To be followed by Galatians 3:7.

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Should you separate the children into age groups or keep them all in one group? The pros say you should separate them, and I have always agreed until now. If it's a small group, and the kids are relatives, the smaller ones feel better with their siblings. It's more challenging for the teacher to accommodate their methods to the different ages, but I've always asked, "Should the teacher accommodate to the students or the students to the teacher?" I take the former. The burden is on the teacher, not the student. (In the indigenous communities we worked with, I have seen that the kids are comfortable with all ages staying together.)
So this Saturday, among seven kids, the ages ranged from 5 to 13. But they're all either siblings or friends. So they feel comfortable and work together. The challenge was mine to keep them all occupied and learning. We were reviewing the seven parables in Matthew 13. I avoid a verbal lesson. Rather I made flash cards, and we played matching games. Of course the bigger kids always win, but the smaller ones never complain. I have learned also that every age so far enjoys drawing and coloring, so we end the class with art.
Afterwords Anibal, our sponsor, asked me, "If more kids come, should we divide them into age groups?" So far my answer is negative, but we'll see.


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Beautiful to see how God has put together a team for working with the children. We didn't even plan it that way. Anibal wanted to work with children; God had us meet unexpectedly; Jorge and Vilma come with us. Anibal invites the children; Faby and I give the class; and Jorge and Vilma take care of the snack and cleanup. What a team! Everyone does their part.
This Saturday set a new record of attendance: nine kids! Margori invited a friend; plus we were missing one faithful attendee: Josue. The ministry is God's; we are his instruments.


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You would say I minister to the kids, but really they minister to me. It is more blessed to give than to receive, and when I prepare a class and teach these kids, it ministers to me. We are learning the seven parables in Matthew 13 about the kingdom of God, and they are preparing a booklet that summarizes each parable. I see they are memorizing the lessons, but the real blessing has been for me to understand and apply them as never before.


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I told the leader who takes us to the rural school that we can no longer help. Until Faby's health returns to 100% is just too difficult to travel one hour to the school, give the class, and return along the cobblestone road. Not a decision I enjoy, but family is priority over ministry. We did give the class on Saturday, since it's nearby, but even then, Faby stayed in the car resting. Her recovery is going to take a while. We continue to pray and rest in the Lord.
BTW, the balloon is an illustration of the Parable of the Yeast. I used vinegar and baking soda. But the idea is that God works in our lives. We can't see him, but we can see the changes.
(Video: remembering good times.)
]]>Blog 20232023-05-18T22:56:54-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/42592f74e1e2757ff295e0f4c822d191-20.html#unique-entry-id-20http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/42592f74e1e2757ff295e0f4c822d191-20.html#unique-entry-id-20

Today I met my new students: eleven in all. The director gave us one hour to work with them. We began by listing the Ten Commandments, and then decorated our title piece for the hanging craft. My challenge is to reflect with them on the meaning of each Commandment. Most of my time I spent learning their names: Dorian, Angelo, Zaira, Dana, Lucia, Naomi, Camila, Leyla, Mateo, Jairo, and Luis.
I have meditated on the Ten Commandments, and through the influence of Jesus' interpretation of the Law in Matthew 5, plus John Murray's book "Principles of Conduct," have come up with "The Ten Commandments Applied." This is the positive side of the Commandments, eight of which are stated negatively. So the goal is to see the reverse side where one has to actively pursue an objective rather than avoid committing an error. Of course you can also sum up the first four Commandments in "Love God with all your heart," and the following six Commandments in "Love your neighbor as yourself."



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So here are the kids that the church group plans to work with. The drive took about an hour from our home. Almost like our trips from Riobamba to the communities. This place is called "Santo Domingo" and is in the mountains east of us. Not as high up as in Chimborazo, but still in a very rural area. Our visit was brief, my objective was just to see the children, the classrooms, and the school setup. Pretty nice actually. The plan is to visit once a week for an hour class on morals. We'll see. Not only are we getting to know the children, but also the church folks we will work with.

]]>Blog 20232023-05-07T15:16:45-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/6a9a117beffcb41507a984a745892937-18.html#unique-entry-id-18http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/6a9a117beffcb41507a984a745892937-18.html#unique-entry-id-18

We attended the same church as last Sunday, where we plan to work with kids in a rural community. But they also have a bible class for children during the service. So today we went with the purpose of seeing their children's program. In one room, around one table, sat 9 kids, from ages five to thirteen. I figured they had three age groups: five to seven, eight to eleven, and twelve to thirteen. The leader shared the story of Moises and then had the kids draw what they learned. i got involved in some paper folding to make their drawing more interesting. Plus Faby and I led a song at the end. Afterwards we talked with the director of the children's program. Each week a different teacher leads the class. Why? 1) Lack of volunteers to teach; 2) "You need to attend the service to be spiritually fed." The first comment explains why they don't divide the children into age groups. The last comment saddens me to think that Christians only feed themselves in church. What a need for personal devotions and bible study! Well, for now, my solution is to help all I can with the children's program. We'll see how it goes. They did put us in the list of available teachers.
]]>Blog 20232023-05-06T15:10:32-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/601a537d998bd9372d39f6ca765af31c-17.html#unique-entry-id-17http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/601a537d998bd9372d39f6ca765af31c-17.html#unique-entry-id-17

So you prepare for the bible class for kids 8 to 12 years old. The kids arrive. Six of them. But… four of them are less than six years old! So… while I'm playing the guitar and Faby is leading the songs, I'm thinking, "What am I going to do with these four youngsters?" OK, kids love to draw and color. So we'll start with that, and while they're busy, I'll try to teach the lesson on the Parable of the Mustard Seed to the two older kids. Now, Anibal our host, is with us, plus Jorge, who lives with us and comes with his son. i find that I'm not teaching the lesson just to the two older kids, but also to the two adults who are right with us. I think Anibal is the one I'm really teaching. The kids enjoy the songs, games, and crafts. One sows, another reaps. This is definitely sowing. ]]>Blog 20232023-04-30T08:25:47-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/90515295e8540fba72dda53f0d59d10a-16.html#unique-entry-id-16http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/90515295e8540fba72dda53f0d59d10a-16.html#unique-entry-id-16

I'll be honest: I have a hard time sitting for two hours in a worship service here in Ecuador. i don't do anything. I need to congregate with other Christians and contribute to the building up of the body of Christ. Since the Pandemic and our decision to stop traveling to Riobamba, we haven't found a nearby church where we can integrate and contribute. We have attended three, but that's all we've done: attend. This morning God reminded me of a nearby church, that we know, and I remembered they are more interested in community service than the worship service. They still hold a service, but in a rented house, and the service is outside under tents.
We arrived late, heard the end of the sermon, and then the announcements. They need volunteers to help teach kids in a school way up in the mountains, east of us. Right up my line: kids, and an indigenous community in the mountains about 45 minutes from here! And the coordinator at the church accepted the invitation to meet at our home this Wednesday to plan. Now that's participating in a church. God leads, we follow.
]]>Blog 20232023-04-22T21:35:56-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/df2e1691562c927208ddbb278ab71294-15.html#unique-entry-id-15http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/df2e1691562c927208ddbb278ab71294-15.html#unique-entry-id-15

I don't often get a shot with me in it. Anibal took the photo. He's the one who invited us to help him hold Bible classes for kids. God leads us. I don't often choose the ministry. God puts people in our path and they ask us for help. That's been the pattern in our years here in Ecuador. I never planned to work with the Quichua, but a friend invited me to teach in the seminary and from there we received invitations to work in the communities. I started working with kids just before the Pandemic, because we needed someone to teach the kids (here in our home) during the worship service. Now I enjoy it more than preaching to adults. Even our Wednesday night Bible study began because a friend, Hernan, wanted to attend a Bible study. God leads; we follow.

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Ruben and Noemí came all the way from their community "Cachisagua," a four-hour drive, to visit us! Wow! Laura, their niece, came also. Both Ruben and Laura were students at the "Semila" seminary in Riobamba. I've known them for years, and we've visited their community many a time. But they had never seen our home. At last, the day arrived! We gave them a full tour, plus a meal. Nothing like seeing old friends.




]]>Blog 20232023-04-06T10:28:12-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/4c9e6570ade09e9d96ea33138ce983d8-13.html#unique-entry-id-13http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/4c9e6570ade09e9d96ea33138ce983d8-13.html#unique-entry-id-13

One of those days when God gives you a "revelation:" if you can't travel and visit, use today's technology! How many people work from their homes? Today with smart phones, zoom, whatsapp, the web, etc. I can still have a wide ministry and all from our home. Why didn't I think of that before? God provides the means and the methods.
Luis Ortiz lives in the mountain countryside of Guamote. He calls and asks for help in teaching his seminary class. Abel lives here in Quito. We often talk about his church and their future. Segundo Puculpala has migrated to New York. He often asks for help with material for bible studies. Danilo lives in a rural community somewhat distant from Riobamba. i call to see how he's doing with his university studies. I have often lent him some money to register for classes. And I stay at home to take care of Faby. Praise God! The ministry continues!]]>Blog 20232023-03-29T19:25:01-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/04e539a562d51bb997ca5982ca9340f2-12.html#unique-entry-id-12http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/04e539a562d51bb997ca5982ca9340f2-12.html#unique-entry-id-12

I have learned in working with the Quichua that most cannot read a map. I can imagine that in the mountains with few roads, you navigate mostly by looking at the mountains. Luis Ortiz (who lives way up in the Andes Mountains in "Sablog") calls me to ask for help in teaching a bible geography class. He sends me the class syllabus. It has no maps! How can you teach a geography class without maps? He even confessed to me that he's not very good with maps. So I sent him some maps from a Bible atlas. Then we had our own class: we reviewed several maps of both Old and New Testament. Also, from my experience with the Quichua, I find the best way to teach is to have the students draw/copy the map on the clean sheet of paper. Then ask them to find various places on the map. He's teaching this course by petition of the main indigenous seminary in Colta, Chimborazo. So I have the privilege of teaching the teacher.
]]>Blog 20232023-03-23T21:11:57-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/b6fef62a3d6f2493baa20d2756093266-11.html#unique-entry-id-11http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/b6fef62a3d6f2493baa20d2756093266-11.html#unique-entry-id-11

Tuesday, Palm Missionary Ministries, to which we belong, held its first gathering of most of the missionaries here in Ecuador. I had seen most of them in photos, but we finally met each other in person for a time of sharing and fellowship.
One of them, Pedro Pablo, is a Quichua pastor from Riobamba. The next day he came to our house for a visit, and I felt like I was back among the Quichua in Riobamba. We had a lot in common, and had a lot to talk about. He may use our house on Sunday for baptizing some members of his church. He also needs help in developing a web page for his foundation. The ministry among the Quichua continues.

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We continue to struggle with Faby's headaches. Some days are good days and others are tough. Although it's becoming a way of life, we pray for healing. God is good and He is faithful! Psalm 143:8
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We no longer travel to the Quichua communities in Chimborazo, but the contacts remain. Last Saturday we received a visit from Abel Coro and his family. They are from Capulispungo, but now live in Quito. We had a good visit got caught up with them.



Then Monday, I received a call from Segundo Puculpala. Who lived in the mountains, but has migrated to New York. He now pastors a church in Queens of an Ecuadorian congregation. He called to ask me for advice and help to promote his ministry.


Then, Wednesday, Luis Ortiz calls me from his community, Sablog. He just bought a new computer and didn't know how to install Word. Together we figured out how to use Google Docs.


Finally, Juan Manuel, another migrant from Capulispungo, now living in Quito, calls me just to say Hi.

Then, out of the blue, I see a message from Luis: "Where's the bible verse that says we should be silent in the temple?" (Hab 2:20) I answered, but still don't know why he's asking the question.

We may not be traveling, but our friends still seek us.]]>Blog 20232023-03-05T17:34:18-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/ba66fabbbba451718fe0054dd65bae99-8.html#unique-entry-id-8http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/ba66fabbbba451718fe0054dd65bae99-8.html#unique-entry-id-8

Looks like this ministry may go on for a while. At least this group of kids is faithful. Now I realize that all my work last year in teaching kids on Zoom is paying off. I'm enjoying the classes and the kids do too. We have a plan to study events in the life of Jesus. This lesson covered Jesus healing the paralytic. Anibal continues to invite the children in his neighborhood. May God bless this effort to teach a few kids about Him!



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God works in wonderful ways. I thank God for the gifts he gives to each and every person. The children's Bible class on Saturday afternoons is an example. Even though he's 71 years old, Anibal has the gift of inviting children to his home. At 3pm, we sit outside his house and wait for the kids to arrive. Faby has the gift of giving the Bible lesson. She knows how to keep their attention. That's not my forte. I've discovered that I'm good at crafts, especially with paper folding. We studied the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. Anibal invited the kids; Faby told the story; and I had the kids fold and cut paper to make and paint 16 bread rolls. God gives the gifts and puts together the team. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

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As usual, we haven't planned and started new ministries, but people ask us for help. Our Wednesday night bible study in our home started with a visit to Hernan Taco, who lives nearby, and he wanted to join a bible study. The Saturday afternoon children's class began when we ran into an old friend we hadn't seen in some 15 years. He was about to begin a children's ministry in his home and asked us for help, since he has no experience with kids. Thus we go where God leads.

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"Can you help my daughter?" We received the call from Riobamba on Monday night. Her daughter Evelyn has a job offer, but needs a driver's license. She fulfilled all the requirements, but the computer system wouldn't let her pay. The only way to solve the problem was to travel to Quito to the national Motor Vehicle office and get them to annul the payment, so she could re-enter it. "Okay. We'll pick her up at the south end of Quito tomorrow at 8am." We drove her around all day, but we did get the problem solved. (She would have never found her way around Quito.) She's a recent agronomy graduate and will work visiting farming sites as soon as she can get her driver's license. ]]>Blog 20232023-02-03T16:10:52-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/48a2d53bd6a5e6c42b750da2af48e6c9-4.html#unique-entry-id-4http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/48a2d53bd6a5e6c42b750da2af48e6c9-4.html#unique-entry-id-4

Always good to have a visit from family. My brother Donald and his wife Marianne came for five days. We enjoyed the time with them as we traveled some, ate together, talked and shared.

]]>Blog 20232023-01-26T12:08:11-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/d801ecefccc2797b59a1d8b74aa8af83-3.html#unique-entry-id-3http://www.alangordon.org/blog-6/files/d801ecefccc2797b59a1d8b74aa8af83-3.html#unique-entry-id-3
I had thought our ministry with the Quichua communities had ended. Yesterday I received a call from New York. Who? Segundo Puculpala who lived one hour south of Riobamba in a community called Santa Julia. We worked with him and his communities for several years. He has migrated to New York area. In Queens he is now pastoring a church of Ecuadorian immigrants. His call was for pastoral help. Three couples in his church are living together with children, but are not married. Can/should they be leaders in the church? We talked for two hours. He may be in New York, but he still seeks us for help. Our ministry with the Quichua may not be over. It simply moved to New York.
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Somebody's got to do it …
1. but it ain't gonna be me.
2. So I'll do it.
Two different attitudes toward community needs.
"Let us not become weary of doing good. For at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Gal. 6:9
Here in Ecuador lies a fine line between being a servant and being a fool. If you do community service you may well be seen as a fool. Most people say, "That's not my job."
This week they paved the road in front of our house. The side road needed repairs. As a result they left a huge pile of rock and dirt in the middle of the side road.
My goal is to serve the neighborhood and thus get to know the people better. I'm convinced people want to see the Christian life in action. So with the help of Jorge, who lives with us, we backed my pickup truck up to the pile and began to shovel the rocks and dirt into the truck. Two neighbors came out to help. It took two loads to clean up the road.
Am I a servant of Christ or a fool?
Jesus came to serve, not to be served. Mk 10:45
I pray the neighbors will see Christ in me.
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After three and a half years as Administrator of the apartment building in Riobamba, we held a General Assembly to elect a new administrator and treasurer. The photo shows that our apartment is now empty and ready for sale. We are called to serve, and I did so eagerly for several years. I was disappointed that no one volunteered to be the new administrator. Few are willing to serve. So we had to draw lots for the new administrator and treasurer. I'm not sure that's going to work, but that's what the majority decided. I'm convinced the newly elected are going to want some help. So I plan to continue to serve as long as I can. I guess I haven't finished yet in Riobamba.

Mark 10:45
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We started the New Year with Faby's birthday. We pray for her good health and many more years of serving the Lord together.

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