August 2024
Just a visit?
26/08/24 15:50
Juan Manuel and Susana came for visit on Saturday. They're originally from Capulispungo, but Juan found a job in a factory in Quito and managed to save enough to buy a small lot and build a few rooms to live in. Abel and Jessica were pastors of the church, but they migrated to the US. Now Juan is the leader of the church. Just a visit? No, he really came to ask for help with the church. Only five families attend, and they hold no other activities outside of Sunday worship. My suggestion? Get to know the families well. (Not easy since Juan works twelve hour shifts.) Learn where they are spiritually and what are their felt needs. Maybe they could hold a day retreat here in our home. We continue to pray for wisdom and guidance.
Servants
19/08/24 13:01
So now I'm the new president of our neighborhood! So far, we've had three community meetings in our house since March to discuss crime in the neighborhood. We held this meeting to elect a committee. My election was anonymous because I've been helping and motivating to install community alarms that can be activated from a cell phone. My motivation has been to serve the neighborhood and get to know more people. Now we have a committee of eight people I hope to get to know better. My motto is to serve and not to be served (Mark 10:45). May God bless our efforts.
Migration
12/08/24 06:40
Another call from New York. I'd been working with Vinicio with some legal work for the church. Suddenly he calls to say, "I migrated to New York with my wife and two kids." I thought I had talked him out of it, but his family and friends convinced him to go. He says he'll come back to Ecuador some day, but I doubt it. Vinicio was one of my students at the seminary in Riobamba. He actually called to discuss a problem about a pastor from Quito who is now in Baltimore. "Let the problem die by itself," I told him. The pastor is now in the US. What's the point? Then Vinicio says he wants me to dedicate his youngest child. "You'll have to return to Ecuador for me to do that." What a world we live in today! As if New York was an hour's drive away.
I'll make a list of all my Quichua friends who are now in the US:
Segundo Puculpala who had discipleship ministry in several communities;
Roberto Yasaca, who managed a hotel in Riobamba;
Marcelo and Ester, who made uniforms for schools, but couldn't find contracts. Their son Andy was my student in Sunday School, both virtual and physical.
Abel and Jessica, from Capulispungo, who were the pastors of the migrants in Quito from their community. They just decided to find a new future in the US, and escape from their debts in Ecuador.
And now Vinicio.
In the meantime, I still have contacts close by. Our alcoholic friend, Pedro, showed up last week. "I lost the key to my house," he complained. I always keep an extra copy, since this is the third time he's lost the key. "Can I wash my clothes at your house?" "Sure! Bring my the clothes and I'll put them in the washer." But he never comes with his laundry. Too embarrassed he says. Two days ago I found him in the park when I also met one of the nurses from the health center. She's also concerned about Pedro and his mental and economic condition. I asked Pedro if he was willing to go to a Rehabilitation Center. He said, "Yes," but he's very inconsistent. May God help us help him.
Battling a Cold, etc.
05/08/24 09:59
Seems our dog, Bellita, is the only one who remains healthy. I just spent five days in bed with a bad cold. Now it's Faby turn with the cold. I can't remember the last time I was sick for so long. Now I'm battling with the health insurance. They insist I knew about my heart condition previously, but I had never seen a cardiologist in my life. When I was in emergency, the doctor wrote I had "dyslipidemia." That one word is causing all kinds of problems with the health insurance. It's nerve wracking. Why can't they just pay what they promise?