http://www.alangordon.org/index.htmlHot News!enen2024-12-27T09:45:39-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Sun, 7 Jan 2024 12:17:33 -0500Blog 20242024-12-27T09:45:39-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/9ec1ca8b4c91cee030f6328e075e2c0c-49.html#unique-entry-id-49http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/9ec1ca8b4c91cee030f6328e075e2c0c-49.html#unique-entry-id-49

Christmas thought: he resigned his position as president to become the janitor. Phil 2:6-8. Who in the world would do that? Leave the throne to be born in the kitchen sink (our modern version of a manger).
Humility comes before honor in the kingdom of God. Prov 15:33 Luke 14:11

Our mom had put a small card on the refrigerator which I can never forget: “I said, somebody has to do something. Then I realized; I was somebody.”
The modern version would be: “It’s not my job, but yet it is!” Clean the toilet. Pick up the trash. Stop the car and help the drunkard lying on the sidewalk. What would Jesus do? What did he do? "The greatest is the servant." (Mt 23:11)]]>Blog 20242024-12-20T09:39:47-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/ae815cd0c7b069b715fb373c47b493d0-48.html#unique-entry-id-48http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/ae815cd0c7b069b715fb373c47b493d0-48.html#unique-entry-id-48

What is the greatest commandment? Jesus answered, “Love God, but the second is like it: Love your neighbor.” (Mt 22:37-39) John explained: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 Jn 4:21) So how do we show our love for God? By loving our neighbor. The two commands are really one and the same!
And Who is my neighbor? Is he in the church or in the community? Both. But its easy to love those in the church. Serving outside the church is different. Whatever you did for one of the least you did for me, said Jesus. (Mt 25:40) Paul added, At the proper time we will reap a harvest. (Gal 6:9)
El Tingo is traditionally Catholic. They are our neighbors. We serve others to show our love for God. God gives the harvest in His time and in His way.

In the photo we are installing a security camera on the street by request. I continue to serve as president of our neighborhood. We continue to pray for our alcoholic friends in the park. God gives the harvest.]]>Blog 20242024-12-13T11:06:29-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/0c4dc3d5540ec6183257226d9f045b0a-47.html#unique-entry-id-47http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/0c4dc3d5540ec6183257226d9f045b0a-47.html#unique-entry-id-47

Mario called me from Capulispungo. He wants help to start a Sunday school program for the children in the church. We can't visit them, but with today's technology we can talk, converse on Zoom, and send digital materials. Mario and Manuela have four daughters. (The photo is a bit outdated.) One of them, Lisbet, is going to work with the kids. I'm challenged to lend a hand long-distance, but Mario called us because of our friendship established over the years. The truth is, out in the mountains, they have few resources at hand. Of course, the internet helps greatly, but they still need someone to guide them.
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"Could you come and give us your talk about worship and music?" We had worked with Oscar and his church in years past and now he was asking me to share with a new group he leads. Oscar sees a few problems in the church he now works with: 1. The volume is too loud during the service, and 2) the songs are new ones that no one knows. Oscar had recruited me in the past to develop the music program in his church and now he reminded me of all that he had learned. I emphasized three points: 1) The principal purpose for congregating is for edifying the body of Christ (based on 1 Corinthians 14 and Hebrews 10:24-25); 2) Every congregation should develop its own hymnal with songs the congregation knows (or learns); and 3) The volume has to be below 90 decibels to avoid ear damage and to permit the congregation to really sing. (That's my three-day course on liturgy in a 30-minute session.) I was thrilled to return to teaching again at least for a moment. We held quite a singing session at the end with me playing the accordion. They kept asking for more songs, and my arms got cramps! But we reached the goal of singing "with on heart and mouth" Romans 15:6. (In Spanish that's "a una sola voz." The theme for my webpage www.aunasolavoz.com)


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Just because I like to read the fine print, I've been able to help churches with their legal work. This is the pastor of the church in Shobol Llinllin, a community half an hour west of Riobamba. I gave them help all this year to legally renew their Board of Directors. Since it took so long, now it's time to do it again. So I had a zoom meeting with the church leaders to discuss the next steps. Paperwork, paperwork. But that's the help they need right now. They've come to trust me, and since I live in Quito, where the paperwork is done, I can easily visit the government office. (I wonder what kind of work Zenas the lawyer did? Titus 3:13)
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So just what is a "safety brigade?" City Hall wants us to form such a brigade. Their rep came to explain a few things to us. We met in the park. They want us to hold a neighborhood Assembly sometime in December. In the meantime they wanted a place to put up a sign. The park has a frame that needed one more piece. Since I have an arc welder, we repaired the frame. Who would help me? My friends in the park! Pedro knows how to weld, and Carlos gave us a hand. I still don't know all that the brigade means, but we'll see in the process.

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Today is my mom's memorial service. Faby and I can't attend because we're so far away. My mom became a potter in her late years. She wrote a poem which for me is a masterpiece: the potter and the clay take a journey together and both are transformed! Click here for text and audio. Enjoy!
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"I want to stop drinking alcohol," Pedro tells me. (He's not in the photo.) I was working on the water fountain in the park when I ran into Pedro. He asked for a couple of favors. "Can you buy me another padlock for my house?" This would be the third one I've bought for him. "You keep losing them," I teased. "And do you have something to eat?" In the house I fished some chinese food leftover, plus some hotdogs, added a bottle of soda and a few oranges. "You hit the jackpot today," I told him. After we bought the padlock I asked him where he was going. "To share the food with my friends." That's generosity in the midst of poverty. Pretty impressive.
In our few minutes together he shared that he was offered a job starting Monday. "I want to stop drinking so I can hold down the job," he confessed. We continue to pray for him and develop our friendship. May God work in his life!
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How much time (days) does it take for eggs to hatch? We had no idea, but all in God's timing. Then I learned that it takes exactly 21 days. We didn't get all the eggs under the hen at the same time, but i recorded the date the hen lay on the first batch: Oct 10th. Today 5 chicks appeared. Exactly 21 days. You can't change God's timing.
And today three of our friends in the park show up at the door: Pedro, Carlos, and Maria. They need a favor and they come to us because they now trust us. One of Carlos' relatives wants to send him money so they can travel to visit them. Carlos needs to use someone's bank account. So I verify the transfer and hand them cash. All part of the process of making relationships with our alcoholic friends. God has his timing.
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The doctor lost her bet. (See here.) Her theory on Faby's headaches didn't work. The problem is not high blood pressure. Now we're focusing on lowering her cholesterol and triglycerides and it seems to help. Memory is still an issue with her, and we continue one day at a time.
As for community work, neighborhood security remains the concern. A couple of thieves were attempting break-ins a few nights ago, but our alert system still has hitches. I've come to realize that the older generation struggles with the new technology. We have a neighborhood security chat, but 60% of the contacts don't know how to put their names in their profile. So all we see is a phone number, and we don't know who it is. I've installed 5 alarms so far, but very few download the application on their phones so they can activate the siren. They don't understand how it all works. We need to hold workshops. It would be easier to prepare a sermon, but that's not how community service works.]]>Blog 20242024-10-16T09:42:39-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/727c621305821fe48c7c845913cf3908-39.html#unique-entry-id-39http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/727c621305821fe48c7c845913cf3908-39.html#unique-entry-id-39

Mom passed away peacefully on Monday, (October 14, 2024), at 95 years of age. A well-lived life of turning a house into a home for many, and sharing her art with others. Her web page holds many examples of her work: www.dorisngordon.com ]]>Blog 20242024-10-10T21:03:12-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/09ecfec8235c45fbd6abca3b4632d334-38.html#unique-entry-id-38http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/09ecfec8235c45fbd6abca3b4632d334-38.html#unique-entry-id-38

Years and years of visiting doctors, and Faby's headaches persist. Monday we visited the cardiologist who operated on me in July for my three-month checkup. Praise God my heart has regained its strength! Then we commented on Faby's health, and Faby received a checkup. The doctor even bet me that Faby's problem was high blood pressure and she could cure it! Wow! And so far so good. Looks like I'm going to buy her dinner. We still need to continue the doctor's prescription another week and have another checkup, but Faby's headaches have greatly decreased! God is good!]]>Blog 20242024-10-03T16:58:05-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/8a3c72a16fd88052f31430467905e742-37.html#unique-entry-id-37http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/8a3c72a16fd88052f31430467905e742-37.html#unique-entry-id-37

"If it's cold and rainy, why don't you hold the meeting indoors instead of outdoors in the park?" The garbage folk had asked us to call a meeting in our neighborhood to let people know the trash pickup would include all the side streets. Here in Ecuador we don't use garbage cans. We just set out the trash on the sidewalk one hour before the garbage truck passes. Before the truck entered the side streets, people would pile the trash in the park. Now the trash folk wanted to make sure most people were aware of the changes. So why hold the meeting in the park on a rainy night? Answer: if we held the meeting indoors, no one would see us. If we hold the meeting in the park, in a public place, folks see a gathering and know the meeting is taking place. Others see the crowd and come out of curiosity. We made and passed out over one hundred flyers for the meeting. We had about 33 persons gather. Not too bad. It rained before and after the meeting, but not during. God is good and gracious!

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Compare meetings. On Monday we hosted the monthly meeting of pastors. We served breakfast, sang, and held a Bible study. On Wednesday night the neighborhood committee met at our house. We discussed security, and trash collection. What's the difference?

With the meeting of pastors, I only see them once a month. (If everyone attends.) We meet, have fellowship, and then say "goodbye" until next month. That's frustrating. Whereas with the community meeting, I see these folks quite often. I may even run into them when I walk out the front door. Or I can walk less than a block to find them. That's the advantage of living in a community setting.

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Jorge and Vilma lived with us previously. They moved out to accommodate one of their daughters and grandson, who have recently moved out. So they're coming back. They help us greatly in the house with cooking and cleaning, and we don't charge rent. They're like family for us, and since they only moved across the street, the move is relatively quick. Welcome back!


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Norman and Elsie (brother and sister-in-law) blessed us with a five-day visit from the US. Great encouragement for us! Norman is a pastor/missionary working in his community with "Bridges." HIs ministry is specifically outside the church to those who don't attend a church regularly. That encouraged me to continue our ministry here in El-Tingo to the alcoholics in the park and the folks we work with in neighborhood security. Building relationships and serving those who have never been in a church, yet are interested in God. It's a different way to see "ministry."]]>Blog 20242024-09-02T11:28:12-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/d8e0aff0765dc4b6d805ba5cf7dad68e-33.html#unique-entry-id-33http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/d8e0aff0765dc4b6d805ba5cf7dad68e-33.html#unique-entry-id-33

An interesting group. Our first meeting as the neighborhood "council." (In Spanish they call it the "Board of Directors.") The two women nearest Faby are the "old timers" who were looking for replacements, but their experience is too valuable to lose. The other two women we've known for some time, but just as acquaintances. Francisco is new to me, but they tell me he's a valuable contribution to the group.

As president, my objective is to organize us better. Both the committee and the neighborhood. We have been concerned about security, and our main tool is technology: Whatsapp and Smart Plugs for the alarms. I've come to realize that most adults here have little knowledge about smart phones. Half the people on the Whatsapp group haven't put their names in their chat and we can't even identify them. I also figured everyone could install the smart plug app on their phone, but in reality, very few can do it on their own. So we have some challenges ahead. "To serve and not to be served." (Mk 10:45)

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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.
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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.

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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.
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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?]]>Blog 20242024-07-25T10:50:51-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/7e3b342fb52cd2d2fa3eeb9b0d03c727-28.html#unique-entry-id-28http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/7e3b342fb52cd2d2fa3eeb9b0d03c727-28.html#unique-entry-id-28

A lot of people think that after the heart operation, I'm back to normal. Not quite. Still getting used to the medications, and walking daily to restore the strength of the heart muscles. I tire easily. Then there's the emotional factor as well: I'm not back up to 100% yet. Can't do everything I'd like to. God is good and He is sovereign. Trust in Him! ]]>Blog 20242024-07-18T12:10:41-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/013bf483116dd09d000c043f543efdbd-27.html#unique-entry-id-27http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/013bf483116dd09d000c043f543efdbd-27.html#unique-entry-id-27

"For how long will I take these medicines?" I asked the heart surgeon yesterday during the checkup. I imagined the answer to be a few months or maybe a year. "The rest of your life," she responded. Oh….
I'm still processing the impact of a heart attack. Big changes for the rest of my life. My heart should recover its previous function, but the scars remain.
I praise God I'm still alive and ready to start a new chapter.

"Many are the plans in a man’s heart,
but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:21]]>Blog 20242024-07-12T11:53:37-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/d973f97f15dbc28fbd79756ac5a510f4-26.html#unique-entry-id-26http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/d973f97f15dbc28fbd79756ac5a510f4-26.html#unique-entry-id-26

Monday I suffered a heart attack. Thankfully, with the chest pains, I was able to drive to the hospital and have them check me. After the EKG, they said, “You going to be here a while!” They operated on me Tuesday morning, clearing two arteries and placing three stents. I’m back at home, beginning the recovery process, with medicine and rehabilitation.
Pray for Faby and me. We have lots of changes to make. Faby’s memory is slipping and I have been taking care of her. We have persons to help us, but we need to coordinate.
God is faithful, and I praise Him for every new day He gives us.
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"I see that in every way you are very religious." Acts 17:22 (For a 4 minute video click here.) (No audio.)

Every year, at the end of June, the town of El-Tingo celebrates a festival to their Patron "Saint Peter." The park is filled with food booths and rides for kids. Dozens of groups participate in the parade. The town is very religious, with the priest holding mass several times a week with excellent attendance. The town houses their church in the central park. Why would they want another church? (Evangelical) I still don't have all the answers but I continue to pray to get involved in a local Bible study sponsored by the Catholic Church, so the folks can get to know us without prejudices against "evangelicals." God has to open that door.

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We returned to the church at Tolontag because the other Sunday the pastor took us to one of their daughter churches for the anniversary and we didn't get to see the mother church. Yes, they do have 500 in attendance! The youth hold their own service in another sanctuary and the kids in another. Even so we received special treatment as guests: the ushers gave us a special parking space, the first elder greeted us in our seats, and we were invited for a "snack" after the service. (For them a "snack" is chicken, potatoes, salad, and a drink!) I'm more impressed by how well they're organized than how many members they have. The pastor wasn't there because he had taken the youth to another town to practice evangelism.

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Once a month, a group a pastors get together for breakfast and fellowship. Faby's brother in law has invited us to join them several times. At the last meeting they asked me to share a reflection this time. I used a personal study I had developed last year: interpreting the Ten Commandments in their positive meaning. (See example below.) I received an excellent response! They even asked for a more detailed copy of what I handed out. For me I wanted feedback from my theological ideas. We meet again next month.




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I had always heard about this indigenous church in Tolontag, only about 15 minutes from our home. We decided to swing out that way. I still had the telephone number of the pastor, and he was around! We received a generous welcome with a tour of the church. The church has one thousand members! and is extremely well organized by the pastor Festo into small cell groups and Sunday school classes. Pretty impressive. The sanctuary is stadium size and is surrounded by 35 classrooms! I met pastor Festo at the seminary in Riobamba as one of my students, but he is now the professor of 250 leaders in his church. Tolontag is an indigenous community in the mountains and the church functions likewise. A completely different dynamic from a city church.


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The park in front of our house continues to be "our ministry site." As part of our community service, we rescued a large, wooden tourist sign that was to be thrown away. I needed help to put it back in place. Who lended a hand? Our local alcoholics in the park! Glad to help.
We've also made friends with a couple of social workers who are assigned to help drug addicts and alcoholics on the street. We met in the park. Both of us trying to wake up Pedro, who was taking a nap on the sidewalk. It's their job. It's our ministry. Interesting teamwork.




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Faby and I are both blessed to have united, Christian families. Saturday Faby's family had a big get-together with food and singing. Pedro (our alcoholic friend from the park) is not so blessed. Friday we found Pedro in the park with one of his brothers. We were eager to get to know a member of his family and invited both to our house to talk. We learned that Pedro's four brothers and one sister want to sell the house. Which means Pedro won't have a place to live. We also learned that his brother is also an alcoholic, although he holds down a job with the electric company. While we talked, his brother downed too much alcohol that he had brought along and almost couldn't stand up enough to leave our house. When you aren't blessed with a united, healthy family, life is lonely and difficult. We continue to pray for Pedro. He really needs a family.



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We praise the Lord that Faby's health has improved! Her headaches have diminished to minimum, maybe once a week. We continue to struggle with her memory. One day at a time. God is faithful. Continue to pray for us.]]>Blog 20242024-05-13T09:50:14-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/a2cc7cc9f0d5d2a47086bc345d9b312e-18.html#unique-entry-id-18http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/a2cc7cc9f0d5d2a47086bc345d9b312e-18.html#unique-entry-id-18

Fifteen minutes from our home stands a rural church where some of the older folk still speak Quichua. The pastor, Alberto, had asked us to give the message for mother's day. Alberto comes to our Bible study on Wednesdays with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law. We're trying to attend regularly, although the service begins at 8am and we have to start our Sunday at 5:30am to arrive on time. Alberto is not full-time and the church suffered attendance during the Pandemic. They're still recovering. We continue to pray for how we can participate in the growth of this church. ]]>Blog 20242024-05-06T07:27:21-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/10d1c1a1ebc752aa9fd78788b51257f8-17.html#unique-entry-id-17http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/10d1c1a1ebc752aa9fd78788b51257f8-17.html#unique-entry-id-17

I visited the Government office in Quito. Their desks are stacked with paperwork. "Are our papers approved yet?" I asked. (We've been waiting for two months.) "Not yet," was the reply. "Come back in three weeks." I am helping the Quichua church in Shobol Llinllin to renew their board of directors. They have to do this every year. We started the process in February. Now it's May. By the time this is approved we'll have to start over again. So I'm looking into other possibilities for a church to have bylaws. Really, there are three options: church, NGO, or society. The later is looking best. No yearly hassles. I have two challenges. The first is to get all the information needed. The second is to convince the church that it's a better option. Both require time and work, but I enjoy serving the church. There are other legal issues, but I'll leave that for another blog.]]>Blog 20242024-04-29T12:47:55-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/e140e2ddc34f952e248a6680ddd56efd-16.html#unique-entry-id-16http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/e140e2ddc34f952e248a6680ddd56efd-16.html#unique-entry-id-16

Wait for God's timing. My tendency is "to get things done." I lot of times I can't. Not the right time. I can think of several community projects here in El Tingo, but I have to wait for the right time and the right people. With Pedro, we had to take the tools again and reinforce his door. Now we haven't seen him for almost a week. In the community, I'm praying to join a Bible study sponsored by the Catholic church here. We live here. We're part of the community. If we start a Bible study, no one will come. (We're Evangelicals. They're Catholics.) If we join a Bible study in the community, we'll be able to participate. All in God's timing. Wait. Psalm 27:13-14
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"Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) I walked out to the park. These two are "Rambo" and "Bronco." I don't see Rambo very often, but this time he's "out" from alcohol. I could still talk to Bronco. His face showed hopelessness. I went to the store on the corner and was about to buy him something to eat when I saw him walking toward the main road. I approached him and he asked me, "Could you give me a ride home?" "Sure." If God doesn't touch these lives, I can do no more than be a friend. Pray. Pray. Pray.

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Pedro spent 5 days and 6 nights in our home. He worked for three days welding metal to form two windows and a door for his home. Wednesday afternoon we installed his creations in the room where he plans to live from now on. Thursday we left him and made a trip to Riobamba to sell our apartment. On returning we wondered how Pedro was faring. Was he living in his home or back on the street? Monday night we rejoiced to see him not only in his new home, but with a TV and a sofa that a friend had donated. What does he do for food? He makes and sells bracelets. We continue to pray for his new faith and new life, that God will protect him and guide him every step of every day.




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Friday evening as we passed our park we saw two policemen giving Pedro a hard time because he was a bit tipsy. We approached in the car and Faby said, "Hop in!" Pedro is one of the park's alcoholics and we're been talking with him for several months. He owns a house but was sleeping on the street because his wife, who's a drug addict, threw him out. Well, she disappeared a few weeks ago and Pedro got his house back, but what a mess! We had offered to help him clean it up, but he didn't trust us. Now we had him in the car to begin a few days of "dis-intoxication." He slept and trembled all Saturday, and accepted our offer (finally) to clean his house. The house has no doors or windows, and in places the roof is falling in. One external room above the garage is almost livable, but only after we filled 15 sacks with trash and rotting clothes! We finished Sunday afternoon.

Pedro, by trade, is a metal craftsman. Since I have the tools he needs (arc welder, stone grinder, and spray painter) I told him he could make windows and a door for his house with all the scrap metal we have in the shed. Monday he began, and today, Tuesday the windows are complete. Tonight he puts together the door, and Lord willing, tomorrow we install the metal creations.

The plan and our prayer is for him to live in his house, and find some way of making a living. He tells me the temptation to drink comes when he has nothing to do but hang out with his friends in the park. One option is to continue making sellable items here in our house with my tools. We'll see.



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I constantly think of my friends in the park. The "alcoholics." We have shared Christ with them, but the seed takes time to bear fruit. In the meantime we try to help them anyway we can. One of Faby's nephews lives with us. He sells supplies to hardware stores. I've been helping him organize his accounts. Yesterday while in church I was wondering how to find jobs for the men in the park. They guard the parked cars. God gave me an idea. Since I maintain the fountain in the park, water is no problem. Why couldn't my friends wash the parked cars? After the service we drove through the park on our way to a lunch invitation. I saw Carlos and "Bronco" (as they call him) and stopped to say "Hi!" Then I gave them the idea of washing cars. "All you really need is a bucket and a cloth." They liked the idea. Now whether they actually put it into practice is another story. But my prayer is to continually reach out to them.
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Is this a church? Almost. They're not all professing Christians, but we are gathering to discuss a community issue: security. I've been concerned for a long time that the church here in Ecuador tends to look inward and not outward. Worship services and bible studies are all an integral and necessary part of the church, but where's the community service? I once suggested to a church elder in Riobamba that instead of meeting one Sunday for worship, why don't they visit the neighborhood and talk with folks about their needs. That's a bit radical for most, but here where we live in El Tingo I'm finding that strategy very effective. We're getting to know our neighbors.
The photo captures the Friday night meeting at our home on how to use the community alarm, installed by the city hall. I felt like it was congregational meeting to discuss our daily concerns. Almost a church.
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Three weeks ago, Abel and his family flew to El Salvador to begin a journey to the US. He said he wanted to go legally, but I doubted his plan. Last week he messaged me that they were in South Mexico with a 30 day visa. He added "that things hadn't gone as planned, but that they were okay." My only prayer is for their protection. I don't support illegal immigration. Here in Ecuador, when "they get the itch to go the US," it's hard to convince them to stay. I hope and pray to be able to keep track of them and see how this adventure pans out.
(Read about their last visit to us.)]]>Blog 20242024-03-10T09:06:57-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/c164afb0c8834b02070818c2a536595f-9.html#unique-entry-id-9http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/c164afb0c8834b02070818c2a536595f-9.html#unique-entry-id-9

"How many psychologists does it take to change a lightbulb?" Only one, but it has to WANT to be changed.
We joked about this as kids, but now I'm finding its truth. Our friend in the park (an alcoholic) recovered his house (after 7 years). We have offered several times to help him clean it out and fix it up. But every time we "agree" to do it, he doesn't show up. In the end, he doesn't want to do anything. I think he prefers sleeping on the street. We can't help him if he doesn't want help. ]]>Blog 20242024-03-03T10:23:04-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/87d9f3f852589eb80be6de1a3ce833b0-8.html#unique-entry-id-8http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/87d9f3f852589eb80be6de1a3ce833b0-8.html#unique-entry-id-8

For the second Saturday in a row, we only had two girls (the third in the photo showed up later). As a result, our host Anibal has decided to take a break until we can reorganize the classes. Disappointing, but we have sown the Word in these children for a whole year. My theory is that someone in town spread some rumor about us and the parents are finding excuses not to send their kids. We'll continue to pray and wait for God's direction.]]>Blog 20242024-02-26T19:47:11-05:00http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/b2026e7f06095464cfab1ef397fcdf63-7.html#unique-entry-id-7http://www.alangordon.org/blog-7/files/b2026e7f06095464cfab1ef397fcdf63-7.html#unique-entry-id-7

Both families visited us the same day. Not planned that way, but they both live in Quito and are originally from Capulispungo. The young pastor, Abel, came to sleep overnight with his family to get an early start in the hot water pools here in El Tingo Saturday morning. Juan Manuel and his family arrived Saturday morning about the same time Abel's family returned from the pools. We all enjoyed a morning of food and fellowship.
Just before lunch, Abel surprised me with his plans to migrate next week to the US with his wife and three children. "Legally or illegally," I asked. He explained his plans to go legally, but I had my doubts.That night I spent time checking into his plan. My conclusion: "Illegally."
Sunday we visited his congregation, where they dedicated the whole time to his departure. My plan was to talk with him and disuade him from his plans, but too many people were saying goodbye.
I called him today. He's convinced his plans are legal and that he'll make it to the US. (Would you believe that pastors in El Salvador are going to take him across the border to Guatemala, and other pastors will do the same at the Mexican border. Visas, which Abel doesn't hold, are mandatory.) I told him: "You'll get to the US border, be denied entry, and then out of desperation will pay the "coyotes" to get you across the border illegally. May God protect you and your family on this journey."
That's all I could say.

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After a month of "vacation," we have returned to our bible classes with the kids at Anibal's house. I feel like I'm "out of shape" with the lessons. Not always easy to communicate with the children. The lesson was on Luke 15 which is usually called "The Prodigal Son." Although the real lesson is about the older son, not the younger son. The latter repented and restored his relationship with his father, but the former never repented. A direct allusion to the Pharisees. I try to reinforce the lesson when the kids are coloring pictures relating the story. Not sure how much gets across. We continue to sow.

Faby is still struggling with her health. We need to get her thyroxine dosis back on track.

We continue to relate to the alcoholics in the park. God sent me on old friend, who is ex-alcoholic, to share his testimony with them. Very effective.

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My first invitations to the Quichua communities were to teach music, then Bible. Along the way I gained a reputation for helping with legal paperwork. We don't travel anymore, but our advantage is that we live near the government offices in Quito and can easily follow up on the paperwork. Sunday I met virtually with the leaders of the church near Riobamba in Shobol Llinllin. They have to renew the legal rep every year and are two years behind. So we've started the process of getting the papers in order. Good to see them even if only on the screen.

(P.S. Faby is doing much better, although still on antibiotics.)
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Thursday, 6 am, I heard Faby cough in bed and went to check. I caught a whole handful of phlegm in my hand. I couldn't wake her up completely. Her speech was groggy. She couldn't get up or even sit up by herself. Praise God we have a doctor who will make a home visit within the hour! He managed to revive Faby somewhat, but his recommendation was, "Take her to the hospital." We carried her in a chair to the car and made the 40 minute trip to Quito to the emergency room at Hospital Vozandes. Diagnosis: "Urinary infection." (Officially Acute Pyelonephritis.) Wow! The next two nights I slept in the car with our dog, and a nephew who came with us slept in the hospital room with Faby. Both nights Faby pulled the IV from her arm, a bit disoriented and wanting to go home. We returned home Saturday afternoon. She's still on antibiotics, but we're glad to be in our daily environment. Checkups will follow. God is good and we trust in Him.

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They came back after 2 years for their annual planning retreat! I told them I only had 4 beds, but, as before, they didn't blink. The women took the beds, and the men slept on the carpeted floor in sleeping bags. They spent all the next day at the ping pong table, discussing plans for their church in Quito. We had a great singing session the night they came. When I selected songs to sing, I quickly remembered they come from Quichua communities and so does their music, but I've learned to play their style on the accordion, so we had a great time together.

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"Let's do it right now!" said my friend Cesar when I told him that all we needed to do was to install 30 feet of new water pipes. For some time, I have been trying to find the problem of lack of water in the public bathrooms in our park. After weeks of occasional digging to find the water line, I finally found two ends and was able to diagnose the problem: somewhere along those 30 feet, the pipe was clogged. If we put in a new section to replace the old, we should have water in the bathrooms. What I didn't expect from Cesar was the timing. I was planning to do it Saturday after talking to a few neighbors, but Cesar said, "Now!"

Since I've been making friends with the men in the park, whom many refer to as the "drunks," I found four of them sitting on a bench and said, "If you'll help me dig a 30 foot trench, I'll treat you all to lunch." We had a grand ol' time! They dug the trench while I bought new pipes. We installed the lines, tested the water pressure, and filled in the trench. I enjoyed getting to know them better, and joking around with them. As we joined the two ends, the joke was, "There's too many cooks in the kitchen." Everyone wanted to get in on the job. Finished, we piled in the car to go for lunch.

I'm learning that no one will listen to you if they don't trust you. Friendship must precede evangelism. We're in that process. God is teaching us.

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Tuesday, January 9th, the president of Ecuador declared war on the local gangs, who already control the prisons and run their drug trafficking from there. Our local war is to continue to talk to the alcoholics in our park. We found one sleeping on the steps of a store at night. Although with a declaration of war, the curfew is from 11pm to 5am. So they have to find a better place to sleep. We pray and preach when we go out to the park. Helpless we feel. We are only jars of clay with the power of God inside us. 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 We pray that power may work in them. (And in the gang members now at war.)

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We sponsored another meeting of our neighbors at our home. The purpose was to follow up on the community alarms, but we also discussed other concerns such as trash collection and drunkards in the park. The latter sparked lively comments, such as calling in the police or local authorities. Yet the conclusion was: "It's up to us." And that was the basis of all my comments. I'm trying to get to know them, talk with them about God, and ask for their cooperation. The group is varied and unstable, but a few are constant. Carlos lost his wife last year in a car accident and almost his own life as well. Since then he's been on the street and fallen into alcohol. But he doesn't drink that much. He would like to find work and leave this group. Pray for him to find a job and to find Jesus.
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