Community Service
16/05/26 17:05
A full week: Tuesday night Bible Study, where marriage counseling took priority; Wednesday 5pm a call from a friend Vicky, whose dog was diagnosed with a tumor and had to be put to sleep (We spent three hours with her in the clinic.); Thursday, Neytan, who lives with us and his parents had to be taken to the hospital for abdominal pains, and still doesn't have a diagnosis, Friday, Faby's cousin needed our truck to buy construction materials, because a truck backed into her wall and left a hole. Finally, Friday night, the town health center held elections for a new local health committee, of which I ended up being a part. After the elections, in our part of town, we participated in a small "March for the Peace," after which I explained to the folks how the community alarms and cameras work. You could call all these activities "Community Work," both among our friends and among our neighbors.
Prayer
06/05/26 18:53
Last night I had the Bible study all prepared, but when the folks came, I saw that they needed prayer more than academics. So I shared Mark 14:36, Jesus' prayer, which I split into four parts:
1. "Abba, Father" - we have an intimate relationship with God and can talk with Him as with a friend and Father.
2. "everything is possible for you" - God can do anything. That's why we can trust in Him in every circumstance, problem, and dream.
3. "take this cup from me" - Jesus expresses what's on his heart, the anguish of suffering. He'd rather not. We need to share our hearts with the Lord. What we really want. What's on our heart.
4. "yet not what I will, but what you will" - After pouring out our hearts we accept what God wants, and resign ourselves to His goodness.
God paints the skies
29/04/26 17:09
My mother was an artist and in her last years she taught me to appreciate the clouds from an artist's point of view. (See her photos here.) The skies in the Andes Mountains are very dynamic. Check out the photo. See two dogs? Our God paints the skies. Only He can do that! He controls everything: the clouds, the weather, the economy, the world. That's why I can put my full trust in Him. Isaiah 26:3
No place to stay?
22/04/26 13:28
In Ecuador, who comes for a visit at 6:30pm from Quito? This was the pastor Antonio from Capulispungo along with Inocencio, who was also one of my students there, and three others. I prepared a "cafecito" for them. Then we sang and shared. 7:30 rolls along. They came in a car, so they had no transportation problem, but I knew …. So I asked them, "Do you want to spend the night here?" "Thank you very much!" I guessed from the beginning that since Antonio and Inocencio were visiting from Capulispungo that the rest didn't have a place for them to stay. "Practice hospitality" as it says in Romans 12:13. We have five beds in the front house, so putting them up for the night is a matter of routine.
Pedro left us
16/04/26 20:07
My alcoholic friend Pedro died yesterday. They found his body in the park, sprawled on the sidewalk. Alcohol ruined his life, although he always told me "loneliness" was his real problem. We tried to help him, but he never made the decision to change and/or seek help. This is the second death among the alcoholics. "Bronco" passed away two months ago. I continue to pray for those who are still with us, especially Carlos.