WOW, WHAT A WHIRLWIND!
We celebrated the New Year here in Ecuador. What a wild experience. Some men dress as women representing the “widow” of the year that has passed; they block the roads and collect money for buying dummies or any other custom. At midnight all Ecuador breaks loose with professional and homemade fireworks shooting off from literally every couple of feet apart, it seems there are no regulations about this sort of thing (???). Thousands of dummies, some filled with fireworks even, are burned in the streets representing the year that just finished. There are many traditions surrounding all the fires lit that evening. Some include creating dummy traps, last will and testaments for the dummy listing all the bad things from that year, or creating something that represents those bad things; all to be burned with the dummy so they don’t happen in the New Year. Jumping over the fires 12 times for good luck in the New Year and many others. It was a fun experience and furthers our cultural understanding, but I am reminded to put our trust and faith in the Lord and pursue His will whatever it may hold in this New Year.
A YEAR AT A GLANCE
In February our family left for Palmer Springs, Colorado to attend Mission Training International. The program named S.P.L.I.C.E. focused on our skill and character development in six vital areas: Spiritual, Personal, Life style, Interpersonal, Cultural, Endure/Enjoy and moving from one culture to another. This helped prepare our family for what was to come.
From there we left the U.S. in April and arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica to learn Spanish at Instituto de Lengua Española. We studied there for four months and received a solid base in Spanish grammar, phonetics and practical conversation for use in our ministry through reading, writing and speaking Spanish.
Only one day after graduation from the Spanish Institute, in mid-August we boarded our plane to Quito, Ecuador. We were received warmly by our Extreme Response family. Two days later we began our service with Alliance Academy International and a week later our service with Extreme Response International. For His glory, we have been running strong ever since.
Thank you to the many people who have and continue to support us in a variety of ways from prayers, care packages, communications of encouragement, and financial support thus making last year a wonderful success.
SO GUESS WHAT HAPPENED IN ECUADOR DURING THE 2011 CHRISTMAS MINISTRIES
We had fifty-one volunteers arrive in Quito from the United States, Canada and Europe to help us in “CHANGING LIVES” here in Ecuador. There were five communities with partner ministries that we had the privilege of serving and loving. This year we reached over 8000+ people for the kingdom of Christ. Each event went extremely well and very organized, the Lords blessing was evident in how well things ran. We’d like to also acknowledge our ER family for their leadership, hard work, and unity in Christ.
This past year’s outreach included the following partners:
Buen Pastor School in Pifo, Ecuador: This event welcomed over 2200+ people from the community of Pifo and was set in a beautiful scenic spacious area where the school and church facility resides. Pastor Ramiro Baiz prayed with and welcomed each group as they arrived. During the festivities the pastor presented the gospel from an outdoor platform and ministry staff and volunteers performed for the crowd.
Carmen Bajo in Quito, Ecuador: Although situated within the city limits of the capital city of Quito, Ecuador, the intense poverty of the community of Carmen Bajo is something you would expect in a much more remote location. We saw 1200+ people come through those doors that day. This community broke my heart for what breaks His. In the midst of a people so desperate for LOVE it was evident that they tasted but a bit of that through this ministry. After the festivities Pastor Fabian held a church service for the community and sent every child home with a gift bag and snack while the parents received staple foods for their families.
Nuevos Amigos Foundation in Quito, Ecuador: Very close to our hearts, this is one of the ministries where we experience a strong nudge from God during our earlier years serving. 600+ people arrived as it was beginning to rain. We held the festivities in doors within the chapel of the school and the staff and volunteers performed a play about the birth of Christ.
The Zambiza Dump in Quito, Ecuador: Where Extreme Response first began. In addition to our 51 volunteers from around the world we also received 400 volunteers from among the community to host 2000+ people this year. As always this event has a lasting impact on the community of people who have made their lives rummaging through the garbage of Quito. Pastor Jose Jimenez hosted a great event packed with games, crafts, live Christian entertainment, evangelism, gifts and staple foods given out.
Remanso de Amor in Argelia Alta, Ecuador: Our last stop of the week. Had a great time as 1500+ people enjoyed a Christmas service outdoors then off to playing games and doing crafts. Pastor Ramiro Maldonado delivers the food bags and navidades (gifts) directly to the families in need. This is the ministry our daughter was named after Remanso de Amor meaning “Haven of Love”. We took her to the event with us and introduced her to Pastor Ramiro and his family who founded this ministry that has been so dear to us.
Thank you to all who took time out of their busy lives to serve the people of Ecuador. We challenge you to consider joining us this year in late 2012.
FAMILY TIME AND DAILY LIFE (Teresa)
Haven is doing well but misses hugging Nana (grandma). Easton could use prayers. We requested he speak with a counselor at school once a week. He seems to have withdrawn a little and has been making choices he wouldn’t typically make. After a few weeks we met with his teacher and the counselor and as we had already suspected he is struggling with the language thus making it harder to make friends and he is lacking quality time with family.
Very proud of Jeramy for passing his driving test (all in Spanish with no translator) which was a two-month process from start to finish. He now has a very fancy Ecuadorian drivers license.
We are settling into life as it now is here in Quito. We are enjoying being here and are very excited for all the new relationships we are building.
PRAISES AND THANKS
Huge thank you to the families who sent gifts for the kids for Christmas. What a blessing, your sacrificial giving over the Holiday Season really means a lot to us. Thank you to the Halls, the Shiffletts, the Kigars, the Irelans, the Hardies, the Maloys, the Carver sisters, the Coverdales, the Kueppers, Shelly Abbe, Extreme Response, Lapeer Community Church and the LCC Missions Board for making our first Christmas AWAY FROM HOME very special! We know some of the packages are still in route, but we are still overwhelmed by your love and are very grateful.
We continually thank God for the privilege to live and serve God in Ecuador with you supporters (PARTNERS) by our side in the Holy Spirit. God bless you all.
PRAYERS
Continually pray for our children, Easton & Haven, over their adjustment to this culture and the missions way of life.
Jeramy started a Bachelors program at Liberty University this semester. Pray that he maintains balance with the Lord, family, and work at both the Alliance Academy and Extreme Response.
Our continued learning of the Spanish language and Latin American culture.
Aim high this year and God bless,
- The Hings