Please read the post previous to this one -- the story is incomplete without reading it first!Seven seems like a strange number to symbolize perfection or completion, but God seems to like that number. He instituted seven days in a week. The Bible speaks of the seven spirits of God and the seven churches in Revelation as well as other groupings of seven. In music there are seven notes in the major scale. Completing seven, eight stands for new beginnings and starting anew.
On August 28 the Gualaceo house church celebrated seven years since the baptism of the first believers. A day-long celebration was planned beside the river. Anticipation was high as a busload of believers from Arenillas arrived, along with extended family members of the Gomez family from Guayaquil where Luis Gomez, father of the family, as shared and encouraged a house church to begin meeting. Believers also gathered from the neighboring towns of Chordeleg and Zhondeleg where the Gualaceo believers have begun house church meetings.
The day's program was filled with singing, testimonies, and a challenging message to live out true worship in daily life. Between 150 and 170 people were served a delicious noon meal. As at last year's anniversary, after we ate, we gathered at the river for the testimonies and baptism of five people. God keeps calling and people take the step of faith to follow Christ.
God worked in some amazing ways in the days preceding the anniversary. At last year's anniversary celebration Libia's mother, Carmelina, was baptized. At the time I thought, Libia may say she wants nothing to do with Jorge's "religion," but God is bringing His truth in through the "back door" of her life. While Libia resisted Jorge's faith, her mother decided to make a public declaration of her faith. (Libia and her mother are seated, second and third from right. The man at left is Miguel, also baptized last year.)
Jorge watches as Clayton and Jesus baptize Libia.
The day held special surprises. Maria Magdalena and Edi's son Mathias was born on July 26. From his first moments his little life was marked by struggle. First of all, he was born with a cleft palette. The parents were totally unprepared for this. Within three days he needed surgery on inner organs that needed to be properly located in his abdominal cavity. The doctors were pretty pessimistic that he would pull through. But Maria Magdalena was not about to give up on this son they had so eagerly waited for. Contrary to the doctors' dismal predictions, Mathias began to rally. Though they were told he would have to be fed with a special bottle, he was nursing normally before he left the hospital. He went home at age two weeks, and has been gaining strength and weight since. His presence at the anniversary was a HUGE answer to prayer. Maria Magdalena says, "God has already answered so many prayers for this baby, so I just keep asking Him for what we need."
The day's festivities ended with joyful praise to God. Dressed in traditional Ecuadorian costumes, aunts and nieces presented a colorful, choreographed, symbolic tribute to the harvest God is bringing in Gualaceo. Everyone felt the spirit of jubilation and praise to God.
What will God do in this house church as the eighth year of its life together as the Body of Christ begins? How many other surrounding towns will be touched by the shining light of the Gospel? Who of these precious young people will be the leaders taking the church forward? We believe God has only begun to do what He desires to do in this part of Ecuador. Please pause to praise God for His amazing grace, patience, love and transforming power.
Let me begin this post with a wee bit of history so the present good news makes sense to you. You may remember that in 2007 Mariana, the wife of our main house church leader, Jorge Gomez, passed away. It was a blow to him and his children and extended family. Though sickly for years, Mariana had been a pillar of emotional and spiritual strength to the family. About nine months later Jorge remarried to a much younger woman without informing his children or adult siblings beforehand of his intentions. That really set things on edge. He pretty much devoted himself to being a husband to his new, young wife, and his Christian life slipped into a low priority.
Jorge's children went to live with his mother and several unmarried adult siblings. Things were rough, especially for his children. About Easter time last year four of the six children moved in with him and his wife, Libia. Two of the older sons chose to stay living at the grandmother's house. Things continued along, ups and downs and not a little tension between Jorge and his young wife. Her dream in marrying Jorge was that the two of them would start their own family. She was not interested in being a step-mother to his children.
Sometime in March of this year Jorge moved back to his and Mariana's house, and all the children moved home with him. He and Libia were having a lot of conflicts and they decided they needed some space from each other. She is expecting their first child and works as a nurse at the local hospital. Though living apart, they maintain daily contact.
Early in July a fresh longing for God began to grow in Jorge. He began to seek God again with a hunger that only the Holy Spirit could inspire. Bible reading became a priority. He read the entire New Testament in about three and a half weeks. His children and Libia could see and sense the changes taking place in his attitudes and general mood.
The weekend of August 24-26 Jorge and Libia attended a weekend called Encounter with God (we have been helping lead these weekends since April). Along with the two of them, six young people from the Gualaceo house church also participated. On the same weekend, at a different conference center, a youth retreat was held, and other youth from the Gomez family attended that event. The photo below shows part of the Encounter group -- the Gualaceo participants on the far right and Damian (from Cuenca) and his friend Gabriel standing at top left.
Sunday afternoon we joined the group of returning retreat participants, their parents and others of the family who met together in Gualaceo. The young people shared how God had spoken to them and ministered to them. There were tears. Young people were asking their parents' forgiveness. Parents and children were hugging each other. Libia shared that what happened deep in her heart was that for the first time she asked forgiveness. We had observed that she went over to Jorge during one session, and she told the group that was the first time she ever admitted that she was wrong -- to anyone!
Then Jorge told the group that he wanted to "finish" his retreat experience. He explained that he needed to ask forgiveness of numbers of people, and since they weren't at the Encounter, he couldn't ask their forgiveness there. Then and there he began to make things right. He asked his children to forgive him for abandoning them when they needed most after their mother died. He cried and hugged them. They gathered around him and they all just hugged each other, crying. He turned to Clayton and said, "What I did hurt this church so much. I caused so much damage. Will you forgive me?" The two of them hugged. He turned to each brother and hugged and cried -- there has been a lot of hurt and struggle over Jorge's actions. To Sixto who carried much of the weight of responsibility in Jorge's absence, Jorge cried, saying, "My brother, my pillar, my example."
By now the afternoon had changed to evening, and still we sat listening to those who wanted to share what God had spoken to them at the two retreats. It was a sacred time. I doubt that we will ever forget how God came and brought restoration to those relationships.
Two of Jorge's sons told the group that they wanted to be baptized. Libia said she wanted to be baptized!! When she married Jorge she said she did not want anything to do with his "religion." Now she expressed a desire to be baptized, and Jorge said he wanted to be baptized again -- he wants to start in new!
It was an evening to remember forever. God's Spirit was bringing repentance, reconciliation and restoration into a situation that was long needing His transforming work. We praise God for how the Gualaceo house church is tasting revival. The events of the following weekend gave tribute to God's patient, faithful work in this family. (see next post)
Several ideas came to mind as I thought about how to title this post: Detour and Disappointment along with Far Vistas and Faith. Let me see if I can make this choice of words make sense. I confess that it is tempting to use the more positive sounding words as the main title, but painting the picture in true colors is a necessary part of staying in touch.
Sunday afternoon, July 4, we drove home after another weekend trip to Arenillas. Various meetings, times of conversation, a morning outing at the river and a baby and child dedication at the Saturday evening meeting filled the hours.
With each visit we observe the faith and learning-to-walk-in-Christ experiences of the believers. Some conversations teach us aspects of their lives that we never knew before. At other times we are able to help them process how to live out their faith in various work situations or home and family difficulties. Conversations of this nature encourage us.
This visit held some disappointment for us. We had a brief visit with Veronica, wife of former house church leader, Boris. As of May 2009 Boris expressed a desire to be released from the leadership of the Arenillas house church. During the past year Edgar has filled the role of leader, attempting to move the group forward. There have been struggles, not the least of which was Boris' "sometimes in, sometimes out" presence and partial leadership of the group, which brought confusion. Since Boris' decision last May and throughout the year, we and the church hoped that he and Veronica would be restored as the main leaders, but that has not happen. In early May 2010 we felt it was time to clarify their involvement with the group. Boris clearly stated that he wanted to work in Machala, dedicating his time to establishing a work there. The decision to part ways was painful for all, especially for Veronica who was the original believer who dreamed of a church in her hometown of Arenillas. On May 30 restructuring of the leadership happened (see post preceding this one), and we sense that people are working with enthusiasm in their areas of responsibility. We believe it is God's will that Boris and Veronica be restored to the group, someway, in some capacity, sometime. Veronica expressed pain and frustration with us and the church people for "pushing them out." Please pray for God's healing grace to bring a "perfect ending" to this confusing and disappointing situation.
Before we left from Arenillas, we learned that a huge landslide had made the main route impassible. For the most part in Ecuador there are not alternative routes, unless you are willing to drive hours out of the way. The main road cuts through the Andes Mountains, and there are not side roads and non-interstate short-cuts you can take (there are no interstate roads either!). Would we be able to get on home? we wondered.
Sure enough, we came to the inevitable "Road Closed" sign, and had to turn off. Where would this winding, dusty road take us?
It was a rough, gravel road, but oh, the scenery! We looked and looked at those huge mountains that filled the horizon to the south.
Our road snaked along the edge of hills and down into the valleys.
We got to see the backside of the mountains we always see from the main road. Each curve and turn showed us yet another vista -- it was a beautiful afternoon for unexpected sight-seeing! We were a tiny speck in the vast scenery as we drove the hour-long detour route, back to where we could again pick up the main road to Cuenca.
Far vistas -- miles of monster mountains and sky to spare. No, the detour was not a disappointment. It was a surprise treat as we made the trek home.
Far vistas -- Just the Sunday before we had seen this sunset in Azogues, a city 45 minutes to the east of Cuenca. "Look up and expect great things!" the glowing sky invited.
For six weeks Clayton has been leading a small group Bible study in Ricardo and Marta's home, and on the previous Wednesday Ricardo had invited family members from Azogues to his home for the weekly meeting. About a dozen drove from Azogues to Cuenca to attend. They eagerly invited Clayton to their home for the following Sunday evening. The family regularly meets on Sunday to "read a prayer" and read and discuss a topic from a book.
Ricardo (the man wearing dark blue on the left) and his wife (not present) met Clayton at the counseling office and want to share their new-found faith in Christ. Last Sunday evening eighteen adults and nine children gathered.
Is God permitting us to participate in helping to form a house church in another city of south Ecuador? Pray with us that the three generations gathered that evening can find the light of Truth and open their hearts to all God desires to give to them.
Pray that our FAITH will stretch to see and embrace as far as God is expanding His work in this special part of this beautiful country.
Among many favorite songs, there's one that is often rings out in our Spanish meetings:
Lift up your eyes, "la cosecha" -- the harvest is ready, the grain is ripe. That was literally and figuratively happening in Arenillas this past weekend.
Various families were harvesting the corn planted in January. We had not visited their plots of land hacked out of the jungle, so we decided it was time to make the trek out to the "chacra." Victor (below), his brother and son-in-law have bordering fields. We encountered several people at work. The corn was definitely ready for hands to harvest.
Clayton remembered the feel of harvesting corn and joined in.
Rich, golden kernels of corn...
Victor's two sons carry sacks of corn from the field, adding to the growing pile.
A bountiful crop.
A process of harvest at the spiritual level was also in progress during the weekend. The need for restructuring of leadership was a priority. In two long meetings the local believers dialogued, prayed and came to a decision to decentralize the leadership and work as three teams, staying mutually accountable but focusing on local outreach in three areas of the city. This has been a long-stated goal, and a vision held forth for several years, but reluctance to implement the vision has inhibited growth. Several critical factors brought the group to the realization that significant change was needed if a city-harvest was going to be realized.
The pile of ripe corn is a natural parallel to many who express a desire to be taught the truth of God. And like natural fields undergo huge changes during the course of a planting and harvest season, so too the body of Christ has to be willing for the changes needed for a harvest to be brought in. This past weekend God positioned the believers of Arenillas to be more effective in the days ahead. Please pray for the "elder brother believers" as they adjust to taking more initiative and responsibility for outreach in their neighborhoods. And pray for Victor and his wife Teresa in their new role as team coordinator. The original group will continue to meet weekly for prayer and for "team meetings," but the major house meetings will be dispersed throughout the city.
Praise God for new fields growing in Arenillas!
How does one determine if an "open door" is meant to be walked through, or if it is the beginning of a path that leads off the main trail of destiny? Since the beginning of this year several choices of this nature beckon to us for a response. This post will briefly describe one area in which we have responded with a "yes".
A hurried email and a phone call sent us on an unexpected adventure. With only a few hours' notice, we were invited to participate in a weekend event called Encounter With God, that three Cuenca church groups offer to help unbelievers or young believers to understand key factors in the discipleship experience. In a setting away from home responsibilities and the distractions that keep us all busy, people are able to focus on their spiritual life and make some major decisions about drawing closer to God. The leaders of the event are long-time friends, and they asked us to consider joining with them in this ministry. We accepted the invitation to attend.
During ministry times participants frequently raise their hands in anticipation of God's work in their lives. Themes such as repentance, inner healing and deliverance from spiritual bondage are part of the weekend's teaching.
We attended the following Encounter with more than a dozen believers from the Gualaceo and Arenillas house churches. Clayton participated as part of the ministry team, praying for people who desired to be set free from spiritual strongholds. Thelma joined the intercessors' team that prays during the several hours' long teaching and deliverance ministry session. Many have found freedom in Christ and deliverance from spiritual oppression and strongholds in their lives at the Encounters. The young people pray fervently by name for others to find victory over sinful bondage and spiritual strongholds. The hours hurried by quickly.
Even the kitchen help participates during a major part of the evening's intercession ministry. There is a strong sense of working together on all levels of the Encounter ministry effort.
All of the intercessors team had participated in earlier Encounters, and many can understand the spiritual struggle some people have to become free from their past.
Below is a photo of the first group of participants from the Arenillas and Gualaceo house churches, along with three of the eight main leaders (to left of Thelma). All of the house church members thanked us for encouraging them to make the effort to attend.
As of this writing, twenty persons from Arenillas and Gualaceo have participated in the weekend events. Please pray that others will be ready to attend the next Encounter on Father's Day weekend. We hope that eventually all of the present believers will attend, and that many other unsaved friends and family members will do so also in the coming months.
Pray for us as we continue to consider several other open doors -- which ones does God want us to walk through? Pray that we will discern that clearly.
The past months have been busy and "noisy," but our interaction on the blog has been pretty quiet. My apologies. This post will try to remedy that situation.
Since January there has been a constant flow of meetings, using that word in its various meanings. Meeting new people, attending meetings of people and connecting with people and ideas that have pushed out our understandings of our role here -- all have been a constant feature of recent months. May God help us to MEET (and join up with) His purpose in all that has come our way!
April brought the three-years-running tradition of a night of worship, planned and hosted by the Gualaceo house church. The Gomez family enjoys making music and enjoys maintaining this "tradition." They contract the use of the city coliseum for one night, inform the local churches, and invite several worship groups to join them for the event. Each year the Arenillas house church group has been invited. Those who have come spread the word about what a great time they had, so each year more have wanted to attend the celebration. The first year fifteen came. Last year twenty-two made the trip. This photo shows the forty who made the four hour trip this year! They chartered a small bus and packed in for the ride -- which extended to seven hours, due to an old bus and some complications. The delays in the travel didn't dampen their spirits. All were eager for the BIG NIGHT!
The first songs of the worship service were led by the Gomez brothers of the Gualaceo house church. We could sense their passion that the evening would be a service of unforgettable praise to God. We joined with them in lifting songs of exaltation to His name.
Sixto Gomez is the main impetus behind the concerts, but the whole Gomez family has a role to play in making the event come to pass. We appreciate the desire to join Christians together to praise God in a public venue where many can gather and participate.
This photo shows one side of the seating area of the coliseum, along with some of the people who stood on the floor for most of the concert.
A new feature of the concert this year was the guest band invited to play and sing from the church in Portoviejo where our family worked in the 1990's. Juan Cedeño, wearing the black suit, was a young Christian then, and a great friend of our son Duane. He is leader of the worship ministry of the Vida Nueva church in Portoviejo. Their participation added a new dimension to the concert.
Sunday morning the Portoviejo group led a time of worship and Juan Cedeño gave a message. People enthusiastically joined in singing: "I want to be a History Maker in this land."
God, help us to be those people who make history in south Ecuador!
Sunday afternoon was THE soccer game -- friendly rivalry has become part of the gatherings of the Gualaceo and Arenillas groups. The smiles on the faces of the spectators indicates the fun that prevails as the fellows match their soccer skills, organizing a small soccer tournament to see who really is the best. Both players and spectators joined in the fun.
Arenillas spectators enjoy the game and the good-natured bantering. (above) Gomez family spectators laugh at the antics on the playing court. (below) Clayton talks with Jorge Gomez.
This is one small peek into our lives. Pray that the multiplication of churches in south Ecuador will move forward as more believers become ready to take leadership roles.
The celebration of Cuenca's independence is always a colorful time, as craft fairs of all kinds spring up all over the city. Vendors come from all over Ecuador to sell their wares. Our favorite exhibition is the paintings that line the street near the Broken Bridge landmark. This year brought bright colors and scenes, as usual.
The top two pictures in the following photo are NOT paintings. They are made with something known as Chinese stitchery -- made with fine stitches of many colors. I looked and looked at these two pictures, valued at $600. each. Just beautiful.
Colors and shapes -- a little of everything.
