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.
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.
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.
