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.
