Our week-end

Our week-end was very full and busy. But then what other kind is there? :-) Saturday is spent getting ready for Sunday... handouts to copy, songs to practice, etc. Along with that, we are in the middle of a ladies Bible Study that is meeting on Saturday afternoons. This past Saturday we had 10 ladies attend.

There was also a group Saturday that went out to La Travesia to minister. Lupe and Bethsabe taught the children, (there were 40 that showed up!) and Roberto and Marco worked with the adults, (about 16). Saturday evening, Tony and I met again with Luis and Melania. They are preparing for their wedding in June.

Sunday morning, our attendance was alittle down, of course this is the middle of "summer vacation" for us, so considering that and the fact that their was a big soccer game between the US and Ecuador at 10:00am, it wasn't that bad, we had 45 in Sunday School and 62 in church. It was pretty crazy though as there were at least 2 cars down on the street with their radios blaring so loud you could hardly hear on the terrace and that was with our small sound system! We definitely need our own building! :-)

Sunday evening, Tony met with the leaders and host of our small groups. We have had 2 weeks off and start up another 6 week series this week.

Thank you for your prayers for our family and the ministry here in Manta!
Joy

Home Safe and Sound!

We had a good trip home from Quito on Saturday. We left there a little after 6:00 in the morning. Stopped by the Well's house to visit with Sylvia for a little bit. (Joe had left earlier for a trip to Portoviejo). It was a nice break. She had breakfast and coffee waiting for us! The car ran great all the way home, and we got into Manta, around 2:00 in the afternoon.

Services yesterday went well. We had one first time visitor in the church service. Our Sunday School attendance was a little down, at 54, but we had 79 in church. Please pray for wisdom as we try and decide about what to do with our adult class. We have started to lose a little ground with them, since we combined the men's and ladies classes. The problem now is that we aren't sure how to divide them back up in the space we have.

Special prayer requests this week...

Please continue to pray for Zonia. She wasn't able to be at church yesterday. We don't have any details, but her sister told me on the way out of church yesterday that the chemo hasn't been working and that they are talking about another surgery.

Also continue to pray for property to build on.

Thank you for your prayers for our family and for the ministry here in Manta.
Blessings on your week!
Joy

New Car

We have a new car! Well, not a "new" car, but new to us! We are very thankful to the Lord for guiding us in the process. Thank you for praying for us. We have purchased a VW Vento. It is a little 4 door sedan. We were able to get it for alittle under our budgeted amount so that was a blessing too! :-)

It has been fun to be in Quito for a few days. Actually we have been in Sangolqui, which is in a valley outside of Quito. We have enjoyed visiting with Glenn and Sherri, and Glenn's Dad Cliff. It has been so good to see the work here, and see how much the people have grown. God is blessing the work here, and it is neat to know that we had a small part in many of their lives! :-)

We are waiting for the contract to get notorized and the issurance to get started etc. on the car. Hopfully we will be able to leave in the mornig, but at least by tomorrow afternoon. Thank you again for your prayers. Please be praying for our safety as we return to Manta.

Joy

Heart to Heart

Have your heard the song, Trust His Heart ? The chorus says, "God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind, When you don't understand, when you can't see his plan, when you can't trace his hand, Trust His heart."

I have been teaching a Ladies Bible Study at church. We are using Beth Moore's book, Jesus the One and Only. Last week, she asked the question in the book, "Do you believe that God is sovereign?" Then she asked, "Do you believe God is also sweet?" (kind, loving, good) Anyway that brought the above song to my mind. Isn't it wonderful that not only do we have a sovereign God, who we can trust, because we KNOW He is in control, but He also LOVES us!

Sometimes as parents we have to "ask" our children to do things that they don't really want to do... unpleasant things... maybe it's get a shot from the doctor, or take "yucky" medicine because they are sick. We do these things because we love them. We don't get any joy out of watching them suffer or go through these things, but we know that it is for their good. It is what is best for them... Well, I love each of my children beyond words! Many of you know how much I have struggled adjusting to the girls being gone, not just gone, but so far away, too. Well, as much as I love them... It doesn't even come close to how muchGod loves them or how much He loves each one of us! That is pretty hard to comprehend!

This week, I am going to ask you to be praying for me. I am excited about our trip to Quito. The opportunity to visit with friends and just the change of pace for our family. But along with the good things... Just pray that I will allow God to be incontrol of my attitudes, my heart and especially my mouth! :-) I know that He never allows anything without a purpose!

Thanks for letting me share my heart with you!
Joy

Update...

This has been a busy week for our family. On Tuesday we sold our 1993 Ford Explorer. That was definitely an answer to prayer, but it has also made getting around this week a little trickey.

Wednesday evening was our 6th week for our CODA meetings, (small groups). There were about 30 total meeting together in 2 different homes. We will have a couple weeks break and then start them again, possible in different homes. Pray as we seek wisdom about when and where to add meetings.

On Thursday morning Tony met with a local pastor who is also an architect. They viewed a few different pieces of property, and also looked at some small church buildings he has built. Friday morning, we went with the man from our church who bought the Explorer to get the contract notorized and all taken care of offically. Friday afternoon, Tony went out with Darwin, from our church to look at some more property. Saturday afternoon, was our weekly Ladies Bible Study. We had 8 ladies attend yesterday. Then last night Tony and I met with Luis and Melanie to start their premarital counseling. That is exciting. They are planning their wedding for June 16.

This morning we had 61 in Sunday School and 72 in church. We had 3 first time visitors in the church service. Our new youth class, which is from kids in 7th - 9th grade is growing. They had 5 this morning.

Tomorrow morning Tony and Ashley will be trying to get her visa extended for another 90 days. Then in the afternoon we are all suppose to fly up to Quito. We will be visiting with Glenn and Sherri McGhee, and also shopping for a good used car. Please pray for safety as we travel and that God would lead us to the exact car he has for us. We are hoping to be driving it back to Manta on Thursday or Friday.

Other prayer requests would be for God's leading in finding and purchasing property for our church. Many people in our congregation have been dealing with sickness. I am still trying to get completely over some virus/cold. Teddy has been having problems with another tooth. He has been on antibiotic again, and visiting the dentist a couple times a week. We are praising the Lord for giving us a good dentist and for helping Teddy to handle all of this very well.

Thank you for praying for us!
Joy

Getting Started...

Tony and I have been looking at different weblog hosting sites. We have been keeping weblogs for over 2 years now, to keep our supporting churches and pastors updated on our work and ministry here in Ecuador. Lately we have not been happy with where we were, because many people have told us that they have trouble getting to our blogs. We will see what happens with this. :-)