What's been happening?

We thoroughly enjoyed our last week-end! It was a such a blessing to have Stacey and Andy Meyers visiting us.  They are in Ecuador for their honeymoon.

The kids really enjoyed all the extra attention.  We had fun showing them around and just visiting and playing games.

Sunday we had a great attendance again.  With 151 in the church service.  In the Ladies Sunday School class we had 37!!  We had a special "fellowship time" with rolls and coffee, starting class about 15 minutes earlier than normal. This was just idea I had, to see how it worked.  They ladies had a wonderful time, and we are going to be doing this once a month. :-)

2 people talked to Tony after services to let him know that they were interested in getting baptized this next month.

We are getting ready to start a contest in the Ladies class.  There are so many ladies that come to church but  don't make it to Sunday School.  So my idea, is to try to get them involved.  I am thinking to start this Sunday, and anyone who isn't present in Sunday School, will be considered a "visitor" the next week.  The ladies are going to get 5 points for each first time visitor and 10 points for each time that "visitor" returns...so the idea will be to try and get some new people in the "habit" of attending Sunday School!  

The kids have done really well in school this week.  We just have one more week left and then we will be on our "Summer Vacation".  Our school year is running a little longer than normal this year, because we took some extra time off for different things throughout the year.  We are all looking forward to our "vacation"... not sure who is more excited though, the kids or the teacher! ;-)

We have some more exciting news in our family.  Our oldest daughter and her husband announced this week that they were expecting, in February.  That will be 2 new grand babies for us this coming year!!  Also our middle daughter and her husband will be moving this week, to work in a church in Ohio!  We are very excited for all of these blessings.

Thank you so much for your prayers for our family and for the ministry here in Ecuador!

Blessings,
Joy

Happy Father's Day!!

Wow!  We have had an incredible week-end!

28 men signed up to attend a one-day retreat at a local camp.  24 actually attended!  Tony was thrilled at the turnout.   The theme of the retreat was "Courageous", based on the recent movie.  

While Tony was away yesterday, the kids and I worked on some special Father's Day treats.  We made a batch of Ginger snaps, which they had to give to him as soon as he got home, in hopes that he would share with them! Which of course he did. :-)  They also made cards and letters.  Teddy made his Dad a desktop organizer, from paper tubes and duct tape. ;-)  

This morning the kids and I made breakfast for Tony, and gave him our presents.  Then we all got ready and headed to church.  

We had 146 in the Worship service this morning.  25 Father's stood up to receive their gift.  13 of the men who attended the retreat, went up to the platform to receive a copy of the "Resolution" and to read it aloud with Tony.  After service they brought their families forward to sign the resolution and pray a prayer of dedication.   

That was all really incredible, BUT even more exciting than that, was that 3 precious souls came to know Christ as their Savior this morning.  One of the young men who attended the retreat yesterday, brought his wife up and said, to me, "She wants to accept Christ as her Savior!"  Then one of the men who had gone to the retreat, after signing the resolution, told Tony that he needed to take the first step and accept Christ.  Then after he had accepted Christ, he brought his teen age daughter over and she told Tony, she wanted to accept Christ!!  

This afternoon, we enjoyed a great Father's Day lunch, together.  Tried a new recipe and EVERYONE loved it!   Tony and the kids have been playing a "new" game outside.  I love hearing their laughter through the window.   

We are truly blessed!

Joy

Teddy's Essay

My Hero

My hero is dad.  Heroes come in all different shapes and sizes.  My dad is a real hero because, like FDR loved his country, Dad loves me and my family.

Heroes are bold, loving, caring, and kind.  My dad is all of these, he is a bold speaker.  He speaks at church and does a great job!  He forgives me even when I am bad; He gives me food and cares for me.  He lets me go to Tennis and buys me stuff like, movies, ice cream, and drinks.

Heroes are also true to their beliefs like Gladys Aylward was true to her belief in Jesus Christ, even when she faced great threats.  My dad also encourages me to be a true Christian.  He also is true to his belief in Jesus Christ.  He teaches people about Jesus, just like Paul.  He helps me learn how to testify and spread the good news of the gospel.

That's why Dad is my hero!

Happy Monday Morning!  We've turned the calendar to a new month.  Can you really believe that it is already June?  It seems like just last month we were celebrating New Years!!!

We have had so many blessings already this year.  It just amazes me that God would choose to work through me and my family.

Last week we had 186 in services.  There were 32 ladies that attended our Sunday School class.  After services Tony baptized 3 precious new believers.  

This week we celebrated "Children's Day" here in Ecuador, Friday, June 1.  We had a team from the church take our puppets to a local school, at the request of the director for a presentation, Friday morning.  It was very well received.  One lady asked, them, "What does the church charge to do this?" ;-)  She seemed pretty amazed that the response was nothing, that we are willing to go wherever there is an opportunity or an open door.

Yesterday, we had 150 in services.  People responded to the invitation for prayer, and there was a great spirit in the church.   We are thankful for the work that God is doing in hearts and lives here in Manta.

This is a big "celebration" month for our family.  June 1, was Teddy's "Welcome to our Family" day.  We had a great time celebrating him and enjoyed "Children's Day" with all 3 kids.

Yesterday our oldest daughter, Mandie and her husband Mike celebrated their 6th anniversary.  This Wednesday our daughter, Lexi, will celebrate her birthday, and on the 27th, our daughter Ashley and her husband Shane, will celebrate their 4th anniversary, (I think, I have the "years" right! ;-)

We are praising the Lord for his blessings upon our lives and the lives of our children.

I pray that each of you have a week full of blessings from the Lord and open doors of ministry for the glory of God.

Blessings,
Joy