Well Its been awhile. I'd like to promise to do better and update more frequently but that's probably not gonna happen so I won't lie to you or myself. I've been waiting for something to write about for a while now and every time I sit down to write something I end up deciding I need something more important so I just give up and move on. Well at the time of this writing I am struck with the thought of God's love and the only reaction we can have to it. Stop reading this right now and go watch this video before continuing. Video 

        

Well we're boarded and ready to take off from Quito. Pray coming home
is easier than leaving.

Sent from my iPhone

        

Well as u sit here drinking my coffee on our last day in Cayambe I'm
struck by the two sides of Ecuador. On the one side is the most
beautiful country I've ever seen. The mountains a beyond words with
their crop fields planted and tended and harvested by hand. The soil
seems to b able to produce the biggest and most gorgeous flowers and
fruits and vegetables. The people are so friendly and loving.

However on the other side this truely is a a country and a people in
need of the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ. The good news is
they are very receptive. They love to hear about Jesus. The bad news
is although the harvest is plentiful, the workers are few. I implore
you right now as you read to stop and beseech the God of the harvest
to send out workers... Did you hear that if you are a Christian God is
calling you to the harvest. When Jesus spoke of the harvest and the
workers He was talking about you and where you are right now. Now that
you've prayed for the harvest what will you do for God's harvest?

We'll be coming home tomorrow hopefully you will have stories of the
harvest.

        

We made it!!! I'm sitting in the motel as I type. We're staying in the
Jatun Huasi which is Quichua for big house. That was fun explaining
what the big house is back home. As you pray for our team remember our
translators Ruben and Cecilia as well as our driver Francisco. Please
by all means pray for the driver. Wait till you see pictures of the
roads.

The flight from Miami was great (better for some than others.) All our
bags made it and now we can't wait to get an early start tomorrow.

Neal, I'll get you a picture of your volcano tomorrow.

        

Well we do indeed serve a big God. As I sat down to do my quiet time this morning I was very discouraged. We left for Ecuador yesterday and due to some bad weather and a leaky coffee pot we missed the last flight from Miami to Quito. We have lost a whole day. I was very disappointed to say the least. We're booked on the next flight but it doesn't leave until 3:35 this afternoon. I challenged the youth to start reading a chapter a day out of Romans so I decided I'd go through with them and today was to be the first day. Imagine my surprise when I read the words that Paul wrote 2000 years ago. Romans 1:10-13 let's us know that Paul was longing to get to Rome and was detained. As I thought about that I realized that the same God that used Paul while he was longing for Rome will use us as we long for Ecuador. Please pray for safe travel today as well as eyes to see the ministry that God has for us today.

Please forward a link to anyone that would be interested in updates from Ecuador.

        

I'd like to take a minute to ask everyone who reads this blog (all 3 of you) to take a moment to pray for our mission grip to Ecuador. We're leaving on January 5th and we'll be back the 12th. Please continue to pray for the team and the trip.

        

Download | Duration: 00:03:41

        

     Well as things often do things have been changing around here lately. Our pastor, Jeremy, announced last Sunday that he's resigning from our church. Even though I knew it was coming, hearing him say the words was quite a blow. Until Jeremy came to Addington there was no one to share in the frustrations of being a minister. Jeremy has been a confidant, an ally, a pastor and most of all a friend. I have come to trust and respect him greatly. Of all the pastors I've known Jeremy is the only one who truly is the same man in the pulpit that he is on the golf course or hunting. With his dry and ireverant humor he has a way of making you feel comfortable around him right from the start. The hurt will subside and the tears will dry but the things I've learned from Jeremy will last a lifetime.  He taught me that who you are is more important than what you say. A good joke can change a room. Standing is always the right thing as long as you're standing for the right thing. Slow down, when you rush you're unapproachable. In closing the one thing I need to say to Jeremy is thank you for reminding me of all the things I love about ministry.  

        

Download | Duration: 00:03:27

        

Well it's been awhile since I've written. I'm not sure why. It definately isn't from a lack of activity. I guess it's because I'm just sad. I'm beginning to wonder what's going on in the world. We've been going through a study on the church in youth on Wednesday nights. As I study I see more and more that we've missed the boat. Acts 2:42 says they (3000 new believers) continually devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching, to fellowship. the breaking of bread and prayer. The greek word translated fellowship is the word koinonia. This word is tied very closely with the first church. It seems to mean a sharing of lives. Do we share our lives with our brothers and sisters in Christ?