This will be the last full report from the International Team in Ecuador. We may have a few more for you, but this is the last big day for us. And what a day it was!
A few ways you can understand just how powerful your prayers can be... Group 1 report - Today, we had a team go to a school outside of Azogues, a city about 15-20 miles from Cuenca. When the team went into the school, we prayed, pleaded our case, but were told no, the Catholic priest would not allow it. Outside the school, another Gideon found a torn up copy of a Testament someone had somehow brought up from either the city or from Cuenca. A personal witness with pleading for 15 minutes also was unsuccessful. But we prayed and went to the next school only about 300 meters down the road, equivelent to a high school. And praise the Lord, we were able to distribute in the classrooms! Keep those prayers coming!
A Jail Report from Group 2 - Four of us had the privilege of going to the prison in Azogues to meet with the inmates and pass out Testaments. We had one interpreter with us who was a non believer. There were 200 inmates and 96 came to take testaments and we were able to stand around in the quad and talk to them. Two of them could speak English and helped us talk to the other men. I was able to tell some of them that 3 of the 4 greatest men in the Bible has committed murder and God forgave them and was still able to use them in a mighty way.(Moses,David,Paul and Jesus) So whatever they had done, that God could forgive them and use them for His glory too. My non believing interpreter was saying all this to them and we had been witnessing to him all day. I believe the seed has been planted in him and God will water and bring him to know Jesus soon.
For our friends - know that the pictures we share are downsized to low resolution for email so everyone can receive on the list. Once we get back home, within a reasonable time, we will have the photos available to the team members for sharing at full resolution
Pray for the Philippines ISB Team. Reports are that they are doing very well on their distributions, but until each and every person knows the Lord Jesus Christ, we must be ever faithful to share the Word! Sldo Also for safe travels for the team back home, especially brother Leif Backman as he travels separately on a much longer journey.
Here are some pictures of the day, including the local Cuenca Gideons and Auxiliary members. While the ISB team was in Azogues today with the local camp, they continued to distribute today. The faithfulness of these people, and some of the ones that accompanied us to Azogues today is a reflection of Jesus that we do not see often. Tireless, selfless, dedicated to the Lord service, giving up sleep and personal gain to reach the lost. This, friends, is why we must strive to live our team's team verse, Philippians 1:27 - Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Jail = see the story above.
Classroom = Yes! These are either 5th or 6th graders! And they all received a copy of God's Word because of your prayers and faithful support!
Filipe = Our bus driver today. He started the day as just a bus driver, but just after this picture, based on conversations with 8-10 people today, and watching us work, he wanted follow Christ, and he signed his name in the back of the Testament! Praise the Lord!
CuencaGideons = The picture was after a wonderful Pastors Appreciation Banquet that was excellent. Please continue to pray for these men and women that have shown so much love to us this week, and worked so hard to share the Word of God to their city. If you knew them the way we do, you would see Jesus in them by how they serve Him. To God be the Glory! Great things He has Done!
Tomorrow we will be packing, traveling, and personally witnessing.
Chris and Jimmy
On behalf of the 2011 Ecuador ISB team
0 comments:
Post a Comment