First, many blessings to you this weekend as you celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection. He is risen!
A Wonderful Answer to Prayer
Radio HCJB Ecuador is a partner ministry, one of many ministries which used to be part of our mission and have transitioned to Ecuadorian leadership. In February they shared this wonderful news:
“YAY!! Yesterday [February 11] HCJB Ecuador received official communication from the government that a concession has been granted for 15 years for the radio frequency 89.3FM Quito and its repeaters. This is an answer to our prayers of the last 10 years at least, and is the culmination of a process that has lasted the last 8.5 years and included lots of faith, working, waiting, praying, doubting and crying. Thanks for journeying with us on this adventure.”
Partnership in Action
Since September our mission has helped provide medical care to refugees here in Quito. The story starts with Pan de Vida, a ministry we highlighted in our July 2020 newsletter. Ministering to impoverished families with food and job training, Pan de Vida had increasing numbers of refugees (mostly Venezuelan) with urgent medical needs.
About half a block away is La Y Family Clinic, another Ecuadorian ministry started by our mission. With the help of our mission’s doctor, an agreement was reached. Pan de Vida would screen those needing medical care, La Y would provide the services, and our mission would pay 90% of the cost of each visit (capped at $3,000 per month). And when a doctor appointment is $20, $3,000 per month goes a long way. (Want to help with this partnership? Note on your gift: “Latin America (30100) refugee ministry”.)
How Are We Doing?
Our lives have settled into a manageable pandemic routine. The first three months were the worst ─ confined to our apartment (because we were over 65) and dependent on younger friends to bring groceries and supplies. Quito had a 2:00 p.m. curfew and those with cars could only drive one day per week.
Beginning in the summer, grocery store trips and outdoor exercise were permitted, the curfew was moved to 7:00 p.m., most people could drive three days per week, and some in-office work was permitted. Scott began going to the office three days a week. We’re both back in the office now, although it took Jody until her laptop died in early November to make the shift. We discovered Jody enjoys working from home while Scott definitely does not!
Summer Hopes: We’re planning a Home Ministry Assignment (HMA) July 7 through September 22. We hope to get to Colorado the last week in August for the training we tried to attend in 2019 and 2020. We’ll have time to connect with Colorado friends and we’ll have extended time in Oregon and Washington to see friends and family. Vaccinations are happening slowly in Ecuador so we are resigned to not being vaccinated until we arrive in Oregon.
If you know of a missionary apartment or short-term rental in the Eugene area, please let us know. Scott will continue working part-time and it would be great to have our own space. (UPDATE: We have a place to stay!)
How to Pray for Us
Thank God for:
- HCJB Ecuador being granted its license for another 15 years
- the Reach Beyond/Pan de Vida/La Y partnership*
- continued good health and provision
Ask God:
- for a place for us to stay in the Eugene area (prayer already answered)
- that poorer countries get enough vaccines (and that the distribution is efficient and fair)
- for God’s will to be done in Ecuador’s presidential election on April 11 (This February article provides a good overview: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-56112385)
New Blog Posts:
Adventures in Middle Earth 