“Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will do this and that.” James 4:15

Back in Quito

After eleven weeks in the U.S., we returned to Quito September 23. We’re still adjusting to the altitude, but otherwise our life is back to “normal.”

When we made our airline reservations in March it looked like the COVID situation in Oregon would be pretty good by summer.  We got our first dose of vaccine in the Miami airport and our second in Eugene. But the Delta variant caused COVID to surge and some of our plans were upended. An early August exposure to COVID landed us in quarantine and cancelled Jody’s trip to California. In late August a four day stay in the Portland area was canceled after our host got COVID a few days before. In early September the memorial service for Jody’s mom had to be pushed to next year when one of Jody’s siblings got COVID.

But we did make it to Washington State and to Colorado. We had outside meetings with many friends in the Eugene area and had more time than expected with family. During our August quarantine Jody borrowed some quilting supplies and made two Christmas wall hangings. And Scott and a friend battled forest fire smoke to do another Crater Lake ride.

As Christians we know that we shouldn’t assume that our plans are going to happen, but are to say, “If the Lord wills … ” This summer was a good reminder to hold our plans lightly, that our plans are not necessarily God’s plans, and that there are always things for which we can be thankful.

Some of you may be wondering, “How long will you be in Ecuador?”

We don’t yet have plans for when we will move back to the United States. However, barring something unforeseen, we’ve agreed that in a year or two we will have that discussion and our best guess is three to five years. Scott likes to say that he wants to work himself out of a job and our shared hope is that we do our part to leave “Voz y Manos” in good hands and poised and ready for all that God has planned for Ecuador.

Here are some photos of our time in the U.S. (Pike’s Peak, Colorado; Scott’s ride at Crater Lake; and Jody’s quarantine quilts

Praise and Prayer

Praise God for the conversations we had with friends and supporters. We were encouraged by people’s faith and perseverance during the last two years.

Praise God that we stayed healthy and for how God adjusted our plans during our stay.

Ask God to care and protect our family, especially our kids and grandkids. Pray for good health for all, as some are having severe health challenges.

Ask God to guide us in our short-term and long-term plans and that we would be flexible and willing to follow Him and be His voice and hands in Ecuador.

Thank You

Thank you for partnering with us on this journey. We appreciate your encouragement, support, and prayers.

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