Riobamba, Ecuador

"Fluid"

2010-06-01T18:26:00.000-07:00

On May 28, before we ever left Atlanta, there was a delay in our plan in getting to Ecuador. A volcano just south of our final destination erupted causing us to be delayed as they arranged to redirect our flight. It seems that something's been stirring this volcan to want to become more "fluid". Of course, we all had questions bout the change in plans and what would happen if we couldn't proceed as planned. Our pastors asked us to be willing to be "fluid" as events unfolded.

I had prayed for weeks for God to empty me so that He could fill me with what He wanted me to have on this trip. My first day was a little emotional as I realized that He had answered that prayer! I felt inadaquate to offer Him what I wanted to give, and was unsure if He'd be disappointed in me.

As I desperately prayed that God reveal Himself to me, He showed me that something poured out of a vessel is "fluid" when God uses it. That exression we had been using was truly what God wanted me to bel: "Fluid".

The very next day, He allowed me to lead my first person to the Lord, with many more to follow. I totally fell in love with the precious Riobamba people. Pouring my love, God's love, out on them has blessed me more than I could have ever expected.

If this is what being fluid is like, no wonder the rocks and hills are crying out!

posted by Mellissa Binney

Day 2 San Andreas

2010-05-31T19:17:00.000-07:00

We left the hotel this morning wondering what God would have in store for us. He had provided a great pastor and support staff to work with but we were not getting any response from the neighborhood that we were visiting. On day 1 we had visited many homes but were turned away due to the Catholic Church's presence in the area. We decided to go door to door and tell everyone about the medical team that would be in the area on Wednesday. We visited many homes and stores and were well received and Stephanie Culbreth led 1 lady to Christ. We stopped for lunch and our pastor led the owner and her son to Christ. This really fired the pastor up and he decided that he wanted to go out with an American and translater while the others got ready for the afternoon Bible meeting. I went with the pastor where we were able to lead 4 people from 3 houses to the Lord. I can not express the joy that this gave me as this was the first person in my 39 years that I had led to Christ. Not only 1 but 4 in a 30 minute period. God blessed us with a great Bible meeting and opened the door for us to witness to people in the area.
posted by Ross Henderson

Prayer is the BEST medicine

2010-05-31T14:38:00.000-07:00

Pictured below is Jeff Davis. You see Jeff and his translator laying hands on a man that was seen today in the medical clinic. He is actually "standing in" for his wife. When Jeff was going over her medical issues, he realized that her heart was really racing, beating way too fast. We had no medicine that would help that issue. The ladies husband was very concerned for her well being. Jeff and his translator prayed for his wife. Prayer IS the best medicine.

2010-05-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

On our first day, a gentleman named Carlos Sagba visited our clinic requesting reading glasses. This was a very humble man, and acted as though I handed a check for $100,000 as I handed him a pair of simple reading glasses. Mr. Sagba, who is 70 years old, declared that he was a Christian but had never spoken to Jesus. After going through the evangecube, this man was most surprised when I said “You should talk with Christ daily, like a family member or friend”, and after praying for salvation, he left. This 70 year old man honestly looked over 100, frail and very tired. Truth be told, I’m not sure how many years are left in his life but I know that he now will have everlasting life, and will experience a life without pain and sickness.
posted by Abbie Underhill

The Widows Mite... Egg

2010-05-30T19:29:00.000-07:00

After a slow start on Saturday with our pastor, my expectations for Sunday were low. Jesus had other plans. Sunday might have been the most incredible day I have ever experienced serving the Lord. We visited 3 families that our pastor had been working with for weeks. After presenting the gospel via The Cube, all 3 families asked Jesus Christ to be their Savior. The seeds the pastor produced beautiful fruit.
In the afternoon, we drove 20 minutes on paved road and another 20 minutes of dirt road out of town & up the mountains. We were in the country. Farms, farm animals and the sweetest, most giving people I have ever met. We worshiped with them and then they prayed for the offering. I walked up the aisle with my $10. As I reached my hand out to drop my money in the plate, a gnarled, sand-paper rough hand reached out and placed a single egg on the plate. Jesus was pleased. My heart burst to have witnessed someone giving all she had to give. What a day. What a God.
posted by Chris Vonderau

The Awesome Power of God

2010-05-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

Today, Sara and I visited the town of La Providence where we will be planting a church this week. We were told we would be close to the volcano that has been erupting over the past couple of months. That was an understatement. We were able to hear it rumble all day long and could even find small volcanic rocks along the roads. Then at sunset we experienced God’s awesome creation first hand. The rumble of the volcano started to increase and we were able to see lava exploding from the peak. We felt the pressure waves against our bodies. It was a reminder of how awesome our God truly is.
Shane
P. S. Family don’t worry, we are doing the Lord’s work. Pray for us and the people we are serving.
posted by Shane Naish

Great First Day of Medical Clinic

2010-05-30T16:41:00.001-07:00

Today was the first day of our medical clinics. God was good. We saw 318 in the medical, dental and vision clinics. 58 also accepted Jesus as their Savior. GREAT first day. Praise God!

We have arrived safely

2010-05-29T14:52:00.000-07:00

We have arrived safely after several delays on the plane. First Delta overbooked, second, the airline was told that a volcano erupted in Ecuador and they had to come up with an alternate route. Third we had a bad lighning storm. After three and 1/2 hours of delays, we left Atlanta.
Today we traveled by bus to Riobamba. We did pass the volcano that is erupting. It looks like steam is coming out of it.
Below is a picture of the tallest active volanco in the world, Cotopaxi.
Our evangelism teams are out prayer walking and the medical team just finished unpacking medicine, glasses and dental equipment in preparation for tomorrows first clinic.
Please check this site often to read stories and see pictures of what God is doing in Riobamba.

posted by Sam Neugent

Today is the day, May 28

2010-05-28T05:47:00.000-07:00

The day finally arrived, May 28. Our team will be off to the airport soon. Please pray for us as we travel today to the capital of Ecuador, Quito. Check back often for updates, pictures and testimonies of how God is using this team.

LDC (leadership development conference)

2010-03-20T15:52:00.001-07:00

We had many more pastors and church leaders than Diego was expecting. Praise God!

Pastor's luncheion in Riobamba

2010-03-20T15:49:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of some of the pastors we will be working with in Riobamba.

Chimborazo Volcano

2010-03-20T15:41:00.001-07:00

This is the Chimborazo Volcano. Sitting at over 20,000 feet above sea level this is the hightest point in Ecuador. We should be able to see this volcano each day as we minister in Riobamba.