Grace and Peace to you this day from God the Father. Today is Monday, and the mission team has returned safely from Azabi to Otavalo. We have been deeply blessed during our journey.
Azabi is a small community of about fifty families in northwestern Ecuador. It is located within the Intag cloud forest (so called because it sits in a deep valley high in the mountains, covered by clouds much of the time). The natural beauty there is simply stunning. Some words that describe include: lush green vegetation, surrounding steep mountains, white water river, waterfalls, unusual bird songs every morning, treacherous mud-filled roads with narrow shoulders alongside 1000 foot precipices, Ecuadorean children and adults walking to and from the school, spectacular sunrises, horses and cows, and brisk mountain air with low oxygen content.
The team sang and laughed as we traveled back and forth from the cabin to the school, sometimes sitting in the bed of the pickup truck in the rain. Much adventure, and some risk. But the Lord was faithful and kept us going, and kept us on task.
We saw about 90 patients at Azabi. Kim is demonstrating her compassion and energy in remarkable fashion. She has seen two elderly Quechu ladies who were in bad shape physically. With each, after a full medical exam and evaluation, she washed their feet, and provded for their medical needs. She also gave her boots to one, much to the senora´s delight. Kim is using her Spanish speaking skills very well and often, and is definitely my choice for rookie of the year. She remains steadfast in her love for the Lord, and in her service to others.Yesterday, one of the Quichua families gave the team eggs from their home, and today one of the ladies gave us a large batch of beans.
They are all very gracious in expressing their appreciation, noting that nothing like this had ever happened in Azabi before. Our friend Wilman (a local pastor from Otavalo) and his wife Clemencia have accompanied us. We have set up a large tent outside the clinic area (which is inside the school). Rafael and Clemencia share their faith with people as they wait outside to be seen by the doctors. Eight people gave their life to Jesus Christ over the past two days. Please know that your prayers are making a difference. Moreover, please know that many seeds were planted in the lives of people here, both young and old.
In particular, seeds were planted in the lives of the family that owns the cabin where we stayed. Vincente, his wife, and three children were wonderful hosts for our team. We had great meals, and they helped us to settle into our new quarters. The situation was rustic, but very ample in providing for our needs. Anyway, the oldest son suffered an injury. He was thrown from a high hammock, and probably suffered a fracture of one of his clavicles. Because of the remote location, the family worried because of their son´s obvious pain. I did have pain medication for him, but obtaining it required travel back to the school (about two miles away). The father drove me back to the school, all the while traveling the mud-filled road where we had been stuck earlier in the day. The night was quite dark, but he drove with determination, and we made it safely to and back from the school. (He was aided by the fact that he had obtained much needed glasses from the team earlier in the day.) Needless to say, I was thankful for the safe trip, and he was grateful for our help. Although neither he nor his family are Christian, I do believe that they are now earnestly hearing the gospel, and are ready to receive Christ.
Again, thank you for your prayers. We have been blessed, and we believe that the people here are being touched by the love and redeeming power of Jesus. While watching the beautiful sunrise this morning, I came across this appropriate passage from Luke 1: "Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, To shine upon those who sit in darkness, and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace".At peace in following His lead,
Tim
No comments:
Post a Comment