Multiplication

The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 

2 Timothy 2:2

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 

2 Corinthians 12:10

 
And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 

Matthew 4:19

One last word to follow,
Tim

Reflections - Last day

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Dear friends and family in Christ,

Today is our last day in Ecuador this year. We are resting, and packing up, planning to begin our journey home very early on Tuesday. We had a fantastic day yesterday, visiting a few of God's amazing creations here in Pinchincha province in northern Ecuador.

Each year, as we prepare to leave, I ask the question: What lasting results came of our time and efforts here? The answers to that question are sometimes difficult to express, but one eternal result is the multitude of relationships that were either nurtured or started. Our relationships with people like Wilman and Clemencia, Kevin and Kathy Bruce, German and Luz, the members of Galilea church, Paulina and Milton in Rio Verde, pastor Roberto at Gualsaqui, and the students serving on the Liebenzell Impact team have eternal consequences. They are part of that great cloud of witnesses that the writer of Hebrews mentions in chapter 12. These people are dear to us, and we love them very much.

There, of course, are also the people we serve each year, whether in the clinics, or with the children in schools and on playgrounds. As God brings help, healing, and encouragement through us to them, it is our prayer that they will come to know God as they see and experience Jesus in us. Indeed, pastor Roberto told us this morning that four families we served during the week came to his church for the first time this Sunday.

Then, too, there is our team itself. God does great work in the lives of each team member each year. We were privileged to have two members on the team this year from Columbia -- Alvaro, whom we have known for many years, and his friend Jacob. Both of them work as counselors and social workers in Columbia, teaching children the skills of conflict resolution and how to live at peace. Jacob's spiritual walk has been less developed, and he was interested in growing. His life was strongly impacted as he worked and worshipped with the team each day. He shared on his last night with us that he felt he understood what it meant to live in Christ for the first time, and he plans on finding a Christian fellowship in Columbia where he can continue that walk.

I look forward to returning home, and continuing my walk with each of you.

Amazed by Him,
Tim

Precious Gifts from Ecuador

Becca in bunny hat (gift from church members in Ecuador).

Sent from...  Wait.  Where am I?

Rest

“ Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy- laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." 

Matthew 11:28-29

Dear friends and family in Christ,

It is early Sunday morning, and I am sitting here in the reading room at the Dona Esther hostel where the team stays in Otavalo, Ecuador. It is a quiet, peaceful day. Our tired team had a free day yesterday to relax and enjoy the climate and culture of this place. Last night, I enjoyed hearing all of the stories that each person had to tell. I was tired, and retired early, and had a refreshing night of sleep. In conversation yesterday with Randy Baker (our team dentist), we shared the idea that this was a "good tired" because it was used by God to fulfill His purpose as comfort and care was provided for His children. There is much peace to be found in such an experience.

Today, we are having breakfast with the German students on the Impact team. Afterwards, we will all walk to the church at Galilea, where we will worship with Wilman, Clemencia, and the rest of the people who make up the Body there. After a quick lunch, the team will travel to Lake Cuicocha for a boat ride, followed by a walk to the local waterfall. We finish the day with a time of celebration at Galilea church. Our Father gives us Life and purposeful action. He also gives rest and peace.

Hungry for breakfast,
Tim

God Will Provide

...for for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

Matthew 6:32-33

Dear friends and family,

The last day of clinic this year was held at Galilea Baptist Church. Pastor Wilman Varela, his wife Clemencia, and their children have become our very good friends over the years. They work very hard, pastoring their church, taking care of mission teams, and earning a living to support their family. Wilman was involved in a bad vehicular accident several years ago, and his employment has been hampered as a result. The family has badly needed a reliable vehicle for several years, and the team has been aware of this. Remarkably, a donor at Lifesong Church made a sizable donation this year, enabling our team leader Shelia Duncan and a good friend to select and purchase a used four-wheel drive Chevrolet Trooper. We kept the purchase a surprise, and presented the gift to Wilman and Clemencia at the end of clinic on Friday. The two of them were ecstatic, and later revealed that they had very recently been struggling with the decision to take out a large loan to buy a vehicle. Their plans, however, were thwarted by an administrative problem, no doubt orchestrated by the Holy Spirit! They said the vehicle purchased was one of the ones they were considering. 

As this year's mission work finished, the team was impressed with how God provides in order to fulfill his purpose. This reminds us of how important it is to follow and rely on God. As Frank Viola writes: "...first I learned how to work for God. Then I learned how to work with God. Finally, I learned how to watch God work." The team, I believe, is being taught that principle as we listen, live and serve each day here in Ecuador.

Tired in a very good way,
Tim

Providence

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. 

2 Corinthians 9:8

Some days are hectic for the team. We spend months planning and gathering supplies, but when we arrive in Ecuador, we hit the ground running. We unload and carry all twenty trunks of supplies many times. To the supplies brought, we add the inventory stored from last year. We sort and resort, providing care for friends and family as we go along. In the midst of this frenetic activity, various supplies get misplaced, lost or forgotten. Early on during this trip, we did not have enough (or any) urine test strips, ACE bandages, lidocaine, alcohol pads, and syringes with needles. As each need became emergent, however, we prayed for provision, and within hours (sometimes minutes) we would come upon the needed item, seemingly out of nowhere. With each discovery, we gave God the credit more and more readily.

This was also true for the needs of the people we served. Last year, the team was unable to hold a clinic at the school at Gualsaqui because the director of the local health department refused to grant permission. This year we held the clinic at the church, and there was no problem. Pastor Roberto greeted us with open arms, and many sick people were treated on Thursday. When we saw Roberto and asked about his needs, he advised that he had been unable to pay his son's tuition, and he was in jeopardy of losing credits earned. By God's providence, however, we were able to pass along money given by a church member at Tatesbrook for just such a purpose. Roberto received the funds with tears, gratitude, and a hug.

Likewise, at Lita, we learned that both missionary families (the Bruces and the Shaubs) had badly worn tires on their two vehicles. Through the generosity of a church member at Lifesong Church in Russell, KY, the need was fulfilled. Kathy, Kevin, Chrissie and Andy were very grateful.

In all these matters, we prayed aloud, giving God the praise and the glory. The team was thrilled to be an instrument of God's work. But there is more....

With a grateful heart,
Tim

Third Rio Verderonians

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15

Dearest family of God,

Today was an emotional day for the team, filled with joy as well as sorrow. We finished this years clinic work at Rio Verde, having seen about 450 people over three days time. We rejoiced with Kevin and Kathy Bruce as God continues to produce fruit in the lives and community of the Awa people. We also rejoiced with Paulino as he and his family seek to share the gospel not only in Rio Verde, but someday in Columbia where 10,000 Awa live. Finally, we rejoiced with the Impact team as they served alongside our team, providing translation services. This group of eight students from Germany are very impressive to us, not only because of their language skills, but also because of their remarkable faithfulness and passion for Christ.

It was also a time of sorrow. We bid farewell to German and Luz Millan as they prepare to return to their homeland Columbia. German and Luz have served as wonderful hosts for teams residing at the Awa center these past eight years. Following an expression of our gratitude, and a song from the Impact team, we enjoyed another great meal cooked by Pat and Corey Boggs, and the Galilea Baptist church team.

On returning to Otavalo on Wednesday, we met with Olga and learned that her sister Jessica tragically died this past February due to complications of her cutaneous lymphoma. Shelia and others spent over an hour comforting and weeping with Olga and her mother. The team was comforted to learn that Jessica had kept materials given to her during a VBS conducted by one of our teams about ten years ago, during which she prayed to receive Christ into her life. We look forward to reuniting with her one day at Home, free of all disease.

Ready for rest,
Tim

Second Rio Verderonians

Dearest family of God,

The team's second day in Rio Verde was very busy. It had rained heavily the night before, but by God's grace there were no landslides blocking the road. The day was beautiful, and many Awa people had gathered at the new health center. Some people had walked as much as twelve hours to get to the clinic. Six different Awa communities were represented in the three days of patient visits. Some of the patients were folks we had seen every year for eight years (such as Gloria - who has scleroderma), while others were seeing us for the first time ( such as the man who had had pneumonia for two months).

This year, we did a lot of orthopedic work, including splinting and knee injections. Word gets around, and many older people sought our help. We noticed this year that many of the children were smiling, and they seemed less afraid of us. Fathers and mothers often accompanied their children. Pathology identified included impetigo, congenital heart murmur, a fly in an ear, ascariasis, abscess of an eyelid, trachoma, scabies, Downs syndrome, leg length discrepancy, hypertension, a large ganglion, asthma and an old fracture of the wrist. It was great to see Gloria. However, though her skin and hands are stable, her ability to swallow is getting worse. Kathy Bruce will try to get her in to see a gastro-enterologist in Ibarra. Pray for healing.

At worship that night, our unique mixture of English, Spanish, German and Awa gave loud praise to God in song. We were deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of God's work in these people's lives.

Listening to a tropical evening rain,
Tim

First Rio Verderonians

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 

2 Corinthians 5:17

The team's first day back to Rio Verde brought new revelations, the chief of which was that we would be conducting clinics in the new health center that had been built last year. The building is white, and sparkling clean inside. The new community health coordinator appointed by the health department is named Jose. He is very diligent, seems to be well-trained and seems to be committed to providing care for the people. The clinic was also equipped with exam tables, chairs, diagnostic equipment and a dental chair.

The team was duly impressed, and was able to organize more quickly than usual. On the first day we saw about sixty families (about 250 people). We have a great pharmacist (Jessica Marsee) who keeps us organized. We have a great dentist and a great dental assistant (Randy and Connie Baker), both of whom have big hearts. We have a great optician in Larry Maynard, who is capturing the hearts of the Awa each day as he helps them to see better. The Cross Extreme team (led by Pat Boggs, and including Becca Eby) is working each day with over 100 kids at the school in Lita. Kim and I, along with nurses Angie and Leah, are injecting lots of knees, buttocks and shoulders with steroids and Rocephin. Shelia Duncan, in concert with the Holy Spirit, is directing the activities of the whole team.

Our first day at Rio Verde was very busy, but very blessed as we were constantly reminded of the fact that God was causing the growth and fulfilling the prayers for blessing in this community. We worshiped that evening with passion, and slept through the night as rain fell.

With Jesus Living in Me,
Tim

New Health Center in Rio Verde

Trained Health Workers ( Doctor and Nurse )

Equipment in Health Center

Healthy Awa Family

Breakfast Guest

All the nations

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. 

Romans 16:25-27

Dear family and saints of Tatesbrook,

The team enjoyed an excellent morning of worship at Galilea Baptist Church on Sunday. The associate pastor shared from Matthew 5, telling us that we the church are the light of the world. We ate lunch, and then traveled with our Ecuadorian friends as well as the Impact team from Germany to the distant town of Lita. Once there, we unloaded our supplies and enjoyed a dinner of roast beef, yucca, passion fruit juice and rice. After dinner, we heard from Kevin Bruce. Kevin and his wife Kathy have served as missionaries in Ecuador with Liebenzell ministries for the past eighteen years. It has been their purpose to bring the gospel to the Awa people who live in this area. We were privileged last evening to hear from the first Awa believer, Paulino. He came to believe through the work of George Hege, the predecessor to The Bruces. Paulino said that God had placed a strong desire in his heart to learn about the gospel from George, who made the twelve hour journey every week to meet with him. Following his profession of faith in Jesus, Paulino's life changed. He has shared his faith with other Awa, and they too are believing. We heard from his brother Milton, who shared his testimony. There is now a growing church in the community of Rio Verde, and new believers are being added each month.

As I looked around at the different people listening to these stories, including Hispanic Ecuadorians, Americans, Germans and Awa, I realized anew how awesome is our Lord. He is accomplishing His purpose of placing His life into the hearts of people from all nations on this planet. How great is our God!!

Amazed by His love,
Tim

Day of rest begins with worship

I was in prison, and you came to Me

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. ’ 

Matthew 25:35-36 

Usually on Saturday, the team spends a leisurely day shopping and eating. But for four of us on this day, we went to prison.

Two weeks ago Shelia received an email from pastor Wilman, stating that a man he knew needed surgery for his torn rotator cuff. His surgeon had written him a prescription for a rotator cuff anchor, which the patient would need to buy. Wilman asked if we could obtain this. I called a surgeon friend in Lexington, who advised that two or more anchors would be needed. He directed me to the orthopedic supply coordinator at CBH, who directed me to the local representative of the company which makes the anchors. He contacted his boss, who gave us six anchors at no charge on behalf of the company. Yesterday, we learned that the patient is an inmate at the provincial prison in Ecuador, and was a part of the church in that prison. So this morning Wilman, Shelia, two men from the team, and myself went to the prison in Ibarra.

 As it turned out, the man had been taken to the hospital to have an abscess and hematoma in his arm drained. But since we were already there, we saw about twenty of the inmates, providing them with glasses and medical evaluations. Afterwards, we toured the prison, up close and personal. The central courtyard was about 30 x 60 feet, in which were standing about 500 men and women. The sleeping areas were very small, and the bathrooms were few. Several inmates shook our hands, while others asked for money. The experience left a strong impression.

We did eventually visit the patient (William) at the hospital. We learned from him that he had been in prison for ten years, following the murder of his unfaithful wife. He later encountered Jesus, and now is an impassioned believer. He wept openly, moved by the gift of the anchors. As we recounted the long series of people involved, I suggested that he "pay forward" the gift. He plans on writing to the company, and to dedicating his life to caring for his children and his wife's parents. He is scheduled for potential parole this year.

With eyes opened to what God is doing,
Tim

Ears that can hear

On that day the deaf will hear words of a book, And out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. The afflicted also will increase their gladness in the Lord, And the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. 

Isaiah 29:18-19 

The second day at Punyaro was a very busy day for the team. This year, we have three medical sections. The first is primarily adult medicine, served by Dr. Kim. The second is general medicine, served by nurses Angie Boggs and Leah Duncan. The third is primarily pediatrics, served by myself. Our morning charge that morning was "Listen! For I am sending you out..." Ironically, an unusual number of our patients were either deaf, or very hard of hearing. We became quite adept at removing wax from ears, and - in some cases - at restoring hearing! Larry Maynard provided reading glasses for patients, many of whom could see well for the first time in several years, including one seamstress who could once again thread a needle. Randy and Connie Baker pulled numerous abscessed teeth, providing relief from pain for many people. The Cross Extreme part of the team was humbled by the gratitude and joy shown by elementary age students to whom they had given pencils and erasers.

In our devotion that evening, we noted that God had sent us out, to listen to His voice in order to know how to respond to those in need. In some cases, what was needed were medications, measurements or extractions. In others, it was a smile, a hug, a listening ear or an understanding heart. In all cases, we needed the Holy Spirit to lead us in fulfilling plans ordained by God. Our time of worship was extraordinary.

Hearing Him Speak,
Tim, Kim, Becca

Day 2 in Ecuador

In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. ’” When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul.... 

Acts 20:35-37

This morning, our travel-weary team slept a little longer than usual in order to obtain much needed rest, and then was blessed with a wonderful breakfast and a spectacular sky. We spent the morning at the church organizing our supplies, and traveled to Punyaro where we ministered to people who were ill. We saw people with no shoes, abscessed teeth, and broken teeth. We saw children with asthma, trachoma, and a serious murmur. A man once deaf was made to hear, and a girl who could barely see was given clear eyesight. One woman unable to speak for two years, as well as a ten year old boy grieving his mother's death were given hope through the power of Christ working in us.

One elderly lady with arthritis was grieving the death of her husband. We prayed with her, and she subsequently expressed her thanks with a long embrace. I was reminded of my mother who recently went home to be with her Lord, and how I was already missing her hugs. I then was reminded of pastor Mike's dream that I would be reminded of my mother many times during this trip. I later read a quote attributed to Thomas Moore, that "Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal." I have come to believe that, and deeply desire for others to know as well.

Ready for another night of blessed rest,
Tim

On The Way

After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome.

Acts 28:12-14

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The team has arrived in Miami...we are finally on our way to Ecuador!  All of the team - including Becca, Kim and myself - have come safely thus far.  We are blessed with several hours of rest time here at the Pearl of the Caribbean.  We will be departing for Quito at 3:30 pm, and should arrive in Ecuador at 7:00 pm.  Please pray for our team at that time as we pass through the Customs and Security areas of the new airport.  Afterwards, we will journey on to Otavalo this evening. Pray for safety on the Pan-American Highway. We are buoyed up by the blessed prayers of the saints, as Holy Spirit leads us onward.

Encouraged by Him,

Tim, Kim and Becca