A January of New Beginnings!

The month of January started off with a visit to Cotacachi- the town where CFC Missionaries, George and Linda Hege, were working with a team!  We not only had the joy of seeing George and Linda, one of the first missionaries we'd talked to about our interest in missions over 20 years ago, but we met two CFC'ers we'd never met before from our home church in PA - one who is friends with our son Josh!  We also began a new relationship with Washo, an Ecuadorian leader who is passionate about ministry!

Deb!

Chelsea!

George and Linda!

We participated in our first church work day - a "minga."  Many from the church came to clean up the property where our church building will be built  - Glenn worked outside and I helped in the kitchen - preparing lemonade through the morning and a huge Ecuadorian meal to thank the workers at 1pm!

before the work began...

the work in process...

after - a lot ready for construction!

The happy kitchen crew!

One of the Primero de Mayo youth, Alexandra, began her year of intense discipleship and training at Word of Life, Quito, this month!  We're SO excited for her - and for all those whose lives she'll touch!  Glenn and I got to visit her at the training center - the day before they left for further training and preparation at the campgrounds nearby!

 

We then visited with the PBU team who came to serve God in Quito!  What a joy to see my friend/fellow Social Worker/PBU professor, Juliet, and to share with mission-minded PBU'ers HERE in Ecuador!

Our month ended with a Pastor's Conference - the bi-annual meeting of our association of churches' pastors and delegates - here in Primero de Mayo!  Our church members provided and prepared the food for, and hosted overnight (in 7 different homes!), the 35 men and women in attendance! 

The Pastors, delegates, treasurer and secretary pose in front of our church property with our NEW sign...

and in front of the building where the church will meet!

Gissela helps Glenn transport the food to the Community Center where we are currently meeting!

I learned a lot about Ecuadorian cooking from Dilita, Paty and the kitchen crew!

Church members served the food to the pastors - here, Orlando serves the food Cayambe is famous for - bizcochos - while in the background Lynford gives the Crossworld missionaries' report!

Every church and ministry represented gave their report...it was a long 2 days of meetings!

We added new touches to our home this month...a photo of Rachel and Josh, that they gave to us for Christmas, and two statues  - a Christmas gift from our Pastor's wife here - so that "Rachel and Josh" could always be in our home!  :)

The photo is on the wall between the windows...thought I'd show you how well it fits in our living room!

We also ended the month with the joy of starting a new Bible Study in the city of Cayambe!  Glenn and Vicente, one of the Primero de Mayo Church deacons, met with 2 men last week and 6 this week!  Thank you for your prayers!