Beautiful Feet

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. Romans 10:15 NIV

By Laurel Ellis

March 18^th, 2026

Mine aren't the most elegant feet, toes splayed wide from growing up in a tropical climate and going barefoot much of the time. But that's not the point. Paul is quoting the verse in Isaiah 52 of the beautiful feet on the mountains of those who announce good news.

Mine aren't the only feet, just look at the photos below of the many and varied feet of those who are announcing the good news of Jesus Christ in towns, cities and countries. That's the beauty of the gospel, the exponential effect of our humble efforts to share the good news.

Rick would be in awe to see all that God has done in CBC, the church he and Laurel planted in Concepción. Laurel pictured between pastors Nicole and Ezequiel right before going up to preach.

Nicole Urrútia was saved and discipled in CBC church and is now a missionary sent by the AofG of Chile to minister to trafficked women in Spain

Laurel spoke at the church plant in Vicuña, Chile where Rick's memorial money was sent, accompanied by AGWM missionary Julie Boone

AGWM missionaries Karri Woolley, Leah Baty and Laurel visited the church pastored by single El Salvadorian missionaries Lidia and Margarita.

Myrian Adriano , now an appointed missionary to the Dominican Republic with the Ecuadorian AofG was taught by Laurel at the missions training center, Timothy's Abode.

Gabriela's story

Gabriela Sinchi has the beautiful feet that Paul talks about. She attends one of the Assemblies of God churches in the Cuenca area. A few years ago, she was climbing the dusty road from her home to worship practice at her church on the mountain above Cuenca, when a pack of 14 dogs brutally attacked her. They bit her all over her body, especially her arms which she used to cover her face. Gabriela spent two weeks in the hospital recovering. A few months after the attack, I spoke at the church and Gabriela's mom asked to talk to me after the service. She was heartbroken over what had happened to her daughter and asked why God let this happen, a question that is so hard to answer. All I could reply was from my own experience after Rick's sudden death, that God is good, he loves Gabriela and will redeem her pain and loss.

I returned to the church some time later and observed Gabriela in the dance group, radiating the joy of the Lord. She has been refined by suffering and is a testament to God's faithfulness. Pictured below, she is dancing for her Jesus in the celebration of culminating three years of discipleship classes. She didn't let the horrific circumstances of the attack keep her from her goal. I am so proud of her and ask that you pray for her, that God would continue the beautiful work he is doing in her life.

Gabriela dancing at her coronation for finishing the three years of discipleship training.

Laurel spoke at Gabriela coronation ceremony at the Sinincay church.

Rodrigo and Mary's story

Rodrigo lived with his girlfriend, Mary, in a house with other family members. Mary and Paola, Rodrigo's sister, were invited by Edi, a coworker at the grocery store, to attend church with her. Rick and I had planted that church some years before. At first Mary went without Rodrigo but as he saw the transformation in her, Rodrigo also became a Christian. At that point, they desired to make things right in their relationship as a couple and Rick married them. Rodrigo and Mary began serving in the church, helping with the youth among other things.

There were ups and downs along the way, but Rodrigo and Mary remained faithful and passionate in their service to God. Today they are the pastors of the Arauco church and received me in February with honor and kindness, giving me a generous love offering and providing me with a cabin on the beach stocked lovingly with food and flowers. Rodrigo commented, "It is just giving back something for everything that the Lord has done for us though you."

Rodrigo and Mary, next to Rick, at their baptism on the Carampangue River.

Rodrigo and Mary with Laurel in February at the Arauco church.

Grateful for beautiful family and friends

The descendants of Morris and Joyce Devin gathered for a picnic in the park after Joyce's memorial last May

Grandson Anson made this beautiful picture frame and tucked it in my luggage as a surprise.

Granddaughter Harper showing me the Christmas wreath she made for me.

My kitty, Amie, protesting yet another trip.

Laurel and missionary Esther Marcotte headed to a special National Conference. Chimborazo volccano at 20,550 ft in the distance.

Laurel and her mahjong group of expat friends who play every Friday afternoon.

Laurel and a group of her Chilean "amigas" from CBC church in Concepción

Footnotes

I had the privilege of visiting Chile in February, speaking at four churches and at an all Latin American Carribbean Church Planter's Dialogue. Thank you for sending me!

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FootNotes

I had the privilege of visiting Chile in February, speaking at four churches and at an all Latin American Carribbean Church Planter's Dialogue. Thank you for sending me!