We are God’s workmanship

created in Christ Jesus for good works. Ephesians 2:10

By Laurel Ellis

September 30^th, 2021

Colombia and Galapagos

In late July the missionaries from the Andean area gathered together in Cartagena, Colombia for their biannual retreat. What a wonderful time of fellowship and spiritual renewal!

In August I accompanied missionary colleagues, Thom and Becky Davis, to San Cristobal, Galapagos to receive a team from Faith Assembly in Orlando who worked on the annex of the church in that community. We were also able to participate in ministry, medical help and food distribution. And of course we saw sea lions, blue footed boobies, iguanas and turtles.

God met us, spoke to us and encouraged us.

Enjoying some of the sights in Cartagena with Knapps, Davises, Batys and Esther Marcotte.

I mentor these two beautiful missionaries, Lexie Bishop and Jackie Wellence, whom I met in person for the first time in Colombia.

Dinner with long time friends, Don & Jacquie Cartledge and family, Dave & Carol Ellis. That's not a poster in the background!

Moving blocks to build interior walls on the second floor of the annex.

Interpreting in a church service in Galapagos.

Team from Faith Assembly in Orlando, Florida.

Cuenca Area

The photos below are just a glimpse of the varied ministry I'm involved in. Since my last letter, I've been asked to speak several times a week, in person and online, spent many hours encouraging and mentoring young pastors and missionaries, as well as attending dozens of meetings. Your prayer covering is vital.

Pablo and Adriana, who I helped baptize earlier this year, asked me to officiate the renewal of their wedding vows.

The pastor's wife sharing her testimony is Marta, who I asked prayer for in my last letter. She still needs a miracle.

The missionary girls, Katey and Anna Knapp and Bella Bosch, served the pastors' wives at the tea.

Missionary ladies Becky Davis, Miriam Bosch, Lori Leek, Emily Knapp and myself having brunch and planning the pastors' wives tea.

Joe and Emily Knapp sharing the story of their call with the pastors in the area. They have been welcomed with open arms.

Catamayo and Loja

Once again I had the privilege of attending the graduation of the missions students at Timothy's Abode . The three graduates are all Ecuadorian but from three ethnicities: Hispanic from the mountain city of Riobamba, and Shuar and Achuar from the Amazon jungle. The building is progressing and the directors, Ron and Esther Marcotte, are pushing hard to move in before the next class in February 2022. If you feel a nudge to contribute to the building fund, click on the link above.

Pablo Celi, the pastor of the church in Loja that Rick and I planted 30 years ago, invited me to preach the following day since the two cities are only forty minutes apart. What a joy to see how the church has grown even during the pandemic and continues to plant churches in other cities.