Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens

Your faithfulness to the skies. Psalm 36:5 NIV

By Laurel Ellis

July 6^th, 2021

First Overseas Ministry Travel Since Covid

In early May, I was once again invited to speak about church planting to new AGWM missionaries studying Spanish at Cincel in Costa Rica. This time a group of Costa Rican young people involved in church planting attended as well. For me, these moments of investing in the next generation of missionaries and church planters are so very rewarding!

I tacked on some vacation days in California to visit family, particularly my mom, 92 year old retired missionary Joyce Devin, just in time for Mother's Day.

Ecuador has been very slow in acquiring and administering Covid vaccines, so while in the States I was able to get the Johnson and Johnson one dose vaccine. The vaccination schedule here has accelerated in recent weeks, however protocols are still in place such as masks and social distancing in public spaces and daily curfew from 11pm - 5am.

Sharing on church planting at language school in Costa Rica.

I accidentally "translated" from Spanish to Spanish! It's hard going back and forth.

We visited Aunt Tee, my second biggest financial supporter, big sis to my dad and close friend of my mom.

Mom and I walked around her community most mornings.

Prayer Requests

In a recent General Presbytery meeting I asked how many pastors of the Assemblies of God of Ecuador have died from Covid and the answer was 12. Two of them were from our area, Lucy, pictured bottom left at the 2019 Christmas Tea, and José, pictured at UnsionTV next to his daughter on the front row. The workers are few here in Ecuador and we are thankful that both Lucy and José's families have stepped up to the plate to continue the ministry. Please pray for them as they grieve and take on the challenge of pastoring these churches.

Damián: a young man from one of our churches, was severely electrocuted late last year, almost to the point of death. It took hours before he was admitted to the hospital and then spent several months there with multiple operations. He lost one hand, three fingers on the other and is still recovering. Please pray for Damián and his family as they navigate this new "normal". They have seen God's miraculous provision to cover hospital bills but continue to press forward to get out of debt.

Marta: an El Salvadorian missionary who pastors with her husband in Cuenca, has been diagnosed in the past six weeks with cancer of the liver, complicated by cirrhosis. Doctors recommend a liver transplant, but Covid has complicated chances here in Ecuador. Marta needs a miracle!

Lucy, bottom left, always the life of the party.

José, in the gray jacket, planted and pastored the church in Sigsig for decades.

Damián, pictured here before his accident.

Marta, who has served as a missionary for many years in Belize and Ecuador.

Weekly Zoom with Presbyters

As Covid continues, many of my ministry opportunities are still via Zoom or Facebook Live, not only here in Ecuador but in Chile and the US as well. In June I helped once again with Missionary Training, still via Zoom rather than in person in Springfield.

I have come to love and respect these men and women who serve in the Sierra District.

Footnotes

“‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

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FootNotes

“‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26