Confirmation School - We Sow the Seed, Another will Water...... God Giveth the Increase

Confirmation School started on Friday afternoon. Dylan Fabian Flores Torres arrived at 4pm to begin the lessons. The first three lessons are: The Most Precious Matter of Our Life, The Fall into Sin, and Conscience-Confession.

Walt asked Dylan "what in his opinion is the most important matter for him?" He answered: a clean conscience, I don't want to disobey, always remain in faith, and to get to heaven.

The Most Important Matter in Life

 

After reviewing a slide and picture of a treasure hidden in a field, he was asked to explain what the treasure was and why the one who discovered it bought the whole field. He thought the treasure was the kingdom of God and the field were the believers. Later he agreed the treasure was the Lord Jesus Christ or the forgiveness of sin and living faith. When asked about what he meant by a "good believer" he explained it was someone who read the Bible, had the Holy Spirit, and had forgiveness of sins.

When beginning the lesson on the Fall, he was shown the first slide which read "La Caida" the Fall and asked what he thought it meant. He said it meant a different way than leads to heaven.

The Fall - La Caida

 

A path contrary to the will of God.

 

When asked "What is a conscience?" he answered, "it is something that allows or disallows something to be done." Confession he stated was "when we admit or tell our sin." Two statements were posed to him. One, "Let your conscience be your guide." Two, "The conscience must be tied or bound to the Word of God. He was asked which is the wisest. He answered the second because it was tied to God. He then answered the question "What sins should I confess?" Dylan understood that he must go to a confessor father, mother or friend when he has sins on his conscience. His answers are remarkable as Dylan is only ten years old. He hopes to be a doctor and it appears he has the ability.

Conscience and Confession

 

Dylan Torres

 

Later in the evening Anais Cardenas Sabando and Edgar Gonzolo Campuzano Ayala were taught the same lessons. Edgar has delayed learning as a result of a troubled pregnancy and home delivery. He didn't talk until nine years old. His mother said she waited nine years to hear him say "Mommy, I love you." He is very affectionate to his mother. He arrived first ahead of Dylan but promptly went to sleep until the beginning of the second session. His father and sister brought him to our apartment and Walt met them at the gate. Later when asked "What is the most important matter of life for him?" He answered "Jesus." He seems to understand a lot but his setback has left him with weak speech skills and he is fatigued.

Edgar (r) likes to be called Gonzolito.

 

Anais Cardenas Sabando lives with her aunt as her mother has died. She lives in the same neighborhood as Teodoro Hernandez. Teodoro has for years encouraged the youth of his area to come to services and he provides a ride in his car. Walt has met many of them over the years. Unfortunately nearly all have given up faith as they approach the mid-teen years. Anais' aunt for awhile would not allow her to go to the services but now is comfortable with it and has herself come to listen.

Anais contemplates her answers.

 

The students were asked to consider the comparison between an earthly and a spiritual journey using a ship sailing toward a planned destination.



Ship wrecked in faith - 1 Timothy 1:20

 

Confirmation school will continue on Sunday. Tomorrow we hope to visit the equator.

Walt and Avis

Confirmation School but When and Where?

Confirmation School has been on the schedule for about a month. At that time, the parents of the children thought it best to have 2hrs of class on Friday night, 3hrs on Saturday, and 3hrs on Sunday with the confirmation exercise in the afternoon. Walt made a schedule out reflecting the wishes and circulated it.

This evening while waiting for the final stragglers to arrive for Bible Class we decided to verify the details of the school. Would it be at the community center or at the Lampi apartment? There are only three students so the apartment will work. Sounds easy enough.

 Enter a government decree. Apparently the President of Ecuador is quite powerful and can both declare when there will be a fiesta and an extra day off granted to the people and when the people must work on a Saturday to make up for the day he gives off. So some of the Saturdays in January must be worked which means teachers must teach and students must go to school. So much for the Saturday confirmation session. It is almost impossible to understand how much advance notice was given for the requirement to work on Saturday. The President did grant an extra holiday, fiesta in early November as I recall and many people took advantage of it and headed to the country. The affect was people were absent from services. Maybe this was the pay back. The country is suffering and the people are becoming discouraged.

Children always seem to find something to simile about.

 

After about an hour of back and forth discussion with many points of view, a decision was made. One of students will arrive early on Friday to the Lampi apartment for the first three lessons. The other two students will arrive in the evening for the same lessons. Two of the three are in public school so they will be at school on Saturday, one of them until 6pm. On Sunday, all three will come to the Lampi's for 5 more lessons. Next Wednesday we will gather at the Panizo home for the confirmation exercise and supper. Take it in stride seems the best strategy.

The top of Chimbarazo.

 

Well, we were successful in getting three copies for each of the books by Uljas and Holma as confirmation gifts. Verconia had copies from ministers who had been in Ecuador. So we went to the Central University and they printed them up for the sum of $12 total. 

Walt and Avis

Learning Spanish...... but how?

Thinking about studying Spanish? Walt has completed both the Pimsleur (4 levels at 30 lessons per level = 120 lessons) and Rosetta Stone (5 Levels, with 4 Units within Level and 20 Lessons within each Unit) in Spanish. Avis is working on Pimsleur. Walt studied a minimum of 4 hours per day for six months to complete Rosetta Stone in time for the mission trip.

Both courses have strong points. Pimsleur will get you talking in sentences much quicker, plus it is in CD form and therefore portable. You can use it in your car on the way to and from work or other places. One can repeat lessons until the CD wears out. I purchased mine 'used' through Amazon. If purchased new, they cost about $250 for each level, and there are four levels.

Rosetta Stone is computer-based, although you can load parts of it on to your I-phone too. It is interactive on the computer and has a 'test' for each lesson and level. For a bit extra money you can purchase a one year on-line application that allows games to be played and stories to be listened to and followed visually as well. Your pronunciation will automatically be checked with the voice recognition feature. RS can be purchased for as little as $250 if you find a sale. Otherwise $400+.

For two months, Walt also hired a tutor from Nicaragua to Skype with. For $10/hour he could talk with a live person and go over lessons It was of some help, but required a good internet connection. The teacher didn't have a strong level of spoken English.

We have hired a university student here from Quito. She, Kathy, also happens to be the daughter of Veronica Ayala. We are paying her $10/hr. Avis takes an hour per week, and Walt takes two hours.

Avis practices the Spanish alphabet with Kathy.

 

All of the above strategies help but unfortunately there is no magic pill to take for Spanish or Finnish. Rosetta Stone does not offer a Finnish Course. Pimsleur does have a basic level of Finnish.

Walt has had both uplifting as well as discouraging moments in trying to learn the language. Some voices resonate better than others. At times it seems as though progress is being made and at other times a setback has happened. The ladies of Ecuador talk at a high pitch and fast. Couple that with hearing loss at the high pitch end. It seems like the voice of most males and females is placed more to the front of the mouth and more nasal than in the States. Also Ecuadorians use different words than those taught for South American Spanish. At least one word drilled into Walt's head during course study turned out to be a very bad one.

Walt has been trying to think of ways to keep what he has gained once the mission trip is over and life goes on. Spanish radio and the local university classes would help for sure. There are probably not too many Hispanic tutors available in the UP. It is probably best to look at it as a continuing endeavor or hobby and not get too stressed if progress is slow. A good philosophy is to try to be a life long learner. It is cheap and healthy entertainment too. If I divide the cost of the programs by the hours spent learning it is less than $0.50/hour so far.

For those of you who have a lot of life ahead, consider tackling Spanish or Finnish.

Walt and Avis

A Time for Teaching as Well as Preaching in Ecuador

This week requires much time and effort for the preparation of both a Wednesday evening Bible Class, Overview on the New Testament, and an eight lesson Confirmation School, which will begin Friday evening.

In an effort to make the lessons more meaningful, the teaching strategy has evolved from simply speaking and being translated to including as many visuals with Spanish captions as practicable. We can all imagine looking at a PowerPoint presentation in a language we don't understand and which has only words. Pictures are worth a thousand words and help keep the student focused. Although so far in Bible Class and the Congregation Days, the students have been taking notes and marking their Bibles. The next level is to include more text in Spanish.

Two indigenous youth are eager to hear and read the presentation in their own language.

 

As an example. The Apostles Creed can be found online in Spanish. Luther's explanation to each article can also be found online, but in English.  The same goes with the Lord's Prayer and Ten Commandants. Microsoft's translate feature has been used to create Spanish text from English, although probably not perfectly.

Another option might be other people. Walt contacted his amigo-ystava in Finland, Raimo Osteberg to find out whether or not he had a set of drawings for each petition of the Lord's Prayer. He didn't. So the next option is free online pictures. They will need to be good enough. In some cases they don't fit as well as might be hoped, but they are usable.

To make copies for schedules or handouts for Confirmation School we need to go to a cabina, which is a small store that has a desktop computer or maybe even a few and Internet access. First you transfer your files to a flash drive and head to the cabina. They are common so you don't usually need to walk far. Once there you then need to rent a computer. It's cheap. Then load up your file and 'print' it and examine it. For additional copies, you then find a Xerox or equivalent either at the cabina or hopefully close by.

At one store, Walt selected five copies and hit print. The cost was $5. Why so much? One they had color in them. Two, the vendor said it was an "impression" and not a copy so you pay more. Maybe it was because I was a foreigner too. If I had 'printed' one "impression" and brought it to a store with a Xerox to copy, the price would have been $0.05/copy.

So you can see from the above description that some of the efficiencies and conveniences we have in preparing a Bible Class lesson in the States or Finland require time consuming additional steps in Ecuador.

It seems apparent that there is a strong need for teaching the Word in Ecuador. The people can be engaged and are willing to ask questions and have discussion. They get to ask "why?". On future mission trips the ministers could bring ready made PowerPoint presentations in Spanish with them. Have your notes in English in 'Presenter's View."

Walt and Avis

The Paananens Depart for the United States Plus Camp Details

January 25th was a travel day for us. We left Riobamba at about 10:30 am arriving in Quito about 2:00 pm. The trip was about one hour shorter than anticipated, probably because of the light Sunday traffic.

Before departing, Milton Martinez met us at the hotel Monte Carlo to discuss business with Walt as to   costs of the Congregation Days Camp. Food costs for the two service evenings leading into the camp plus the camp itself were $452. The labor charge for a local cook to prepare the food for the congregation day was $30. Walt estimated the total meals served to be about 200. Doing the math means about $2.41/meal. All meals were very good (pollo, arroz, carne de cerdo, bebidas..)

Milton brought us (Antti, Aino, Avis, and Walt) to the bus station. He asked how we felt about the services and Congregation Days. We all agreed they were special. He said he felt good about them  "Yo estoy muy contento." He sent his greetings to all believers and wanted to hear the gospel before departing.

Veronica Ayala met us at the Quitumbe bus station and we all packed into a taxi and headed back to the apartment, Avis sitting on Walt's lap. At the apartment Aino checked and rechecked the luggage,
"just to make sure" (sisu), and looked one more time for the missing camera charger. There was time for a rest and supper as well.

Finally, we all departed for the airport at about 8 pm. The trip took about 50 minutes. The Paananens checked their bags in, and we visited briefly. Then it was time to part with the power of the gospel.  They will crisscross the USA for several weeks, undoubtedly telling and retelling their experiences from Ecuador. Even chicken and rice now has a special memory for them. Maybe someday we will meet them in Finland at their mokki on Kivijarvi.

Words mean different things to different people. Take the word Visa for example. To some it means a document needed to enter a country. To others it means a credit card. We all still had a sense of humor even after travelling for several days together. By the time this post is complete, they should be safely sleeping under a fresh blanket of snow in Minnesota at the home of Jouko and Pirkko Haapsaari, or taking a sauna.

Aino and Antti head for the departure gate.

 

Walt and Avis



Ecuadorian Congregation Days

The Ecuadorian Congregation Days were held at the hacienda on Saturday January 24. About 65 people were in attendance. The start of the schedule slid about one and a half hours as lunch was not ready but ended only one half hour over the scheduled finish of 6 pm. A local lady was hired to prepare the food so everyone could be part of the services and presentations. No one made it from Guayaquil or Salinas. 

Walt opened the event with a prayer, a welcome to all, and a sermon based on Luke 17:20-21: The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. The day was warm at the beginning so services were held outside. Later, it would turn cold and rainy.

Walt keeps a service and Paulus translates.

 

Lunch followed the services. During the lunch break, Arcangel stated that he and his family have wondered "Where is the kingdom of God? What is it? Is it in one's heart or something big and all encompassing?" Walt tried to answer the question using his basic Spanish skills but had to call in a translator. Walt pointed out to Arcangel that the question was fundamental and a very good one. It is also one of the topics to be covered in the camp and maybe it will become clear.

Arcangel (l) discusses the presentation with others.

 

Avis (l) looks on as the indigenous people enjoy a healthy dinner.

 

Antti then gave a presentation on "What is sin?" based on the fall of Adam and Eve into the first sin of disobedience. As a result of the fall, we all have the tendency to sin.

Paulus, Antti, and Teodoro

 

Adam and Eve

 

A short break followed and then Walt gave a presentation on "What is the kingdom of God?" Two slides were used to gauge the understanding of the concept of God's kingdom. The question was "Does the kingdom of God include all Christian faiths or is it a separate fellowship?" The group was divided over the issue. Finally the understanding came that it is a separate fellowship or flock of believers.

Several parables were also reviewed which describe the kingdom of God. The parable of the treasure hidden in a field was studied closely. The question was asked "Why did the one who found the treasure purchase the entire field? Why did he sell everything he owned to purchase the field?" Most understood the treasure to be Jesus Christ, faith, or the forgiveness of sin.

After discussing for a while, one indigenous youth man answered correctly that the field represents the kingdom of God or fellowship of believers. It was a more difficult task to understand what was meant spiritually "by selling all he had" in order to buy the field.

The class was asked which parable representation of God's kingdom they personally liked the most and why. Several voiced their view. One man answered that he liked the one found in Psalm 84, a sparrow has found a place to build a nest and raise her young. He liked it because of the picture of a mother caring for her our. Walt reinforced the answer by referring to the kingdom of God as a mother who cares for each believer. As the presentation and discussion were going long, Walt suggested we should consider bringing it to a conclusion. The students however insisted that we continue the study!!!

The kingdom of God has a boundary.

 

The day ended with a closing devotion by Antti based on the Old Testament benediction text. Numerous group pictures were taken to remember the event. The Quito believers had a hard time finding transportation home. It is about 4hrs from Riobamba or close to 5hrs from the hacienda by bus. Add another 50 minutes by taxi from the bus station and it amounts to a long day. They had left early in the morning to get to the camp on time.

Closing devotion by Antti.

 

La Merced - the hacienda as it looks today.

 

The "plastic church" in the background.

 

Looking out toward the south and Pan American Highway.

 

The hacienda was once a working farm.

 

Milton's Toyota truck serves as a taxi for the missionaries.

 

We headed back to the Monte Carlo hotel for the night. Some of the Martinez family spent the night at the hacienda. Tomorrow we will head back to Quito, then to the airport, from where Antti and Aino will travel to the US for services.

Walt and Avis

Services in Riobamba at the Milton Martinez Home

We had some time to recuperate from a long Thursday. Evening services were at the home of Milton Martinez. About fifteen people gathered, including a friend of Milton's who was converted in the recent past. His name is Arcangel (archangel) Valdiviezo. He is very outgoing and eager to learn about faith matters.

Antti used one of David's Psalms as a basis for the sermon. After the services, the guests were encouraged to ask questions. One was "What did Avis and Walt think about Ecuador? what were the differences?" Walt mentioned the high level of noise. Ecuador is a very noisy place. It seems like every store has music or advertisements blaring. A question was presented "Is music a temptation for the Ecuadorian believers?" The answer was a resounding "Yes!" Television and radio has brought the provocative side of Western culture to Ecuador. Milton said "We have been damaged by the pop culture of the United States." Milton likes listening to the national or patriotic songs.

After singing the final service song, the Ecuadorians asked that we would sing for them. First we sang "Oh look at the bird on the branch of the tree" in Finnish followed by "There are treasures for children in heaven above" in English.

Antti gave a brief history of Luther. This spawned many questions. "Why are there so many faiths?" "How can I find the right way?" "Is there any sin you can't get forgiveness for?" One comment made was that "The most difficult thing to understand is that a person must be empty (humble).

Edgar Martinez, Antti and Paulus

 

Milton, Alicia and Teodoro

 

Adrianna and niece Alison

 

Tomorrow will be Congregation Days at the hacienda La Merced.

Walt and Avis

Services as the Hacienda La Merced

We continued from Chiquicha to the hacienda La Merced for services, arriving about 7 pm. At first it appeared there would not be many service guests. They, however, continued to come until there were about 80-90 indigenous people. The total, including our core group, pushed it closer to 100.

Walt kept an introductory speech in Spanish welcoming all to the Congregation Days on Saturday and bringing greetings from other Ecuadorian congregations as well as the United States and Canada. He introduced Avis, and the indigenous guests gave her a warm welcome.

Walt gives introductory remarks.

 

Walt spoke from Hebrews 12:1-2 after which a communion service followed. Of the 90-100 people, less than 15 partook of communion. It is not known how many of the indigenous believe as
Laestadian Lutherans.

Milton reads the communion rites in Spanish.

 

Above three pictures: Various service guests.

 

After the services a meal was served to the guests. The food was brought to each person individually. First a bun of bread, then a thin a mix of oatmeal in a cup, followed by a large container of rice and chicken. The number of guests was unexpected, since in the past years attendance has declined. Aino and Avis worked in the kitchen washing dishes.

Avis and Aino assist in the kitchen.

 

Service guests patiently await soup and tea on the deck of the
hacienda. It was cold and damp.

Above four pictures: Service guests and Antti one on one with a indigenous brother.

 

We got back to the hotel at 11:30 pm exhausted and cold. Tomorrow will be services at Milton's home and then on Saturday, the Congregation Days.

Walt and Avis

Services in Chiquicha

Thursday, January 22nd, was a long but interesting day. Per discussion with Milton, we were to be ready to depart for Chiquicha between 9-10 am. Nine o'clock came and went, then 10 o'clock, and finally at 11:30 am Milton came. He explained that his brother Patricio and sister-in-law Sonia had errands to do and wouldn't be home until 1pm. We timed ourselves to be there then. We picked up two whole chickens, French fries, and soda to share with them. The cost for all was $33. It fed thirteen people, of which ten were adults.

The Martinez farm is located in deep in a valley, which is lush with vegetation. The family raises vegetables and fruits for sale. Sonia led us on a tour of their farm. They also raise fish to sell at the market, tilapia. They start them as minnows and once big enough they are transferred to a different pond until mature.

The Martinez farmhouse: They have one cow and five chickens.

 

Each greenhouse is about 50'x100' and full of tomato plants.

 

Inside the green house.

 

Fresh fruit on the vine.

 

One of two fish ponds.

 

Antti kept a service based on Matthew 11:25-30. There were a total of thirteen people at the services including us eight who came in Milton's truck. At the services was a man by the name of Elman Freire, who is a deaf mute, but a believer. After the service, we inquired as to his conversion. Until age seven, he could hear and speak. A fall resulted in injury and loss of hearing and speech. He learned to read lips. Sonia is his first cousin and when there would be services, he was curious and would ask Sonia, "What are you doing here (what do these activities mean)? He was eventually converted. He is a single guy who farms. He has cows and chickens. He always has a big smile on his face and is happy to see everyone. In November of 2014, his mother was dying of a brain tumor. Walt had visited at their home and preached the gospel to her for comfort. She was a believing woman. We conveyed our thoughts and prayers to Elman.

Antti Paananen keeps a service.

 

Service guests.

 

Elman Frerie is a believing deaf mute.

 

Paticio and Sonia's son William is eight years old and very much into plants of every kind. He led Aino and Avis on a tour of their yard and pointed out all the different fruit, vegetable, flower, and tree plants. He brought several to us to smell. He has a good start on being a future botanist. As he led them around, Walt heard him say "I am teaching them."

William has a natural talent for botany. He is also
a proud maker of a paper craft.

 

 We departed for the evening service at the hacienda, which is about a three hour drive. All were invited to Congregation Days at the hacienda on Saturday.  

Walt and Avis



Services at the Hacienda La Merced

Today was leisurely. We had breakfast at our usual café and later lunch at a KFC which was a first for Antti and Aino. As we entered the restaurant, a beggar sat against the door with a cup asking for a gift of money. Walt gave him one dollar. Later Walt whet to talk to him and asked if he could take a picture of him. He answered "yes, but only for $10." No picture was taken.

The schedule slid somewhat and instead of being picked up at 5 o'clock for our trip to the hacienda it was 6:30 pm. On the way to the hacienda, we stopped to buy 'pan' or bread. At the hacienda, 26 indigenous people gathered for services. At the peak, 200 indigenous would gather for services. A variety of reasons has caused the number to plummet. Older believers, who lived close by have died, some have moved away for work, evangelical ministers have taken some of them into their flock, and the lack of interest by the youth are some of the reasons given. Antti kept a sermon using part of Jesus' Sermon on a Mount. After the service, Antti called for questions or greetings to Finland. Many wanted to be assured with the gospel.

Paulus translates for Antti.

 

Young hearers of the Word.

 

Older hearers of the Word.

 

 Aino (l) and Avis (r) listen to the sermon.

 

Tea, chicken, rice, and bread was served to the service guests. The evening was damp and cold. Lucha Maria or as she is affectionately called MamaLu stays at the hacienda alone. It has been her life and she has been witness to its days of glory as a working farm. Her wish now is to die there also. She put Walt "on the spot" asking him "Por que no dormir en la hacienda. Estoy sola aqui?" "Why didn't you sleep here at the hacienda. I am alone here." There are many practical reasons why we didn't stay there but Walt could feel her longing and at the moment could not think of anything that would comfort her.

Mami Lu (Lucha) and her daughter-in-law Alicia Hernandez during an earlier trip.

 

The food for the indigenous people was prepared over an open fire.

 

Tea being scooped from the "tea pot."

 

Although it looks like minnows swimming in the pot it is tea leaves.

 

For we guests the food was prepared inside the hacienda on a gas stove.

 

After the services Milton informed the indigenous people of the weekend's Congregation Days. They seemed excited about the prospect. Milton's brother, Edgar, spoke to them in their native tongue of Kichwa giving them encouraging words.

Teodoro Hernandez was at the services from the Quito congregation. The hacienda La Merced is the farm he lived at with his parents and siblings for several years.

Teodoro Hernandez grew up on the hacienda La Merced.

 

Tomorrow the services will be in Chiquicha and back at the hacienda.

Walt and Avis