Our Time in Ecuador: Walt and Avis Lampi: 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.