Riobamba Services, Bible Class and Discussion

We left the apartment at 10am, arrived at the bus station at 10:50am, left it at 11:10am and arrived in Riobamba about 3:30pm.The trip was trouble free.

Milton picked us up from the Monte Carlo at 6:15pm for the 6:30pm services. While we waited for the guests Paulus, Milton, and Walt reviewed the schedule and made revisions for the next two weeks.

A devotion was held based on 1 John 1:5-10 which is a text for the coming Candle Mass Sunday, Jesus is the light of the world. He illustrated the text by relating of two experiences he and Avis had during the week that demonstrate how difficult it can be for the believer to "walk in the light as he is in the light." One was on music and the other on TV. Fortunately we have the power of the gospel of the forgiveness of sins.

Following the service a Bible Class was held using a Confirmation School lesson on music. A  discussion took place on the temptation of music and the near impossibility of escaping hearing music in everyday lift in Ecuador. Milton related that the schools encourage the children to participate in carnivals including the music and dancing. The comments were made "What can be done?" "How can it be avoided?" "It is impossible to avoid but God will help."

Walt related of how the believing parents and children in North America approach such issues in school. Culture does probably have a strong influence in Ecuador as the pressure to conform and be part of the community is powerful. From the practical point of view the Ecuadorians don't have an good alternative for music. Spanish MP3 or such and more Christian music in Spanish would help offset the temptations for worldly music. One young woman related that it was mostly out of boredom that she started listening to music.

Lisbeth Mikkola related of her experience as an Ecuadorian girl and now as the wife of Paulus and living in Finland. She said that until she was able to experience the life of the believers in Finland many things were hard to understand. The big families in Finland are happy and not distressed.

Avis and Walt related of their experiences raising a large family (14 children) in the United States. Parents and families have trials but God bless too. Walt mentioned that the culture of the US now is to have only two or no children. The believers nevertheless want to be obedient to God's word on the acceptance of children as well as other matters such as proper music.


Walt and Avis