Services in Guayaquil at the Home of Alfredo and Gladys Hernandez

After a leisurely day, including another trip to the iguana park, services were held at the home of Alfredo and Gladys Hernandez. The Mites travelled from their home by bus with three of their children to the center of the city to meet us.We traveled from the hotel La Torre in one taxi, and the Mite family took another. Getting to and from services is cumbersome in Guayaquil. The believers live on the opposite sides of the city. Last night when the services were at Mite's, no one from the other end made it. It takes time, money, and is somewhat dangerous.

Above three pictures: Iguana Park in Guayaquil

 

Ten people were at the services. The text used was Matthew 13:44: the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a treasure hidden in a field. One must find the treasure, Jesus Christ, the door to the kingdom. One must also sell all and buy the field that the treasure is in. In other words, give up one's own righteousness and beliefs about how one is saved and instead believe as the Scriptures teach, starting with repentance and the forgiveness of sins.

Michael and Matthew Mite

 

Lucia Rodriguez and Senorita Angelica

 

Maria Macias

  

La Senora Cruz

 

Marianela Mite

 

After the services the Guayaquil believers Michael Mite and Alfredo Hernandez thanked Walt and Avis for coming to Ecuador to service the congregations here. Michael expressed the hope that the ministers would continue to come and invited Walt and Avis to return. In behalf of the believers of Guayaquil, Michael presented two gifts. One is a plate with a picture of Guayaquil to be hung at the LLC office. The other is a personal gift to the Lampis in appreciation for their work. He later reviewed for the Guayaquil believers some highlights from the Skype meeting with Jon Bloomquist, including the formation of a interim national committee.

Alfredo considered the trip a great sacrifice on the part of Walt and Avis. He felt that both had been able to experience the Ecuadorian culture and were better able to understand the temptations of believers there. He hoped the Lampis would return one day to Quito and continue the work. He also expressed the hope for native speaking translators as he found it difficult to understand some of the translators. He said it is important to be able to hear the Word in one's own native tongue.

Alftredo Hermandez

 

Both Walt and Avis thanked the believers of Guayaquil. Avis assured them that part of her heart will be left in Ecuador. Walt assured all that the ministers will continue to come to Ecuador.

Walt and Avis

Guayaquil Services

We left Riobamba at 10:30am but didn't arrive at our hotel in Guayaquil until 5:30pm. Two police checks, a stop at the Guayaquil vehicle registration office and being lost contributed to the long journey.  We have gotten to know individual "law" enforcement personal quite well and have contributed to their well being. The highlands were cool. Guayaquil is hot and humid.

Services were held at the home of Michael and Marinella Mite. A total of nine people were present at the services. The text we used for our study was 1 Timothy 1:18-20. The topic was to keep faith and a good conscience. Apostle Paul wrote the words to Timothy a young pastor but they apply to every believer and are a key to remaining in the faith.

Marianela and Paul Mite singing the songs of Zion with baby Mia.

 

After the services the question was asked "What if a person continues to fall into the same sin?" A brief discussion took place on the difference between falling into sin and living in sin. "What if the sin is lying?" Walt noted that lying is a way to preserve one's honor or save face for the time being. Behind lying is some other matter. A person needs to "own" their sin. Yet if a person is sorrowful over sin and asks for forgiveness then we preach the gospel. Each situation needs to be treated on its own.

Mario Michael Mite

 

Paul (l) and his uncle joint in the singing.

 

Walt asked Paul what it is like to be a believing youth in Guayaquil. He answered that his friends ask him what faith he is and he answers "Lutheran and we believe in the forgiveness of sin." They have also asked what the basis of the faith is.

Tuesday evening we will have another service in Guayaquil and then start our way back to Riobamba with services on the way in Balsapamba and Salinas.


Walt and Avis

Internet and Live Services

We headed to Milton and Alicia's home for 11 am services. Originally, Internet services had been planned again this Sunday as a broadcast from Oulu, Finland. The translator, however, was on work in Nepal.

We decided to go to the LLC Website and chose an archived sermon. It was too early for a live sermon from the States because of the time difference. We chose the Cokato congregation. The speaker was Tommi Kinnunen. Miguel Santana translated for the Ecuadorians. It was his first time doing it from a archive, and he said it was challenging.

Miguel translates an archive sermon.

 

Katherine made sure her mom had ample hugs during the service.

 

Milton and Pamela listen to the services.

 

After the services we held a meeting among the guys as to what to do for lunch. It is International Women's Day so there was some protest as to the women fixing food. Our choices were to buy and fix the food or buy prepared food. Milton alone has cooking skills among the men present, so we decided to buy prepared food.

Before we ate, we held a devotion with Walt using James 3:1-12: with a bridle a horse can be turned and with a rudder a ship can be turned. The tongue although a little member that cannot be bridled or tamed.

Walt illustrated one of the verse, which pictures how a small fire can get out of control and burn many acres, with a personal experience from his youth. Walt and a friend went fishing in the spring time and got wet. A fire was lit that quickly got out of control. Try as they did, they could not contain the fire and soon in the distance a fire truck was heard. They ran.

The intent was not to start a brush fire. The fire was meant to serve the boys by warming them up and drying their clothes. With a few emotionally driven words, a fire can be started between a husband and wife or parent and child. The flames are fanned when one tries to out do the other with a yet greater insult to "get back." The feelings are hurt even more. Unfortunately, words cannot be taken back. Fortunately for the believer, however, the matter can be cared for and the "best words" can also be spoken: "Believe all sins forgiven in Jesus name and blood."

Tomorrow we leave for Guayaquil for two days, then Balsapamba, Salinas, the hacienda, Riobamba and Chiquicha. Finally back to Quito on March 15.

Walt and Avis

Services in Chiquicha and Table Talk

Milton, Alicia, and Kathrine picked us up at 11 am, and we headed to Chiquicha for afternoon services. It was a leisurely trip, meaning we all had a seat. Gathered for services were Patricio, Sonia and William Martinez, Miguel Santana, Elman, Milton, Alicia and Katherine, Walt and Avis, and the first cousin of Sonia and his family for a total of fourteen. Sonia's cousin and some of his family members repented a few weeks ago.

An outdoor grill was started in preparation for the cooking of pork chops. Avis and Walt took a walk along the valley road in the meantime.

Victor prepares the grill for pork chops.

 

Services were held with Matthew 4:1-11 as the basis which was on the temptation of Jesus. Miguel translated.

Walt and Miguel await the service guests.

 

Sonia follows as the text is read.

 

Patricio, Katherine and William listen to the services.

 

Service guests: Victor and daughter Monica.

 

After lunch some of us sat around the table and talked about various things. Walt related of his childhood home and family. His family is really a composite of four different families totaling nine children. He sometimes gives people a riddle when they ask about his family. He says "I am an only child in the family of nine, who am I?"

Walt's mother was married three times. Her first husband died as the result of a mining accident after fourteen months of marriage. The only child was a daughter born after her father died. Walt's father died after only four months of marriage of a cerebral hemorrhage. Walt was born six months later. Walt's mother married a third time to a widower who had four children. So in total from the four families there were nine children, but none were full blood siblings to Walt. So Walt really is an only child. His sister Chris, from the first marriage, can make the same claim.

Avis mother died when she was twenty months old. There were a total of nine children from that marriage. Her father married a widow who had three boys. Between them they had another four children. So Avis comes from a composite family of sixteen, the sum of three families. The Ecuadorians were amazed at the stores.

The believers asked if Walt and Avis had been in faith all their lives. Walt answered that he had. Avis answered that she repented when she was fourteen and has one sister who is a believer.

A question arose as to whether Walt and Avis had experienced difficulties in their married life and if all of their children were believers.  Both Walt and Avis assured all that they have had trials too but that by faith they have been able to endure. One of the greatest sorrows is having a child that gives up faith. The Ecuadorians then wanted to know if Walt and Avis loved all their children the same. They answered yes. They also related of the recent repentance of their daughter and husband after many years in unbelief which has brought great joy to all.

Miguel wanted to know about how courtship is viewed among the believers in the USA. Walt and Avis answered that the believers take courtship seriously. It is the prelude to marriage. It is best to have a courtship that is transparent or open before the congregation. Get to know each other in the presence of other believers and families and at services. Miguel asked about kissing and hugging. Walt answered that the believers warn about physical contact because it so easily leads to sexual contact. People of the world 'date.' It is not done in seriousness.

Miguel asked how Avis and Walt had met. Walt said he moved to Minnesota after college to where Avis lived but had known of her before. He met her at the services one time. He thought she was very beautiful and that someone would be very fortunate to have her as a wife. He didn't know that would eventually be him.

Walt and Avis

"We Like to Preach the Gospel." - Petrona

We lodged at the Monte Carlo once again. Avis, Miguel, and Walt took breakfast and walked to a couple of 'hot spots' for shopping. It was a chance to discuss many different things. We had talked the evening before about the differences and similarities between the countries of Ecuador, Finland, and the USA and how it affects the believers.

Of the three countries, the Ecuadorians struggle the most financially. Taxes are high in Finland and as in Ecuador. There are free public universities in both Ecuador and Finland. There are both private and public health care systems in Ecuador. The private is more expensive but offers better care. One seemingly big difference is the ownership of private property. It is much more difficult in Ecuador. Also it is rare to live outside the a city and be able to drive to work because it is expensive to own a car.

Milton and his daughter Pamella picked us up about noon, and we headed to a restaurant for lunch. There we were able to continue the discussion. Milton and Pamella verified many of the things we had talked about the evening before.

Milton enjoys a humorous comment.

 

Pamela discusses Ecuadorian challenges during lunch.

 

Miguel translated between bites to eat.

 

Walt asked if the Ecuadorians have benefited by the three month mission trip and how. The general answer is yes. The increased frequency of services and other activities has helped to create a sense of unity and one congregation in Ecuador. Having a minister for three months has also created a sense of trust and confidence to share ideas and issues. On a typical mission trip the ministers are here and gone quickly and a wall of unfamiliarity can exist. The increased activities means that a lot of topics have been able to be covered and discussed. Walt asked what topics were the most memorable. In Riobamba, it was the Church Law of Christ. Pamela and Miguel added that the article on being single was equally meaningful to them.

Walt asked what is the greatest challenge facing the Ecuadorians. All three said it was staying in faith. When pressed for specifics, Pamela said it is the worry of finding a believing spouse. All agreed that the financial realities also impact the believers.

We headed to the hacienda la Merced area as Walt wanted to interview some indigenous believers. We drove the narrow roads past the indigenous houses in the back of the hacienda. We saw several people but only briefly talked to two believing women as the others were out in the fields. One was struggling with her stubborn cow so she didn't want to talk much. The other came to talk briefly but she was quite shy. When asked about faith and services, she said they like to hear the message of the forgiveness of sins and they like to preach forgiveness of to each other between the mission trips. It was threatening to rain and she wanted to leave. It wasn't a very long or detailed interview but very comforting to hear what she said.

Petrona, an indigenous believer said "We like to hear and preach the gospel."

 

We drove to the hacienda and there found Mami Lu, Celio, and an indigenous believer sitting on the hillside in the shade of some trees. Mami Lu, when prompted, reminisced about life at the hacienda in her youth. "Lots of people, horses, and cows" she said. Her and Celio recounted the events that led up to them owning the ranch.

At one time nearly two hundred indigenous people came to the services. Now far less come and the 'plastic church' sits empty at service time.

Avis sits in a pew of the "plastic church."

 

The church which seats 200 is no longer used.

 

Many indigenous who lived close of the hacienda have died. Many have moved away for work. There are many vacant homes near by. Walt wanted know what happens to those that had to move away for work. "Do they try and contact believers especially those that move near Guayaquil?"  Apparently some had contacted Alfredo Hernandez about services. Mami Lu commented that they must have given up their faith and now probably attend some other church.

We travelled back to Riobamba were we had services in the home of Milton and Alicia Martinez. Walt used 1 Peter 2:10 as the basis for the service. About twelve people were present. We had a chicken dinner after the service and headed back to the Monte Carlo. Tomorrow we will head to Chiquicha for services.

Walt and Avis

The Final Quito Bible Class

Tonight was the final Bible Class in Quito of our three month mission trip. After a song and prayer, we started out by reading a short story entitled Behold I Will Do a New Thing by S. Vuorisalo of Finland. The story has been used at Singles Camps in the United States. It is a personal account of how the expectations of youth to find a perfect husband didn't materialize. Yet the main character, through faith, was able to accept that she would not ever marry or have children.

When on a ten day mission trip in November 2014, Walt inquired as to what topics should be covered during his coming three month mission trip. One of them came in the form of a question "How can believing singles cope in Ecuador?"

Veronica Ayala reads an article which she translated from English to Spanish.

 

The story generated much comment. Norma said "Single life is difficult. But with faith and family the difficulties can be overcome." Miguel said "It is most important to stay in faith" but he hopes to be married someday and be able to share life including sorrows and joys with his wife.

Norma stated "Single life is difficult."

 

 Alex noted that married life is the ideal but warned that youth start off in love but within a short time the love has ended. He urged the youth to study now and prepare for the future. For him, marriage is in the future as now he wants to study. At this time, he feels he could not afford to be married. He felt that respect, humbleness, and faithfulness are needed in marriage. The youth need to trust in God for a spouse.

The class follows along and then discusses the article.

 

Piedad stated that the average marriage in Ecuador only last from 2-3 years. Walt noted that youth should not starting courting unless they have the intent to marry. Youth need to pray for a spouse. The world doesn't understand marriage as intended by God and therefore has a carnal approach and understanding of courtship. The world presses the young to have a boyfriend or girlfriend.

The topic of faith and reason entitled Though Faith We Understand by Keijo Nissila of Finland was presented by Walt. We use faith in our relationship with God and reason in our relationship with our neighbors. Examples of the conflict between faith and reason were taken from the lives of Abraham, Moses, and Mary. Walt noted that one example of the conflict between faith and reason is family size and acceptance of children. He noted that Ecuadorians struggle with this. He gave examples of early Finnish immigrants to Michigan with long winters and poor farming who nevertheless trusted in God and had big families.

The example of Mary, the mother of Jesus

 

Walt and Avis

The Mikkolas Return to Finland

Today is March 4th and the Mikkolas have started their journey back to Finland. Paulus, Lisbeth, and Alison arrived late last evening with Fanny Martinez, mother of Lisbeth. They were up early for a quick breakfast and left by taxi at about 6 am for their 8 am departure. They have an 8 hour delay in Panama.

Paulus, Lisbeth and Alison Mikkola

 

Alison

 

Paulus (l) and Fanny, mother of Lisbeth, wife of Edgar

 

Paulus and his family have a dream of constructing tree houses on the edge of the Amazon Rain Forest that can be rented out as part of eco-tourism business. He already has conceptual drawings of how they would look and how they would be constructed as not to harm the tree they hang from. The dream will be realized near the city of Cena.

Paulus is also well known in some circles for an incident at a bull fight near Riobamba. He related that a bull fighter was being attached by the bull, and the spectators did nothing. He jumped into the corral and ran up behind the bull. He then kicked the bull in the butt. The bull turned on him. He stated they stared at each other for a while. He recalled thinking that he was the weaker one of the two, and the bull was definitely going to win.

He started to back up at which point he fell down. The bull came for him and he grabbed it around the  neck and the bull lifted him up. He said he remembered reading, seeing, or hearing somewhere to put all one's weight on one side so he did so and the neck of the bull was twisted while Paulus legs and body blocked its vision. The bull became docile. People came and wrapped ropes around the bull and urged Paulus to let the bull go which he refused. He said he guessed what would happen should he release the bull. More ropes and urging. He refused a second time. Finally the bull was maneuvered to a place where Paulus could safely get off. Once he did his guess became reality. The bull began to struggle against the ropes, and the Ecuadorians instead of holding tight panicked and ran.

Walt and Avis