High Power Soccer in Spanish

We were able to start a new program called High Power Soccer - Futbol de Alto Poder -- an Awana program for a Vacation Bible School type program in Catamayo, Ecuador. Catamayo is in the Southern part of Ecuador near Loja. The program teaches soccer skills (of which I have none) and give an evangelistic lesson each day.

A workteam from Verndale Alliance Church in Minnesota came Mid November to help do some construction. While there we decided for them to try out this new program. The pastor expected about 20 children to participate but did go to a local school and promoted the program.

At the end of the week there were over 150 children who were participating many of whom made professions of faith. The neighborhood was thrilled with the program and has allowed the church to paint the Awana game square on the community ball court. Over 50 children are attending the Awana club weekly now.

Join our Mission Team.

The task of reaching a lost world is huge. We believe that by reaching the most reachable and responsive group in the world, children, we can do the task more quickly. In Latin America there are more than 100 MILLION CHILDREN who need to know of Jesus. The amount of workers needed to reach them is beyond calculation for us but knowing that there are people who will help us in the task makes the job easier and more effective.

We NEED people like you to join our mission team. People who are concerned about the future of children around the world. People who have a heart to reach out and do something about it. We need people who are anxious to help children learn to be strong, wise, and spiritual leaders in the future.

We cannot do the job alone. God's work requires His children to invest in His work and to invest in reaching these lost ones. We need to raise $6,000 per month now for our ministry and living expenses. We need people who will pray faithfully for us.

Would you join our team? Would you be willing to be part of the extension of the Gospel to Latin America?

Write us at our e-mail address for more details. Your participation will make the difference for some boy or girl in Latin America for all eternity.

Return to Ecuador

Well, it is almost time to return to Ecuador. On September 17 we have reservations to fly DELTA from Seattle to Quito to resume our ministry base from there. After great times with friends, family, visiting churches and visiting with Christian friends, it is time to return to the field.

We have contacted as many people as we could about joining our mission team. The time has been great and people have been very supportive.

After we return, we head out to Venezuela on the 25th to teach in the Fall Conference there as well as make contacts with C&MA churches there to share Awana with them.

Pray for our travels, transitions, and adjusting back into the altitude of Quito (9500 feet)

New role for us

Randy was named, Area Director Latin America and the Caribbean for Awana International as of July 16. Awana has 29 countries and nearly 60,000 children in these countries. The area is divided into three regions, S. America, Central America and Caribbean, and Brazil (for language reasons). Each region has a regional director who will be working closely with Randy for the development of program and oversight for that area. Joy will be able to travel to some of the countries as part of her ministry to the fields and to the wives.

We will be based out of Quito for the next two years. The C&MA and Awana strategic partnership will continue for that time. One of our focus will be that of linking Alliance churches with the Awana program in each country. Traditionally, children's ministry has not been a priority for churches in Latin America so part of our task is raising awareness of the need for children's and youth ministry.

Pray for wisdom as we seek to help develop Awana in this area. Alliance churches in most countries have yet to get involved in Awana as a children's ministry.

Trip to S. Oregon

Joy and I have been traveling in S. Oregon, presenting our ministry and looking for prayer and financial support.
Those who know me, know that I enjoy photography and a unique opportunity came up. Our friend and host here, Pastor Cliff Meyer is part of a hot air balloon team. He invited us to go out to see a launch, and get some great pictures of the whole process. I have never been around hot air balloons before but have seen some beautiful photos of them. Now it was my turn. I am sticking in some for you to see. This team is made up of people committed to the Lord and His service and the Balloon is WWJD -- Walking With Jesus Daily and WDJD -- What Did Jesus Do? Every flight begins and ends with prayer.
When we got there and ready to take some photos, the pilot indicated that two of his passengers had canceled and invited Joy and I to take a ride. What a thrill.
A week later we went to help the team again and launched the balloon then was in the chase to see where God would take it. We tried to set down in a school yard but could not, but He took us into another field. One of the team members knocked on the nearby house to ask permission before we set the balloon down in their field and the lady came out smiling from ear to ear. You have come from Heaven she said. unbeknown to us, her husband is under hospice care and this was a real encouragement to her. We were able to pray for her and her husband and the next door neighbors.
Enjoy the photos.

Chess4life

Last week I had the privilege of spending a couple of hours with Elliott Neff, National Chess Master, at his place of business. He owns Chess4Life, a business that teaches life skills and principles by teaching chess. He has over 1200 students with whom he helps develop life skills by analyzing the game of chess. He recently hosted a tournament in the Seattle area with well over 1000 participants and over 7000 in attendance. I never knew that chess could be so popular, but most of all, had never analyzed the important life skills that can be taught through games. We are hoping to get him down to Ecuador to help our Awana leaders learn how to teach skills from Chess or other games.
I was so impressed with his organization that I am placing a link to them at the top right of my page. Check it out.

FAMILY TIME

The last weekend in April we were able to get away with the children and grand children for a brief "retreat". For all of us it was a family bonding time. For the grandchildren, I think they enjoyed exploring the beach (that is fun for all of us). It was an opportunity for some to experience clam digging for the first time. There were oyster beds and "nests"of sand dollars. Dan, who works at Seattle Aquarium, can give guided tours of beach life so we had a learning time there as well.