tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14549250772846893392024-03-13T08:48:28.337-07:00The Olsens: Serving In Ecuadorjimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-67057381963717160502019-04-22T07:17:00.001-07:002019-04-22T07:18:34.801-07:00 The Rainbows & Volcanoes of God’s Promise<div style="font-family: "adobe garamond pro"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Just like everyone else in this world, I have good days and bad days. There are even times when our bad days can turn into bad weeks, bad chapters, even bad seasons of life. But, in recent years I’ve noticed something on those bad days— especially the ones that start out with the potential of being the worst. First, let me give you some context.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Every day my wife and I take turns dropping our kids off at school. Our daughter’s school is about a 3 minute drive, just down the road. Our son’s, however, is about 15 minutes down the mountain, making it about a 30 minute ordeal from start to finish. The road we take opens up into a breathtaking panorama of the town below at a certain point. Before the view, it’s a bit of a ‘straight-away,’ where on a clear day you get the first glimpse of the snow-capped volcano known as Cayambe. In that tunnel-like road, Cayambe towers above you and looks huge and impressive. After leaving that straight section, however, the forced perspective changes as you look into the valley below with the remarkable view. Interestingly, Cayambe looks smaller, but is now in context to the broader surroundings, painting the backdrop to the town below and mountains all around. It’s a breathtaking panorama. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The thing is, the number of incredibly clear days here with no clouds in the sky are fewer than one might imagine. Certain months are better for being able to see the various snow-capped volcanoes here in Ecuador, but regardless, even those of us who live here year-round get excited when the snow-capped volcanoes are ‘out.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Let’s go back to those ‘hard days.’ I often think of Noah who was trapped in that ark with so many animals waiting for the day that he and his family could once again step out onto dry land. The day finally comes, and God blesses him with the rainbow: His promise never to flood the earth again. His promise of faithfulness— a simple reminder of His presence and involvement in our lives. In the same way, I can’t deny that God reminds me of that same promise on those days that I head down the mountain to drop off my son, and suddenly see her: Cayambe, in all of her glory, towering above me. All creation declares the glory of God! Just as the rainbow serves as a reminder of God’s promise, those days that I am burdened, stressed, losing hope, and in great need of a reminder of God’s presence— those are the days that I head down the road and am blown away by the majesty of creation as I stare at the snow-capped volcano, Cayambe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The doubting Thomas in me wants to chalk it up to coincidence or something less ‘holy;’ but, it has happened dozens of times now, and always on those days I need it the most. The ironic thing is that I always forget. You would think I’d come to anticipate it, now. But, I’m usually so caught up in myself or my problems, that as I drive down the road with the weight of the world or negative attitudes I’m carrying, I’m surprised and taken aback every time as my eyes see the mountains. It’s not fabricated. I truly believe it’s God reaching down to earth and involving himself in my life. And, the thing is He does that for all of us on a daily basis— if we simply stop to look around and recognize the many blessings that surround us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We have running water. We have warm homes. We have cars, tv’s, phones, hot food, access to almost anything we can imagine. And yet, we so often feel alone, upset, and desire to have more than what we already possess. We can become so inwardly focused, we often forget to include God in our daily conversations, decisions, and thought-life. He’s right there— waiting. Waiting for us to acknowledge Him, waiting for us to accept His peace, His joy— the things that He offers us so freely. Yet we’re constantly distracted by our modern ‘conveniences’ and don’t recognize the need to daily invite our Creator to take part in our everyday lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">What is weighing you down today? What burden are you carrying? What has constituted a ‘bad day’ for you recently? Your Heavenly Father invites you to lay your burdens down, to open your eyes to His goodness and peace, as He longs to remind you that He’s there. He’s caring for you. He’s providing for you. He’s protecting you. He has plans to prosper you, and not to harm you. Perhaps the clear view of a snow-capped volcano is what you need as a reminder of His presence— or perhaps it’s simply taking in what’s around you and recognizing the blessing of His provision, His creation, the people around you who care. Take the time today to really take in the things around you. Choose to see the rainbows and volcanoes of God’s presence and promise. He is with you and He loves you.</span></div>
jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-60135119203838061472017-04-15T06:01:00.001-07:002017-04-15T06:01:49.209-07:00An Easter Reflection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As we sat in bed with our kids last night after having our Bible story time together, Kaia turned to me and asked, “Is Easter the <b><i>best </i></b>holiday?” I asked her why she thought that, and her response was quite logical, “Because Jesus died on the cross for us, but he’s alive so we can go to heaven!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>About every other year on Good Friday I like to sit down and watch the movie, the Passion of the Christ. Every year seems a little too much— a bit too often, somehow. So, last night we watched it together, just Suzy and I. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When you step back and look at it, Easter is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Palm Sunday we’re riding high, the last supper is incredibly meaningful but heavy, the garden of Gethsemane takes things to an even deeper level, and then the road to the cross is a dark and emotional one. Our Savior dies. And then, just days later, he’s alive. He is risen! And we celebrate. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It’s an emotional investment to remember, reflect, and emotionally engage with all that took place so long ago. It’s much, much easier to simply go to church on Easter Sunday to hear the ‘happy’ sermon and go about your day with the Easter bunny and egg hunt rituals that follow in tow. The thing is, I think the emotional journey is a good one. Not easy— but good.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Suzy commented multiple times throughout the movie that it’s just too gory. I agree that it’s gory. But, I also think it very well could have been that bad. It may not have been quite as intense as Mel Gibson painted it— but it could have. And if anything, it led me to reflect on the pain that He chose, the pain He didn’t escape, the pain that <b><i>my</i></b> sin and <b><i>your</i></b> sin weighed on Him. He suffered to free us from our wrongdoings. He suffered so we wouldn’t have to.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I’m active on several different social media platforms. Today I enjoyed seeing several friends post statuses and photos with words or Bible verses reflecting on this day. One that was posted by a few people said, “It’s Friday. But Sunday is coming.” How simple. It acknowledges Good Friday— not simply glossing over it— but it points us to what happens on Sunday. Because if Sunday doesn’t happen, Christianity simply wouldn’t be what it is. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” I suppose that’s the attitude that I hope to take on and embody. I want to mourn. I want to feel the weight of what Jesus suffered— for me. I want to cry. But, I don’t want to stay there. Jesus is not in the tomb. He did not remain dead. His brilliant light shines brightly and He is alive! He is alive in you, and He is alive in me. I not only want to believe that; I want to embrace it, celebrate it, and radiate that brilliance. I will celebrate! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So, on this day before Resurrection Day, I invite you to take the emotional plunge with me. If only for one day— engage with the Word and mentally, emotionally, spiritually walk through what your Savior did for you. And don’t jump into ‘part b’ where the stone is rolled away, just yet. We have an Easter book for kids called </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">The Week that Led to Easter</span><span style="font-kerning: none;">, and Kaia mentioned to me twice throughout the day today, “Daddy, we forgot to read the last two pages of this book!” We didn’t. We intentionally left them for tomorrow. Close the book. Let the discord and sadness settle in a little. Feel the weight of it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>And tomorrow, leave your tears, your worries, your burdens behind. Because Jesus <b><i>has </i></b>conquered the grave. And we celebrate that fact! He is risen. He is alive. He created a way for us to be forgiven and to live with Him eternally. Praise God!</span></span></div>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-4629975760491737762016-05-24T10:41:00.002-07:002016-05-24T10:41:34.188-07:00Hiking Uphill<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPM0VpmCkH-EWutx1skrQy0wvNslkEVcNOJV9YFlJNITTKk6q1OHi5-srlLbPVtGSSo1GGYnJc_23R4vkhnkdUp2IxNqm7HDjiuhKvKeBTQwAaPE2tSr8Oqdd7HQCbq06ixNzmCcwD1HJ1/s1600/Ascenso+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPM0VpmCkH-EWutx1skrQy0wvNslkEVcNOJV9YFlJNITTKk6q1OHi5-srlLbPVtGSSo1GGYnJc_23R4vkhnkdUp2IxNqm7HDjiuhKvKeBTQwAaPE2tSr8Oqdd7HQCbq06ixNzmCcwD1HJ1/s400/Ascenso+Image.jpg" width="400" /></a>Last year we chose the camp theme of ‘Ascend.’ The story we painted was that our lives are like a hike. Christ is the guide hiking alongside us, and we are aiming to summit the mountain which we clearly see set before us. The ‘surprise ending’ to this story is that once we get to the peak of the mountain, there are many more mountaintops beyond that come into view. Life doesn’t stop there on the mountaintop. We enjoy the view, rest, and pick up our pack to take on the next mountain.<br />
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Today is a day of reflection for me. I hiked 30 minutes uphill on the El Refugio property to get to the campsite where I’ll be spending the day. You might not see where this is going right away, but bear with me. I have a love/hate relationship with running. I dread doing it because it’s work and I often think I could be spending that time in a better way. But, I love the results of running and the experience itself is usually very rewarding. I always know it will be worth it— I just don’t really like doing it. <br />
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Hiking is basically the same for me. I know it’s good for me, I enjoy it when I’m doing it, and I often question if there’s a better way to spend my time. Actually, if I’m not hiking with a pack, I’ll probably jump at the opportunity if I know there will be great views and it will take a specific amount of time that seems reasonable to me. Here’s where I’ll bring it back. The 30 minute hike I made today was with a pack. To me, that changes the experience. Add in that extra weight and discomfort, and I’d much rather throw everything in the car and off-road it to the same spot and enjoy the view that way. So I think.<br />
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The truth is, every time I’ve got a pack on and find myself panting hard and sweating I just can’t wait to push through it. I don’t like it. I want to get to the campsite, the lookout point, or wherever the destination may be as fast as I can. But if it weren’t for those tiring, uphill sections, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now writing this. The hard times are the ones that leave the greatest impression on us and are where we often learn more profoundly. And instead of just trying to push past it, what might happen if in the midst of difficult times like that, we were to ask the simple question, “Lord, what are you trying to teach me through this?”<br />
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This year’s theme could almost fit within last year’s. The theme title is, ‘Jump.’ The imagery that goes with it is a backpacker, making the leap across a chasm— from one rock face to another. Picture yourself as the same hiker from the first paragraph. On that hike to the peak of the mountain, you come across a gulley. There’s a river way down at the bottom, and no clear way around. The gap isn’t a mere hop, but it does seem possible to leap over if you gave 110% of your effort. Questions might fill your mind: Is this the right way? Is it necessary to jump over this chasm? Should we turn back? What happens if I don’t make it to the other side? Did our guide lead us here intentionally? And if so, why?<br />
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As I was hiking today, another complicating question came to my mind when thinking about this very situation. What if there are two spots where it seems equally ideal to jump? Perhaps one has an easier landing at first, though it’s a steeper climb up after you land. In the other spot, though steeper at first, there are a number of exposed roots which would be great to grab onto and secure yourself after the leap. Both have pros and cons, yet both seem to be good options. And to make things more complex, the one option seems to be the natural extension of the path you’ve been on— whereas the other seems it will take you a different way. <br />
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For me, the logical question is to discern which one is better. I think most of us naturally approach things this way. But what I’ve been challenged to ask instead is: Which is the way God wants to lead me? The whole first challenge in this scenario is to work up the courage, faith, and trust to make the leap. But right along with that is: Which is the way I’m meant to go? Which path has God prepared for me?<br />
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Perhaps that’s where you stand today. Ready to make the jump, but unsure of where to jump to. Maybe you’re not convinced that this is the right way. Or, maybe you can see the jump off in the distance and are like me— you know it’ll feel good and will be worth it, but would rather do something else to fill your time.<br />
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Though I described the 30 minute hike as uphill, the last 5 minutes are actually much more level. I caught my breath. I stopped breathing so hard. I began to reflect. I realized the workout actually made my body feel pretty good. And everything you just read came whirring through my mind during that time. Life isn’t all uphill. It’s also not always level. And we’ll find chasms along the way that will require faith and trust— they might also contain some tough life choices. But with Christ as our guide, we can firmly place our trust in Him. We can trust that we are where we’re meant to be. And, we can have faith that if we really are seeking His leading, the place we jump to will be right. And our guide will be there waiting for us, continuing on alongside us as we walk the winding, but rewarding paths of life.<br />
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<br />jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-75677233553233141062015-12-10T13:02:00.001-08:002015-12-10T13:02:43.202-08:00A Used Canvas<div style="text-align: justify;">
The brokenness of our world has struck me especially hard in these past weeks. That of the world and my own brokenness and imperfections. How easy it is to let life progress without stopping and really taking the time to examine your own life? In the face of tragedy or incredibly difficult times, perhaps we are jarred to do so. But what about in the times of monotony? When life is simply moving forward and we are meeting the status quo? I was recently very convinced by this.</div>
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In the history of art, there have been periods where it was not uncommon for artists to reuse canvasses. The implication, then, is that there are ‘ghost paintings’ beneath the painting we see on the surface. Perhaps a layer of paint exists between the two paintings, giving the artist a ‘blank canvas’ before painting on top of what once was. </div>
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I always found this concept not only useful, but fascinating. Imagine the number of potential ‘masterpieces' or at least well-known paintings hanging in galleries around the globe that may have other paintings just below the surface. Images and concepts that we’ll never see. To the naked eye, they simply don’t exist.</div>
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Today I have been preparing two canvasses. I, myself, have used this technique a number of times and thoroughly enjoy it. I like the fact that the first (or second) painting below gives a layer or base of texture. The canvas is unique and before ever applying the first brush stroke to the repurposed canvas, there is character and personality.</div>
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In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says, </div>
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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”</blockquote>
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I certainly believe these words to be true. The interesting thing to me has always been the fact that we have our past lives, our past failures, our personal history that we can’t erase. There are many analogies that have been used over the years to teach us that we’re completely wiped clean, seen as entirely new in the eyes of Christ when we put on the new life. Only He can erase our past and make us a new creation. I myself have used these word pictures— we are blameless, white as snow, seen as God’s perfect child. And yet we don’t forget our past. Certain events, perhaps, but we are marked and influenced by our past actions. I don’t say this as a discouragement, but to highlight the fact that we are molded and impacted by our experiences— be them good or bad.</div>
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But walk with me through the analogy of the reused canvas. First of all, the artist recognizes that the canvas still has worth, potential, and value. A bad painting does not warrant throwing out the canvas. The canvasses I prepared just moments ago had paper and other things glued to the surface. I painstakingly peeled off paper and glue with my fingers for quite some time. I took a tool to the surface to scrape off the parts that were too hard to peel off with my own hands. And the truth is, I didn’t scrape off every raised bump. I left some of it— intentionally. As I mentioned earlier, it will provide a base of texture and depth to the canvas that I actually want. </div>
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After I peeled and scraped everything undesirable off, I took out my white paint. With a thick brush I applied a healthy layer of white paint over every inch of those canvasses. In spite of the fact that I used a thick layer of white paint, you can still see a faint image of what was previously there coming through. I could add another layer of white on top. But I won’t. I’ll start the painting with that faint image slightly showing through. But it will quickly be covered up. I’ll apply several different colors, potentially even layers of paint over the entire surface of the canvas, transforming it into something beautiful. I’ll take advantage of the bumps and glue and raised paint texture from what was previously there and work with it to create something of worth and beauty.</div>
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And God does the same with us. He takes care and time to bring healing and restoration. He chips away at the pains of the past. At times it hurts. And at times he has to use more heavy duty tools that we feel more distinctly to rub away the ugliness that was once there. And we don’t forget every poor decision from the past. In fact, we are fortunate to benefit from the good things that took place in our past and we hold on to the lessons learned from the hard times. The canvas of our lives doesn't become completely smooth upon receiving salvation. Our memories aren't wiped clean. God restores the canvas— He restores us. And he cleans us and does see us as his perfect, blameless child. But we’re still formed and influenced by our past and past experiences. And some of those hurts are still visible, even when the new painting has been laid on top of what was previously there. But God works with it. He paints over and uses the bad and ugly to make something beautiful. We may still limp from our past, but there is good thatch come from those things. </div>
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We aren’t discarded. We are imperfect beings that have been declared as having worth, and then reclaimed, restored, and recreated as something beautiful. </div>
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I am imperfect. Our world is certainly broken and it’s hard to believe at times just how much pain and filth exists. It’s humbling for me to take the time and examine my life, only to find that there are habits I’ve let develop and attitudes that have taken root that are less than admirable. And it weighs on me. I’m not proud of my brokenness. Especially because now I have to do something about it. I realize that I need to lift my eyes to the artist who created me and has been working on my canvas for a while and ask Him to re-work some of me. I am no masterpiece and there are parts of my painting that need to be scrubbed out. And together we’ll move forward in this process of sanctification. </div>
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But I take comfort in knowing that He won’t throw me out. He won’t say it’s not fixable. We’ll get there. And I’ll keep trying… and He’ll keep painting. He’s not done with me yet. And though the painting is not yet finished, He sees me as beautiful, having great worth, and He is proud of His creation. </div>
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He is proud of you.</div>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-31640623699850108232015-04-08T08:46:00.000-07:002015-04-08T08:46:25.236-07:00Dust.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFjhwRgyK9VBph3vexzZYNkp_PmsA2Ipo3jv4kC-yl5_LGVb0rBYJKMEBHlBQOwOGhPc2zXOvoccTOmPMHpVvhknkl5goujB44M2d9jVIbo1N3phTAWItV1CEzGLx0VtJX2EwL4qj4W9p/s1600/IMG_5172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFjhwRgyK9VBph3vexzZYNkp_PmsA2Ipo3jv4kC-yl5_LGVb0rBYJKMEBHlBQOwOGhPc2zXOvoccTOmPMHpVvhknkl5goujB44M2d9jVIbo1N3phTAWItV1CEzGLx0VtJX2EwL4qj4W9p/s1600/IMG_5172.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the road just outside of our house in the dry season</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I'd say that we had lived here in Ecuador for six months before I learned what the word 'polvo' means. Our summer months here can get pretty dry. So, when all of the dirt roads turned from packed, hard dirt to light, dusty powder, I learned the meaning of 'polvo.'</span></div>
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Dust.</div>
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I can't tell you how many times that word has come out of my mouth over the past three months-- and especially during the last two weeks. Our house is currently under construction. It's a very old house, which means that the walls are made of adobe. Adobe is basically dirt. And our house has been filled with it.</div>
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Let me step back. God has blessed us with an incredible house to rent here in Calacalí. We love the house, we love how close it is to El Refugio, we love that there's a yard and that several of our Ecuadorian neighbors are El Refugio workers. The only downside to the house is that it only has two bedrooms-- one for us and one for kids. We do plan to have more kids, and it's nice to have space to host family and guests. From very early on we've said that if there were just one or two more bedrooms, we'd love to spend all of years here in Ecuador living in this house. That's how much we love the place.</div>
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So we thought we'd bring up the idea to our landlords. To our surprise, they were completely up for making an addition (with two bedrooms!) and were happy to front the money themselves to make it happen. When they found out we'd be in the States from October to December, they decided that would be the ideal time to do the work. They thought three months would be more than enough time.</div>
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We just entered month 7 of construction.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8p2vXcOjKHtjtMIUdni3h1nG30eCOEahSRhJod-PdXgtWq8e2mExJUUK4jGOC-Tk0Sm5xqt7ZRt__4NPHqXDlyW1SoLtdlflL5dGAF-oga81EmG0W2MMkhgIjAxcgsvr-W3LlKZg1xMxq/s1600/IMG_9004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8p2vXcOjKHtjtMIUdni3h1nG30eCOEahSRhJod-PdXgtWq8e2mExJUUK4jGOC-Tk0Sm5xqt7ZRt__4NPHqXDlyW1SoLtdlflL5dGAF-oga81EmG0W2MMkhgIjAxcgsvr-W3LlKZg1xMxq/s1600/IMG_9004.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of our house, where the addition is being built</td></tr>
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They're building up, so the nice thing was that they just used ladders and scaffolding to get up there to work. So although we've been living in a construction zone since January, they haven't had to walk through our house to do the work until last week. Last Monday they started busting down the wall to connect the two floors-- and thus began the dust.</div>
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So, we relocated our family to a cabin at El Refugio for the week leading up to Easter. But I (Jim) spent the work hours each day at home-- to keep an eye on our things, answer questions, make calls when things were needed, and attempt to keep the place as clean as possible.</div>
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We put up a big sheet of plastic in the hallway where the main demo was taking place, hoping to minimize the amount of mess/dust. </div>
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It probably would've been worse had we not hung the plastic. But I vacuumed about a quarter inch of dirt off of the carpet in our bedroom (which we had cleared out, anticipating how bad it would be) after that first day. Every day when they went home I would sweep, vacuum, and dust to try and keep on top of the mess. And each new day, within the first hour, the layer of dust would be back.</div>
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In some ways it was quite appropriate that we were displaced during the week leading up to Easter. The workers didn't work on Friday, as Good Friday is a holiday here, so that was our first day back at home. I couldn't help but think of why Christ went to the cross for us. We are sinners. We are filthy. Though at times we think we can contain our sin and keep the 'dust' in a small, sealed space, we can't. It's just like the dusty dirt in our house that we have tried to contain and not allow to seep into every room in our house. But it does. Even when we got a big panel of plastic and duck-taped it on all sides, somehow the dust still has seeped into every inch and corner of the house.</div>
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But Christ has made a way for us to be clean. Try as we may to be perfect, we will fail. There is only one who is sinless, perfect, and clean. And He made it possible for us to be wiped clean-- forgiven. </div>
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We're still (at least) a few weeks out from being able to move into the new section of our house. The wood floors upstairs need to be sanded (more dust...), the electrician needs to put in all of the light switches, outlets, and lights, and the floors need to be finished. The end is in sight-- but there's still dust ahead. </div>
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I was reminded of 2 Corinthians chapter 4 as I've been reflecting on all of this. Verses 17 and 18 say:</div>
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"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."</blockquote>
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The great thing is that when the construction is over we'll enjoy this wonderful house even more than before. We'll have additional space for our kids (and kids to come!) to play, for guests and family to relax and be comfortable, and to continue hosting those we build relationships with here in Ecuador. It has been a pain, but we look beyond the dust and hammering, knowing there's a purpose. We will have trying times in this life. But Christ has overcome the world. He has cleaned the dust away. He has made us clean. And there is an eternal reward waiting for us. For what is unseen is eternal. Even though at times it's hard to see past the dust.</div>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-4908258118399533912015-03-22T17:55:00.001-07:002015-03-22T18:03:21.928-07:00Oyacachi: Stuck in the Muck.<div style="text-align: justify;">
As the shouts of joy died down, I will never forget the sound of all of the little voices yelling, ‘Noooo!!!’<br />
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Thirty five of us pulled into Oyacachi on a bus just two days earlier, with about five of us having visited the town previously. The group I was with is from <a href="http://www.camp-of-the-woods.org/" target="_blank">Camp-Of-The-Woods</a>, a camp located in Speculator, NY. They have a discipleship program (called <a href="http://www.camp-of-the-woods.org/#/lift-discipleship" target="_blank">LIFT</a>) for young adults who want to spend a semester or two to intentionally grow in their relationship with the Lord, be mentored and discipled, experience outdoor adventure and God’s creation, grow in their understanding and experience of missions, all the while serving at the camp. We have hosted this group at <a href="http://www.haciendaelrefugio.com/" target="_blank">El Refugio</a> every year for about the past five years.</div>
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Part of their time here is always spent connecting with two of our ministry partnership sites: the towns of Chaco and Oyacachi. On the day mentioned at the start of this blog, we were less than an hour away from leaving Oyacachi to head back to El Refugio. What had happened was that during our three days in Oyacachi an excavator had come through and dug a trench between 5 - 6 feet deep between the road and the parking area where the bus had been sitting. The bus driver had finally gone to turn the bus around, after having sat in the spot for 3 days. When he went to pull out, the two front tires sank deeply into the loose dirt (that had turned to mud from all of the rain) where the trench had been dug. The nose of the bus sat squarely on the ground while the wheels were halfway submerged in mud. It appeared we might be staying a little longer than we had anticipated.</div>
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It was lunchtime when all of this happened, and our group had several tables end-to-end located right alongside two rows of other tables end-to-end. The difference was that our tables were normal height, while the other two rows were built for children— very low to the ground. Their tables were filled to the gills with little kids who are part of the <a href="http://www.compassion.com/ecuador/andes.htm" target="_blank">Compassion</a> program in Oyacachi. Ranging from three years old up to around ten or so, these were all children we had been playing with ever since we had arrived. The first night we held a service at the church where special music was shared as well as many testimonies. We began all together in the sanctuary, but split up halfway through the service with the second half catering more specifically to each group: young adults in one location and the adults remaining in the sanctuary.</div>
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The following two days were structured similarly as we had an hour at the public school each day to play games, share skits, and give simple english lessons, followed by partnering with the Compassion program hosted at the church. Students helped pass out the food to all of the kiddos, and the second day we were given time to teach the children. Following the meal the team put on a skit that connected to a Bible lesson and then all of the children made a craft alongside the team that related to the Bible story. Once the craft was done, everyone ran up to the community volleyball court for games that we had prepared, and many of the kids stuck around getting piggyback rides, laughing, and running around until we had to leave to eat dinner. We held another service the second night, and I practically had to beg a few of the young girls from the town to head home at the end of the night, as all of the team members were going to bed.<br />
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One thing I so appreciated about the LIFT team was their intentionality in deciding to make the gospel message central to all of the interactions and opportunities they had. Whether we were at the school, with the Compassion kids, or in an evening service, every chunk of time we spent with members of the community a clearly thought-through presentation of the gospel was plainly laid out. I should know, as I translated half of the testimonies, a sermon, and multiple drama presentations.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Church in Oyacachi</td></tr>
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In the short spurts of 'free time' that we had, I visited with the Pastor of the church and other members of the congregation. I even had a chance to ask a few questions and videotape the Pastor and another member of the community on our final day. When I asked the Pastor about the benefits he saw of teams like ours coming to do the types of things we had done, he enthusiastically responded by saying how clear it was to see the impact. He mentioned that when groups like ours come in we have access to a much wider base of individuals in the community. He even went so far as to say that those on the fringes of society are willing to come out and interact with us, and they're often harder for the church to draw in. It was obvious how dearly the children loved being with us, and he ended by pointing out the fact that when people from a different walk of life and place in this world come to visit, it opens up opportunities simply because locals have an interest in finding out who these people are and what their experiences are like.</div>
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We did finally get the bus out of the mud. Though the excavator tried pulling it out with a metal cable, we watched it snap twice and finally Rick jumped into action. He called us all outside and half of the team got into the back end of the bus while the rest of us pushed as once again the excavator pulled using the metal cable. It heaved, heaved, and finally lurched forward out of the muck! We all went back inside to finish lunch, and just a minute or two later heard the bus get ready to drive fully across the trench. As it plunged forward, it cleared the muck fully without getting stuck and came to a halt on the other side of the trench. All of the LIFT students cheered! And as their cheers died down, there were just as many of the Compassion children yelling, 'NNoooooooo!!' knowing that this meant we were, in fact, leaving. And it struck me.</div>
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Although we weren't even there for three full days, a connection had been made. Those kids loved being with the team, and simply didn't want us to go. I have never in my life experienced such a long goodbye as I did that day. Kids running, spinning, gifts being given, hugs everywhere, pictures being taken-- and neither side could easily say goodbye. Guillermo had found me at every turn throughout those three days and I was happy to be able to at least give him our family's prayer card and truthfully tell him that we as a family would be back again to visit in the coming months. Even still, that didn't make it easier.</div>
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As I reflect on those days today, a verse from John comes to my mind. In John 13:35 it says, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” There was no shortage of love during those days in Oyacachi. And it wasn't simply all action/service-- there was a healthy helping of truth given with it. And as the team stopped at an overlook on the way out of town to look back, pray over the town, and sing a blessing upon it, I was reminded of what a beautiful picture it is to be in the family of God, carrying each others' burdens, lifting one another up in prayer, and being willing to give all of yourself through love in the name of Christ. Needless to say, it was a wonderful three days.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The town of Oyacachi, nestled in the valley of the neighboring mountains</td></tr>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-85211742761414016912015-03-16T07:07:00.002-07:002015-03-16T07:47:27.763-07:00What Does Love Demand?<div style="text-align: justify;">
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As I took in the stares of about 30 onlookers and felt their hatred towards me, I believe that I experienced a glimpse of the way our Heavenly Father sees us in our brokenness and sin.</div>
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It hasn't been a fear of mine, per se, but I've really wanted to avoid becoming known as or referred to as the 'missionaries with all of the car problems.' But it might be time to lay that down and let it be what it's going to be. The irony is that we've really been the victims every time. The first time there was perhaps a level of misjudgment or naïveté after the initial breakdown of the car-- but the last instance and this one were simply outside of our control. Perhaps that's why I don't want to have this 'car trouble' reputation.</div>
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I digress. Our car is still in the shop. On Saturday night we hosted a dinner for our latin american interns along with another missionary family. The dinner took place at their house. When it was time to go home, we were given the opportunity to drive their car back to our house in place of walking through town late at night. We would return their car to them at church in the morning. </div>
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It rained after church. So, we got lunch, ran the errands we needed to, and the plan was to drop off Suzy and the kids at our house, bring the car back to them, and walk home after returning the car. </div>
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I should mention that drunkennes is a problem in our town. I had commented to Suzy several times that morning how I had never seen so many people <b><i>so</i></b> drunk, wandering around and congregating in the streets of our town. We were a distance of about two blocks from our house when there was an impasse in the road. Several cars parked on the right side of the road, 2-3 cars parked on the left, and about 15 people clearly inebriated huddled right in the middle of the road. I give two short beeps of the horn, as is customary here, and the group started moving off to the side of the road, hugging the parked cars. I crawled forward, driving between a mile and two miles per hour.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our neighborhood, where the incident took place</td></tr>
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And then we heard the noise. What noise, you ask? Well, a drunken individual who owned one of one of the parked cars on the right side of the road decided to get into his car. As we drove by. He threw his door open, directly into the side of our friends' car as we drove by. When it made contact, his car lurched forward about a foot or so and rolled onto the foot/ankle of one of the inebriated women that was hugging his car.</div>
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I was greeted by many, many drunk individuals saying things like, "Nothing happened," "be on your way," "Keep going." I should mention that this was a brand new car our friends had bought just about a year ago. It's in pristine condition. Also, the husband of the family was actually in the US, as his grandmother had passed away just days before. After calling the wife of the family, her/their desire was that we take pictures of both vehicles and write down names, phone numbers, and license plate numbers. </div>
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Let's return to where I started: the angry, drunken mob. After getting Suzy and the kids home, calling a couple of our Ecuadorian co-workers, and getting the police involved, tensions continued to rise and opinions on whose fault it was became more and more engrained. That, and if you've ever interacted with very drunk people, they're not the most reasonable to deal with. The owner of the other car took a running start with fists flying at me numerous times, every time getting restrained by the police. Many drunken rants, aggressive fingers being pointed, and very offensive accusations as well as comments about skin color were thrown about, willy nilly. I chose the very few words I used carefully, kept incredibly calm, and tried to maintain a controlled, neutral demeanor.</div>
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The panel that was damaged on our friends car will probably cost a few hundred dollars to replace at their dealership. If we take it to a local place, it could potentially be repaired for $100 or less. So that was the suggestion-- they pay $100 and we all walk away. Someone suggested a 50/50 split, meaning they contribute $50 and we all walk away. They were unwilling to try and gather this amount, saying that they had mouths to feed and didn't have $50 to their name-- which could have been true. I should mention that here in Ecuador it is customary and even expected for the parties involved to bring things to an agreement without getting insurance involved. With police present,<b><i> they</i></b> even stress and push for money to be exchanged on the scene for damages incurred rather than going to court or taking things to insurance.</div>
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As I looked at my neighborhood, all gathered around, drunk, I couldn't help but think of all of these individuals and this being where we live. These were our neighbors. Their relatives. Was my reputation worth the $50 (or less) that I would receive as compensation? The police sided with me, and wanted to help reach an amicable agreement, or we'd all go to court in a month-- incurring lawyer fees, fines, and more. I reached a moment of clarity where I really feel God was prompting me to do what I did. So I tried as hard as I could to get everyone to quiet down in order to speak and address everyone.</div>
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Here's more or less what I said: I've lived here for almost three years. We live in this neighborhood. I work just around the corner at El Refugio. I got the police involved because I am not the judge, and we needed a chance for both parties to present our stories and let the law act as the judge. In my opinion, I wasn't at fault. I was simply trying to bring my family home from church. And perhaps you should be willing to admit that some of this, or all of this was, in fact, your fault. Regardless of that, here is my decision. I am a Christian. Today I am choosing to extend grace to you. I am not going to make you pay for the damages to this car. We will cover the cost of the repairs, though this doesn't seem just to me. For me, it's not worth making enemies. You are my neighbors. I want to live in peace with you and maintain a good reputation... </div>
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At which point, the now 40 individuals gathered essentially cut me off, began embracing each other, me, shaking my hand, cheering, etc. He didn't deserve that grace. In fact, when he had to present his car registration and papers to the police, his car wasn't even insured, up-to-date, or in legal standings. They threatened to take him to the police station and lock him up several times.</div>
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Christ is love. He forgives us and extends us grace when we certainly don't deserve it. There was a whole lot involved in this terribly ugly afternoon-- and perhaps some of you reading this will think that I made the wrong decision. And perhaps I did. But Christ came to earth and extended his love to us. And sometimes choosing the loving response, even if undeserved, is best. </div>
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I am going to pursue relationships with the individuals that were involved in this incident. I know that God was involved in all of this. And though part of me wishes it simply hadn't happened, I know that God is in the midst of all of this and that He will redeem the situation to draw people to him.</div>
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So, maybe we'll never shake the reputation of being the 'missionaries with all of the car problems.' But if people can receive the love of Christ and come into a relationship with Him through events like this, a less-than-ideal reputation is something I can deal with.</div>
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<br />jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-25781819315098089722015-03-06T07:04:00.001-08:002015-03-06T07:04:09.927-08:00Supporting Ana Galindo<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="Ana" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1204" height="374" scale="2" src-orig="http://i0.wp.com/www.haciendaelrefugio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Ana.jpg?resize=800%2C374" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.haciendaelrefugio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Ana.jpg?zoom=2&resize=800%2C374" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.701961); border: 1px solid rgb(230, 230, 230); display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 15px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;" width="800" /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Last week we were blessed to have Ana Galindo visit and spend the week at El Refugio. We have been bringing short-term teams down to the Shell/Puyo area of Ecuador for several years now, yet I can still remember the day when we heard about Ana. I remember someone saying, “There’s an Ecuadorian woman who has picked up her life, moved down to Rio Negro, and is living there as a missionary to her own people! How great is that to have someone there year-round??” I had the blessing that same summer to head down to Rio Negro with a short-term team and met Ana for the first time. Since then we’ve had several opportunities to visit and connect, but none quite like this past week.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">We visit our ministry partners throughout the year, continuing to build our relationships and seeing how we can best support them. I’ve been to several sites with other team members and the same invitation is always given: If you’re ever in Quito or want to make a special trip to come visit us at El Refugio, please come, let us know, and we’ll take care of you! To my knowledge, Ana is the first to actually take us up on this offer.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Ana has been in Rio Negro for 2 and a half years now and has done a myriad of different things. She started sewing classes with women in the community. She opened her home to youth of the community to play, use her computer, and learn about the Lord. She held informal church services in her home on Sunday mornings. She guards the famous hockey sticks of the town (donated by some Canadian mission team) and brings them out periodically for all of the kids to use and play floor hockey in the community gymnasium. She has distributed food and clothing to those in need. She washes dishes. She gives water or food to those working in the fields. She has given her life to see Christ move in this community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Her most recent venture has been intentional discipleship with 4 boys around 13 and 14 years old. These boys have recently accepted Christ and Ana sees great potential in them. She has known about our ministry, and decided it would be a great experience to get these boys out of their normal routine, away from their parents for a week, and experience adventure in the mountains of Ecuador. So, Ana brought these boys to us and they headed out with our backpacking guides along with three other youth for a 4 day backpacking expedition.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">All of our staff spent time with Ana while she was here: walking around the property, sharing a meal together, inviting her into their homes for dinner. At the end of the week I sat down with her and a videocamera, hoping to capture a glimpse of what it is she does in Rio Negro. I also interviewed the boys after they got back from the backpacking trip. It hit me when I asked Ana how she has felt about her relationship with El Refugio. She broke into tears as she quoted the scripture in Isaiah 55:8,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, </span><span class="indent-1" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">neither are your ways my ways,” </span><span class="right" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">declares the <span class="small-caps" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lord</span>. </span>As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">She explained how she had been praying and searching for some place to help and support what she’s doing. God connected her with El Refugio, and she shared with me,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;">"This has been the perfect place. The boys are happy. They have discovered a reason to enjoy this journey. And the Lord blessed me as well– allowing me to be here. I’ve had many hopes, many dreams– many things I had thought were crazy. But talking with Jim, talking with Paul; The Lord has given me His response: They’re not crazy. They’re <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">possible</strong>.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> This is why we partner with people like Ana. She has dreams. She has been faithful to God’s calling. She is investing in lives and making an eternal difference. It is our joy and privilege to come alongside her and others like her to provide the resources and tools we have at our disposal. That is the body of Christ.</span></div>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-33898650072156830482014-09-30T20:31:00.001-07:002014-09-30T20:31:55.327-07:00USA, here we come...<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have to admit that I feel in recent years, miraculously, I haven't experienced a great deal of culture shock. It's strange, because we went from having a home in Ithaca, NY in July of 2011 to being 'homeless' a month later in August. We traveled from NY to CT to IL to WI to MN to ND, raising funds to serve in Ecuador, all the while having no home. Kaia was born in Elgin, IL in February 2012, while we were staying in an apartment in our missions headquarters. We drove back east eventually and looped back to MN, flying from Minneapolis to San José, Costa Rica in April of 2012.</div>
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We spent 2 weeks in Seattle 4 months later in August 2012 with my parents, between semesters at the language school in Coast Rica. After 'graduating' from language school, we flew straight from Costa Rica to Ecuador. This past April our son, Espen, was born here. We've been living in Ecuador since December 2012, and have only returned to the US once for 10 days to be with family in Wisconsin this past July.</div>
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That's a lot of change over the course of three years. Lots of different cultural experiences, different places to call 'home' (or<i> not</i> call home) and yet I've not experienced a ton of culture shock-- from what I can recognize, anyway.</div>
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On Wednesday of this week-- tomorrow -- we will get on a plane that will take us back to the US for three months. That's a long time. In some ways it sounds really long, and in other ways it's a drop in the bucket. But once again, we'll be 'homeless.' We'll be doing lots of traveling. And for Kaia especially, it will be a big cultural adjustment.</div>
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What I've been building up to is that I'm beginning to feel it. I really should say that I <i>am</i> feeling it. To be completely honest, I'm feeling the pressure of what's to come and I have so many different feelings, thoughts, pressures, and emotions running around inside of me. </div>
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Don't get me wrong-- I'm incredibly excited to see friends and family members that we haven't seen in years. I'm excited to eat a good steak, have a great cup of coffee, and visit some of those old places we used to love going to when we lived in these different towns. But we're not the same people that left the US in 2012. We're not 'coming back' to a 'home.' We're passing through. We're traveling between many, many locations. And the culture we left is not our 'norm' anymore. We call Ecuador home. </div>
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So it's this crazy blending of feelings. Excitement to see people and be with those we love. Feeling the weight of knowing that our kids will be out of their element and normal routine and may have great difficulty sleeping and adjusting to the pace of life into which they're about to be thrust. Sadness knowing there simply won't be enough time to spend with everyone and at times we won't walk away feeling 'satisfied' by how much time we were able to visit and connect. Happiness about getting to attend the churches we've gone to over the years. Stress over knowing the amount of coordinating and planning that still has to be done to make sure we can see all the people and go to all of the places we would like to. Joy knowing that God will be with us. Fear knowing that we might get sick, tired, and/or exhausted from our intense traveling schedule.</div>
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Maybe you get a glimpse-- maybe not. I guess my desire is simply to be real and let those of you who are interested in actually reading something like this, know that it's not a neatly packaged little existence we're living-- nor that we're stepping into. There are a lot of emotions and feelings going on in our household these days. And though <b><i>we really, truly, genuinely are excited</i></b> to be going to the US-- it's more complicated than that. All that, and the fact that I've sunk countless hours into a website for our ministry over the past weeks that crashed 2 nights ago... and I have no clue how to fix it.</div>
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So, would you pray for us? Pray for God's peace, for provision, and contentment with what this time ends up looking like.</div>
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Thanks for walking with us.</div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-42353935880703358112014-02-17T07:45:00.001-08:002014-02-17T07:57:23.150-08:00The Olympics: DedicationThe Olympics have never been something that have gotten me really excited.<br />
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I think they’re great-- don’t get me wrong-- it’s just that I know some people who get so pumped to watch the Olympics, and I don’t quite relate. That being said, I’ve watched a ton of events with Suzy this year-- probably more than I ever have before-- and it has been quite enjoyable.<br />
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While listening to some of the stories of the Olympians, it struck me how much dedication and practice they devote to becoming the best at what they do. These athletes spend 4 years training. Some spend 8... 12... 16 years, if they decide to keep coming back; like Bode Miller who just won a metal in his fifth Olympics (his first being in 1998). But let’s stick with the idea of 4 years. Think about that decision: I will dedicate the next 4 years to train my body and discipline myself to become the absolute best at what I do. And if I succeed, I will get a small, round piece of metal and stand on top of a box for a few minutes on tv. Okay... I’ll admit that there is some world fame that goes with it and other perks, too.<br />
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Something about that dedication strikes me. Every decision that you make for 4 years influenced by that one goal... wow. I guess the sad thing for me is that the whole pursuit is so ‘self’ focused. In the end the goal is self-promotion and fame in the eyes of man. It certainly is an accomplishment... but what if the goal wasn’t self-focused?<br />
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What if all of that focus and energy and dedication was put towards expanding the Kingdom of God and bringing fame and glory to His name? I guess the parallel is easy for me to see, being that I’m in ministry. But this question is healthy to ask for those of us in ministry and for those who are not: Is every decision that I make influenced by the goal of bringing glory to His name? <br />
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Whether you’re in formal ministry, serving/volunteering in a church, or someone who wants to dedicate the next 4... 8... 12... 16... or 60 years to expanding the Kingdom; can we live with that same dedication as Olympic Athletes? With their passion? Drive? Our goal is so much more worthy; our results more eternal; our impact more lasting; and our motivation more inspiring. Our motivation is not simply the same old ‘overcoming the odds of a small town in middle-of-nowhere america’ ... our motivation is that our Creator carried a cross to the top of a hill and gave His all for us: and we’re sinners! Shouldn’t that be inspiring enough for us to be willing to give at the very least four years of our lives dedicated to Him to expand His Kingdom?<br />
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<i>"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."</i><br />
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Matthew 6:19 - 21</div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-IQmJv8TqcO8%2FUwItj3bUaxI%2FAAAAAAAAEhM%2FG_ndq2Wyqko%2Fs1600%2FJim%2BName%2BMark%2Bsmaaaall.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBBTvvbNmRpUvLDCiN8eF7aDgS88ewh4GWAhE2Daws5Yp4QyKXLFYXqJmJl-H7hRBVvdRMqtpC9thCBi3NgZEzWi8uvTfl_u294yPXJZwFoSDPRSJV0Jx7mHQjjwyYFFNCAcV6_NkEAKD/s1600/Jim+Name+Mark+smaaaall.png" -->jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-8834037653277037392013-12-30T13:01:00.001-08:002013-12-30T13:01:17.802-08:00A Year in Review<br />This past month we gathered as a staff and took time to remember & celebrate 2013. I blogged about this experience on the blog that I maintain for El Refugio. Here's the start of the article-- click on the link below to read the rest of it.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://haciendaelrefugio.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/staff-mtg-2013.jpg"><img height="249" src="http://haciendaelrefugio.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/staff-mtg-2013.jpg?w=750&h=292" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I enjoyed the activity quite a lot and decided we should share all that happened with you as well!<br /><br />We held the Youth World Annual Team Conference in January. The Olsens officially started their work at El Refugio that month, too– though they arrived in December…<div>
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…click<a href="http://haciendaelrefugio.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> here</a> to read the rest of the article on the <a href="http://haciendaelrefugio.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">El Refugio blog</a>.</div>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-6609193262302177422013-12-07T05:05:00.001-08:002013-12-07T05:05:40.614-08:00The Crash… and lessons from the apostle Peter<div style="text-align: justify;">
God is constantly teaching us lessons and providing us opportunities to grow, isn’t He? When I step back from the details and busyness of everyday life and try to look at things with a wider perspective, I see the Lord and know that He is with me.</div>
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A few weeks back Suzy was in an accident with our car. Approaching a work zone where 2 lanes became one, she looked aside for a brief second and when her foot slipped and wasn’t able to break in time, our car struck the back of a large, orange dump-truck. Apparently the driver stepped out of his vehicle for a few seconds, saw that his truck was fine, and drove off. </div>
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My day ended up getting consumed in needing to deal with the fallout. After receiving the call from Suzy around 1:15 I got a ride to the site of the accident. We called our insurance, hunted for a tow-truck, and once we found one that was available I rode with him to the mechanic. On the way back I sat with him through a lot of traffic. He dropped me off in the town where the crash had taken place. I paid him and got on a bus to the next town. In the next town I had to hire a truck to drive me back to Calacalí. Arriving home in the rain at 6:45pm, I was pretty beat. </div>
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I’m reading a book that looks in detail at each of Christ’s disciples. Having just finished the chapter on Peter, the topic and idea of leadership is fresh on my mind. The author talks about the raw leadership potential that Peter had, but he also focuses a great deal on the characteristics Jesus constantly worked on developing in Peter. He contrasts the innate quality Peter had of ‘a passion to be personally involved’ with those he Christ needed to impress upon him: restraint, humility, and love (among others). </div>
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Leaders are often people with extreme passion and personalities. They say it’s easier to tone down a fanatic than to resurrect a corpse. However, those with passion and strong or extreme opinions or emotions can be just that: extreme. Anger, unkind impulsive words, and ‘my way or the highway’ attitudes can easily emerge from these personalities. So Christ took the strong personality and passion of Peter and modeled to him how to lead with love, humility, and restraint. He also knew Peter would have many experiences throughout his life to teach him how to embody these characteristics: and he would fail. Jesus was there to see him fail many times. But he’d also learn through these experiences. And eventually we see him teaching others these same traits as he writes letters that are now part of the New Testament.<br />
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I don’t think many people have seen it, but deep inside of me I have the potential to respond to situations in uncontrolled anger... I know I have a ‘temper’ inside of me and have worked really hard for most of my life to control it and never let it get the best of me or rear its ugly head and hurt others. Situations like this really put it to the test. I hate that our car was damaged so badly and that we had to be without a vehicle for over two weeks. It’s hard for me when my day gets totally thrown off and I have to deal with fallout from a situation that I wish hadn’t happened. Traffic stinks. And maybe the worst part for me was that from the day the accident took place to the day we got the car back, I was basically the one who had to make all the phone calls, run from place to place, communicate (in spanish) between the mechanic and our insurance agency, and deal with all of this even though I wasn’t even in the car when the accident took place!</div>
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I’m happy to say I never exploded. Suzy can tell you that I never spoke an unkind word to her, nor did I complain about all I had to do after the accident. I’m happy to say that from the outside, I handled everything with patience and grace. But I’ll be vulnerable and let you know that inside, all of this was difficult for me. </div>
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So I zoom out and look at all of this from God’s perspective. First of all, what a tiny ‘blip’ on the radar this is in terms of a lifetime... or eternity, for that matter. But just like Peter, God provides me with experiences and opportunities to grow, to learn, and to test who I am: as a husband, a leader, a Believer. God is with us. And though this situation was by no means fun, I am learning through it; and I have been especially blessed by the members of the body who have helped us in navigating through by lending a hand in the details of daily life in the midst of inconvenience. So I thank God for being with us and wanting us to grow and turn our eyes to Him in times of difficulty.<br />
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-83145915413313307232013-11-29T18:02:00.001-08:002013-11-29T18:02:53.160-08:00Kaia's going to have a little baby __________!!<br />
We went to the doctor for an ultrasound and decided to find out the gender of our baby. If you haven't found out yet what it's going to be, click on the video below to find out!<br />
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-jim, suzy & kaiajimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-89938737803064879512013-11-07T13:36:00.000-08:002013-11-07T13:36:37.460-08:00Marguerita.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKqzxcFrEXjwHFxDeFIq-z_VLRZDDnkFE957RVu9jdJluRuq1ajvqopX9vangpSOExHqutt4misyHUWIb0YxqZtOGrSZ98e3KhD8oKqsDvBVsIWOn5a9begEk6c9t6ybNnE_TPVFzXVW7/s1600/IMG_0692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKqzxcFrEXjwHFxDeFIq-z_VLRZDDnkFE957RVu9jdJluRuq1ajvqopX9vangpSOExHqutt4misyHUWIb0YxqZtOGrSZ98e3KhD8oKqsDvBVsIWOn5a9begEk6c9t6ybNnE_TPVFzXVW7/s400/IMG_0692.jpg" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Marguerita's corner restaurant</td></tr>
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One of the weekly routines that we have developed living here in Ecuador is that we walk to church each Sunday. The other piece of our tradition is that on our walk back home we stop at the same little corner restaurant for lunch. When we started doing this we’d occasionally get the food to go, though we came to realize the value of staying and taking advantage of the opportunity to talk with the people sitting and eating in this small room with us.</div>
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Marguerita is the woman who owns this small restaurant and prepares all of the food. She warmly embraced us from the very first week we stopped by to eat there. The interesting thing is how she has been very open with Suzy regarding her questions and worries about faith and Christianity. The second week we walked by her restaurant, she asked us where we were going. When we told her we were on our way to church, she asked very genuinely if we would pray for her. </div>
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A few weeks later she excitedly brought us inside and showed us a Bible she had recently put on display in the restaurant. She told us a friend of hers had had it and she asked if they would give it to her. They did. Each week she proudly puts it on display, surrounding it with flowers and other decorations. </div>
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In September of 2013, Marguerita asked Suzy in conversation why she doesn’t have more faith. She expressed that she desires to have it, but so many days she feels distrust for God. As the conversation progressed, Suzy asked her if she had any interest in getting together to study the God of the Bible. Marguerita excitedly said, “Yes!” For several weeks now, Suzy has been getting together with her and often other members of her family to read the Bible. Together, they are discovering who Jesus is. </div>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-28063093561482882242013-10-01T09:24:00.002-07:002013-10-01T09:24:24.371-07:00force.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I learned an interesting lesson in 'force' a week and a half ago.</div>
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Really, I blame the whole thing on Pinterest. You see, we have a really nice outdoor space at our house here in Calacalí. However, we haven’t given it a ton of attention– though we’d like to! And of course, when you desire to spruce something up, to pinterest.com you must go. We searched and came up with the idea of making an outdoor chandelier comprised of driftwood from the beach, a rough kind of twine/rope, and glass jars that would hang from it, containing candles– something somewhat similar to the picture you see here.<br /><br />We bought some candles. We already had the driftwood. And when over at a friends’ house, we were offered a couple of perfect, empty pasta jars. I went home that night bound to make this thing happen. The problem was, the mouth of the jar was a little smaller than the jar itself, as well as the size of the candles. <br /><br />No problem. I took out a knife to shave down the candle. I take the shaved-down candle and begin to insert it into the jar. The thing is, the candle still doesn’t <i>quite </i>fit. But it was close. I got it halfway in. A little further. And then. <i>THEN </i>I used force. I just <i>knew</i> I could get it through– it was <i>so</i> close! So I fixed my hand on the top of the candle and used a bit of my body weight. I pushed. And pushed. Until…<br /><br />The glass jar completely shattered and exploded beneath the pressure being exerted upon it. <br /><br />Needless to say, my hand got pretty cut up. I lost a fair amount of blood. It hurt quite a lot. And I felt light-headed and quite foolish for the rest of the night. Just in the past couple of days is the last of the wounds finally healing completely.<br /><br />The lesson here is perhaps quite obvious, but I’ll share it just the same. God has been showing me through all of this that force is not the answer. I mean… is force <i>ever</i> the answer? Granted, force can bring about results. Things can get done under pressure and tension… but I think relationships are almost always damaged as a result of this approach. <br /><br />I’ve watched the series ’24′ on-and-off over the past couple of years. I’m reminded of the principal character, Jack Bauer. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the show, but Jack is someone who gets things done– no matter what the cost. He gets results. He does terrible things constantly to force results and get answers; and he gets them. But he is an island. I haven’t watched the entire series, but until this point, I have yet to see a single person that deeply cares about Jack. He’s burned essentially every person he knows at one point or another. Is that a good reputation: someone who is able to <i>force</i> results?<div>
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The method <i>does</i> matter. The heart <i>does</i> matter. And I see obvious parallels in evangelism. When we share the Gospel, are we thinking of the person with our heart and longing for them as a friend to know the greatest truth that exists– or do we see them as a number? Do we think in terms of heads to count at whatever the cost, whatever method necessary? Or do we see them as people, children dearly loved who are complex and need time and love and care? Force is not the answer, as I clearly learned with my hand and the pasta jar.<br /><br />What great news we have to share with those around us! The truth of the Gospel– of what Christ did– this is a message that everyone needs to hear! But how we deliver that message is important. We represent a loving God who cares deeply for each and every individual in our world. I pray that I always keep in mind that force, though at times might be easier, is not likely going to bring about the results I would hope. May we walk in the truths of God’s word, ever learning, ever striving to grow and be more like our Savior, Jesus Christ.<div>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-20062909374640509492013-09-10T12:01:00.004-07:002013-09-10T12:01:57.113-07:00Shepherd.<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit; line-height: 34px;">For some reason the idea of a shepherd has really been striking me recently.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">I guess the first reason is related to language. In the english language ‘shepherd’ is a profession of someone who cares for sheep as a living. In the church we often refer to pastors as being shepherds. The interesting thing in spanish is that the word for pastor and for shepherd are one in the same– a shepherd is a ‘pastor’ and a pastor is a ‘pastor.’</span></div>
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<a href="http://haciendaelrefugio.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_3425.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_parent"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;"><img alt="IMG_3425" class="alignright wp-image-159" height="630" src="http://haciendaelrefugio.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_3425.jpg?w=472&h=630" style="border: 0px; display: inline; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.9em 0px 0.9em 20px; max-width: 100%;" width="472" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">Our daughter, Kaia was given a stuffed animal lamb when she was just a few weeks old. Somehow this lamb became her best friend. She can’t go to bed without it. She dresses it in her clothes and shoes. She carries it with her everywhere. She does as much as she possibly can with it, and just the <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sight</em> of her lamb makes her so incredibly happy. I love watching her ‘care’ for her lamb and observing how she interacts with it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">What does a shepherd do? They care for their sheep. They provide food and water for them. They move them from place to place. They guide them. They establish boundaries about where the sheep can go: with fences or by other means. They protect them. They spend time with the sheep. They get to know them. They want the best for each and every sheep in their flock.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">There are several passages of scripture that use the illustration of the shepherd. Ezekiel 34: 1 – 15 outlines shepherds that don’t care for their flock. God steps in and says,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">"I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. <sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">12 </sup>As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. <sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">13 </sup>I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">In John 10: 1 – 18 Jesus declares,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">"I am the gate for the sheep. <sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">8 </sup>All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. <sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">9 </sup>I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. <sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">10 </sup>The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. <sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">11 </sup>“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">John 21: 15 – 17 says,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">"15 </sup>When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ’Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">Acts 20:28 says,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">What can we take away from this? Must we be a <strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pastor</em></strong> to shepherd others?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">I think it’s safe to say that David was the most famous (literal) shepherd in the Bible. I love that David was younger and smaller than all of his brothers; he was the one tending to the sheep. And it was<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> he</strong></em> that God chose to lead his people. The role of a shepherd may not be the fanciest or the most respected… or the job with the best pay. But investing in the lives of individuals in a deep way– providing them with life… what a beautiful thing!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">We’re all very familiar with the 23rd Psalm, but I’m going to insert it here. Take a minute to read it and think about the words without just blowing through it. Let the words sink in.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">23 The Lord <i>is</i> my shepherd;</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">I shall not want.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">2 </sup>He makes me to lie down in green pastures;</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">He leads me beside the still waters.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">3 </sup>He restores my soul;</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">He leads me in the paths of righteousness</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">For His name’s sake.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">4 </sup>Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">I will fear no evil;</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">For You <i>are</i> with me;</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">5 </sup>You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">You anoint my head with oil;</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">My cup runs over.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">6 </sup>Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">All the days of my life;</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">And I will dwell in the house of the Lord</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">Forever.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">I shall not want. What does that mean? It means we don’t need to ‘want’ for things because our shepherd (God) <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">has</strong></em> and <strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">will</em></strong> provide for all of our needs. What else does He do? He <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">makes</strong> </em>us rest. He knows that we <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">need</strong> </em>rest. He created a beautiful world for us and He wants us to be in his creation. It also says that He’ll be with us in times of danger. It doesn’t say that when danger is coming he’ll sweep in and pull us out of it… it says <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">when</strong></em> we walk through: it’s expected. It’s going to happen. But He’s there with us. We’re not alone. We’re not abandoned. He has chosen us, He blesses us, and He has given us the gift of eternal life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">I love the concept of the shepherd because we are God’s sheep. He cares for us deeply. And yet at the same time He also is calling<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> us</em></strong> to be shepherds and care for others as he cares for us.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">Are you currently playing a ‘shepherd’ role in the lives of others? Whether your answer is yes or no, let’s ask ourselves today, “How can we be better shepherds?”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: inherit;">- jim</span></div>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-88344578662962873362013-05-07T07:54:00.001-07:002013-05-07T07:54:23.165-07:00Walking... Reflecting... Talking with God.<div style="text-align: justify;">
I walked to work this morning. I try to do this often. It's only an additional 6-7 minutes on foot over driving here. </div>
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The thing is that I find when I'm walking or hiking, my mind operates better. It's not that I don't think when I'm driving or working or running errands... but those thoughts are usually more task oriented or structured. When I slow down and walk down a quiet country road or hike in the woods, it's as if my mind is able to zoom out, look at the big picture, and spend time thinking about the really important things in life. Additionally, I often find myself naturally talking with God in those moments. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QWuEmbNb79s88iwkJLkLEV-DUqLyOaSldnxZD7e68vOoP3PEgZoEEbtzEMDngADlLWym4K6ktjJaNsddF6cSO3rxHdpVkxWE-c00C4YQUh_BbgkYdj9ME1ISN12YNL32kBSDBfFrnEm-/s1600/HobbitMountainWalking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QWuEmbNb79s88iwkJLkLEV-DUqLyOaSldnxZD7e68vOoP3PEgZoEEbtzEMDngADlLWym4K6ktjJaNsddF6cSO3rxHdpVkxWE-c00C4YQUh_BbgkYdj9ME1ISN12YNL32kBSDBfFrnEm-/s400/HobbitMountainWalking.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Suzy and I watched 'The Hobbit' the other night for the first time-- my parents were kind enough to mail us an original copy (original copies of movies are hard to come by down here)! Being that this movie didn't cover half of the book, we decided to start reading the book, <u>The Hobbit</u>, aloud together. We actually started this a couple years back, but never finished it. I have confidence we'll finish it this time around!</div>
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There's something compelling and extremely relatable to me about books/movies like the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. It's not that we have incredibly hairy feet or that there are orcs and goblins around every corner... it's that we're on a journey. We're all walking forward; sometimes taking in incredible vistas and feeling on top of the world... other times struggling to take the next step forward and feeling hopeless.</div>
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I'm going to give you a little sneak peak on something I was working on yesterday. It was designed with the intention of being put on a little stretchy material that people here wear on their heads like a stocking cap, or at times pull down around their neck like a scarf. We'll see what it ends up getting used for in the end... if at all. But either way, you're getting a sneak peak. I feel like it's somewhat relevant to what we're talking about.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLxthcu8ErXa3bumdXURlPvkoyLyDzsyzrnnTObq2mzV0NTWtfAB7jD7oimzp_HgYXTaIPBpDV-5C6be7rAHUe6nX4Vu2mUMXjU0GTQWFJrZDx7-EjIivRMPoeTGxm1Vh72q9il6ntni6/s1600/hikers.009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLxthcu8ErXa3bumdXURlPvkoyLyDzsyzrnnTObq2mzV0NTWtfAB7jD7oimzp_HgYXTaIPBpDV-5C6be7rAHUe6nX4Vu2mUMXjU0GTQWFJrZDx7-EjIivRMPoeTGxm1Vh72q9il6ntni6/s400/hikers.009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We're all walking in this life together. Many of us are on different paths, in different locations... but we're all somewhere. God is calling to us to get away and simply BE with Him is His creation. When was the last time you set some time aside to simply walk, listen, be quiet, and let your mind (and soul) breathe?</div>
jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-76094843159053173232013-04-08T08:43:00.001-07:002013-04-08T08:43:09.838-07:00Easter in Ecuador<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nT2YWzqc5kuNE-Tvu1BI08E36m2tpJbl67N50FXAkhJ25QwV_w0YYIM1Ki3BkWz2n9W0yUS5SPxhXXVFj81YTTd5_kmYbl_NkytBcmffa4Hl6JAVVzpvHnTrsgeLEhYCC09iOgaT4AqM/s1600/IMG_3876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nT2YWzqc5kuNE-Tvu1BI08E36m2tpJbl67N50FXAkhJ25QwV_w0YYIM1Ki3BkWz2n9W0yUS5SPxhXXVFj81YTTd5_kmYbl_NkytBcmffa4Hl6JAVVzpvHnTrsgeLEhYCC09iOgaT4AqM/s320/IMG_3876.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;">Holidays in a foreign country feel different. No matter how hard you try, it’s just not quite the same as in your country of origin-- but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. We had a pretty wonderful Easter, along with the days surrounding it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;">On Good Friday we took a group of interns from El Refugio to Midad Del Mundo-- the monument recognizing the actual equator line that runs through Ecuador. It’s about an 8 minute drive from Calacalí. We took pictures standing on the yellow line, ate Fanesca (the typical soup eaten here during Holy Week), and watched a processional/parade of Ecuadorians in Holy Week garb. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;">That night we also had a group over to our house and ate together, talked for a while, and watched a movie. Saturday was a slower day spent at home preparing for Sunday.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">On Sunday we had a sunrise service on El Refugio’s property. We learned that occasionally in the past this had taken place, so Suzy took it upon herself to invite, organize, and plan this year’s service.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We drove up to a great look-out point at 6:30am. This is what it looked like shortly after we got up there. We had a mix of readings, sharing, and worship through song.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">After the service we drove back down to El Refugio’s dining area and had a good-ol’ breakfast potluck.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Mid-morning we transitioned over to our house and had an easter-egg hunt, painted eggs, and had another delicious meal prepared by Suzy. People hung around into the afternoon and we were blessed with a sunny, beautiful day to be in fellowship with one another.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So. Holidays do ‘feel’ different in different locations... but being surrounded by other believers who are celebrating for the same reason we are makes it feel just like it should.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-86050043920740771372013-03-24T10:04:00.000-07:002013-03-24T10:04:14.181-07:004:30am Perimeter Hike with LIFT 4:oo am came pretty quickly yesterday. Suzy had to push me to turn off the alarm... I had already incorporated the sound of the static coming from my alarm clock into my dream. I got up, packed my things, and walked the 8 minutes from our house to El Refugio.<br />
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What was I doing up this early, you ask? On March 11th a group of 30+ came from Camp-of-the-WOODS in Speculator, NY. This group is mainly comprised of 18 - 26 year olds who have set aside a semester or at times 2 to be a part of their LIFT program. LIFT combines Biblical training, camp ministry experience, missions training and exposure, and outdoor adventure. These guys go canoeing, backpacking, and do some serious hikes and climbing. Just today they left to go summit a mountain here in Ecuador. So, I got up that early yesterday to do the perimeter hike with them here on El Refugio's property. I would venture to say that this hike is the most difficult one that we have to offer within our property.<br />
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It was a rough hike. I've acclimated really well to the altitude here, but in truth, I haven't done any really long or strenuous hikes since being here. Nor have I gotten up that early in... years, probably.<br />
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But I tell you what, the spiritual picture that I experienced and envisioned while on that hike was powerful. The majority of those hiking were wearing head-lamps, as the sun had not come up yet. The first 15 minutes was an uphill incline, but not terrible. The following 45 minutes - hour was straight up the mountainside, and very steep. There were people in front of me. There were people behind me. I stopped a few times briefly to catch my breath, have some water, and view the stars, lights of Calacalí, and the lights moving further away from me and approaching me.<br />
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This was the thing that struck me the most. I was a part of this line of lights-- from the head-lamps. You could clearly make out this line of little lights bopping up and down, highlighting the flow of the path we were hiking. It was cool to see all of these lights; in front of me, showing the path I was about to walk, and behind me, seeing where I've just come from. And there were so many lights! There was probably just under 50 of us doing this hike. As I stopped, people would pass by me. I would hear them encouraging one another, laughing together, and on more than one occasion someone passing would offer some of their water.<br />
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So here's my picture. This is the body of Christ. We are all walking on this path... little lights for Christ, hiking a difficult path in a dark world. We're taking this narrow path towards the summit. We're tired at times, alone at times; but we're not alone. There are many others walking the path and they are happy-- they're filled with joy as they walk towards the goal, offering help and encouragement to their brothers and sisters. Though it's tiring, it's worth it. Our bodies actually like the exercise, and the view at the top, the reward-- it's totally worth it.<br />
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It was a cloudy morning and we were in the mountains, so we didn't get a really crisp, defined, or colorful sunrise. But the view was awesome. And I will certainly be doing the hike again.<br />
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Ask yourself this today: Who do I know that needs that extra word of encouragement today? Who is in need of water or is sitting down because they're so tired? How can we laugh with, encourage, or be there for someone else who is walking on this path with us?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the top: The town of Calacalí</td></tr>
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<br />jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-65939473445864043482013-02-25T08:27:00.000-08:002013-02-25T08:27:19.526-08:00Our Fire Pit We still don't have internet access. It turns out this process of getting internet may be even more complicated than we thought. Apparently to receive internet services from the main/best internet company in the country, you have to have a Cedula number. A Cedula number is basically the equivalent of a Social Security Number. Anyone not born in Ecuador uses their Passport number to stand in place of a Cedula number. The problem is, the amount of numbers in a passport ID and the amount of numbers in a Cedula aren't the same. So computers won't allow a passport number in place of a Cedula number. Therefore... we are going to have to look into private internet providers... so the process continues. Would you join us in prayer about this? We'd really like to e-mail, skype, FaceTime, update our website, blog, and connect with people on facebook... among other things... from our home.<br />
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But not having as much technology at home does have up-sides. For instance, it gave me the time to hunt for big rocks and make a fire pit in our side yard. It gave us time to collect wood from El Refugio, and then start a fire in our fire pit. We had time to simply sit around the fire, pet the dogs that live with us, play with Kaia, and enjoy watching her take in the first fire we've had at our home here in Ecuador.<br />
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So, this is a much shorter blog entry... but maybe that means more of you will read it all the way to the end! And, pictures are always more fun, anyway, right?<br />
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Lulu, the oldest of the dogs on our property, gave birth to a little black puppy a little over a month ago. He's a rolly-polly little guy, like the mouse 'Gus' from Cinderella... so yesterday we gave him a name: Gus.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lulu, the mother of our new little guy, Gus</td></tr>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-81229883013077027392013-01-30T16:11:00.000-08:002013-01-30T16:11:04.316-08:00On Suffering.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64lgMrmu9CF51GB71BF_uHsD1QAhjKbFwn9p7CIsR_4yfUjfEttLqyjCdt1ZNG21g-lRuPN7xd6FwkYgDG8eu24Lcz2X3jF51aZ_SMS92A_agV_wh3qEcLUKkMoj4G9wmI04jxvxsQWUo/s1600/IMG_3286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64lgMrmu9CF51GB71BF_uHsD1QAhjKbFwn9p7CIsR_4yfUjfEttLqyjCdt1ZNG21g-lRuPN7xd6FwkYgDG8eu24Lcz2X3jF51aZ_SMS92A_agV_wh3qEcLUKkMoj4G9wmI04jxvxsQWUo/s400/IMG_3286.jpg" width="300" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="letter-spacing: 0px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This has been quite the year of transition for us. Kaia turns one this weekend, and it’s crazy to realize that just a year ago we were ‘living’ at the International Teams headquarters in Elgin, Illinois, without a daughter. Before that we had been ‘living’ in many different spare rooms as we traveled around the country support raising for 4 1/2 months. We had difficulties and trying times over the past year: car problems, learning to care for a newborn, packing and unpacking over and over again, living in a foreign country (Costa Rica), learning a new language, adjusting to a new culture (twice, now), and many processes to go through with governments, embassies, and visas.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Adjusting to life here in Ecuador really hasn’t been bad. There have certainly been ups and downs, but it is so good to finally be in the country we’ve been working towards for close to two years now. At the beginning of this month I went to Santa Clara, an area in Quito where there are vendors that sell handmade wood furniture. This furniture is typically cheaper or the same price as non-wood or partial-wood furniture that you would buy in other bigger stores. The other cool thing is that you can commission people there to make furniture pieces to the sizes and styles you prefer. Obviously, they’re skills are varied and perhaps limited, but it’s cool that you can bring them a picture from a catalog and they can try their best to replicate it. This doesn’t cost any more than the pieces in their shops... it just costs more in that you can’t take it home with you that same day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We decided to commission the vast majority of the wood furniture we wanted through these various furniture makers in Santa Clara. I actually ended up working with 5 different men from different store fronts when all was said and done. The time estimations or promises ranged anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks. One guy I worked with said 2 weeks and delivered early-- in 11 days! Three others got me their furniture within 12 hours of when the promised. The 5th has still yet to deliver. He told me two weeks. Then he told me 3 weeks. Then he told me in three more days. That was supposed to be today. Tomorrow will make 26 days. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the pieces of furniture we bought</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtb0hpRvfoWJCR_3L53_TYwhXglC50rpP1C6_lHlrVzMBFDLpuGdr3Hvo4_zYmnG4PtRM0yJup5_jloE-hoZqE6a-ZhTLzK-SpzPvGxStDzF9VZMbjm0uDBSRDFqUeldyrYBtegLxiPOK5/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When he didn’t stick to his word the first time, I was angry. All of the others had delivered on time (relatively) and he tried telling me that I had written things down wrong and they still had another week. He has outright lied to me several times now. It’s frustrating. But it’s not the end of the world. It would be really nice to have our coffee table and a cabinet to put our sheets and blankets in that are still sitting in a suitcase... but it’s not the end of the world.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The truth is, I have responded to this whole situation like it was the greatest injustice ever committed. I got pretty heated. And I think a lot of it was just every hoop we’ve had to jump through and every frustrating process and lie we’ve encountered coming to a head in this one situation... but I was so silly in thinking of how terrible it is that I don’t get to have a coffee table to put my feet up on yet.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This is not suffering. There are people suffering for the gospel all over the world. There is persecution and terrible acts being committed against christians who are living their lives openly or secretly for Christ. I have a friend from college who lost his wife to a battle against cancer today. I remember meeting his wife, Christie, our freshman year... I buried her dorm-room window in snow with a friend of mine. Today she left behind a daughter under 2 years old and a husband who is now a widower at 27 or 28 years old. This is pain. This is suffering. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>And yet Christ is in our suffering. We had an annual team conference this weekend, and I had the opportunity to talk briefly with our soon-to-be interim team leader. He was telling me how glad it made him that in the face of adversity-- in our hardest, most trying times, that is when God is most glorified. Those are the times that we realize we are not capable, we don’t have the strength or ability, and we are forced to rely on God to fill in and empower us because we simply can’t do it ourselves. When we fall back in exhaustion and inability into the arms of Christ, He takes that soft, malleable clay and makes beautiful things. And He uses us to do and say amazing things. So this leader was telling me how excited he was for these coming challenging days to arrive, where he would be pushed in difficult ways to grow, be used, and allow Christ to use him.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason and Christie Engelmann </td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So I will rejoice in the face of suffering and difficult times. I will cry, I will journal, I will make art, and do anything else I can to get the emotions out... and I will lay my body and will down in the hands of Christ to use me and glorify my creator. For He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ever hope or imagine. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I will miss my friend Christie... and my heart aches for her family-- especially for her husband and daughter. But what a joy to know she ran the race in Christ’s name and that now she is in glory with our Father, praising His name with the angels and those who have gone before us. Amazing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> -jim</span></span><br />
jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-31359385435038126012013-01-11T05:59:00.000-08:002013-01-11T05:59:17.325-08:00We are in Ecuador.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzYupn6mw7L1l-ulsLvf_7n9lIYD1BoBZMkt39qm2P4FW31xCqdkxekJQd-h-ORr3XAKUONTv6rUyiaH5QMaQj5Qkxbd7QRthsLht1agzcx4O3V9DBOxrz1YSmd2uXQOaVFHRXR6iBjcu/s1600/IMG_3094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzYupn6mw7L1l-ulsLvf_7n9lIYD1BoBZMkt39qm2P4FW31xCqdkxekJQd-h-ORr3XAKUONTv6rUyiaH5QMaQj5Qkxbd7QRthsLht1agzcx4O3V9DBOxrz1YSmd2uXQOaVFHRXR6iBjcu/s320/IMG_3094.jpg" width="240" /></a> It has certainly been far too long since we wrote an entry on this blog. Since our last post we have left Costa Rica, safely arrived in Ecuador, searched for and bought a car, celebrated Christmas and New Years, moved out of our director's house to the house at El Refugio temporarily, searched for a house to live in, and signed a lease for a home in Calacalí.<br />
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How have these things gone, you ask? Well... let me tell you.<br />
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1. Flying out of Costa Rica was a little crazy. We had a lot of bags, had to pay extra baggage fees, and almost were bumped from the flight to leave a day later. We weren't, however. Kaia did pretty well on the 2 hour flight, though she did roll off of the seat about a minute into our arrival into the plane. But it was a smooth flight, Paul (our director) picked us up without a hitch, and we quickly settled in to staying with his family.<br />
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2. Staying with Paul's family. Paul and Beth had 2 kids: Jack age 4 and Carleigh age 2. I say had, because less than a week into staying with them, Beth gave birth to their son, Tilghman! We stayed at their place a bit longer than expected to help with their new family of 5!<br />
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3. Searching for a car. Danny is an Ecuadorian from El Refugio who has been assigned to us as an 'on-boarding' host. He and his wife Katy are meant to help us acclimate and aid us in things that are difficult to do in a new country: i.e. buy a car. With his help, we bought a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero within the first 2 weeks. We've already put many miles on it and are so thankful to have a way to get around!<br />
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4. Christmas and New Years Eve were spent with Paul, Beth and their kids. It was really nice not to just be on our own, and we had a great time making and eating yummy food, opening presents, watching Christmas specials, and of course watching fireworks!<br />
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5. Moving out to El Refugio. We've been staying at the large house on the property of El Refugio for over a week now. Howie and Mary Scholl are another missionary couple on our team and they're back in the States spending the holidays with family. So, they're graciously letting us stay at their place while we find out own place to live in.<br />
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6. Which brings us to our last big thing: Our house! Paul had his eye on a home really close to El Refugio for quite some time, but never saw the owner. In the past he had left his phone number hoping to hear from the owners several times, but never heard back. Then, one day as he and I were leaving El Refugio, he noticed a car in front of the house. We stopped by and talked with the people who were there. Long story short, it was their vacation home that they only stay at about twice a year, and they were eager to rent it to us! It's a perfect location with great outdoor space, chickens, a couple of dogs, and we truly believe God prepared this place specifically for us!<br />
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7. Moving in. So, we've had the keys for a while now, but have yet to spend our first night there. Why, you ask? Well... we have no bed. They should be delivering it today, however. Also, the couple pieces of furniture in the place are on loan temporarily from our landlord as we wait for our furniture to be made/delivered. But! In the meantime, we've been painting, buying things we need to survive, and I've been installing ceiling lights. We'll post more pictures once it's filled with our furniture and is more presentable... in the meantime, I'll give you a sneak peak of a before and after painting picture. If you want to see all of the before/after photos, check out our facebook album here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.408670405878561.99958.184517298293874&type=1">https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.408670405878561.99958.184517298293874&type=1</a><br />
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So, things are great! We're settling in, taking things slowly, and are excited to begin easing into relationships, ministry, and the like.<br />
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Happy Friday!<br />
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-jimjimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-73108123060874862612012-12-14T14:58:00.001-08:002012-12-14T14:58:33.362-08:00Graduation and leaving Costa Rica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's with mixed feelings that I write this blog. This was our last week in Costa Rica and this morning we had a graduation ceremony at the institute. We've been as busy as always, so I feel as though I've been cruising along the highway at 70mph and suddenly we've slammed on the breaks. Our apartment is basically empty now, all of our bags are packed and piled high... and we drive to the airport tomorrow at 7:30am.<br />
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And then the next stage of the adventure begins.</div>
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We'll be staying in Quito with our team director, Paul, and his family when we arrive tomorrow. Goal #1 is to buy a car. Once we have a car secured, we head out to El Refugio and will house-sit for the family that lives in the house on the grounds while they spend Christmas in the States-- until about Jan. 15th. Our hope is that we will have a living space (preferably a house) secured by this time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family picture at Graduation in front of the Ecuadorian flag</td></tr>
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It was hard saying goodbye to friends we've made-- both missionary friends and Costa Rican friends. We may end up seeing some of the students/missionaries again. Most if not all are serving in Latin America, and we'll no doubt be in other countries for conferences or things like that at some point. But our tico friends... they'll just be here. It's harder saying those goodbyes, knowing that the only way we'll ever see them again is if we come back to San José, Costa Rica.<br />
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Please pray for us as we transition into a new culture, as we look for a place to live, and as we spend Christmas away from our families.<br />
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... on to Ecuador!<br />
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-jim<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last time leading worship in Costa Rica: at Graduation, all in spanish<br /><br /> </td></tr>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-33039762971032172662012-11-22T11:20:00.002-08:002012-11-22T17:55:26.120-08:00Thanksgiving-Soccer-Christmas!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids swinging at the Piñatas</td></tr>
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Happy Thanksgiving from Costa Rica! We've had a crazy, but incredibly enjoyable past 24 hours. Yesterday morning at this time I was just finishing up a written and oral grammar test. Suzy was at the doctor with Kaia for her check-up and a few shots. I spent the rest of the morning on my 'route,' talking with Costa Rican men around our community. I came home, ate lunch, and just over an hour later we were heading back to campus to prepare for the Roblealto Christmas party.<br />
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Roblealto is the name of an orphanage home/community here in Costa Rica. Several families live on a piece of land together and other children who don't have families or homes live with them. Every year the students at our language school hold a Christmas celebration for all of the kids from Roblealto. There were about 200 people in all from Roblealto in attendance yesterday! In addition to buying each child a Christmas present, we organized a carnival (essentially) with games, face painting, dinner, Bible stories, music, and piñatas!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv9Zw7KDX7kTs69tcuJAVGtOT1oDzKEeXp6HzGu3642z95XI96Y1CntgOBi7NKouRScMGsOrtPbItH0SDo6iH0uWi9ZtHxYkgFDvSDwIirog4Nv49k_67p235M1eiz1xrPiEcmK_C090H/s1600/IMG_1730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv9Zw7KDX7kTs69tcuJAVGtOT1oDzKEeXp6HzGu3642z95XI96Y1CntgOBi7NKouRScMGsOrtPbItH0SDo6iH0uWi9ZtHxYkgFDvSDwIirog4Nv49k_67p235M1eiz1xrPiEcmK_C090H/s320/IMG_1730.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzy & Kaia with the food, waiting to deliver it to the kids</td></tr>
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Our family bought gifts for 2 different children-- a board game for one and a soccer jersey of a local team for the other. One thing I noticed as I looked through the Christmas lists of the children was that many of them wanted soccer balls, goalie gloves, soccer shoes, and jerseys of their favorite teams. Soccer is such a huge part of the culture here, it's really pretty incredible! I'm not sure if you can fully grasp just how intertwined soccer is with the culture until you live in a latin american country.<br />
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I was recruited to paint faces. I sketched about 15 different full-face paint options as well as a few random things I could paint on cheeks or arms. Of course, I included the crests of the two most popular soccer teams. I had no idea just how popular those would be... though I should have anticipated it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DFq8v5IsjjjG8Q9SZtIYb5ZVqf5SkwxX_YxChJjpIR5s8kjmZHm-BftKOQu6akf07h2Uf35wQ_So8Yjbgym196dsaidLsGEcSueFYT0StnDBH4hFALaiPqkIOpGGpZwWYKt8WouUeN4b/s1600/IMG_1717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DFq8v5IsjjjG8Q9SZtIYb5ZVqf5SkwxX_YxChJjpIR5s8kjmZHm-BftKOQu6akf07h2Uf35wQ_So8Yjbgym196dsaidLsGEcSueFYT0StnDBH4hFALaiPqkIOpGGpZwWYKt8WouUeN4b/s320/IMG_1717.jpg" width="240" /></a> Suzy helped to coordinate all of the food for the event. She and 3 other students baked and frosted 200 christmas tree shaped sugar cookies the day before the event and also prepared boxes of food to distribute to each child at the event. Each box included a subway style sandwich, a juice box, chips, and the homemade sugar cookie. And of course, as you can see above, Kaia helped, too!<br />
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So, the day before Thanksgiving, we held a huge Christmas celebration, and I painted face after face with soccer logos. The cool thing was that after the Roblealto event, I went with a group of students and a couple of Colombians to a soccer game featuring one of the two most-liked soccer teams: La Liga de Alajuela. With tickets only costing $6 a person, it's a great cultural experience-- and it's just really fun, too! It was fun to talk with the boys while painting their faces about the fact that I was a fan of their team, too, and that I'd be going to watch the game in just a few hours.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of the Roblealto boys with La Liga's crest on their faces</td></tr>
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The event went great! The kids loved the games, ate great food and loved opening presents with items they had specifically hoped to receive. And after the event, I joined up with some friends and we took the bus to Alajuela. It was an incredible game and the crowds were alive with excitement! As we're leaving Costa Rica in just over 3 weeks, it will be my last soccer game here, and it was a great one to go out on! La Liga won 2 - 1, and that win put them into first place in the division. Needless to say, the Liga fans were rejoicing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group of 'gringos' from our school</td></tr>
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And today is Thaksgiving. We started the day with some banana chocolate-chip pancakes and coffee, watched a Garfield Thanksgiving Special, and have been having skype and facetime conversations with family members all morning. Our power just went out about 5 minutes ago, so unfortunately I doubt I'll get to post this before we leave for our Thanksgiving celebration. We're getting together with 4 other families from the language school and we're all doing our best to create the typical dishes using slightly different products with necessary modifications... but I'm sure all of the food will be wonderful! I any case, It'll be fun to gather with other brothers and sisters in Christ and give thanks for the many blessings Christ has bestowed upon us!<br />
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So, as we celebrate this Thanksgiving, we are thankful for where God has us in this moment in time. We are thankful for the culture we are in, we are thankful for the culture we've come from, and we're thankful for all of the amazing people in our lives. We're thankful especially for our family and friends who are supporting us in our response to God's call in our lives and are making it possible for us to be where we are. Without all of you, we would not be speaking Spanish as well as we are in this moment, nor would we be about to embark upon a new life in Ecuador in three weeks from now.<br />
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Therefore: Thank you! Thanks for caring about us, praying for us, and being involved in our lives. We are so thankful for all of you! May God bless you richly!<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
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Your friend,<br />
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-jim<br />
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<br />jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454925077284689339.post-43792550952490520832012-11-11T18:50:00.001-08:002012-11-11T19:11:26.332-08:00Paul.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD986FeTEOlT2RJx9oCDKcEIPK_y3hx4xvtuWy5SUkoLukpUvQBmiVVlvO_pCS1LYkM0qku0Mfe3hyundxe9YlcgGQSx6qQ0X755n5IV1ui2AWSwJWQT89ESfXGA9CgU9Y6EHDFXe2Frfx/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD986FeTEOlT2RJx9oCDKcEIPK_y3hx4xvtuWy5SUkoLukpUvQBmiVVlvO_pCS1LYkM0qku0Mfe3hyundxe9YlcgGQSx6qQ0X755n5IV1ui2AWSwJWQT89ESfXGA9CgU9Y6EHDFXe2Frfx/s400/IMG_0514.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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This week I want to tell y'all about a good friend of ours. Paul Jones is a 36 year old from Ohio. Paul is single and is a pilot. He worked primarily regionally in the East Coast and a bit in the Midwest, but he has also made flights down to Texas and many other locations. He even fixed up a plane that he then flew solo in all the way up to Alaska. </div>
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When we arrived in the end of April, we had a very small group of incoming students. There were 10 of us total. Four of us were men, and the other 6 women. Jeremy McMillan and I are married and have children, and Tom and Paul were single. Tom was in his 60's and though Paul and he varied quite a bit in age, Paul kind of took Tom under his wing. As the two single men of our class, Paul helped Tom quite a bit in learning/understanding spanish, and they spent quite a bit of time together. I had a few good conversations with Paul last trimester, but as all new students, we spent a lot of time just adjusting to the culture, new language, and routine of daily life.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Grammar Class 1st Trimester: Top row is me, Paul, & Tom</td></tr>
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Tom left after one trimester, leaving Paul as the only single guy. Others left, too, leaving our '2nd trimester class' at a grand total of 8 people. Jeremy, the other married guy came in with a decent amount of spanish, so he was placed in a higher language class. So this trimester Paul and I are the only guys in grammar class together. Not to mention that three of the other women exclusively tutor... meaning there are 5 of us taking full-time classes. </div>
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At any rate, Paul and I have become very close. He's a dear friend, and a true joy to spend time with. He's also a guitarist and singer, so we've had multiple chances to play together and lead worship alongside one another. He's got a heart of gold, and we're excited for the ministry he's going to be doing in Guatemala. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul and I at a Costa Rican soccer game</td></tr>
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Being that he's a pilot, his ministry has to do with flying. He's being sent by a ministry organization called Missionary Air Group (M.A.G.) and will basically be pioneering the ministry in Guatemala. I should mention that Paul worked stateside with a missions organization learning the nuts and bolts mechanics side of airplanes as well. So, not only can he fly the planes, but he's a mechanic and is completely capable of repairing and caring for planes of many varieties. </div>
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There aren't really any landing strips in Guatemala, and therefore there's not much going for this country in terms of smaller planes being able to transport people for ministry, emergencies, health care, delivery of much needed supplies, etc. So this is where Paul comes in. He will be traveling around Guatemala, building relationships with villages, towns, and individuals to build trust and eventually build landing strips for airplanes. As he develops more and more locations for planes to land and take off, ministry throughout the country will be able to occur faster and when necessary. </div>
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So, please pray for Paul. He's going to be staying here for another trimester, meaning that he'll be here in Costa Rica through April, roughly. It has been such a blessing both for Suzy and I to have someone that we feel so comfortable with living just down the road. It's also been a huge blessing for me to have someone that I click with in such a strong way as a brother in Christ, but also just as a really strong friend. Whether we want to have brunch with someone, go for a hike, play games, go to a soccer game, or just talk for hours, Paul seems to always be there for me (and for us) and has really been a defining presence in our time here at language school.</div>
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I should also mention that Paul is an incredible photographer! At the school's harvest (halloween) celebration, Paul took pictures all throughout the night, and took this amazing one of our family at the end of the night. </div>
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To follow more closely what Paul is all about and what he's up to, his blog is: </div>
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<a href="http://hishangar.blogspot.com/">http://hishangar.blogspot.com</a></div>
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Wishing all of you a wonderful start to your week!</div>
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-jim</div>
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jimandsuzyinecuadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12827789786363321211noreply@blogger.com0