Our first week in Shell, after getting married, there was a missionary family having a yard sale. One of our first purchases for the house was a small artificial Christmas tree. I was thrilled to pull out that tree after Thanksgiving and start playing some Christmas music to get in the holiday spirit. It's strange to be in December without the cold temperatures, the bare trees, sweaters, and scarves. While those in the bitter cold are thinking it would be nice to stay in a sunny place all year long, I think you would find like me that you miss the changing seasons. Without that tree in the living room and some cut out snowflakes it's hard to recognize that time has passed, that it's a new season. There is something in me that longs to see some outward difference to mark this season, to affirm that we are now in the month of December.
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| Our Christmas tree! |
This month Young Life leaders have been focusing on Bible studies with those kids who came to YL Camp and made a decision to follow Christ. It is a new season for the lives of many and it is exciting to see the outward reflections of the change in their lives. Kids studying God's word and growing in their understanding. The positive influence of new friends and the freedom that comes when one walks away from bad habits. New faces at church as teens discover what it means to join the family of God. Ivan and I have had the priviledge this month to travel and meet with YL Area Directors throughout Ecuador and evaluate this year in ministry, hear from their leaders, and look ahead to 2015, seeking God's will. We hadn't planned to start Club in Cuenca, but God opened the doors and in April they began. We knew God was moving in Quitumbe and raising up leaders but we're blown away by their growth (35 kids studying the Bible with leaders!). We have a map of Ecuador where we mark current ministry, cities we have contacts for, places where we feel called to pray for, etc.
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| Green for current ministry, yellow for contacts & future sites |
Only God knows the when, where, and how's for each of those markers. What we do know is the "why". Why are these places on our hearts, why are we praying for leaders and contacts in these areas? Because we know that it is God's desire that ALL should know Him. There are teenagers across this country who need to know that God loves them, that God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to pay the debt for our sins.
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| Enjoying Cuenca after meeting with local YL leaders |
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