An update from the IWU Medical Team in Ecuador

God moved in ways we never could have planned or imagined.  We had 616 patients who received either medical, dental or reading glasses and some received all three!

I was short a physician for Monday and Tues. but an old friend from Saraguro came to help out, Dr. Yonder Mogrovejo.  The rest of the week a young Christian doctor came to help us out and caught the vision for medical missions.  He can’t wait to come back.  Dr. Luis Vacacela from Saraguro was our dentist for the week.  Dr. Kime and Dr. Lehman worked like crazy as did Nancy Kime fitting glasses.

Our accommodations were very comfortable although the weather was pretty chilly (so we didn’t sweat all the time like usually at the beach)

Many people came from a small “squatters” community close to the church with many needs.  We even got to take part in a baptism right at the beach.

Saturday we got to tour Guayaquil and do some shopping.  The team was supposed to fly out on Saturday at midnight but that got delayed and they are just arriving home today, Tuesday!

Below are some pictures from the team.

Picture of the Baptism

The IWU Team

A lady getting fitted with reading glasses

Are We Eagerly Awaiting His Return?

As I was doing my morning study, a verse stood out to me.


2 Peter 3:14

"Therefore, dear friends, with this to look forward to, make every effort to have him find you at peace, without spiritual stains or blemishes."

Picture courtesy of http://www.promathtutoring.com

I must have read this verse at least 15 times over the past week, but as I read it again this morning, God brought this verse to light to me in a way I never had thought of it before.  The verse made me think, are we really eagerly awaiting His return?  The verse takes me back to when I took the SAT and ACT when preparing for college.  The test were timed and often times I found myself with not enough time to answer all the questions to my likening.  I would become flustered when I saw I only had a couple of minutes left for a particular section.  When time was up, anxiety would overcome my body as I asked myself, did I do my best?  Was I sure that was the right answer?  I can truly say I was never at peace with the SAT and ACT until my scores came in.

Likewise, I think, if we are truly honest with ourselves, most of us are not eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus Christ.  Many of us have become complacent in our lives and fallen into a routine that does not honor God at every turn.  I talk with people all the time that say, "I'm a Christian, but I'm not in a hurry to share my faith with my friends because I first have to build up enough trust in the relationship.  Besides, Christ hasn't returned to the earth in almost 2000 years, what's another day?"  

The truth of the matter is that if we knew Christ was coming back tomorrow, people would start panicking.  Friends that we knew weren't Christians we would be pleading with them to receive salvation.  People we have wronged in the past would come to our minds and we would want to ask for forgiveness.  Pictures of people all over the world would pop up in our minds all day.

God however tells us that the second coming will come like a thief in the night.  We will never know when that day comes.  It might be today, it might be tomorrow, or it might be in another 100 years.  Each day that is given, is another offer of salvation to non-believers around the world.  Are we taking advantage of each opportunity we are given to share the gift God has given you and me?  Only then, I feel, can we eagerly await His return.

October Newsletter

Check out our latest newsletter here.

TWIST- 10/01/2012

This Week In Short-Term Missions:

Haiti

• We have J. Burroughs serving in Cap Haitien, Haiti working with the Cowman School and other ministries in the area until October 3, 2012.

Ecuador

• We have a medical team with 12 people from Indiana Wesleyan University working with S. Stiles in Anconcito and La Libertad that was supposed to leave for home on 09/29 but they have been stuck because of the Labor negotiations with American Airlines and it's pilots.  Please pray that they will be able to make it home safely soon.

The Caribbean

• We have a prayer team of 6 people there from October 1-8, 2012 working with the nationals, praying for the ministries going one there, and seeing how they can better help in the future. 

Please pray for these teams and the ministry they will have on the people they interact with.

TWIST- 09/24/2012

This Week In Short-Term Missions:

Haiti

• We have J. Burroughs serving in Cap Haitien, Haiti working with the Cowman school and other ministries in the area until October 3, 2012.

Ecuador

• We have V. Kunze and his wife serving at Camp Pallatanga until September 29, 2012.
• We have a medical team from Indiana Wesleyan University working with S. Stiles in Anconcito and La Libertad until September 30, 2012.

Please pray for these teams and the ministry they will have on the people they interact with.

What is a faith promise?

Our church is doing a series on missions starting next week, and yesterday they showed this video explaining what a faith promise is.  I thought it was too good not to show you.  I hope you enjoy.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Brent

Happy Anniversary!

One year ago yesterday, our family took a leap of faith and began our full-time ministry with One Mission Society and Men for Missions.  I would say that this past year has always been easy, but I would be lying.  Your prayers, support, words of encouragement, and accountability that always points us back to God have helped us through the tough times and celebrated during the good times.

One year down, and many more to come.

To God be the glory!

Brent, Briyana, and Aliyana

It's been too long!

Wow, it's been a busy summer!  I apologize about the lack of updates.  I'll try to do better in the coming weeks.

TWIST

This Week In Short-Term Missions:

Haiti

• We have B Petruccio and his wife serving at the Seminary from March 2-19
• We have a team of 2 going to Cap to work at the Seminary from March 17-31
• We have a gal going to Cap to teach at the Seminary from March 17-31
• We have a team of 9 from Centenary UMC (Lexington, KY) going to Port in the Homes for Haiti project from March 10-18
• We have a team of 14 from Asbury College going to Port in the Homes for Haiti project from March 12-19 *
• We have a team of 7 going to Jeremie for a short vision trip from March 19-22
• We have a team of 9 from Sabetha, KS going to Cap to serve from March 19-26.

 *A young man on this team, learned yesterday that his mother was killed in a car accident.  While you pray for this team and the work they are doing in Haiti, please remember to pray for the young man as he flys back home to be with his family in the midst of these difficult circumstances.*

 

Colombia

• We have a couple in Medellin teaching at the Seminary until March 29

 

Ecuador

• We have a Dynamic Women team of 13 going to Camp Pallatanga March 13-22 in ministry 

Thailand

• We have a group of facilitators and a prayer team going to Thailand for the ECC Seminary. Travel dates are approximately March 14-28

TWIST

This Week In Short-Term Missions 

Haiti

• We have B Easley in Haiti serving at the Seminary until March 5
• We have 5 gals serving in ministry in Jeremie until March 6
• We have B Petruccio and his wife serving at the Seminary from March 2-19
• We have a team of 8 going to Cap with Resounding Hope from March 3-10

Colombia

• We have a couple in Medellin teaching at the Seminary until March 29
• We have a team of 4 from Laurel University serving in Medellin from March 2-10

If you think you might be interested in joining one of our teams, let me know, or you can visit our website at www.menformissions.org.