House Churches and Carnaval

Well, it's that time of year here in Ecuador. Almost all of Latin America is gearing up for a celebration called Carnaval. This celebration is the same as Mardis Gras in New Orleans. It's supposedly the last day of reverly before Ash Wednesday. Except in true Latin American fashion they are milking it for all it's worth. It starts out innocent enough with kids fighting each other with water guns and water balloons. Then it goes to water balloons being hurled at passing cars and buses. Then it excalates more to anyone who ventures out of they're house coming back in as if they'd spent the day in the pool. Then in some places, normally not the cities, the people get really mean by throwing balloons filled with urine and paint. Then the nights are charactarized by parties lasting to the wee hours of the morning. And the most of it is still to come. We still haven't got to the everyman for himself stage yet...but that comes for the next 4 days.

So all of that is going on while the work at the church continues. Patricio and I are trying to keep praying about where to start our new group so that is still a large prayer request. We are now thinking of finding a place where there are a lot of kids and starting the church that way. Reaching out to the kids will be great for the kids of course but will also gain trust with the parents which in Cuenca is sometimes hard to come by. The other churches are still going along. We had an encouraging grand celebration this past Sunday. It was just two of the house churches meeting together but we had about 20 people show up which is amazing. So that is a huge praise and thanksgiving. This Sunday the church will be taking a retreat out of the city (to escape Carnaval for a day) and to have our grand celebration with all three churches. Pray that that goes well, especially seeing that I'll be giving my first sermon in Spanish. Eeeek. And also be praying for the new group start and for the people of Ecuador these next few days, that they will be kept safe and out of real harm during these celebrations.

Thanks for all of your prayer and support!!!!! God Bless.