MOTHER IN A MILLION!!!!

 

Today, with an ache in my heart, and tears in my eyes, I am honouring a special Mother, who went to be with the Lord, at the young age of 45 years. She left behind her husband, and two children. Her name is Sheilah, and she left for Heaven on 29 January, 2003 – the last patient that I nursed in my ministry for Cancer sufferers. This precious woman, in her frail little body, had the greatest love for others that I am yet to see. Did it have anything to do with being deprived of a mother’s love? Yes, I believe it did, but her secret was JESUS. She loved HIM!

Precious members of this lovely lady’s family, my special thoughts and prayers are with you today  -  29 January, 2012.

COWS AND CORDS – “Era En Ecuador” - “Lessons from Life” in Ecuador

 

It is common to see cows in Cotacachi – secured to a cord. Cows cross the main road. Cows will “mow” your lawn – free-of-charge. That is what they did in our incomplete property a little while back, secured to a cord – but not “free-of-charge”!

VIVID, VISIBLE VIEWS OF A VOLCANO –“Era En Ecuador” . . . . . “Lessons from Life”

 

The view of the COTACACHI VOLCANO, in Ecuador, is a stunning sight! Pause for a moment and think – God actually created this wonder . . . “IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED . . . . . .” (Genesis 1:1)  What a mighty GOD!!!!!

CHERISHED CHILDREN - “Era en Ecuador”

 

“A little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6)

. . . .if these children are led to the Lord. How important Children’s Ministries are! How relevant will be the Scripture: “Out of the mouth of babes” (Psalm 8:2). The sweet lisps of Jesus on their lips could be instrumental in leading adults to the Lord.

CHEERS FOR CHILDREN–“Era en Ecuador”

Children play an important role in Ecuador. Each year on 24 December,  the children parade through the streets of Cuenca. It is a spectacular sight, that lasts for hours on end. The children in Ecuador are beautiful!

OFF TO OTAVALO . . . . . . .

 

The Otavalo Market, on a Saturday morning, is a must for every visitor in Ecuador. Shortly after my arrival back from the USA, I made a trip to the market, armed with my camera, So, accompany me. I’ll take you on a tour.

QUITO TO COTACACHI

 

The bus ride from Quito to Cotacachi is about 2 hours, so you need comfort for a winding and bumpy ride. That is exactly what I got, including my baggage – 4 suitcases, all for $2,25.

Compared with having every sin committed in a life time, that is expensive. It is available to everyone who acknowledges that Jesus paid the price, by dying for the sins of the world. Salvation in Jesus Christ is free!  I cannot understand why so many people refuse this once in a lifetime offer!

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 1:9)

QUAINT QUITO

In 2007, according to one source, Quito had a population of over 2 million people. Many of the stores are still of the older type. The Quicentro Shopping Mall is ultramodern – a real change from the norm in Ecuador. The same day that I arrived in Ecuador from, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, we decided to take a quick tour of the shopping complex, before boarding the bus for a long ride to Cotacachi.

Era en Ecuador . . . . . Return to Roots

 

“So He shall open and no one shall shut, and He shall shut, and no one shall open.””  (Isaiah 22:22) 

That is exactly what the Lord did for me on 23 November, 2011, when, instead of continuing to function as the Dean of Biblical Studies at Pillsbury College and Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, on a voluntary basis, for a further six months, He led me back to Ecuador, and He then “locked the door behind me.” He had a purpose for me to return to my home. “His ways are passed finding out.”  Our Father tells us so – “Your thoughts are not My thoughts, neither are your ways My ways”, says the Lord.”’” (Isaiah 55:8)

ERA EN ECUADOR

 

“Has God called you to leave your present environment and to move into His service in a new location?”

“The tribe of Dan had not yet claimed their inheritance where they would live. . . . “Please inquire of God, that we may know whether the journey on which we go will be prosperous.”  “The presence of the Lord will be with you on your way.”  “Arise, let us go up . . . . . Do not hesitate to go and enter to possess the land . . . . . For God has given it into your hands.”  “Possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” (Judges 18:5-6; 9-10;  Deuteronomy 11:31)

These were the words I wrote in a daily devotional in 2003  while in South Africa and waiting to go abroad. The reading is dated 1 January. Today is exactly nine years ago. (2012)