I am so thankful to be able to say that Dustin is safely home! I have realized again how much I take our time for granted. I am so happy that I have him back!!
Thank you all for your prayers. He had an awesome trip! He will be posting pictures and commentary in the future.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Funny Stuff in Ecuador
Check this out! You can hear Dustin laughing in the background!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4l8dV11ckI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4l8dV11ckI
Wow...
Here is another incredible update fro Ecuador! Amazing...
Let us start from Friday. Friday we were supposed to arrive at the church for the first part of the conference for the church in Quito. Due to the massive storms in the area, Juan and Guillermo were not able to pick us up until around 7:45 P.M. We got to the church after 8:00. By then the majority of the people were leaving even though they knew that we had arrived.
Around eight to ten people remained there after the pastor had invited us into the church. The manual was introduced once more and the lesson on the authority of Scripture was taught. Lessons from the manual were given out to be presented the next day. The morning (Saturday) we arrived at the church before 9:00. Well, only three other people besides the pastor showed up for this session. At about 9:45 the pastor told us to move the chairs into a circle because the group was so small. We were not able to go through the lessons given out the previous night because so few showed up.
During our stay here in Ecuador, in both Quito and Puyo we have been praying for key men to present themselves and help with the purpose of returning "The Church" back to God's Word. The conference turned quickly into a small meeting lead by the Pastor. The Pastor asked Juan to help Him to teach the manual! After this Juan began to take over and go through the goal and key points of the manual. We watched as Juan assumed his role of leadership and with much passion he went through the key points and the ultimate goal of the manual. The pastor inserted his comments in complete accordance with what Juan was saying. (Keep in mind that the church in Acts acted in one accord, with one mind and one Spirit).
Juan and the pastor began discussing on how to work together in unity and with the help of the manual to train up key leaders within the church to reach "The Church" in Ecuador. This was a huge answer to prayer and a great foundation that had been laid on that day. We sat back and watched the Holy Spirit at work in both of these men's lives. This was enough for us I believe but God was not through quite yet. If it had not been for the rain (God's intervention) making us late to the meeting and thus shifting the whole outset of the conference, this most valuable meeting would not have taken place.
Today (Sunday morning), the pastor asked Tim to speak for the service and to teach a section specifically from the manual on our relationship with Christ, our marriage and family, and the church. He even printed out the diagram from the manual as well. The Holy Spirit was at work here as well. The pastor wanted his church to be revitalized by a message specifically from the Word and not from himself but from a fellow brother from the United States. After the message, we enjoyed great fellowship with the people there at the church .
At this point we thought that our mission was through here in Ecuador and we went to eat lunch with our translator Catherine and her mother at Burger King. Afterward, Catherine's mother left and we went to the mall to enjoy some coffee. During this time Catherine mentioned to us that we were to meet Juan, the pastor and another contact of theirs at 3:00 p.m. At three we met and had coffee with these men and this is the finale (as far as I know) of our trip. The meeting begins with the pastor. Fervently he declares that the churches are dying and falling off of the map. He begins to explain the purpose of the manual and though we could understand very little, with great confidence we knew that the Spirit was at work.
We weren't quite sure of the role of their contact except that he was the president of some alliance. We found out that their contact is the president of the alliance of all the independent (meaning non-denominational, non-affiliated) churches in all of Ecuador. How about 2,000+ churches! Juan now takes over and begins to go through the manual with this president going through page by page and summarizing all of the key points. Almost immediately this brother is on board. In the end he agreed to meet with Juan and the pastor and two other key men to complete the manuals. After they complete the manual they are going to lead meeting of their own to train more leaders and so on. The goal being to spread through out all of Ecuador. Two last key points. 1. Their contact has contacts in several other countries in South America that he wants to share the manual with as well. 2. He has agreed to sponsor whatever funds necessary for more Spanish manuals to be produced for "The Church" here in Ecuador! To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen. The Lord is at work and His Gospel will not cease to spread throughout the world!!!!!!! We ended the meeting in prayer and afterward stood in awe as we had the entire meeting. What a wonderful God we serve!
Let us start from Friday. Friday we were supposed to arrive at the church for the first part of the conference for the church in Quito. Due to the massive storms in the area, Juan and Guillermo were not able to pick us up until around 7:45 P.M. We got to the church after 8:00. By then the majority of the people were leaving even though they knew that we had arrived.
Around eight to ten people remained there after the pastor had invited us into the church. The manual was introduced once more and the lesson on the authority of Scripture was taught. Lessons from the manual were given out to be presented the next day. The morning (Saturday) we arrived at the church before 9:00. Well, only three other people besides the pastor showed up for this session. At about 9:45 the pastor told us to move the chairs into a circle because the group was so small. We were not able to go through the lessons given out the previous night because so few showed up.
During our stay here in Ecuador, in both Quito and Puyo we have been praying for key men to present themselves and help with the purpose of returning "The Church" back to God's Word. The conference turned quickly into a small meeting lead by the Pastor. The Pastor asked Juan to help Him to teach the manual! After this Juan began to take over and go through the goal and key points of the manual. We watched as Juan assumed his role of leadership and with much passion he went through the key points and the ultimate goal of the manual. The pastor inserted his comments in complete accordance with what Juan was saying. (Keep in mind that the church in Acts acted in one accord, with one mind and one Spirit).
Juan and the pastor began discussing on how to work together in unity and with the help of the manual to train up key leaders within the church to reach "The Church" in Ecuador. This was a huge answer to prayer and a great foundation that had been laid on that day. We sat back and watched the Holy Spirit at work in both of these men's lives. This was enough for us I believe but God was not through quite yet. If it had not been for the rain (God's intervention) making us late to the meeting and thus shifting the whole outset of the conference, this most valuable meeting would not have taken place.
Today (Sunday morning), the pastor asked Tim to speak for the service and to teach a section specifically from the manual on our relationship with Christ, our marriage and family, and the church. He even printed out the diagram from the manual as well. The Holy Spirit was at work here as well. The pastor wanted his church to be revitalized by a message specifically from the Word and not from himself but from a fellow brother from the United States. After the message, we enjoyed great fellowship with the people there at the church .
At this point we thought that our mission was through here in Ecuador and we went to eat lunch with our translator Catherine and her mother at Burger King. Afterward, Catherine's mother left and we went to the mall to enjoy some coffee. During this time Catherine mentioned to us that we were to meet Juan, the pastor and another contact of theirs at 3:00 p.m. At three we met and had coffee with these men and this is the finale (as far as I know) of our trip. The meeting begins with the pastor. Fervently he declares that the churches are dying and falling off of the map. He begins to explain the purpose of the manual and though we could understand very little, with great confidence we knew that the Spirit was at work.
We weren't quite sure of the role of their contact except that he was the president of some alliance. We found out that their contact is the president of the alliance of all the independent (meaning non-denominational, non-affiliated) churches in all of Ecuador. How about 2,000+ churches! Juan now takes over and begins to go through the manual with this president going through page by page and summarizing all of the key points. Almost immediately this brother is on board. In the end he agreed to meet with Juan and the pastor and two other key men to complete the manuals. After they complete the manual they are going to lead meeting of their own to train more leaders and so on. The goal being to spread through out all of Ecuador. Two last key points. 1. Their contact has contacts in several other countries in South America that he wants to share the manual with as well. 2. He has agreed to sponsor whatever funds necessary for more Spanish manuals to be produced for "The Church" here in Ecuador! To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen. The Lord is at work and His Gospel will not cease to spread throughout the world!!!!!!! We ended the meeting in prayer and afterward stood in awe as we had the entire meeting. What a wonderful God we serve!
An Update from Ecuador!
Dustin with a translator
Here is an e-mail that Tim Bunn sent out about the status of the trips. Tim is the one who has written this incredible manual that is solely based on Scripture. Dustin is traveling with him.
"Juan and Laura along with Dustin have a vision to take GPCP to South American.
It is almost 5:00 here in Quito Ecuador. We are preparing to go to the church we visited last year at this same time. We are praying that God will provide a key man here in Quito during these conferences. Our past visit to this church there were a lot of godly women there wanting to learn more of the Scriptures but there were no men to be found except for the pastor and for his assistant. So we pray that there will be someone there who will catch the vision, a person with a passion to see the Gospel go forth not just in Quito but all over Ecuador.
Westernization of the churches as well as legalism and traditionalism plague the churches here but God is working and moving in the hearts of His children around the world. Our trip to Puyo was very profitable. There are several men including other brother and contact Juan, who have a passion for the Gospel. We believe that a foundation was laid, that the people there at the church in Puyo have received a clear description of what needs to take place in their church as well as all of the churches in the area for the Gospel to flourish. We pray for the Holy Spirit to continue His work in their hearts. We also pray that by our next visit that the people in Puyo (particularly Juan) will lead these conferences fully and completely without our help. Thank you for all of your prayers and support."
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Things are going great!!
Here is the latest e-mail from Dustin... Things are going really well!! I'm in Dallas now on a training retreat with Mary Kay, and I'm very thankful to have something keeping my mind off the fact that my husband is on the other side of the world.
Please keep us in your prayers!
"Today was the last day for Puyo. It went very well. The people were so nice and sweet in saying their goodbyes. They gave us gifts as well. Tim gave Juan a challenge that by the next time we come that he is teaching the whole thing. Tim really wants to see this thing take off and he know Juan is capable. He definitly has the heart. I also had a chance to teach today and that went well. It was a difficult topic to discuss bu the Spirit got me through. After the meeting we ate lunch and said our goodbyes to the people that we would see no more. Tommorow we leave for Quito by bus. Oh, this afternoon. We went to go see monkies! We drove out to part of the jungle to a monkey rehab center and their were 6 different species all walking and climbing about, one even got on top of Juan´s head. It was great."
Please keep us in your prayers!
"Today was the last day for Puyo. It went very well. The people were so nice and sweet in saying their goodbyes. They gave us gifts as well. Tim gave Juan a challenge that by the next time we come that he is teaching the whole thing. Tim really wants to see this thing take off and he know Juan is capable. He definitly has the heart. I also had a chance to teach today and that went well. It was a difficult topic to discuss bu the Spirit got me through. After the meeting we ate lunch and said our goodbyes to the people that we would see no more. Tommorow we leave for Quito by bus. Oh, this afternoon. We went to go see monkies! We drove out to part of the jungle to a monkey rehab center and their were 6 different species all walking and climbing about, one even got on top of Juan´s head. It was great."
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
God is working in Ecuador, and in Dustin's heart!
Here is the note I got from Dustin tonight! Sounds like things are going GREAT!! I'm am thankful for what God is doing in Ecuador...
"It is so encouraging to hear from you and how you are praying for the Lord´s work over here. Well, today went well. We spent 8 hours! in the Word and the manual. It is great and I am learning alot. I don´t know what I am going to do with this when I get home. There is so much to teach and its right here at our fingertips, Amazing! I will have an opportunity to teach tomorrow so pray for that but pray more for the people that this takes with the leaders here and that the churches shape up and that the people get excited for evangelism, church planting and TRUE DISCIPLESHIP. I am very encouraged. We will be here together next year. God´s Word is sufficient even though I am not. His Holy Spirit is the best teacher there is and we get one-on-one lessons! Free of charge just devotion and effort on our part."
"It is so encouraging to hear from you and how you are praying for the Lord´s work over here. Well, today went well. We spent 8 hours! in the Word and the manual. It is great and I am learning alot. I don´t know what I am going to do with this when I get home. There is so much to teach and its right here at our fingertips, Amazing! I will have an opportunity to teach tomorrow so pray for that but pray more for the people that this takes with the leaders here and that the churches shape up and that the people get excited for evangelism, church planting and TRUE DISCIPLESHIP. I am very encouraged. We will be here together next year. God´s Word is sufficient even though I am not. His Holy Spirit is the best teacher there is and we get one-on-one lessons! Free of charge just devotion and effort on our part."
Monday, October 13, 2008
Praising God for Safe Travel!
Here is the e-mail I got this evening... I am so happy that Dustin is safe! When he is gone I really realize how much I take him and his safety for granted. Thank you Lord!!
"we are here in Puyo. We traveled by bus and I wasn´t a fan. It was like a huge rocking ship about to tilt over and you know the road" (note from Jennie: last time on the road to Puyo they nearly flew off a cliff- really, they almost lost their lives.) "After a while I finally just got used to it and trusted God to get us here safely. It reminded me of the disciples on the ship during the storm and they woke up Jesus and He told them they had little faith. It was a massive storm and he told them they had little faith. The same apllies to a bus going as fast as possible around the mountain. God is going to get us where we need to go no matter what the circumstance. It is not until He says its time until our life on Earth is finished. We start our work tommorow. Juan's family welcomed us with hugs and pepsi and we are getting ready to eat."
"we are here in Puyo. We traveled by bus and I wasn´t a fan. It was like a huge rocking ship about to tilt over and you know the road" (note from Jennie: last time on the road to Puyo they nearly flew off a cliff- really, they almost lost their lives.) "After a while I finally just got used to it and trusted God to get us here safely. It reminded me of the disciples on the ship during the storm and they woke up Jesus and He told them they had little faith. It was a massive storm and he told them they had little faith. The same apllies to a bus going as fast as possible around the mountain. God is going to get us where we need to go no matter what the circumstance. It is not until He says its time until our life on Earth is finished. We start our work tommorow. Juan's family welcomed us with hugs and pepsi and we are getting ready to eat."
Safe in Ecuador...
Here is part of the e-mail I received this morning...
"I am here in Ecuador! The flight was great and I got a lot in the manual done. Juan and Guillermo are excited to see us. We are staying at the "Missionary Inn". I'm not quite sure what the name is but it is where we stayed at the end of our trip last time. We will be headed to Puyo tommorow. I'm sorry I did not get a chance to call. I looked for a phone, but since we were dumped out at the exit there were none to be found. I was so encouraged by all the reading that I did on the way."
YAY!! I'm so glad he is safe! He also said that he would try to call me today... I'll keep you posted!
"I am here in Ecuador! The flight was great and I got a lot in the manual done. Juan and Guillermo are excited to see us. We are staying at the "Missionary Inn". I'm not quite sure what the name is but it is where we stayed at the end of our trip last time. We will be headed to Puyo tommorow. I'm sorry I did not get a chance to call. I looked for a phone, but since we were dumped out at the exit there were none to be found. I was so encouraged by all the reading that I did on the way."
YAY!! I'm so glad he is safe! He also said that he would try to call me today... I'll keep you posted!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Dustin is on his way to ECUADOR!
I can't believe this time has already come again... Last October Dustin took a trip to Ecuador (you can see pictures and details of that trip here: http://theharrellblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Ecuador
Today we are at a very different place in life, and many of the changes that have taken place were results of last year's trip. We always knew that we wanted to be heavily involved in missions. Dustin has been called to be a missionary, and I have been called to follow him and support him. We were not sure how all this would happen until last year. During his trip last year, God really moved in our lives and taught us alot about missions, and how He wants us to be involved.
We made alot of decisions at that time that have changed our life. Last year we lived in Wake Forest, NC. Dustin was contemplating whether or not to continue in Seminary, and I was working full time. We were renting a house and traveling back and forth between Raleigh and Winston-Salem to spend time with our families. After that trip to Ecuador, and in the months that followed, we decided that we should uproot and move to Kernersville, NC. We felt the need to find a home base where we can plant permanent roots so that we can travel overseas increasingly often for week-to-month-long mission trips.
Dustin decided that there was not a need to complete Seminary... He learned so much in college, and one more degree is not necessary to proclaim the name of Jesus! We did not know exactly when the move would happen, but in February of this year Dustin was able to start a job in his Dad's family business. This job was a huge answer to prayer! It will allow him the flexibility to come and go- a benefit that most jobs would not allow. When we found out that the job was available, we made plans to move within one month. I quit my full-time job (which was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do- I was a nanny for a precious family with a wonderful little boy!). We found a house to rent in Kernersville, and within a month we were living two hours away from Wake Forest.
While we were renting we looked for a house, and now we are homeowners! We feel so grown up! We are thrilled to be living here so close to Dustin's family! And we are happy to be able to see my family for longer periods of time than we did before. Dustin is working full-time at Paul's Cycling and Fitness. I am now a Mary Kay Consultant, which is an amazing job that I am planning to make my "career" and my stay-at-home-mommy "job/hobby." And I also work part-time at RBC Bank.
So life is completely different now. The biggest change is that we now have a clear direction as to where our lives are going, and we have a definite knowledge of our purpose. We are so thankful.
All this to say... the time has come again! Dustin is on a plane RIGHT NOW! He departed at 1:05 PM, and he will land in Miami at 3:10 PM. He will then depart Miami at 6:50 PM and arrive in Quito Ecuador at 9:45 PM. Please pray for his safety!!
I will post his e-mails, as I did last year, so that all who are interested can keep up with how he is doing. I am confident that this trip will be incredible just like last time. It is an awesome thing to be able to dedicate 10 days to serving the Lord. I am thrilled for Dustin, and I can't wait to go with him next time!!!
Please pray for me as well... Last time he went was the worst week of my entire life. I am praying that this time will be easier. I wish I could cry all my tears out at once, but I have found that it's just not possible. When you are married and one of you is away, you feel like a huge chunk of you is just GONE... missing. I have booked myself solid with Mary Kay facials, skincare classes, training, etc. And on Thursday I am flying to Dallas until Sunday to take part in more extensive Mary Kay Training. Now I am closer to family than I was before too, which is wonderful! I am hoping that I can find the time to blog.
Thank you all so much for your prayers!
Today we are at a very different place in life, and many of the changes that have taken place were results of last year's trip. We always knew that we wanted to be heavily involved in missions. Dustin has been called to be a missionary, and I have been called to follow him and support him. We were not sure how all this would happen until last year. During his trip last year, God really moved in our lives and taught us alot about missions, and how He wants us to be involved.
We made alot of decisions at that time that have changed our life. Last year we lived in Wake Forest, NC. Dustin was contemplating whether or not to continue in Seminary, and I was working full time. We were renting a house and traveling back and forth between Raleigh and Winston-Salem to spend time with our families. After that trip to Ecuador, and in the months that followed, we decided that we should uproot and move to Kernersville, NC. We felt the need to find a home base where we can plant permanent roots so that we can travel overseas increasingly often for week-to-month-long mission trips.
Dustin decided that there was not a need to complete Seminary... He learned so much in college, and one more degree is not necessary to proclaim the name of Jesus! We did not know exactly when the move would happen, but in February of this year Dustin was able to start a job in his Dad's family business. This job was a huge answer to prayer! It will allow him the flexibility to come and go- a benefit that most jobs would not allow. When we found out that the job was available, we made plans to move within one month. I quit my full-time job (which was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do- I was a nanny for a precious family with a wonderful little boy!). We found a house to rent in Kernersville, and within a month we were living two hours away from Wake Forest.
While we were renting we looked for a house, and now we are homeowners! We feel so grown up! We are thrilled to be living here so close to Dustin's family! And we are happy to be able to see my family for longer periods of time than we did before. Dustin is working full-time at Paul's Cycling and Fitness. I am now a Mary Kay Consultant, which is an amazing job that I am planning to make my "career" and my stay-at-home-mommy "job/hobby." And I also work part-time at RBC Bank.
So life is completely different now. The biggest change is that we now have a clear direction as to where our lives are going, and we have a definite knowledge of our purpose. We are so thankful.
All this to say... the time has come again! Dustin is on a plane RIGHT NOW! He departed at 1:05 PM, and he will land in Miami at 3:10 PM. He will then depart Miami at 6:50 PM and arrive in Quito Ecuador at 9:45 PM. Please pray for his safety!!
I will post his e-mails, as I did last year, so that all who are interested can keep up with how he is doing. I am confident that this trip will be incredible just like last time. It is an awesome thing to be able to dedicate 10 days to serving the Lord. I am thrilled for Dustin, and I can't wait to go with him next time!!!
Please pray for me as well... Last time he went was the worst week of my entire life. I am praying that this time will be easier. I wish I could cry all my tears out at once, but I have found that it's just not possible. When you are married and one of you is away, you feel like a huge chunk of you is just GONE... missing. I have booked myself solid with Mary Kay facials, skincare classes, training, etc. And on Thursday I am flying to Dallas until Sunday to take part in more extensive Mary Kay Training. Now I am closer to family than I was before too, which is wonderful! I am hoping that I can find the time to blog.
Thank you all so much for your prayers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
