Mark Update June 16, 2009

Hello From Ecuador, (Hola De Ecuador)

God bless you! ( Dios te bendiga!) I like to learn Spanish. (Me gusta aprender español.) Today is Tuesday, June 16th. ( Ahoya es martes dieciséis de junio.) I am writing this letter on my computer.(Estoy escribiendo esta carta en mi computadora.) Later, Lord willing, I am going to the internet place to send this to you. (Voy a sitio de el internet mañana, Señor dispuesto, mandar  esta lo di.) Please forgive my mistakes. (Perdón mis errores, por favor.)  I want to learn more Spanish. (Quiero aprender más español.)

Jesucristo es Dios! El Padre de Jesús es mi Padre también. Abba Padre! Jesucristo es mi Salvador, y mi Señor, y mi Pastor también.

( Jesus Christ is God! The Father of Jesus is my Father also. Daddy! Jesus Christ is my Savior, and my Lord, and my Shepherd also.)

I will follow Thee my Savior, where ere the pathway may go. Through the storms or through the valleys or through great trials below. I'll rest in Thee. I'll trust in thee. I place my life in Thy hands. I will follow Thee my Savior, lead on dear Shepherd lead on.

I am rejoicing in the Lord. His grace is sufficient for me. His joy is my strength. I am beginning to get acclimated to my new life here. The key word is beginning! It really is a whole different life then I was used to. I am sure it will all come into perspective and place as I let God teach me the things I need to learn. I certainly do wish I had applied myself to Spanish in seventh grade the way I ought to have. Young people, please learn from my mistake-- your studies are going to be a great benefit to you in your future. Please apply yourself to them for the Lord's glory and pleasure.

My digestive system is going through quite a shock getting used to the food and water here. I have been quite sick for the past 6 weeks or so. I  have had a few days here and there when I thought I was getting over it. God is teaching me much through it all though, and I am glad for that. Suffering does play a big part in the way of Christ, and it can do a good work in us if we let it.

We are enjoying being together as a complete family again. It has given us all extra opportunities to learn and express the love of God for our closest neighbors! I am so thankful for the precious Holy Spirit of God! I cannot love the way I am commanded to (and the way I truly want to) without His presence and power.

Joyce and I have been able to go to a few villages together, (on the perimeter of the jungle), and are making friendships with the believers with the hope of being a blessing and a help. There are so many villages, the harvest truly is plenteous. The labourers truly are few! Let us each pray the Lord of the harvest, that He would send more labourers into His harvest field. The perimeter of the jungle is accessible by roads. I am seeking God's will about a trip into the jungle interior to continue building a relationship with the people God has called me to help.

We have a wonderful ministry of reconciliation given to us. Let us labor together with Christ, as the night is coming when our opportunity will be over. Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we SHALL reap IF we faint not. Let us keep our spiritual eyes fixed upon the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Please pray for these areas:

1.)  Continued grace in learning Spanish. (also some beginning steps in learning Woarani- the tribal language.)        

2.)  Health- as we continue to get used to the food and water.

3.) Wisdom and the Spirits fruits in my relationships within our family.                                                                                 

4.) Wisdom, faith and obedience with regard to a trip into the jungle interior soon.