My final two weekends in Morona Santiago

So we dance at my church.. :D

Me singing in Sucua at the Farewell Service

Me and the ppl from Sucua in Huambi at the Farewell Service there last weekend.

Pastor Angel and Pastora Zoila praying for me

Hermana Andrea painting my face. She is using Achiote, a seedpod that you crush with a stick and can use as paint.

Smile!

Rosa and I hiding behind the "curtain" in Huambi

"So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent... The best thing that you can do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life." 

--paraphrased from Romans 8, The Message

The past weeks have been a flurry of selling furniture, cleaning stuff, and going from my house to the Marbut's house. Lezlie and I bought half and half on the furniture, so I'm a little worried about getting a fair price. Today I finally sold the last big object, the fridge. It went for $450 even though we bought it at $650 at least. We've only used it one year and is in excellent condition, looks brand new and works great. I wasn't going to move from $500 but in a moment of weakness and desperation I sold it today to Mauricio who happened to be the highest bidder. So that marks off: stove, appliances, microwave, toaster oven, couches and chairs, three beds, three lampstand/dresser deals, and three mattresses. Not to mention the gas tank for the stove or the random things that found their way into our house such as rugs and an electric can opener from the USA. God is teaching me to put my trust in him.  I found a poem that I wrote over a year ago. It is rather fitting.  It touches exactly what I'm going through right now. You have to decide that you're going to win, even though everything else makes you look like a loser. Jesus is our strength. HE is our strong tower. And suffering is to bring glory to his name. The poem isn't titled, I just put the date I wrote it.

8-16-07

darkness encompasses me

I cannot see

I cannot feel

but I know you are there

your presence cuts through every darkness

like a sword, it slashes through

water is coming fast

it is now at my ankles

now at my waist

in the flood of fear

and the flood of emotion

your hand reaches down to me and lifts me up

it is strong and mighty to save

the fire that was kindled in the night

the ember that was glowing

that is now a flame

it is small

but it is strong

 and I will not give up

these fights

these day by day encounters with the enemy

are only temporary

they are wearisome

but temporary

sometimes my arms get weak.

and my knees feel shaky

I can't catch my breath

and sweat pours from my face

these times I know you are my strength

my fortress in time of need

where can I go

where can I turn

there is no one but you

there is not one, only you

people have failed me

time and time again they have let me down

leaders have fallen

they have wandered off of the path

but in this journey, in this fight,

I will keep on working.

I will keep on fighting

I will keep on plodding on, one foot in front of the other tired foot

In the midst of the darkness I see a light

I hear a sound

and it is coming my direction

at the edge of the river in the midst of the fog I see a tiny beam of hope,

and a voice shouting my name

you have seen

you have heard

you have watched in this struggle not against flesh and blood

and you have partaken in it

I hear your voice and I shout out

I cry your name and you hear me

I call out and you are there

Please don't ever forget to pray for your missionaries. We need the Lord's Mighty Power. 

Thanks!!! :)

Bekah