Family time

Looking forward to some quiet, personal time with my family in Warner Robins this Christmas and New Year´s (haven´t been there for Christmas in about 4 years,,, and haven´t celebrated New Year´s in the States since I moved to Ecuador!). I´ve been functioning under a tremendous variety of travel restrictions these past 6 years, and am looking forward to spending this time just being with them to help them tackle some pressing issues, and passing this last part of a very long wait,, with my family and friends.

Praying for God´s clear direction as I continue in His service. Some recent developments (very, very recent) are hinting at a likely explosion of activity in the first quarter of 2011... (Jan-March) and I want to make sure I´m ready for it,,, whatever actually happens. And am sorting things out for an imminent move in 2011. God will show me where that needs to be and when.

I finally gave in and bought a new Bible (you KNOW how hard that is!),,, and after studying through various,,, decided on Charles Stanley´s Life Principles Bible. (Mine is in Spanish, of course.) I can see that it´s just the right Bible at just the right time for me --- putting a name on all kinds of things I´ve been learning here in Ecuador. Anyways,, I´ve chosen to spend December studying Life Principle #14 ... God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. Since we´re all waiting for Jesus´birth,,, and since Jesus´birth is a promise fulfilled,,, and since I´ve been learning to wait on the Lord in many different ways (and because He has given me some very specific promises in the past year or so), I´m also reading through the book of Isaiah this month. And I´m starting to feel those "eagle´s wings".

Thank you for your prayers through the travels this month, as flying is becoming more and more a health issue for me. My "ablation leg" gives me trouble, and I have to take extra cautions every time I fly. I´m grateful that God has given me very good friendships with very good doctors here in Quito who really, truly look out for my health and safety ;) ... they´ve gotten me ready for this trip!

I´ve had some wonderful opportunities the past 2-3 days in a row,, after being really sick for a whole week .... (actually, the past 2 months, now that I think of it) to share testimony with very dear and beloved friends of mine here in Ecuador,,, and new ones in Chile,,, and God still gives me wonderful, precious moments with my street kids here and there. And then there was the day last week that Marcelo, who parks cars in front of my apt. building, told me with a twinkle in his eye, and a bright smile on his face, that he was praying for me. I don´t have the words to describe that feeling to you. And I see that God is very good. And in the middle of watching and waiting and wondering --- God is here with me, and I am so very grateful for that.

Can´t wait for God to come again this Christmas,, and to see what plans He has for us all in the New Year. I pray you all enjoy your family time.

love m

The Visible - Invisible Man

When the Church looks for and finds those who are lost and hurting, facing tremendous obstacles, when the Church calls and comforts, gets up, goes and gets, remembers, and writes, forgives and hugs, heals and corrects, exhorts and celebrates, cooks and cleans, delivers and compensates, shares and prays,,,

then that Invisible Man, who we say is there and loves us, and has good things for us, and is determined to carry us safely home starts to take shape,,,,, and we start to really SEE Him instead of just feel Him,,, and He becomes Visible to all around. And it´s better than Santa Claus.

Thank God for starting it, by making His invisible self visible to us that first Christmas Day... to help us to believe in the things we sometimes still don´t see. Merry Christmas my friends.

M

Role call

I´m wondering if these blogs are helpful to you who are supporting Mission: Ecuador, either economically, prayerfully, or both. I´m interested in keeping you all informed the best way possible about the roads you´ve helped to open and the people you´ve helped to grow here in Quito and places beyond, but I´d rather not just assume that this is what you need to know.

And I believe strongly that Mission is a team effort, and that no one person´s particular missionary job is more important than another´s. So I´d really enjoy hearing from you, wherever you may be, to know what road God has you walking down, how it´s going, if there are any particular prayer requests I can keep up with from here, to encourage you, thank you, and give you those little notes and reminders that everybody needs from time to time to know that God isn´t just "the Invisible Man" ...

In the meantime, I´m going to try to get some updated pictures for you. Maybe we could do a "That was then, this is now" kind of a newsletter next time.

Wishing you all to see God´s amazing grace and love for us, even when we´re sitting still.

love m

Happy Thanksgiving!!

As we all start to gather together to give thanx,, I´d like to send mine,, as your living link to all kinds of places and people :)

I can tell you now that processes to connect and support Dysphagia efforts here in Ecuador with those already taking place in Chile have been started. I know that we´ve got a timeline of hypothetical projects for 2011, but I´m waiting to receive some concrete offers and descriptions in writing (thank you for your prayers).

I´ve been given a translation project to do for pay (with possibly more on the way) -- that´s a tremendous help, as my anticipated moving expenses and need for continued employment following the official end of Mission: Ecuador next year, is presenting me with some important economic challenges. Also some verbal offers for teaching-stints or workshops for pay coming in. Again, looking for concreteness.

I can also tell you that, on the Ecuatorian side, the folks I´ve trained are growing ,, both professionally and (as far as I can tell) in Christ as well. I can also tell you that the new friends I made in Chile are not only interested in growing professionally in the area of Dysphagia,,, but also in applying their faith to their work-life. And I know that, because I dared to tell them that all this work was God´s missionary plan for me, that I had trusted Him in order to do it, and that those who have been supporting me in Ecuador continue to support my following God´s leading -- even on this trip to Chile.

I can tell you that the lady who tripped and fell in the middle of the street the other day was more than grateful that God sent me to pick her up, walk her to the hospital and get her a medical visit to make sure she was okay. I can tell you that because I saw her face glow when I reminded her that God sees her, and cares for her, and provides for her --- even on a day when she couldn´t sell any sponges, and she fell full-length across a heavily-trafficked street and couldn´t get back up on her own.

I believe that my 6-year training program as your "living-link" missionary has really made my whole life a living link.

As we´re approaching another Thanksgiving Day, thank you to RiverTree Christian Church and Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, for facing daily battles, giving classes, encouraging Christian growth and community, and prayer,,,, for committee meetings, phone calls and urgent reports that formed me, sent me here, and kept me going ---- and that continue to form, send and maintain thousands of other living links in so many different ways. When I´m not sure what´s coming next, it helps to remember where I´ve been, and who´s got my back, and that God Himself has gone on to clear the way ahead of me :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!
love m

It´s official :)

Just to send a quick note to let you know that the trip to Talca, Chile has been very productive and positive. From students, to teaching staff, to the Director and all the up to the Deacon of the school are hyped about all the possibilities. Some are discussing the possibility of traveling to Quito sometime between Jan-March to get to know the people and the program there. And we´´re already brainstorming the curriculum.

More news later. God Bless always!
M

Talca

Thought it would be appropriate to let you know that life on the ground in Talca, Chile is still very, very much affected by the earthquake that rocked the central region the end of February. Truth is, I hadn´t expected to see/hear so much about that here, as it made the news only initially, and then for all practical purposes disappeared.

There was significant damage to maybe (I´d say) a third of the city. She lost her historic section, basically, as those buildings were (what looks to me like) a mud-brick construction. There are parts of 2nd story walls that look like they could drop still, any minute. And you can see the cracks from the sidewalk, deep in the walls all the way up to the tower on a couple of churches. But all of the rubble has been cleared out of the streets, and all of the devastated area in large part is behind construction covers and such,, and the re-building process has actively begun. I spent Thursday and Friday at the Hospital of Talca (my favorite site so far) with Claudia ---- who pointed out to me the space of an entire block that the 2-story hospital covered, is all that remains of it. I¨m amazed at how "high-class" their improvisions are during the re-building. You have to walk through muddy sections and into parts of buildings to get from one unit to the other, (for those of you not familiar with hospital-world, that´s not typical), but each unit is sealed off, has electricity and preps (lots of beds) for the pediatric section needs.

The University of Talca,, where I´m basically having a 2-week long job interview,, also suffered significant "hits". One of the saddest losses was their state-of-the-art library. And the University staff that I´m spending time with, each is telling me his/her version of what all was lost. I can see the cracks in the walls in the Director´s office,, and in the Clinic where we´ve attended to a patient of his.

But the biggest impact, I can tell you was on the people. I think in some ways they´re still in shock over it. One-by-one, as they spend time with me, they point out all the buildings down, all the loss, all the incredible impact, and "you should have seen it when". I think the thing that made me want to write you most today was the little old lady that met me on the bridge as I was coming back from the grocery store today --- who when she saw me, asked how I did through the earthquake.

I guess it´s hard to completely celebrate with the miners, when you´re still digging out of your own trauma. Thanx for keeping them all in your prayers. It´s another beautiful country, and I´m amazed at how far they´ve come,,, in spite of all the obstacles.

love
m

Mission:Ecua-Chi-chi-chi-le-le-le

Blogging you all from my first internet café in Santiago, Chile --- it´s beautiful here. Long, night flight, and just now finally ate something. Want to rest a second before my contact person actually finds me,,, cause then we´ll all be zooming til I fly out, I´m sure!

Prayers are for good relationships (on many different levels) here that would strengthen and provide opportunity, hope, and support for the professionals I´ve trained in Ecuador, and many, many other people along the way.

The current schedule is the SLP National Conference tomorrow and Saturday, then the "pasantía" starting on Monday, the 25th. Looking forward to meeting Professor Pedro Garcìa today, Professor Exequiel Plaza (director) tomorrow, and his secretary Elsa on Monday.

I understand the Phoenix capsule is on display here in Santiago,,, will see if I can get a peek at it.

talk soon,
M

Day of Prayer

I hope this doesn´t get to you all too very late ... I forgot to put it on the blog yesterday. Some evangelical Christian churches are sponsoring a day of prayer for peace for Ecuador in Carolina Park all day today, complete with concerts and such. I plan to pass by for a little bit on my way back from checking emails and all. Would you join us in praying for this country you´ve all sponsored in so many different ways for so many years?? We already know that our prayers are heard!! (viva Chile!)

I won´t be spending a lot of time at the prayer gathering, as I´m currently packing for my own trip to Chile (yey!). Heading out on Wednesday, and scheduled to come back to Quito the 10th of November. Thanx for your prayers for all the possibilities this trip implies on many different levels.

God´s best to you all!
M

Impossible

Matthew 19:25b - 26 "Who, then, can be saved? And looking at them, Jesus told them: For man, this is impossible; but for God everything is possible."(translated MvD, RVR, 1960)

* 33 men survived for around 2 weeks on rations for only 48 hours.
* 33 men survived for 2 weeks on rations for 48 hours, and then when found, accepted what they were told about a wait of minimum 4 months for a possible rescue.
* 33 men faced death all day long, each day, for 69-70 days.
* 33 men, one-by-one, individually faced a perilous transition in order to leave a certain fate, and one-by-one humbly praised God and thanked Him and all those who participated in his rescue.
* 1 rescuer, the last to leave the mine, waited alone in that quiet pit, trusting the capsule would descend one more time and take him home.

They´re calling it "The Miracle of San José". And I keep hearing that song "Arise, My Love" in my head. Not just for the miners, but for us too.

What a privilege to have been praying with you all on their behalf all this time - what an awesome God.
M

Great evangelism tool ;)

"I explained to the families that the only way one can receive someone is to first be home to open the door," Iturra said.

copied from Associated Press Article today on internet, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/lt_chile_mine_collapse ,,,quoting the chief of the psychology team working with the miners, Alberto Iturra, in reference to his advice to the families to go home and get some rest in preparation to receive their loved ones.

it struck me as very wonderful advice... and has me sheepish-grinning.
M

A Meter at a Time

Sometimes, when you´ve been waiting a very long time for something, the last few meters can be the absolute worst! But then, when you stop to consider where you were, all the dangers you faced in the process, and that the end to the wait is much, much closer than you thought it was... you decide you can patiently wait some more.

1- Word on the internet now is that the Chilean miners could be out by this Sunday... that´s if they decide to pull them up without reinforcing the drill hole. Reinforcement would take about 3-4 extra days. ... I´m praying that they´ll continue to make slow, deliberate and correct decisions, as I´m sure the Rescue team leaders are feeling pressure from all sides to get them out right this minute. 3-4 more days to do the reinforcement is still much, much sooner than anyone thought.

2- The Dysphagia book will be in print by the 30th of Oct., and I´m still waiting final confirmation of dates for my own pending trip to Chile.

3- My family is chipping away a meter at a time at personal and collective goals, and would seem to be getting close to the surface, too.


I just read the other day in my devotional about God´s silence... that it´s something He trusts somebody with, and that it´s preparation for something important.

Thank you all for your prayers as we all face together these last few meters of waiting, reinforcing, and silence. :)

The Nation Stands Down, and the Church Stands Up

My "on-the-street" interviews and polls in the past few days have corresponded the miracles we all saw last Thursday here in Quito. It´s unanimous: the nation stood down, put personal interests aside in name of the greater good. Competing interests joined in the high-point of the crisis to rescue the President. They counted somewhere around 17 bullet-holes in his escape vehicle.

And on Sunday, the Church stood up. I saw it in República, and heard about it too in Iñaquito. At República where I attend, the Pastor challenged us with Exequiel 22. He read the entire chapter out loud to the congregation. And when he got to the place where it says (in short) that God looked for someone to stand in the breach, and found noone... well, Pastor Porfidio asked who? more than the church should be filling that breach, interceding for this nation, govt., etc.? And at the end of the service, he asked all those who would be willing to make that committment to please stand -- and we all did. And we all sang Hosanna to Jesus, the King of Kings.

*************************************************************************************

And did you hear?? In Chile, they´re announcing anticipated rescue of the 33 trapped miners before the end of this month. The Chilean Navy has constructed and tested the capsule that will pull them out, and reports that it´s working famously. Anticipated travel time for each miner is from 6-20 minutes.

*************************************************************************************

In my eyes, these are all miracles of epic proportions. The kind that we maybe thought didn´t happen anymore. They´re both very desperate situations, that emphasize our complete helplessness here, and our total dependence on God. Had He not been on our side, all would have been lost. I have the distinct privilege of knowing, in first person, that my weakness is His strength.

Please never underestimate the power of your prayers and heartfelt collaboration with God´s work all over the world.

Mission: Ecuador

I guess lots of tidbits of info will be going out all over the world about what happened in Quito yesterday. And even more speculation about why. But I saw God yesterday, and because you all prayed Him into our presence, I´m here telling you about it now.

First, I saw Him as phone calls started coming in from all over the city of Quito to a local radio station to report scenes of tranquility and order, as well as trouble-spots from all over the city.

I saw Him as, one-by-one, the banks and shopping centers decided to close rather than to face security risks. Most of this by 11:00-11:30am. And people went home,,,

I saw Him as, one-by-one official statements were made on national tv to stand-down, by officials and organizations with competing political interests.

I saw Him as, one-by-one financial and business representatives calmly announced there had been no bank emergency.

I saw Him again, as by 5-6pm reports were coming in from all over the country that calm and order had been restored in every province (except Pichincha, Quito). Even the airport was given back.

The President was back in the Presidential Palace by about 10:30pm if I remember right. And I saw my friend (a reporter who had been inside the hospital throughout the rescue) giving a live update at the scene as the sun came up this morning. Apparently, National Police and Military troops joined together to successfully evacuate the President.

I don´t know what you´ll all be hearing from there, or even what kind of information will be uncovered as the day goes on today, but as for me, I saw God yesterday. And there is no doubt in my mind that your immediate prayers for safety were answered. It all could have been so much worse.

Please don´t let your own, personal Mission: Ecuador stop now. Please pray for Ecuador´s public servants, and for President Correa - for Godly wisdom. There´s much to be sorted out, and maybe more difficulties pending. Your prayers are valuable, and efficient. You really do make a difference for all of us here. I think this is the chance of a lifetime for Ecuador.

God´s best to you all.
lvoe m

As for me, and my house

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country;"

For those of you who´ve spent some time with me, this verse shouldn´t sound so very surprising or strange. Abraham was my first favorite Bible-character to study (I´ve since added several more to my list). I guess that also gives credence to our finding out (thank you John Geib) that God gave me the gift of FAITH as one of my major spiritual gifts. It´s how I came to Ecuador, and how I´ve been able to live here in spite of many obstacles, lack of resources, and especially lack of personal relationships on a reliable basis.

So the latest news here on my end is that I´m packing for anticipated travel, first to Chile, and then hopefully to Ohio and GA between October and December of this year. And you might have noticed that October starts this Friday, so you´d probably also understand that my knees and heart are about worn out asking for details and a few other kinds of "heads up". But its starting to look like I must have entered into a new phase of my spiritual training program, and I only know I´m supposed to be packing, and tying up loose ends... (most of that is already done, finishing up with health checks this week). The packing is even coming along nicely. Am still chipping away at workshops, and waiting follow-up from several different "fronts". Think I´m going to look into purchasing some knee-pads; honestly.

I´ve been privileged to see in just this last couple of weeks, as I have been facing difficulties with getting money (all of a sudden, after 6 years here, my bank card isn´t working), some sort-of-scary medical exams, persistent communication difficulties, packing here-and-there and waiting for word from different places,,, that God has sent Ecuatorians to have lunch with me, lend me a helping hand, and pray with me. There were 2 very special ones ... special, because they weren´t pastors, or missionaries, or people I know from church... they were two of my very good friends I´ve made, working, eating, and praying through personal and professional challenges at work.

One asked that I would be a light in Chile.
The other asked God´s blessings and provision for my personal life, thanking Him for all we´d done here in Ecuador, and looking for a wonderful harvest.
Both prayers were in public, in restaurants somewhere.

I wonder if you really can know from these blogs just how much your loving support of me here, even now, is recognized and so appreciated here.

love in Christ, m

Have you not heard?

For those of you who have been accompanying the 33 Chilean miners with me, did you hear that the bore hole has reached them??? On Friday, Sept. 17th, one day before Chile´s Independence Day (18th). Now, instead of the previously anticipated Christmas rescue,,, they´re projecting an exit the first part of November :)

And instead of the original estimate of several hours in the escape tube,,, a 15-min. trip for each one...

There has been increased earthquake activity in the CENTRAL part of Chile in this past week (Maule region)... the miners are in the NORTHERN part of the country.

Let´s pray each and every one of those guys out of that hole, together. I marked Psalm 130 on their behalf when I was studying on the 3rd of Sept.,,, just in case you´d like to use it too.

Thank you all for keeping all of God´s kids in your prayers.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth," Isaiah 40:21-22

I think it´s a good time to praise Him.
love m

Current Status/ Offers on the table

Time to check in with current status and facts!

1- HVQ: the Head of the Dysphagia Program at Vozandes (Dr. Vallejo) and the Head of Research in Medical Education (Dr. Erazo) are initiating a plan for a research program in the area of Dysphagia, that would involve several individual research projects, representing each of the specialty areas involved in the Dysphagia Team.

Pros: This project is right on line and exactly on time with a current govt. interest in certifying and qualifying professionals in many areas nationwide, and with their attempts to identify untouched areas of need and potential growth in the country.

Local benefit:
* with acceptance of this project, there would be support for program stability, growth, and quality
* those professionals who have now invested 6 years in the development of this team alongside of me would now have the opportunity to complete Master´s degrees, Ph.D.´s, or their thesis for graduation and university title --- and it opens the door for aspiring doctors and therapists to write their own thesis for graduation in the future.
* project involvement would be hospital-wide, and has the potential to unite on many, many different levels.

National benefit:
* this project meets a govt.-identified need on several levels (for those interested, please see the Govt. Plan para el Buen Vivir):
(1) it is a non-treated area,
(2) the zone of impact is nationwide
(3) the population impact is the whole lifespan
(4) it affects ability to receive adequate nutrition
(5) it falls in the category of disability
(6) it clearly affects quality of life
(7) it influences medical decisions, hospital-stay, and recurrence (morbidity)
(8) and (to boot) creates a new level of qualified professional service in the country
* this program is an excellent candidate for SENACYT´s "call for papers"; today they launched the concourse, which is open to receive project and program proposals until the 1st of December. You can go to www.senacyt.gob.ec for more detailed information.

Cons:
* Requires institutional and individual committment for 4-5 years - traditionally difficult to achieve in Ecuador.
* Requires a percentage of financial committment from the sponsoring institution for the length of the project - traditionally impossible to achieve.

2- Chile: I have been invited to Chile (on 2 different levels), the most pertinent here being that from the Director of the School of Phono-audiology at the University of Talca, to complete a "pasantía" for certification in Dysphagia, consider certification of our program in Quito, and initiate a collaboration in the area of research.

Pros:
* Academic and professional support for the work already completed
* Continued academic and professional support for continued (correct) growth and development in Ecuador
* Program Director in Chile has 24 years experience in Dysphagia and is interested in long-term collaboration
* Chile boasts an excellent international reputation in academics and medicine

Cons:
* ummmmmmmm,,,,, can´t come up with any just yet :) am waiting to receive the official offer in writing...

For those who just hear a bunch of professional goals, jargon, and rambling in this message, I´d like to share with you that, as a starting missionary in Mission: Ecuador, my understanding was that I should commit ALL I do unto the Lord, and He would make my plans succeed. What I did was to be in His name, not my own. Throughout this walk, I´ve been (often painfully) aware of the demands on my own person, on those who were being trained, but most of all, on each and every patient we treated. And I simply believe that the professionals who risked to be a part of this with me should be able to hold their heads up high, provide a good, sound rationale for their evaluations, treatment plans and decisions, and not be afraid that what they learned was misguided or sub-standard. I believe that God really cares that people can breathe and eat at the same time, and that the professionals who make decisions about using tube-feeds know how and when to do that, not for personal convenience, but for each patient´s benefit.

The potential impact of this program is incredible, and it was founded in God´s name, for His glory, and in service to the people of Ecuador. There is still the possibility that it end here, but even if it does, those who invested are forever-changed,,, and I wish you could see them hold their heads up high when they talk about it all.


Thank you for continuing to pray and wait with me as I seek to meet with Luis Mutre about the Street Kids, to give them also a very important follow-up and visible support system as they all face so many challenges and threats on the street.

News pending next week

I´d like to take a minute to let you all know that, based on some fast meetings and sudden opportunities that happened THIS week, news should be coming in NEXT week with all kinds of confirmations and/or re-directions. I´ll blog as soon as I have some facts for you.

Your continued prayer support of this Mission is so highly valued. I´m eager to share with you the outcomes of this waiting time --- I really hope that info comes in.

In the meantime, I thought you should know that several different individuals --- professionals at the hospital with whom I´ve worked for the past 6 years --- have taken the opportunity to let me know that they greatly appreciate the mission that we started here 6 years ago you and me, that they recognize God´s presence, and that they´re waiting, too --- to see what He will do now.

Thank you for your prayers as the Dysphagia Team in Vozandes, and all the missionaries, friends, and participants in this journey with us continue in working out the details of this transition. And thank you for your prayers for the Street Kids Ministry, and for Luis Mutre - with whom I´m also waiting a meeting. And for my new friends in Chile, who are sincerely working to find a way to support the work we´ve accomplished here in Quito.

Please don´t forget to let me know how I can be praying for you.
Love in Christ,
M

Thank you

Thank you to those who have responded to join me in prayer for the Chilean miners... Anybody who has had to sit in a doctor´s office alone waiting for test results and possibly life-altering answers knows how much it means to have company in the wait... even if it´s just somebody sitting alongside and being there with you in it.

I´m so very moved by their wonderful attitude, and such willingness to help each other out. It´s incredible to see how the guys inside the mine are helping themselves out - and the ones on the outside are helping the guys on the inside to help themselves out. Oh, it´s really a beautiful illustration.

I haven´t heard yet any comments on their "God-perspective". It doesn´t mean they don´t have one; just means I don´t know what it is -- in which case I tend to look for the fruits that identify the tree. I´m seeing lots of self-control and kindness for each other and their families, for example. So I´m praying that God continues to be tangible like that in the mine with them. And even though nobody says anything out loud about it --- I know for certain that both the men on the inside and the rescuers on the outside all know they need a miracle. They know that all of their best efforts have a limit. So in my prayers, I´m lifting them up and cheering them on, all those who are willing to be that miracle, against all odds.

*************************************************************************************************

I bumped into Joey and Michael last Sunday afternoon, in the little triangle of grass just outside "La Plaza" (The Plaza of the Americas for those who´ve been here). It was the first time that Joey was sitting straight up, holding his shoulders back and his head up high. He even looked me in the eye a couple of times. I was teaching him a new game that he didn´t think he could get,,, but he kept at it and started forming a strategy. It´s that game that has a bunch of pegs in the shape of a cross, with one peg missing (generally in the center), and you have to jump pegs, taking the ones out that had been "jumped" til there´s as few left as possible. Joey usually gives up pretty quickly, but he kept at it. (It´s really a pain to keep at it, too --- because you have to keep putting all 32-odd pegs back into the game board each time just to be able to play it again.) He went about 4-5 rounds right there with me... so I gifted him the game to practice in private. I´m curious to see how he´s doing with it; maybe I´ll see him this Sunday.

I heard from Joey that Willian has a job. I´m still praying to be able to see him again soon, and give him the Christmas bag I made for his family (I believe it has "2007" on it), and have kept for them since then. I think he needs to know that God hasn´t forgotten him all this time, and has something special saved up for him and his family...

So thank you for continuing to support Mission: Ecuador. I wish you could see the personal confidence and dignity that is developing for the individuals involved in the Dysphagia program,, and for the street kids and their parents that I´ve had the privilege of living alongside of all these years. You´ve made a difference for a bunch of folks trapped down inside themselves (like those miners in Chile), and you´ve become a miracle for them all.

Love m

Waiting... part 2

You know, it just occurred to me...

You´ve heard about the 33 miners trapped down below in a mine in Chile? They´re waiting for rescue that could take anywhere from 1 to 4 months... and ANYTHING could happen in the meantime.

The Chilean response has been incredible, consulting all kinds of experts to support the men as they wait.

Would you all join me in faithful daily prayer for those miners and their families? They´ve gotten toothbrushes and games, a hole for fresh air and such, and they´ve organized their living area for the long-haul (truly amazing people). What if we could pray God into their presence? What if He could be there with them in the wait?

Please let me know if you´re with me on this,,, it means SO much more to pray together. M

Waiting...

Thank you all for waiting along with me.

I think that this time has become more important for me every passing day, to get all kinds of things in order and ready to go for next-steps.

And I am SO very curious to find out what´s next :)

Wishing each and every one of you God´s best gift, each and every day.
love m

Almost forgot to mention

For those of you who did see the CNN report,,, yes there WAS a 6.9 earthquake centered in Puyo (near Shell) Ecuador about 4-5 days ago. Some people felt it at different places in various parts of the country. Reports were that it was located about 100 miles down into the earth --- there have been no personal or structural damages reported (if you can believe that). From what I understand, people who felt it most were in Guayaquil (I think because that follows the fault line). Friends in Puyo and Shell felt nothing --- they suppose it´s because it was so deep, no shock waves reached the surface there, but rather radiated outward... We are all doing well, and the next day news report said there weren´t even any aftershocks produced.

Understandably, a 6.9 earthquake ANY closer to the surface here would have a tremendous impact. I´m grateful for God´s protection, and thank you for your continued prayers regarding these kinds of possibilities for us.
M

Kids and such

Just a quick note to let you know...

I introduced myself in person to Luis Mutre last Sunday. He´s the guy who´s supposed to be my contact person at República for putting my street kids officially under their social-services care. He asked for patience (imagine that...) to wait til September to talk, as he´s bogged down with some other things right now.

I´m taking advantage of this waiting time to polish, amplify and complete about 30 workshops - to provide the language library for Compassion/Nuevos Amigos (Have finished 3 powerpoint workshops with their corresponding written reports - am working on the last one now, only lacks ppt and references.) The rest are Dysphagia workshops which I can be paid for presenting, and/or supply as a library to the hospital - whichever works best. I´ve gotten those workshops sorted, and will start them as soon as I get the Compassion ones done and printed up. Plan to hand the language ones in to Fernando when I get to meet with him. In total, this workshop prep should take me through September. That´s good, because am also still waiting finalization on the Dysphagia Book from Compassion, meeting results from Dr. Vásconez (Medical Education - Vozandes), and meeting results from Professor Plaza (Univ. Talca, Chile). There will likely be more professional presentations and meetings that I´ll be required to participate in after that.

And just a little tidbit of info... I bumped into Johnny a week or so ago (I don´t think I mentioned that yet.). He told me he´s not hanging out on the street anymore. Of the 15 kids (3 main family groups) I started with 6 years ago, that means that only Joey (Johnny´s twin) and their little brother Michael (who Joey drags along) are still on the street... supposedly. I haven´t seen them lately, either. I´m praying it´s because they´ve made the same decision to stay home. The 3 family groups represented were 1) Willian 2) Jesús and Jesseña and 3) Edison. So the tally is, Jesús and Jesseña´s family left the street after the first year working with them; Joey & Michael are the last of the 5 from Edison´s family group who are still on the street. Johnny says that Edison will be graduating soon as a baker/pastry chef --- I asked them to let me know where he gets work so I can go visit him. I continue praying for Willian, as I haven´t found him since his Mom passed away. Johnny says they haven´t seen him lately either --- he´d have to be about 17 now, I think. He had brought 4-5 of his younger siblings to meet me, and I had the privilege of personally meeting his Mom, too.

So the ones left to really target are the Iñaquito kids --- from what I´ve seen, that´d be the perfect group for the República men to take on. I´m looking forward to meeting with Luis Mutre in September.

I´m comforted to see God providing all kinds of people pulling together to take on these incredible challenges, and I´m happy to have the time here in Ecuador still to share this all with them. It´s so much more fun working together on these things.

Trust you´re all doing well on your end. I hope you get to see God being really big, too! Sincerely, M

That was Yesterday

I´m drawing a blank on who sang that song ages ago... The majority of you will know it, though :)

I´d like to share with you what happened yesterday, in such a way that you would understand that 6 years of "detailing" interactions, confidence, trust, and relationship with street kids; 6 years of constancy and perseverance glued together by God´s faithfulness made yesterday possible. You remember Jefferson, Daisy, and Jessica...

Daisy took a little sandwich bag that had a piece of carrot-cake I had made down the sidewalk to the little girl who had followed us up, asking for hand-outs, which I told her I couldn´t give her. And Daisy wished her God´s blessing. When I had asked her to do me that favor, Daisy didn´t flinch or hesitate an instant. The rest of us waited on the corner.

Jessica stopped on the sidewalk to wait to greet a very special friend of hers,,, a full-grown man who is exactly as tall as she is (she´s about 7 years old, and little).

Jeff took the $20 I gave him, using just $8 (of the $10 I allowed him) to buy lunch for the 3 of them. He prayed (some encouragement needed) for the meal, and instructed us all in "stopping" and "going" with all the traffic on our way to the park. (With a little guidance), he also used $1 to buy a bag of candy from our new friend, Ximena, and then went to share his purchase with the "tougher" group of Iñaquito kids we had just passed and greeted. (They actually accepted his offer!). The three of us went down to the park to play puzzle games, and later Guillermo (from the Iñaquito group) and Ximena (from the candy lady) had joined us. 3 different families represented there, but all sharing the games, laughing to find out they could do them, and really just having a great time... not even noticing they were from 3 different worlds.

When I mentioned to Jeff, Daisy, and Jess on the way back that I had to stop for groceries, they offered to help me shop. So we shopped, treasure-hunt style :) They looked for milk boxes that said "Nutra-leche", eggs that were medium-sized and cost less than $2, wheat bread that actually had dietary fiber (can you believe I gave them that one? heehee), and the 5 of the reddest apples they could find, etc. etc. For a few basic items, I asked them to put a portion aside for their own family,,, and each time I did, Jessica said "thank you, Michelle". Somehow she also noticed when I put my loaf of bread back so they could keep theirs when we were checking out... Jeff made sure the girls helped out carrying bags, but everyone was already tired by the time we got up to the street with the heavy milk and vegetables,,, so when I asked him if he thought we should walk all the way back or use that last $1 (of the $10 I had given him earlier) to grab a cab (and the girls unanimously said "yeeeessss" to hear "cab"), he decided that would probably be a good idea. He instructed me to sit in front with the driver, and the 2 girls to get in back with him. And he handed that last dollar to the cab-driver when we got to where we needed to go.

Wish you could have seen them skipping/running down the sidewalk back to their parents when we got to Villalengua and Veracruz.

I´m thankful for yesterday :)
M

AMAZING GRACE

I think now I´m glad to not really know the future. Odds are in most every case, I would chicken out to see what was coming, and would do whatever possible to make things way more soft, pleasant and easy than they turn out being most of the time. But then I´d know nothing about God´s amazing grace.

And I think it´s ONE incredible thing when God intervenes to heal a potentially fatal illness in ourselves and/or our loved ones, and then really quite another when He waits til someone/something dearly cherished actually dies before He (apparently) acts. And then His grace is even more amazing.

And I see the Pichincha mountain range that caught on fire last year from the drought we had,,, the whole thing was brown,,, and black in those huge sections where forest fires had started. We´ve had steady rain since March/April this year. And even now in August, when everywhere should be brown and dry,,, the Pichincha mountains are thick with trees, and bushes and green.... especially where the fires had been.

News is coming in now, from Chile, from Vozandes, from Iglesia República, from my hometown, from my Mom,,,, from all sides --- good news,,,, like rain on dry land.

Please join me in thanking God for His amazing grace. My heart is starting to feel that rich, thick green - like Pichincha :) I would never have chosen this road for myself,,, so thank God He gave me the courage and the strength to follow Him.

M.

He hears us, you know?!

I appreciate your heartfelt prayers for the Carolina Kids --- I know you´re praying, because I got an email back from Rafael expressing SUPER interest in helping out,,, along with a list of 5 other guys from the praise team who´d possibly be interested. He encouraged a meeting with us all so I could explain the concept, strategy, and logistics for such a project.

If I have time to get to the computer to give you "head´s up" on the meeting, I will. If not, I´ll write to let you know how it all went!

Prayers are priceless. :)
M

It´s Thursday!

Today´s my favorite day of the week :)

On Gary´s (that´s Dolan) encouraging reminder to me (long, long time ago now) that Sabbath Day is one of the Ten Commandments, I felt compelled to choose a day. My work was round-the-clock at the hospital, and in any gaps that presented, with the Street Kids, Compassion and groups coming down, weekends (and especially Sundays) got all but erased from my mental programming, as I was often checking diets and serving as impromptu interpreter for discharges or teams during scheduled church services. I chose Thursday as my Sabbath Day. As I continue balancing out meetings, studies, communication (written and verbal), grocery store trips and cooking, apt. care, bill- and tax-paying, and personal health issues, and tour groups,,, each of which tasks is challenged and lengthened in the face of a complicating and often unfriendly system here, and use of primary foot/leg transportation, I continute to find it the most important day of my week. It´s the day we traditionally say "thank you" in the States on Thanksgiving Day,,,, it´s my reminder day, my thank-you day, my "wow, we´ve made it this far" day... my special time to sit down with the Lord and really praise Him from my heart-day. I continue attending church services on Sundays, and tithing, and I have friends and mentors with whom I pray and have done Bible study over the years here. But what brings it all home, is my Sabbath Day!

It´s really my favorite day of the week. And I can´t believe we´ve made it this far! Thank you for being a part of God´s mission for us here in Ecuador. :)

M.

Quick-check

Just to let you all know...

The Dysphagia book is finished (complete with its artwork and everything). The only thing pending at this point is one last meeting with Dr. Vallejo, Fernando, and me. But that won´t happen for 2 weeks yet due to scheduling issues.

During the waiting and wondering, I´ve been working towards my professional continuing education units (have to earn 10 hours each year to maintain my license - now only lacking 1 hour), and am looking into specialty certification (I currently meet requirements in several different ways, and possibly in a couple of different countries, haha) - both to back the program up here, and to get ready for whatever is coming next.

More options starting to emerge on different fronts... since so many things change so rapidly, am waiting for confirmations to come in until I say exactly what :)

Keep bumping into "my kids" on the streets, and they´re asking for new games to play, so I´ll be going to look for some today. If you guys come across logic-, problem-solving type puzzle games, would you hold onto them for us down here? The kids really enjoy them. "Think-fun" is the company I´ve gotten most of them from when I´ve been in Ohio at Christmastime.

God´s best - always!
Michelle

Carolina Park kids

Had a mini-reunion with the kids at Carolina Park today ... but they´re fighting an awful lot amongst themselves and get discouraged and/or angry instantly. They´ve been unsure of me ever since we had that "soccer ball incident" over a year ago,, but keep daring to try when we bump into each other.


My options with those kids are the following:
1) Maria del Carmen is working with the city´s program for street kids,, and there is somebody she knows who works their sector... if I could get them involved for consistency (and for men to work with them would be better).

2) Gabriel House kids,,, but rather than them helping me with these guys, the conversations so far have been how I can help them with their guys. For all the different types of ministry I´ve been doing, and because guys really need to be working with guys at this level,,, I´m continuing to pray this one through.

3) Mauricio at my church (República). He´s always been interested in helping, but we´ve not been able to concrete it. There´s Rafael, too (Schario family met him one Sunday). The two of those guys from República could really be a wonderful option --- trusting we could get a regular, committed schedule going.

Thank you for keeping, Miguel, Jhon, David, Guillermo, Jefferson, Brayan and Paul close in your prayers. Their hearts are wanting to be soft (I can tell),,, but they´ve got to put on a super-tough front to face the kind of environment they´re in all day, every day. Unfortunately, instead of being each other´s best friends, they´re turning into their own worst enemies. They don´t understand that God can help them out with all that,,, yet.

M.

More responses, and more questions

2. I`ve received an official offer, not only for myself to go to Chile to be certified in dysphagia therapy, but for a team from Talca, Chile to come here to Ecuador to certify all of us at once...

have started going through the baby steps, conversations, official letters and meetings that are required to see if we can extend an official invitation from this end.

am so grateful to God to even have received this offer,,,, it´s absolutely incredible.

this is pretty important for all those involved in the dysphagia program here ... we sure appreciate your prayers.

book is finished and only waits one final meeting with Fernando, Dr. Vallejo and myself,,, we´re hoping early this coming week.

Answers as they come in...

1. Found out at a really calm and neat meeting with the owner of my apt. yesterday, that I´ll be able to stay there until I´m ready to go next year... what a blessing, and a huge relief!

M

Here we go...!

After a long period of silence, I´m starting to see movement in some areas, and would like to ask those who feel led, to join me in prayer with thanksgiving and praise, for what He´s already done, and for anything He´s about to do.

appreciate it :)
m

Lucy

Those of you who were on the inaugural trip from Cleveland to Quito in January, 2004 will remember our transportation being in the hands of Lucy...

And those of you who were on the second trip from Cleveland to Quito in October, 2004 will remember that as you guys left the guesthouse to go to the airport, my own bags were packed and I was headed to live with Lucy and her family (way) to the south part of Quito...

Due to changing responsibilities and needs on my part, I wasn´t able to stay with Lucy more than those first 3 months in Quito,,, but was able to stay involved with her and Karen on a regular basis for that whole first year. Since then, we´ve not visited as much, but have managed to stay in touch, and I´ve bumped into her and one or the other of her sons (Christian and Jonathon) off-and-on in the past couple of years.

Lucy called me Saturday to tell me that Jonathon was in the military hospital (he´s about to graduate in a couple of weeks), having been hit directly in the forehead with a large rock during some detonation exercises... she said he´d never lost consciousness, memory, appetite or any basic abilities whatsoever. I went to see him that very afternoon, and he was dozing when I got there. When he opened his eyes and saw me, said "Hi, Michelle" with a huge smile on his face.
When I called to check in yesterday afternoon, Lucy said he´d be discharged today, with no surgery pending (there´s a bone fragment loose from his craneum is all),,, but rest and follow-ups planned.

Would you please join me in prayer for Johnathon and the whole family,,, for his continued MIRACULOUS recovery... they´re a tremendous Christian family,,,, and with Christian and Johnathon BOTH being military guys,,,, well, an incredible witness to that whole community. You´d better believe people are already talking about it!

Oh, yeah... and Karen and I have plans to go hang out with Mars here in the not-so-distant future. She´s sixteen now. I´m looking forward to catching up with her a bit.

Thanx for your faithful prayer support for this beautiful and loving family who opened up their home and lives to me, who made it initially possible for me to be here.

Michelle

The LONG version

Some stories don´t come off as well if you only give the summary --- so here I´ll give you the long version of what probably really is a short story (if you already knew the setting and all the characters involved)!!

One of my favorite things here lately is the number of people I´ve met on the streets of Quito in the past 6 years, who greet me like a family friend now as I´m out and about doing my "chores". Those are nice little "pick-me-ups" during all the routine stuff that nobody really knows anything about, but that everybody who´s human really HAS to do!!!

Anyways, I was on my way to the park (Carolina) last Sunday with Jessica and her sister Daisy (they´re Joaquin´s kids --- he sells Pingüino icecream in front of Vozandes), when we got to the lady on the corner of Amazonas and Japón who sells candies (do you know she actually gifts me a little bag from time to time - from her heart)... I´m ashamed to say I can´t at all remember her name, but I go by "Seño" with her, which is an affectionate term that the kids use often with their teachers.

This lady has been a friend of mine for the past 2-3 years, I´d say. She´d see me walking with the boys down to the park, cajoling them and correcting them and whatnot along the way. And I´d stop and buy a bag of candies from her once in a while. Well, a good while back (I think it was last summer, but not quite sure), I gifted her a Bible that I´d bought for just such moments. And then we really got to be friends. And then a few months back her baby (sorry, don´t remember his name either) --- not more than 10 months old, I´d say --- was in the hospital and really sick. We had the chance to pray for her baby, and I found out that he was discharged quickly, and completely healthy. I had just seen him the day before, and he looked wonderful.

Anyways, one of her daughters was there (her name is Xiomera, and she´s 11) and apparently anxious to meet me. Her Mom confirmed her questions saying "yes, she´s the one; she gave us the Bible". She asked if I were Christian, then told me that she was a Christian too. Her Mom said that all of her 6 kids (even the little baby) go to church together to listen to the pastor every Sunday. Xiomera was super-excited and hugged me about 5 times in between worried looks that I´d be leaving Quito since I won´t have my apt. anymore, telling me that God hears ALL our prayers, that she was thinking if there might be somewhere for me to stay, and then just hugging me for hugging´s sake. I told her I felt a lot better about the whole thing just knowing I had a prayer-warrior like her backing me up!

I introduced Jessica and Daisy to Xiomera and her Mom, and invited Xiomera to join us another Sunday when she could (she had a previous committment so couldn´t join us right away), then Jess and Dais and me went to play on the swings and slides, monkey bars and piles of rocks. We ate lunch together, which involved them waiting patiently for about 20 minutes as I stood in line at McDonald´s -- saving a table for us and guarding my backpack. We washed our hands, said our prayers, ate and looked for a special Bible verse for each of them to sign in my Bible, then went to see the animals in the window at the pet store. We got back to their Mom just in time to avoid getting totally soaking wet from an "aguacero" (a downpour). I´ve known those girls for 6 years. Jessica was about 2, and needed frequent bathroom-breaks when I first started taking her on "outings". But she remembers every single one, and now asks me every time we meet if I do too. (And I do.)

It´s really an incredible thing, when your relationships are your evangelism, and your profession is your ministry. There´s really nothing quite like it in the whole world :)

love m

Communication Law

Quick note --- there is currently dissension in ALL parties over the current communication law. Although there is supposed to be debate, report, or voting happening tomorrow -- all of that may very well be suspended and postponed yet again.

Thank you for your continued prayer support of Ecuador in these types of decisions,, that they would be honoring to God.

thanx, M

Neutral Bouyancy

Any SCUBA divers reading? (NAUI-certified, preferible - ha!)

Got talking to some of the group during this last trip, about my time in Orlando, which in turn reminded me about getting my SCUBA certification... and since all roads really do lead back to God, thought I´d share :)

I got certified a while back, on the road to being a dolphin trainer at Sea World (which never actually happened...) All the practice dives were an absolute MESS for me,,, mask not fitting right, sinuses draining, tanks, weights, etc. - you name it. Something was off every single time. Except for the certification dive... it all came together (after my dive buddy grabbed my foot when I suddenly started ascending) when we dove down 70ft. a few miles out in the Gulf of Mexico to an old Navy ship. It was incredible.

Anyways, one of the most important things you learn in SCUBA is something called neutral bouyancy. What happens is, all the equipment you have to put on (wetsuit and O2 tanks) changes your weight, and your bouyancy. So when you´re diving (deep) - if your bouyancy isn´t neutral (balanced), your body is susceptible to even subtle changes (lungs full or empty, O2 tanks full or empty - and any combination in between ... just for example), which in turn can send you rapidly to the surface (causing bubbles in the blood - "the bends", or rapidly downward - without the chance to equalize the pressures in your craneal cavities; nasty - and life-threatening either way). One of my dive-mates popped some blood vessels in his eyes on one of the practice dives... So the diver´s equipment logic is as follows: wear the wetsuit (which makes me more bouyant) to protect my body from the extremely cold water temperatures down below; wear a weight belt to counteract the extra bouyancy from the wetsuit; put on the bouyancy vest (which can be adjusted) to counteract the weightbelt and the varying weight of the O2 tanks (full - half - empty). All my equipment in place, I get into the water and add/subtract weights and/or bouyancy in the vest until I´m completely balanced (floating with my eyes/nose just above the water, if I remember right). That´s neutral bouyancy.

Well, I´m thinking that maybe God wants to teach us spiritual neutral bouyancy. For me, that´s "the peace that passes all understanding", the power of His presence in ANY situation,,, it´s what made Jesus able to sleep down below in the boat in the middle of a terrifying storm.

I think all that spiritual armor we have to put on and manage changes our own natural bouyancy, and that the battles we´re asked to dive into require lots of training and planning. And once we´ve figured out how to use all the equipment, then its time to check for spiritual neutral bouyancy. We can´t dive in until we´ve got it... it´s just too risky. It´s what helps us to manage the daily situations that abruptly arise, without either shooting up way high, too fast,,, or bottoming-out when sometimes we have to pick-up (or even hold for a while) those heavy (spiritual) things...

There are other important dive rules, too. For example, you don´t go down quickly --- you stop every so often on the way down to equalize the pressure in your craneum (the sinus cavities). And you don´t go back up quickly either --- you stop every so many feet (I don´t remember exactly,,, but there´s a dive chart for that) so your bloodstream doesn´t develop those bubbles. And dive times and depths are limited!!! You have to plan according to how deep you want to go or how many dives you want to do that day... and prioritize. There are also restrictions on air travel within 24-48 hours of diving, for the changes in altitude and atmospheric pressure on your body... for example. I can see spiritual implications for each of those points, too. The thing about SCUBA diving (and Christian walking), experience doesn´t bring immunity. EVERY dive is a risk.

This in mind, I ask for your prayer support of missionaries all over the world, who dove in for Christ. For those who have lost (or maybe never even had) neutral bouyancy. For those who have gone in to valiently fight, but have lost O2 from their tanks, went down too fast, or tried to go back up too quickly. For those who have stayed down too deep for too long, or have made too many consecutive dives -- and their (spiritual) bodies just aren´t holding up. Please pray.

There´s a special chamber that divers can go into if they´ve had a bout with the bends. Depending on the severity of it,,, its totally treatable that way. And I know there´s a special chamber I can go to when something´s out of balance --- right into the arms of my Lord and Savior.

Don´t let the risks scare you away --- prepare for them, and have FUN diving --- it´s really beautiful down there!

And yes, it´s worth the risk.
love m

FREEDOM OF...

Please be keeping Ecuador tightly in your prayers as the Constitutional Assembly will be considering the new draft of the Communication Law here in the next few days (or week).

There are 2 sides to this story --- one which begs for ethical and responsible journalism (not slander and defamation of character) - and the other, which begs for freedom to report news without prior censorship. From what I can distinguish (sometimes is very little) each side has reasonable arguments.

As I´ve been living and working as a health professional in Ecuador for the past (almost) 6 years, I do believe that we need evangelism in the professional realm --- that is to say,, we desperately need professionals who are sold out for Christ, who are willing to stand up to some terrible pressures and to fight for ethical and proper treatment of patients, clients, etc. --- proper in God´s eyes... accountable to God for telling the truth, timely and proper decision-making, use of power, etc. We desperately need Christian grown-ups, in ALL walks of life.

I pray that this pending debate would be a "call to arms" for Christ-followers in Ecuador. An opportunity instead of a threat --- the opportunity to pray that God would reveal those spiritual warriors in the professional world here, that He has been preparing all along. Pray that Ecuador would become the country that God intended for it to be...

thanx for joining me in loving Ecuador :)
m

Thank you MOST Ministries and Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church

It´s my good pleasure to thank the team from MOST Ministries, under Carly´s gentle supervision, that screened and provided eye-glasses for (together with Vista Para Todos) around 500 people in Cotacachi, Otavalo and Zambiza (I believe there were just over 100 served at Zambiza alone). And it was a wonderful and detailed touch on the part of Vista Para Todos to give the team the opportunity to personally meet the person who received the wheelchair they were able to donate. It was a very touching experience for all of us.

I´m grateful, too, for kind words and encouragement --- and the many hugs --- I received from team members. That little bit of human kindness goes a very long way! It was fun to be able to share Ecuador with this team, the people, the stories, and all of the quirks that I´ve fallen in love with --- and to see them fall in love, too. Thank you to the team for being open, and willing and sharing all of that with me.

I pray that the relationships formed here would be blessed by God, for eternity :)

Michelle

Street Ministry

I´m happy to let you know that a friend of mine who used to attend República (the church I attend here in Quito) has a new job - courtesy of our Mayor Augusto Barrera and the City of Quito... they´ve divided the city into zones and established houses in each sector where parents who work on the streets can leave their kids during the day/night and provide some level of care. We met this week, and she was asking me about "my" kids in the Iñaquito zone. Turns out she was told by those who know, that the kids in that section are particularly dangerous - getting involved in drugs and such early on. It doesn´t surprise me that God would have worked me around towards those guys.

I´m going to see if I can get back in touch with her and/or her organization to see if some type of mission collaboration would be possible with them. It´s a very interesting possibility, don´t you think? :)

Our God really IS an awesome God.

Will check in sometime the first week of July to let you know how the MOST Ministries visit went. Thanx for remembering us in your prayers :)

Michelle

Privileged to know...

I think it´s a special privilege when God gives us glimpses here and there of different little (and maybe even sometimes big) ways He has been using us; after all, I don´t think He´s obligated to :)

Dr. Vallejo (the ENT who did the technical edition of the book) told me last week that the Dysphagia Team, complete with the whole medical team involved with a particular patient, was put to the test --- and came out successfully through accurate documentation and case management. Dr. Vallejo said it was because of what I´d taught them all.

thank you to each of you who made it possible for me to be here, to teach them that.

And I bumped into Paty the other day, she also mentioned that case to me --- and that she´s personally consulting the Lord for wisdom when she sees that she´s over her head on a case.

thank you to each of you who made it possible for me to be here, to model that.

And there´s a young lady who sells pirated movies and such, who I befriended without buying, who had been in a convent for several years, left for confusion and deception, and now tells me she has recovered her own personal relationship with the Lord as we´ve talked on the sidewalk a little at a time here and there over the past (almost) 6 years.

thank you to each of you who made it possible for me to be here, to talk her through that.


I´m privileged to know the people I know here, that God would use me in so many tiny ways that are just about imperceptible to the naked eye, and to be able to see the many wonderful things He can continue doing in my ABSENCE --- watching out for "my" street kids, watching out for my family in the States, taking care of the work He did with me in sowing an entire playing field,,, etc. etc. etc. It´s a privilege to be in His service.

Wishing all of God´s best to you as you continue in His plan for you! your friend in Christ, michelle

Pending

Would like to take a minute to let you know of the following (BIG) adventures that are pending for me:

- meeting with Fernando and Dr. Vallejo re: book publication, number of copies, and manner (Dr. Vallejo is super-excited about being the "Director of the Dysphagia Clinic at Vozandes", the "Technical Editor" of the book, and about having it officially and publicly launched to the medical community :)

- packing the house for planned move (don´t know where) in October.

- waiting confirmed response from Freddy (apt. owner) to confirm my stay in the apt. until end of Sept.

- waiting response from dysphagia therapists in Chile for my pending visit there.

- waiting response from several companies and a friend here regarding our plans to do medical translations.

- waiting notification from missions and ministries in Quito re: paid participation in translation activities.

In the meantime,
- meetings planned re: help for my Street Kids
- am preparing to receive MOST Ministries team (19-25 june)
- am preparing written hand-outs, powerpoints, workshops for Ricardo and Rocio at Nuevos Amigos

Thanx for remembering me in your prayers as my Lord leads me lovingly through each step in this transition process... Michelle

State of the Union...

Just a quick update to give you a general idea of the nature of things in THIS half of the world to date:

Good news:
* It´s exciting to see "simulacros" being organized for disaster management... that hasn´t been a typical approach in the past 6 years that I´ve seen. It´s encouraging to see Quito and surrounding areas coming together (in the rescue services, at least) to practice disaster planning and dress rehearsals for potential earthquakes and volcano eruptions. The city of Quito is sending out professionals to review buildings for earthquake-readiness, for example. I´m grateful to the Lord to see the pro-active people (who were ALWAYS here, but mostly hidden) coming to the forefront - and apparently in positions of authority - taking responsible steps towards general safety and handling of difficult situations, as a team.

*Police at city and government levels are more visible now than ever, and are contributing to regulation of traffic, break-up of gangs, confiscation of weapons and drugs, etc. --- I´m seeing more news reports about successful police operations in general. There is also a large force out to help enforce "pico y placa" (to reduce congestion in the city during rush hour). I´m grateful to the Lord to see more organized efforts to address clear "wrongs" and injustices,,, to put things in good working order. It represents either a) a change in thinking, b) a change in attitude of those in charge, c) a change of priorities, or d) all of the above. Whatever the motive, the results are starting to look more positive.

*Face-lift: Quito is getting a face-lift in this past year. All of the malls are being re-done, complete with sidewalk cafés, security officers, new stone sidewalks, controlled and supervised parking areas, designated pedestrian areas and cross-walks, ... and the beauty and safety are being MAINTAINED over this past year :) The changes are phenomenal (you´d never believe it if you hadn´t seen it when I first arrived). They´ve taken out a couple of "redondels" -- the round-a-bouts to improve traffic flow, and the landscaping is also very beautiful. In all these areas, I´m seeing less grafitti, more security officers, more plants, trees, flowers and grass,, and more buildings that are "easy on the eyes". I´m thinking our new mayor is behind much of this organization and improvements I´m seeing here lately. Please keep him (Augusto Barrera) in your prayers. Join me in thanking the Lord for the peace and joy and comfort that come from the little details in life, that help you to relax a little and really enjoy your environment :)

Discouraging reports and concerns:
*The justice system seems to have so completely caved in, that all the positive efforts the police force is making are coming to naught ---- the successful operations, confiscation of truckloads of weapons and gangs of 5-10 people at a time are frustrated with the rapid RELEASE of prisoners, even those who are involved in weapons and murder cases. You can see the complete frustration and disillusion on the officers´faces when they´re being interviewed on tv. Please keep them all in your prayers -- as they literally face terrible life-death situations daily, are working on our behalf, see good results, then are completely undermined by lack of support.

*There is an increase this year in GUNS FOR HIRE, and related murders. Unfortunately, the latest news reports say that teens are answering the ads for quick money. Although the initial assassinations reported seemed (to me) to be between gang members or drug-related, there´s a growing national concern,,, and President Correa has issued the formation of a special force to investigate and interrupt this specific type of crime. Please keep us all in your prayers, that personal value could be restored and people would be more interested in dealing with each other again than settling for technical distance and simulated living.

* Tungurahua continues to erupt, showing lava flow and another strong explosion this weekend. Many people who don´t usually evacuate have agreed to evacuate this time; others insist on staying. I´m happy to see the organized city response this time (so very different from the 2006 eruption, that I can tell). I´m also encouraged to see people responding positively to the evacuation, and taking advantage of offered refuges. Thank you for your prayers for all of those involved directly with a potential full eruption, who could lose homes, cattle, crops, and lives; and for the rest, who will likely experience shortages and price increases for certain products following such an eruption. It would impact the entire nation.

God´s best to you all in your labor of love for Him.
Sincerely,
Michelle

Mama Tunguraghua (Burning Throat)

Those of you who have been following my entire stay in Ecuador may remember the eruption of one of our most active volcanoes here in July and August of 2006 - which involved pyroclastic flow, and covered a large area, affecting primarily Baños (a popular tourist spot with hot springs and such).

On Friday morning, Tunguraghua took geophysicists and others by surprise with a new and very strong eruption, and has continued spewing lava, rocks, and ash through the weekend. In the midday news report today, scientists are saying that they "cannot rule-out" a much larger eruption. They stated that the energy present in the volcano to date, is much more than it was in 2006... and they are figuring at least 3 possible scenarios (one of which, being that there may be no further developments). They moved the alert to its highest possible level today, and are currently under voluntary evacuations.

Prayer request for the people of Cotopaxi province, and all those who live in Baños and the skirts of the volcano. Their homes, cattle and crops are all affected by just the ash alone (which continues spewing while "the colossus" (one of its names) continues re-adjusting internal pressures). This volcano has a history of significant damage in the 18th and 19th centuries here, where whole towns like Riobamba were buried. There was talk after the 2006 eruptions that the whole area should be cleared of homes/farms and made a national park... maybe they´ll start considering that option again.

Thanx for your prayers for the people of Ecuador.
Your friend in Christ,
michelle

Book publication

Just to let you know that Dr. Vallejo and I have a meeting on Wednesday morning at 10:00 to turn in the flash and printed copy of the Dysphagia book to Jenny at Compassion. (Yes, that would be a delay from the announcement I made a couple of weeks ago --- I was so excited to be near the end, I jumped the gun.)

I´ll have to wait until after that meeting to let you know how the rest of the process will go, and how much time they´re anticipating it should take.

For anyone who originally invested in Mission: Ecuador for the children´s books --- Jenny still has all the materials I turned in to her, and I´ll be talking to her further about following up on all of that in this next year.

Asking for your prayerful consideration, as there are now many possibilities for work, living arrangements, and moves, etc. --- but sometimes there are long delays between "road-signs", and it makes it challenging to know what to write. No concrete visuals to date, but Ohhhhhh how I do see God working HARD on something behind the scenes.

God´s best to each and every one!
Michelle

Welcome, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church and MOST Ministries

I´d like to send a tremendous welcome to the church where I grew up in Warner Robins, GA - and to the rest of the team members who are currently planning their first trip here to Quito, Ecuador - arriving Sat, 19th June - through Friday, the 25th of June.

For all of you who have come down from RiverTree in Ohio, you´ll appreciate the first-time nerves, now that reports are coming in to them about indigenous marches and road-blocks, volcano eruptions, and potential earthquakes during their stay.

Would you join me in prayer for the 12 team members, Vista Para Todos staff, 3-4 translators + myself, who plan to participate in eyeglass/vision clinics in Cotacachi, Otavalo, Ibarra, and Zámbiza during that week? We´ll be traveling on Sunday the 20th - through Wednesday, the 23rd. Work will be inside of Quito for Thursday and Friday.

Your prayer support and kind words are always appreciated, as challenges and obstacles to ANY plan are somewhat chronic here -- I´ve learned it´s smartest to stay on my knees.

thank you so much for your faithful love and service,
your friend in Christ,
michelle

Yellow-brick road :)

I´m willing to bet most of you don´t realize that my actual mission call was back when I was 17 years old... it was just between God and me, and I said a "yes" which He apparently took VERY seriously.

Before I even showed up at RiverTree, I had followed His leading from Warner Robins to Atlanta (thought I´d be a Spanish interpreter, but they didn´t think my B.A. in Spanish and current speaking/writing level was even good enough to let me in the school to learn more); Atlanta to Athens (for speech-language pathology in graduate school --- thought it might be cool to be a bilingual SLP someday, maybe; and that´s when my Dad passed away from cancer). It´s where I intended to stay to have a home and family, except that God spoke again, and I moved on...to Ohio, where I stayed faithful to my Lutheran upbringing and joined Holy Cross, the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church about a spit away from my apt. --- until God thought I should be at Jackson Christian Church (which then shortly became RiverTree),,, where He made sure I got trained up to really study the Bible, listen closely to Him, and stay faithful. I was looking for a condo in North Canton (I loved the church, my job, and the whole climate and area), when He called me to Ecuador (right after I had a near-lethal bout with heart arrythmias).

And there wasn´t a thing He´s taught me since I was 17 that I haven´t desperately needed here. He has been so very INSISTENT with me (and more PATIENT than you could ever know!).

I think you all need to know that He´s speaking to me again, that I´ve been given some very specific and wonderful promises, and that I will obey His leading... just as soon as I know what that is.

For now, I´m doing my best to make sure the Vozandes team is on its feet (the book should really help), and that the Street Kids have somebody following up with them (hopefully Casa Gabriel, with Extreme Response), and that Compassion and my good friends at Nuevos Amigos have as much as I can give them in the way of training workshops and manuals (in my SLP area)in the next year. I´m looking for a roomate to share time, expenses and possibly "inherit" the apt next July, and for God´s financial provision (through medical translating work, translating for work teams, and possibly - later in Dysphagia research and program development), and am physically getting ready (sorting, packing, repairing in the apt. I´m currently in) for what comes next.

Will be sure to keep you posted, as so much is still pending at this point.

Trust your walk with Him is "golden" as well!
Michelle

Dysphagia book

Those of you who have followed a bit more closely the Vozandes-aspect of my ministry here in Quito would appreciate knowing (I do believe) that, in addition to the team that has been trained at Hospital Vozandes - Quito, we will now have (in the next 4-6 weeks) a published book that sets up the rules for play for the program!

One of the hardest challenges I´ve faced in the past few years has been resisting the pressure (from SO many sides) to simply provide dsyphagia services -- although this specialized profession does not exist in this country,,,, so there have been no rules for conduct, decision-making, training (academic or clinical), vocabulary -- and the list goes on. So as I was chipping away at living the example and training Paty and Karla, I was also documenting all of my own decisions, rationale, protocols, clinical hours, plans, etc. and turning them in to my hospital authorities (to protect all of us). Dysphagia is a medical diagnosis, and one that affects both breathing and nutrition -- so if a therapist doesn´t know what he/she is doing, somebody can get hurt. And in my case, Ecuador´s opinion of the service depended entirely on what they saw from me... so I researched, and studied, and documented. And now, through an incredible turn of events, it´s a book.

Together with my medical friends at Vozandes, we are pushing for the ETHICAL and God-fearing practice of this new profession in Ecuador. We are emphasizing personal and professional responsibility to patients, through excellency in practice. Communication and teamwork are an essential part of good dysphagia practice, and this requires something that the majority of professional Ecuatorians are missing --- willingness to collaborate instead of compete.... (to be honest, I don´t believe that´s only Ecuador --- but God gave me this responsibility here, so here is where I´m tackling it.) And there are MANY well-respected and established Ecuatorian doctors who have worked side-by-side with me over these last (almost) 6 years, who are cheering this project on. They not only want this new program,,, they really want excellence in service provision. They really lack academic and professional support (that we are SO blessed with in the States) for actually carrying it out.

For those who worked directly with patients alongside of me, I had the chance to model my own dependence on God´s wisdom and leading for each and every patient who came our way. It slowed things down tremendously, but resulted in a wonderful comprehension of our work, patients´needs, and accountability. And they saw how God turned obstacles into footstools, and enemies into friends --- through simple prayer --- all the way through. They decide now if they want to seek God´s face in their continued growth, or if they think they should handle it on their own. Please pray for the whole team, as they´ll struggle with all kinds of emotions like pride, effects of fame (they´re getting patients from all over Ecuador,,, and being recruited by other hospitals),, and will have to consciously decide their motivation for continuing on. Sometimes blessings are harder to handle than sadnesses.

I´m excited for this book to be published, as it should shift attention from my person, directly to the profession itself. And I pray that it helps the team to solidify, get its bearings, and decide when and how to advance in the subject. In its minimum function, it will be a safety net for Karla and Paty in their daily practice, whether they advance any further or not.

As for me, God apparently has me on the sidelines since last November - with the start of the "book" (I would have written sooner about it if I understood then what was happening), in a sort of "language school" until September --- advancing my Spanish language to university/post-grad language level. (All that when I was thinking of signing up for a course!) I´ve had personal training through the book editing alongside of Dr. Vallejo, and have been translating medical documents. Eventually, I may have the opportunity to be paid for it. It´s quite an opportunity,,, and most likely means that He´s not finished with me yet on the subject!! And there´s a pending trip to Chile in the fall to connect with a dysphagia therapist there (who does research, and is linked to one of their wonderful universities). We´ll see how God works that all together.

Many more possibilities in the works, but since they are so many, and involve many other people and variables, prefer to simply ask for general prayer on that count, at which point, I´d be happy to share when God has given me clear vision on those counts.

Pray each of you sees God in little and big ways every single day.
love in christ,
michelle

Mother´s Day

Thought this would be a good time and place to let you know how I celebrated Mother´s Day...

One of the street families I know very well is that of Joaquin´s family (he sells Pinguino icecream in front of the hospital). The kids were home visiting (they live with relatives a few hours away during the school year to attend classes), and their Mom sent them off to have lunch ...with ME!!

It started out just me and Daisy,,, but then Jessica (7), Jefferson (12), and Carlos (13) (cousin) all showed up sweaty (having run top-speed uphill 2 blocks) at McDonald´s in the Plaza, screaming "Michelle" and giving hugs as they came in. Thing is, I only had $5 left to spend between the 3 of them!!... So I gave the bill to Jeff (he´s the oldest), and told him they would have to see how to make it work between the 3. so....

I thought my eyes would drop out, as they came back to the table with 3 burgers. Then the cousin ran out somewhere -- they explained to me that he had gone to buy juice elsewhere (as they had decided they couldn´t afford the sodas there). Carlos came back with a huge bottle of juice, and 1 plastic cup ---- and they poured the drink out, and gave it to ME!!! Can you believe it??

I was able to gift Jefferson a Bible for his birthday (about 6 months ago), and he told me before that he reads it. ... with that kind of stewardship, I really believe him!!

Have a great day ... and Happy Mother´s Day to all the real Moms out there!
your friend in Christ,
Michelle

Transition time again!!!

Greetings to my long (sort-of) lost friends in Christ!!! I´ve found the opportunity to sit down and re-access the blog account I had set up from Ohio -- then couldn´t use from here for COUNTLESS complications and overwhelming job responsibilities...

Anyways,
thought you´d be interested in knowing that all who have participated in the 5-year march to form the first-ever Dysphagia program in Ecuador are (apparently) super excited for the team and service they´ve created (yey!)!!! so much so, in fact, that different medical specialists are participating in all kinds of ways to make sure they don´t lose what they´ve all worked so very hard to achieve :) I just found out this week that one of the neurologists plans to mention the program while he´s at a medical conference in Argentina -- how neat!

For those of you who have been following me with the street kids, one of the twins (Joey) told me something very, very special a couple of months back... he said that he was sorry for getting upset with me a couple of years ago when I scolded him for sitting in the street, that he wondered if I´d forgive him; he said he remembered ALL the things I´d done for him and his family... sitting in the rain with them, playing games, and bringing them hot soup -- and he said "thank you for all you´ve done for us". He´s just 11 or so. And he´s the most quiet and shy one of all the kids I´ve worked with. Lots of the kids aren´t hanging out on the street anymore. I´ve found out over time that they really do have a lot of choice in the matter. It´s neat to find out that they´ve stayed home.

So another transition is starting, with God leading me slowly down this last stretch of road here... I´m working towards transitioning my ministry duties here to Ecuatorians who are passionate about seeing all of it along. That´s already happening in grand form at Vozandes (with God´s leading I stepped out in March, and am really tickled to see that the team has stepped up and is taking charge of the program.). And I´ve found some potential partners in the Street Kids ministry, which I´ll tell you more about as that crystalizes.

The other big news is that I now have Ecuatorian residency... it´s really a special blessing, because it facilitates my continued long-term support of the program we started here. Lots less paperwork and less expensive in the long-haul. There is now some communication with therapists in Chile, who may in the future be interested in some type of collaboration or academic support of us here. I´ve been working on a book (didn´t start out intentionally to be that) with one of the ENT´s here editing it with me (it´s in Spanish), that should be ready for publishing by the end of this month. Should help to network our program with others (I hope.). Planning to travel to Chile in October (mostly personal, but some professional reasons) - and hope to come back with LOTS of news!!

God´s best to each of you, and I´ll try to update once every couple of weeks here so you know what´s going on. Sometimes there are long gaps for me in knowing what´s next, and I see God teaching me patient, faith-full waiting. I´ll let you all know when I do what´s next.

love in christ,
michelle