things are heating up

We have noticed that during the past few days there has been an increase in the temperature here at the beach and an increase in pressure for us to get things done before certain deadlines. Both are the natural result of the progression of the months.

We are now in the rainy season which means that about every other day we can expect some steady rain, usually during the night. It is during this season that we also find the temperature and humidity climbing, although we are still considerably cooler here than in the city of Guayaquil. Our little beach town is becoming busier during the weeks and quite crowded with sun-seekers on the weekends.

The Camp season is also now looming on the horizon and we are getting busier by the day. Our ministry is heating up! The school break here is different from that of the northern hemisphere as here it is usual to have a few weeks off during the months of January through March. We would especially appreciate it if you would begin to pray for the following activities in these upcoming weeks.

February 8 -17 Canadian Camp Preparation Team
February 18-23 Youth Camp,
February 25-March 1 First Children’s Camp,
March 5-March 8 Leaders Training Camp,
March 10-15 Second Children’s Camp,
March 24-29 Older Youth

In addition to this we will have the initial long-term camp planning meeting on Saturday, January 19th. This will be an all day event at the camp and will be first time that our planning committee will get together as such. The purpose of this group is to begin to take steps towards being responsible for the camp facility itself. We will begin to look at the vision for the camp and start to think about how we will translate that vision into reality. There have been some hurts in the past, mostly due to a lack of communication and we hope to address those issues early on in order that we might see the group work together to advance the ministry here at El Faro.

In selecting this committee we have aimed to strike a balance between the four brethren churches in Guayaquil along with missionary representation. Please pray for the committee members; Willian, Felipe, Joanna, Daniel, David E., David D., Gaby, Maria-Eugenia, Janna, Dale, Kelly and myself.

Genesis 18;1
“The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.”
What would I feel if the Lord appeared to me while I was sitting here on my deck at the camp sipping on some maracuya juice in the heat of the day? Would I be startled? Would I be disbelieving? Would I know it was the Lord? What would I say? Or would I remain speechless? As I read through Genesis I am struck by how this incident and others seem to be recorded as if they were everyday, natural, normal, unsurprisingly, matter of fact events. Maybe it’s because I have read these passages so many times that they have lost their impact for me. But think about it for a minute - “The Lord appeared to Abraham”-this is a supernatural event that is being recorded! It’s a miracle! William Lane Craig is quoted as saying in “The Case for Faith” by Lee Strobel, “a miracle is an event which is not producible by the natural causes that are operative at the time and place that the event occurs.” As the story unfolds in the next few chapters it is obvious that is what is taking place in the life of Abraham.

I am not anticipating any miracles in my life but hopefully if the Lord does appear to me suddenly I will recognize Him and have the humble servant’s attitude that Abraham displays and be intercessory in my conversation with Him as he was. But wait! Shouldn’t that be my attitude every day?