A Week in Machachi

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think [or imagine] according to the power at work within us, to HIM be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Amen! This week in Machachi God INDEED did more than we ask or imagined! Let me tell you a few of the ways so that you– the church –may give glory to Him, just like Ephesians says.

Here are a few of my highlights from the week-

Machachi Moms- The team held a free kids’ camp three days this week. While the kids heard a Bible story, played games, & did crafts, I got to talk with their moms! While working in an adopted area with REAP Ecuador, building long lasting relationships is key! I sat & talked with them one afternoon. I shared my story of how the Lord saved me, what my relationship with Him means to me, & how now Jesus is my life & my hope through the testimony of my Mom’s sickness. I shared my photo album with them, of course! ;-) These women were a blessing to me! Praise the Lord they shared contact info so FBC Camden can follow-up in September when they return to Machachi!

Juan Carlos- On our last afternoon in Machachi, a young man overheard us speaking English and began to talk to us! He had lived in Canada for four years and had recently returned to Machachi where he was born. As we told him why we were here- to teach the Bible- he eagerly asked WHEN & WHERE. Since it was our last day there, we invited him to join us that night for café y pan (coffee & bread) at the hosteria, where we’d planned to visit with our host family. This random coincidence was actually a divine appointment!

From Empanadas & Chocolate Bread to a Bible study with the lost- The last few hours of Friday, we planned to spend casually visiting with our host family, and now Juan Carlos. The Lord had much greater plans! Brief comments of why we are here & a few words about our love for the people of Machachi lead to questions and discussion about how the topic of God is so taboo & how we believe there is one way to One God. Juan Carlos, whom God divinely appointed for us to meet on the street a few hours before, asked, “How exactly is the correct way to pray?” So we studied verse by verse through The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6. They continued to ask GREAT questions! The Lord gave us more opportunity to share HIS WORD than we’d ever imagined!!! We gave Bibles to Juan Carlos & the host family, which included their teenage niece, Bianca. We taught them how to read them. Early in the evening, Bianca stated that she believed all paths lead to the one God. Although by the end of the evening, she said, “I’ve never read the Bible before, but now I must. There’s no escaping it!” Praise the Lord that both Juan Carlos & Bianca are eager to read their first very copy of God’s Word!

I could go on and on with stories of people we met & ways our incredible Lord worked beyond our imaginations! The team worked in the daycare, showed Christian movies in the town theater, visited in people’s homes, prayed with people, smiled & talked to hundreds as we lived in Machachi for the week! God IS working beyond our own abilities because HE IS STRENGTH & HE IS SALVATION!

And finally, I cannot end without saying, what a JOY it was to work with my brothers & sisters from Camden this week! The friendships the Lord gave me in them also reflect Ephesians 3:20- more than I could have asked or imagined!

Pray for –
-Juan Carlos & Bianca as they read the Word of God for the first time.
-The Machachi Moms & their kids to grow hungry for the truth they heard this week so they will be EAGER to study the Bible when the team returns in September.
-First Baptist Church Camden, SC as they continue investing in Machachi, Ecuador. Pray for their continual obedience to however the Lord leads them to become more & more involved in this work of the Lord! What a blessing it is!