April 28, 2011

 FAMILY NEWS

Our family is doing well.  Brad is enjoying his new job.  He loves to work with executive jets.  Hawker 4000 is Beechcraft’s jet that has been his responsibility.  Dave and Brenda Meyer are packing for their return to Cayambe, Ecuador for their second term of ministry in church planting.  Seth and Bonnie Killen are enjoying Aubrey Grace as she grows and changes so quickly.  We are enjoying good health and strength to continue the ministry God has called us to accomplish here in Quito, Ecuador. 

EASTER WEEK OUTREACH

Four of the evangelism students were very busy during the “holy week” around Ecuador.  Holy week is a special week on the calendar for the catholic church.  Many hear the message of salvation for the first time.  The message of Jesus is well-known, but the truth of salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross is neglected.  So when the men go out on evangelism ministries the message is heard for the first time in many communities.  Pablo went to his home town.  Eusebio shared the message in the church service on Friday night with an added feature of the black light on florescent paint; that caught everyone’s attention.  Very affective method he used.  Estalin went to Borja to share the message with lots of children.  Jaime presented the gospel message with his family and co-workers on the job.  Not one of these four had ever done this before.  How thrilling to see their zeal for the Word presented in a very simple, understandable way.  This is the work that you are involved in as you pray, give and participate in the building of Christ’s church.  Rejoice with us.   

MISSIONS EMPHASIS

One week in May will be dedicated to missions in our Bible institute and Berean fellowship of churches.  Three experienced missionaries will be presenting the ministry of missions to the tribal people of South America.  They serve in Colombia and Peru among other countries as well.  Our goal is to discuss the possibility of their work in the Ecuadorian jungle as well.  God knows our desire to serve these communities where the Bible must be taught to build a strong Bible-based church in each community.  Pray for the students as they listen to the challenge of missions around the world.  Ask God to open their hearts to serve in areas of greatest need in Ecuador.  The need in our mission ministry is to send out sixteen couples into the harvest fields of Ecuador.  These are Ecuadorian missionaries with the preparation and heart to serve God effectively.    

LA BOTA NEWS

Sharon and I went to visit a family who are having problems in their marriage.  Freddy and Jessica are not believers, however were very attentive to listen to the message.  He is very hardened to things of God.  Needless to say we prayed for this visit, asking God to work in his heart.  To our joy and rejoicing we saw God answer prayer in a way that was not imagined.  They have asked us to return for another visit.  That is a miracle.  Thank you, God, for the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of this couple.  Pray with us that they will make the eternal decision to trust Christ for salvation.      

  BIBLE INSTITUTE UPDATE

This school year is flying by.  Should the five students finish writing their thesis, we will graduate five students this year.  It is exciting to see that God is working in their lives to bring them to a maturity in Christ to serve.   Graduation will be June 18.  We will celebrate the blessings of our God during the year of studies.  Growth spiritually has taken place.  We celebrate God’s work in the lives of young people who are willing to serve Him.  This summer a former graduate and teacher, Fernando Bassler, will be returning from a year of studies in the USA to teach a summer course for those students who can take the time to learn some more of God’s Word.  This is thrilling to me as our students graduate; minister the Word to others; continue their education; and then return to teach more Ecuadorians the same truth.  We are truly in the third generation of 2 Timothy 2:2.  Will we see the “others teaching others” generation while we are here in Ecuador?          

GOALS FOR THE FUTURE

My heart aches for many churches without a pastor or leadership who understand the Bible enough to be able to teach.  I know of many of those kinds of churches here in Ecuador and would ask you to pray that our Bible institute would be able to extend our teaching outside this province.  Teaching in other areas means lots of planning and lots of preparation for teaching these extension classes.  Pray for me as this becomes a reality in our future ministry of teaching.                  

PRAYER REQUEST

Pray for the eight evangelists who are going out to share the message of salvation with others.  You and I know how discouraging that ministry can be.  Pray hard for them and their faithful witness to each and every Ecuadorian.  Would it be an impossibility to send some of them outside of this country?  That is the message of missions in God’s Word.

Because Jesus lives,

Lynford and Sharon Regier