This was our last weekend here. God really blessed us because all of Manuel and Elvia´s family (and ours too) were here!  On Sunday we took pictures of all the family, because they hadn’t done that for years. It was hard to say good bye but we know we are coming back

It also was  very interesting because  we also had all the kids from the Saturday morning Oansa program sleepover too!  What a wild night!

It was a fun and a sad weekend and we are now working on packing, which is kind of hard because it reminds us that we are leaving and saying good bye to our Ecuadorian family.  Please pray for us during this time of saying goodbye.

We will are leaving for MN at 6AM from Quito, on July 2nd.  We look forward to connecting with you guys, please contact us if you want to get together!

Here’s our flight info for anyone who wants to follow our journey to MN:

Quito to Houston – Flight CO654
Houston to Minneapolis – Flight CO2950

Pastor Manuel Rosero (President of MEDE and President of the Free Methodist Church in Ecuador) has been working very hard on producing the content for the EcuadorMetodistaLibre.org .  Manuel had asked for my help with this, as part of our tasks of service here in Quito while we explore the future of our ministry.

As a web designer, making designing the site is the easiest part, the hardest part is getting the content of the pages up, which is the responsibility of the person/organization.  Manuel has impressively been writing and posting his content which has helped the site develop very rapidly.  Thanks Manuel!

The site is still under development, there’s plenty of work to be done, but its viewable, and Manuel wanted to get the word out.  He also has a news section where he just wrote a very special post about us.
Here is the English for you non-Spanish speakers

On this occasion, I would like to thank the Doar Family, Rob, Kirtie and Isabela, who came from Minnesota USA observe the Ecuadorian mission field, and the Lord has placed the burden on their hearts and the perspective to come as missionaries to support different areas of work, because God has given them many talents and abilities, they want to put them to His service, and that may well be in Ecuador with the Free Methodist Mission, or as the Lord guides them.

With his help, which we consider very valuable, we successfully carried out the design of this website of the MMLE, and Rob will be giving technical support of this site.  The month of August 2008 it will be published officially. You can now visit our website, www.mmle.org although it is not finished, it has the basic elements and information.

In addition, during the time they been visiting us in Quito Ecuador, (6 weeks) they have given us support in strengthening the youth group of the “Luz y Vida” South church, and training the worship team of the same church. We thank, Rob, Kirstie and Isabela Doar for their help and may God reward them plenty for their generosity and delivery of service to the Ecuadorian Free Methodist Church during the month of June 2008, Blessings.

This time in Quito really has been an amazing experience! I’ve been enjoying helping out Elvia with all her work!

For me it’s so cool because I’m getting to work hands on with these kids, showing the love of God, through teaching, giving food, and just playing with the kids!  I love it so much and I feel so privileged God has given me this opportunity  to be here!

It is really special for me also because all growing up, I’d watch the sponsor a child programs and wish I could go and do something for them, well now I am…. Lots of these children do get sponsored. They come from one parent homes where that one parent has to work two to three jobs to feed their five plus children!

And this next week is going to be a special week for the kids, we are going to have about 50 kids sleeping here on Saturday! Please pray that everything turns alright and pray for all the children!

Last night we met with Manuel and Elvia to talk about the tasks we have before us this upcoming month.  There are plenty of things that can be done, but we wanted to focus on what the Rosero´s specific needs are, and what we can feasibly help with in 5 weeks.  Here is what we landed on:

• Translate letters and documents
  The “Child Care” program is run by the Free Methodist church and gives people in the states the opportunity to sponsor children all over the world.  The task of translating the letters falls on the directors of the programs, which in this case is Elvia.  We are happy to help with this, and save Elvia precious time and money.
• Teaching and Children’s Programs
  Manuel and Elvia help tutor public school students for free.  We will help them by joining the tutoring, and helping with the Awana program that follows.
• Youth Group for the Church
  I was not so sure about this one to start with.  When they asked us to help out with starting a youth group, I thought there was no way that we would have enough time.  Then we found out that they have had a youth group, but they have been on break.  They would like us to meet with the leaders and help put a program/curriculum together.  There is a great guy named Santiago who is ready to lead the group, they would just like our input and guidance over the next 5 weeks.
• Worship Team for the Church
  The church has a youth led worship team that is very talented.  Manuel would like me to work with them on becoming more than individual musicians, but a worship team.  The leader of the group is named Danilo, and I have spoken with him, and we are both excited to see how God can use and develop the team.

There are a few other small tasks such as a web page design and clerical work we will help with.  We are also seeing a wide variety of opportunities to serve, and are discussing future projects with Manuel and Elvia.  We are extremely anxious to see what God has in store, and we are listening for our next steps
Please pray specifically for the above mentioned tasks we have set, and for God´s continued guidance.

We are very excited for this weekend. We will be traveling to Quito, to spend time working with the our friends Manuel and Elvia Rosero. Manuel and Elvia run a church in South Quito (Which is the poorest part of Quito) and also run a program to help public school students with their homework.

We have enjoyed our time in La Concordia. Rob has been working creating 3 websites, including a site for sponsoring the tuition for the poorer students of the school. Kirstie has been absorbing the culture, and working on her Spanish (which is coming along great).

With Rob spending 10 hours a day with his website ministry, and Kirstie at home with Bela, we have not had the opportunities to serve here in La Concordia that we would have imagined. The school has rock solid leadership, a knowledgebale computer teacher, and a great English teacher. We have not seen any area that can really utilize our gifts, talents and abilities. The church is also doing well, and we cannot offer anything to help them that they do not already have.

It is much different in Quito. In the one week that we spent there in April, our eyes were opened to the possibility of working in Quito. Manuel and Elvia Rosero have a desire to start a Christian school in South Quito, and are only lacking the help to get it going. The have specifically voiced the needs for a computer lab and teacher, English teacher, and people to aid with students with special needs. (Sound like anyone you guys know?)
Their church is also growing, and they many youth, and a desire to start a youth group, which is a huge passion of ours as well.

We are seeking the Lord’s guidance. If he calls us to Quito, we will be thrilled, but we are preparing ourselves to hear His plans for our next steps, not make our plans first. Please continue to pray for us in this! Thanks all.