Upon our arrival in February, the team started getting together every Tuesday night for pizza at Juan Carlos’ house. (On Tuesday all the pizza places in Ecuador have a two for one pizza deal). After a long weekend and prolonged negotiating, Juan Carlos was finally released Tuesday afternoon. And true to character, Juan Carlos and Courtney insisted we still gather at their house for pizza and fellowship. This was actually good for the team to talk and debrief the whole situation. Although he looked exhausted, Juan Carlos was able to share some very encouraging words as a result of the accident and the time in jail. The scripture that came to my mind is found in Philippians 1:12, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” This proved to be true in this circumstance. While the gentleman who Juan Carlos hit was in the hospital, he came to profess Christ as Lord. Then as Juan Carlos was in jail, he was upfront with the other prisoners and told them he was a believer. When I wrote last week that he was going to preach that is exactly what he did. At first they just wanted him to pray for them and then with each day Juan Carlos would do more and more. Time will tell the results of his time spent with the men in that jail cell.
Now, lest this update sound a little too Pollyannaish, know that there are still issues that need to be worked through. On Wednesday, the family of the man arrived at the Youth World offices demanding more payment and threatened to find Juan Carlos and put him back in jail if they weren’t paid. This is an unfortunate side effect of the system here in Ecuador. Please continue to pray for the Cevallos family and continued protection from further harassment.
On a lighter note, Danielle finished the photo album for Andres and Marlene. I am attempting to include a photo of Danielle and Marlene. Danielle learned how to make these albums last spring. The fun thing about this is, one of our Ecuadorian interns who I mentioned last week, David is an artist. So he went through and included all kinds of fun indigenous art work. We told him we knew it looked very American. We asked if he could please incorporate the Cofan culture into the album. He did a wonderful job; I wish you could see the final result.
Paul writes later in Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let our gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” vs. 4-7 NIV.
We are praying for you and that which you find yourself anxious and that you will find the peace Paul writes about.
As God is our Refuge, Mary for the Scholl family
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