Howard and I walk to Ryocucho (one of the local barios) each evening after work. Recently, we noticed one of the local farmers had improved his farm by painting his fence. We both thought it humorous that the decision was made to also paint the tree along the way. So then we wondered is it a tree or a fence post? What is its function or purpose?

Also recently, I have heard several people in different contexts say, "...well you know, God's word it never comes back void." And while I think I understand what the speaker is referring too, I am thinking to myself, what does that mean? So I looked up in the Bible what the text really says, it comes out of Isaiah 55:11 "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

Which in a weird way that makes perfect sense to me, brought me back to the tree/fencepost. I mean really it's a tree and men have tried to make it a fencepost. No matter how you paint the tree, it is a tree, its purpose is to be a tree. So that gave me clarity about the verse from Isaiah. God's word is God's word. God's truth is God's truth. Simply put, men have distorted, manipulated and brought the validity of the bible under attack. The final result however, will be that His word will accomplish what God desires, and His word will achieve the purpose for which it was sent.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV

Jesus Teaches about Those Who Build Houses on Rock and Sand Matthew 6:21

When we moved into the house here at El Refugio, we knew immediately there was a problem with the house literally sinking. At first we could open our front door to about a 45 degree angle, then 30, then before long it simply would not open. We learned later that they had problems through the construction of the house with the compaction of the soil. So three years later, after Howard had consulted with an engineer from the states he started the process of literally "jacking our house up!" The process worked, and Howard's favorite thing to do now is show people how our front door opens :) Enjoy the pictures...

Treehouse Dedication

The Youth World team came out to El Refugio for our weekly meeting last Thursday. During that time, we held a dedication for our newly completed treehouse. For those of you who follow our blog, the treehouse was the first project Howard worked on when we arrived in Ecuador three years ago. What an amazing vision and project to see completed, unfortunately the picture's really do not do it justice. As a ministry, this will provide yet another vehicle for teams, retreats and students to use while they are on property. There are a total of four pods where people can climb up and sit and have a quiet time, then underneath there is a net you can crawl down into, which you can see with the picture on the right. There were approximately 35 people from our team who were able to be at the dedication. And for every person there, they came away with a different application. And isn't that fitting because we are all on a spiritual journey and at different points, yet God is able to meet us exactly where we are. The treehouse will provide many opportunities in the future for individuals to express their individual worship in a creative environment.

Paul Reichert, the visionary behind the project wrote these words for the dedication:

I am here

I’m in this place, waiting for you.

I’m waiting like those wise men, following a star like a fool.

I’m waiting like Jonah, covered in the slime and scale of the sea, deep in the belly of darkness hoping for a rescue.

I’m waiting like your mother, pregnant with fear and love.

I’m waiting like our first parents in the stillness of the garden, listening for your footsteps.

I’m waiting like you did on the day I was born and you spoke my name into the world and said that I was good.

What a surprise to find you already here...so quiet...waiting for me.

Happy 16th Birthday Jonathan

I have written three different blogs and decided really all that is important today is that we celebrate Jonathan's life and how he is in the process of becoming a great man. Howard measured him this morning and Jonny-boy finally hit the 6 foot mark!

To be honest the day is difficult because above all else Jonathan loves his family. One time he had a friend over and he was asking this boy if he had brothers and sisters. When Jonathan found out he only had one sister, Jonathan said, "Oh, I'm sorry that's to bad. I have one brother and three sisters and when they are here it is the best". Now, our family has grown to include two son-in-laws, a grandson and step-granddaughter.

Just because everything is different doesn't mean anything has changed. ~Irene Peter

How true this quote is, even though everything is different for Jonathan, really nothing has changed. He still has a family which has grown who love him and even though we're not together physically, you can bet by the end of the day he will have talked with all of them on the phone or heard from them on facebook.

Happy Happy Birthday Jonny-boy!!!

Dios existe!!!

We were able to travel down to the Jungle a few days after Christmas. Kevin and I had not been back to Shell since our visit nine years ago. This was our first family "road trip" and we enjoyed seeing some of the sights along the way. One of our stops was at Rio Verde , which ended up to be a pretty good hike. The waterfall though was worth every step. This sign was hanging along the path we had to take. In response to what we had just witnessed the signs says, "Are you prepared for a surprise? God exists!!!"

"But God made the earth by his power;

he founded the world by his wisdom

and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.

When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar;

he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.

He sends lightning with the rain

and brings out the wind from his storehouses." Jeremiah 10:12,13