Espinozas in Ecuador
Dear WBC family,
We are excited to be writing to you again. There's been so much going on, it's been hard to sit down at the computer to write, but here we are to try to get you caught up on the last few months.
Looking back on Christmas we can see how God used it as a growing experience for our family. Jessenia grew up in a home with strong Christian Christmas traditions and has been struggling with how Christmas is viewed only as a children's holiday, even by the Christian community. She had hoped to recreate her Christmas traditions here in Ecuador, but is finding it is hard to do alone. As she basted the turkey Christmas Eve, she prayed that God would use her desire to have a meaningful Christmas to somehow His kingdom forward.
We saw that prayer answered as we had very special time with Raul's family that day. Raul's step-dad's nephew was here with his family and we had a deep spiritual conversation with them. Since then we have continued to develop a friendship with them. One of our youth leaders who comes from a non-Christian home was also with us and her eyes filled with tears as she took in a way to celebrate Christmas that she had never seen before.
After Christmas we had a rude awakening when a news station was invaded by gang members and the news anchors were held hostage on live T.V. What ensued was a few days of chaos as the government declared war on the drug cartels and employed the military to regain control of the prisons (which were basically under the power of the inmates) and began arresting many criminals known to be connected to the gangs. We are grateful that our immediate circle of friends were not horribly touched by this, but Bastion is home to many involved in illicit affairs and so the community around us did feel the chaos.
Things have calmed down quite a bit now since January and life has returned to "normal". Jessenia's parents were able to come down for a couple weeks. The school year came to a close in February and reflecting back we are happy to see the progress that was made this year in the organization of the school.
Recently our church put on a VBS and we were encouraged to see all the youth who came out to help. Two of our youth leaders directed the week along with a team of youth who energetically sang, danced and played with the children and kept them quiet during lesson times. Tiago was old enough to join this year and he absolutely loved it.
Church leadership was so encouraged by the youth group's maturity and responsibility during the week that when an American missions group offered to help in Bastion the next week, it was decided we would put on a "mini" vacation Bible school for the youth. We took them to a water park one day and the next spent the day at the church playing games and reflecting on the VBS week and what it means to be part of the church and to have God as a priority in one's life. The youth enjoyed the time and many expressed how they feel the church has become a second home to them.
We thank you for your continued prayers and support for the ministry here in Bastion.
God bless you as you continue to serve Him,
The Espinozas (Raul, Jessenia, Tiago and Danilo)
Prayer requests:
That the momentum felt in the youth group would continue up to and through camp in April. That the group would continue strong and that more would make the decision to invite Christ into their life at camp.
For safety for our family and community as the country continues to grapple with the cartels. Please pray for abundant wisdom, safety, and integrity for the officials as they try to deal with the corruption that is embedded in the politics and streets alike.
That the staff at the school would have a refreshing "summer" break.