Is it all coincidence?

Since the healthcare has burst upon the scene over the past several weeks I have become more interested in the political current that is smashing across the American landscape. In my investigation of the health care issue I have discovered there are some interesting connections to other issues such at the stimulus package, the banking crisis, the mortgage crisis, and the automobile bailout, on the surface appear to just be coincedences, but are they? Take a look at the provided article and decide. http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/09/barack_obama_and_the_strategy.html.

Mission Accomplished

The Puembo mission team has completed their mission work and declares it a mission accomplished. It was our mission to come to Puembo, first, to share Christ through a dental ministry. The dental ministry saw over 90 people come primarily for fillings, checkups, and extractions. We were able to hand out over 200 packages of toothbrushes and tubes of toohtpaste. Futhermore, the gospel was presented each day to those who were waiting to see the dentist. We can count four people who came to faith in Christ through the dental ministry. Second, the team came with the mission of laying the foundation for a church plant. This appears to be on the horizon because the people who came to faith in Christ through the dental ministry are willing to start a Bible study in their home. Moreover, God brought before us a marvelous, humble man of God who has a desire and passion to assist in planting a church in the area of Puembo. The vision he has in starting a church that will in turn start other churches is precisely the same vision we had as we made preparations to come to Puembo. Although the work is not done here it has only begun, we believe the first part of the mission has been accomplished.

Today the team finished up the dental ministry, a few traveled to a Children's hospital, and to conclude the day the movie "Fireproof" was shown in the colisieum. We have meet some beautiful and wonderful people. The people of Ecuador are some of the most warm-hearted people you will ever meet. It has been a great joy and pleasure to come and minister to them in the name of Christ. The team has had a wondeful time together this week and will be making their way through Quito tomorrow and onto Atlanta later in the evening. Thank you to everyone who has lifted up the team in prayer each day. We are so thankful for your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for the people of Puembo, Ecuador and the work that will be beginning through the Bible studies.

I have attached the photos above in order for you to get a glimpse of the people who were involved and the people of Puembo, Ecuador. From left to right the photos are: a young Ecuadorian boy and girl who came to our VBS time during the week, the dental team who worked tirelessly all week (Kayla Harrison, Marjorie Hawkins, Kelly Benning, Dr. Brian Benning, Destiny Washington, Lisandro, Maryann Tepley,Tracy Dakil, Santiago, and Carolina), our dentist and dental hygienist Dr. Brian Benning and Maryann Tepley, our mission team (Brad and Marjorie Hawkins, Dr. Brian and Kelli Benning, Rick and Kayla Harrison, Tracy Dakil, Maryann Tepley, and Destiny Washington) sharing a lunch together with our translators and IMB missionaries.

A Work of God

We have completed day three and truly sense that God is at work here in the city of Puembo, Ecuador. The dental ministry has been a great blessing to the people. Today more than 30 people were seen and assisted with dental needs. Each day God has provided the opportunity to not only minister through dentistry but open the door to share the gospel. The opportunity to share the gospel during this time has led to the formation of a Bible study in a nearby home. The people who are coming are already asking when we will be back. During the morning time David (translator) and I (Brad) were able to go out into the community and do some street evangelism. We had the opportunity to share the gospel with three individuals. This is a difficult task because the people of have difficulty understanding the significance of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They have heard of him and read about him but seem to place more emphasis in their Bible reading or praying for a relationship with God rather than trusting in Jesus Christ. Our VBS time this afternoon went really well. Over 40 children once again gathered in the colisieum for a time of games, a story, and a craft. Today, David (the translator) told the story of salvation by using the beaded bracelet (black = sin, red = blood, white=Jesus, etc...). The children seem to enjoy time we spend with them. The most exciting part of this time was seeing Pastor Disandro, a local pastor in the area, visit with four women during and after the VBS session. Following the VBS session these women each made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. The most disappointing aspect of the day was there was no Bible study. We had moved the time forward and told the children to go home and tell their parents to come to the colisieum for a Bible study. However, no one returned. Nevertheless, the group as a whole believe that God is truly at work in this area. Please pray for the people of Puembo, the new home Bible study, and God's continued work in this community. From left to right the pictures above are: the children at the colisieum preparing for the Bible story, the suitcase filled with over 200 toothbrushes, Pastor Brad and David sharing the gospel, Dr. Benning working on the teeth of a young girl, and Marjorie Hawkins holding one of the young visitors at the dental ministry.

Renewed, Refreshed and Rejoicing

We have finished our second day in Puembo, Ecuador with a renewed and refreshed desire to minister to the people in this community. We began our morning once again with a wonderful breakfast together. I don't think we could say enough about the delicious meals we have been eating. I know its a mission trip but the food that has been prepared has been great. Nevertheless, the dental ministry began at 9 a.m. Upon arrival the lobby was filled with patients in need of dental work primarily extractions and fillings. Dr. Brian Benning and Maryann Tepley (I was reminded of her last name) begin working with patients non-stop only breaking for lunch. Some have been easy and others difficult. Due to the need of some patients only three pepole were seen in the morning session. However, the afternoon session was more productive so that by the end of the day over 15 people seen. Moreover, as the patients wait to see Dr. Benning, we have taken this opportunity to share the gospel with them by presenting them with a gospel tract. Also, this afternoon a local pastor who is helping us this week took the time to go more in depth about the gospel with a few of the people waiting. Our VBS time this afternoon did not turn out as we had thought. We were anticipating on having many more children but only about thirty showed up to once again play games, hear a story and get to do some coloring. Nevertheless, it was still a great opportunity to minister and serve the children that came. They truly enjoy the attention and time that is given to them during the time of VBS. We have seen a few accept Christ at the conclusion of our Bible story. At the end of the day we all felt tired and exhausted but at the same time renewed, refreshed, and rejoicing because of the opportunity and time we are having in ministering to people who are in great need of experiencing the love and grace of Jesus Christ. We thank you so much for all your prayers because we understand without them it would be impossible for us to continue ministering. Therefore, know that your prayers for us today were greatly needed and greatly appreciated. From left to right the first picture is Kayla Harrison sharing the story of Daniel in the lion's den with the children. She did a great job. The second picture is Tracy Dakil and David (one of the translators) taking the opportunity to share the gospel with some of the youth who stopped by the play basketball. The third and fifth pictures show Dr. Benning, Maryann, and Tracy addressing some of the dental needs encountered on tuesday. The final picture shows the children preparing to play one of the several games that was played in the colisieum. We would continue to ask for your prayers not only for us but also that God would continue to provide us the opportunity to share the gospel at the dental ministry, VBS, and the evening Bible study (we have been having trouble getting it started).

Weary, Wornout, but Willing...

The Ecuador mission teams from FBC Okeene and Watonga arrived in Quito Ecuador late Sunday evening weary, and worn out. Saturday evening the group arrived in Atlanta around 10 p.m., but did not arrive to the hotel until 12 a.m. Sunday afternoon the plane was scheduled to leave at 5:45 p.m. but was delayed until 8:30 p.m. due to mechanical issues and the lateness of the plane coming from its previous destination. Thus, we arrived at the hotel in Puembo, Ecuador at 2:30 a.m. Needless to say everyone was not starting Monday on a full tank. However, Monday morning came and everyone was willing to go into the community of Puembo, Ecuador and minister through dentistry, playing games, sharing a story or just giving a wondeful smile to those encountered. We began the morning by sharing a wonderful breakfast meal before walking over to the area where the dentistry ministry would take place. Once there it was organized chaos as many different people were doing many different things all in an attempt to get the dental trailor up and running as soon as possible. Fortunatly, we were able to get everything situated and working before lunch. After lunch, Dr. Brian Benning and Maryann began seeing patients. Due to the limited time available and the situation of the patients only 3 individuals were able to be seen in the afternoon. However, the next several days are expected to be very busy and productive. The remaining group traveled over to the colisieum to encourage those around the area to participate in a Vacation Bible School ministry. The time begin with several games. At the beginning there were only a handful of children playing but by the time we ended at 4:30 there were over 90 children participating. Following a time of games, Pastor Rick Harrison shared the story of Noah with the children. He very simply pointed out that Noah had listened and trusted God and thus by God's hand Noah was saved from the flood. He concluded by pointing out that this is what Christ has done by coming and giving his life on the cross. Following Rick's sharing of the gospel, the children were given crayons and pictures to color that went along with the story of Noah. This was a wonderful time of interaction and engagement with the children and adults of Puembo. At the conclusion we announced that we would be meeting again in the colisieum on Tuesday at 3:oo p.m. We joyfully are expecting many more children and adults. Although everyone on the mission team seems to be weary, wornout everyone is still willing to minister by sharing the greatness of God's love. Moving from left to right the first picture is the mission team. The second photo is Pastor Rick Harrison sharing the story of Noah to the children outside the colisieum. The third and fourth photos are pictures of the children who came out to the VBS time at the colisieum. The fifth photo is Maryann (sorry forgot here last name) making preparations for an afternoon of dental work. Althought it has been a very long day,I believe each person on the mission team would affirm that it was a great day to be in Puembo, Ecuador because of the opportunity provided to us by God to minister, love and serve the people of Ecuador in order to make the name of Christ known. We would ask for your continued prayers for strength and endurance as we continue throughout the week.