All Over the Map

 Since we talked last… well, where to start? Okay, so the Ecuadorian stomach bug lasted a few more days than I anticipated. Still sparing you the details, but I am thinking of marketing it as a quick weight loss plan. If I could just predict how each person would react if I pass along the bug through some simple method, you know, like a capsule or some tasty sugar wafers?

Last weekend we got the chance to visit briefly with the Brook Hills’ student mission team that spent the week out in Conocoto. Vickie and I obviously had school responsibilities each day here in the city, but it was great to get to see them last Sunday afternoon, and to enjoy a meal in a Quito mall on Friday night before they headed through the mystic portal into international airspace.

Just FYI- Vickie is the complete JV girls basketball guru on the AAI Campus. I think she is totally in her element doing cross-cultural basketball coaching. Volleyball season is coming this fall...

During mid-week, the Lord gave opportunity for me to teach at our senior high chapel meeting at Alliance Academy on Wednesday morning. We were doing a series called “back to basics” and I had the chance to share about, what else? Yes- about His Word! Anytime I can challenge the status quo when it comes to learning and memorizing His word, and especially when I can challenge some of the leaders in the crowd to dive into his word I will take the opportunity!

We did a silent start, using slides to get the kids to do various things as they “listened” to what was written in front of them on the screens. I had a hymn played on the piano to demonstrate that spoken words are not always needed as we “hear” from God. This led into a teaching time, and we finished by having kids stand in certain numbers as they got a  visual representation of people groups in the world with no copy of the gospel in their language. 

On Saturday afternoon, I was blessed to be able to tag along as one of our house church members led a group of kids and adolescents from a lower economic area called Calderon (north of the city) in some time in the word.

These kids are beautiful, smiling, and they were so attentive to what my bi-lingual Ecuadorian brother had to share. Of course, snack time was an obvious highlight after the teaching time finished.

As we bounced back toward Quito in the chilly fog, my friend Juan asked if I could teach in their church gathering this coming Sunday. So, how could I refuse? Please pray as I get to share the Word with the adult portion of the church this coming weekend. I am humbled to have this opportunity, so ask that God would give grace for preparation and speaking there.

Today I had the chance to be the “resident expert” on careers in Engineering since it was basically Career Day at Alliance. After 3 seminars, both my voice and my handouts were gone. It was kind of fun to re-live some old days of Engineering in the midst of vocational ministry work. For a few minutes, I actually missed my days at ATT...

We finished out our day today with 2 walking trips to a small doctor’s office down the mountain near a place called Pollo Gus (pronounced poy-o goose- yep- it sounds like you are saying chicken goose). Our intent was to get medicine prescription refills, but we followed the simple visit with a marathon walking trip to 3 different pharmacies in order to actually get the medicine. I am sitting here blogging tonight and wondering if I can really stand up if I move from this spot on the couch.

Blessedly tired in the gospel,

The Nichols

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time."
(1 Timothy 2:5-6 ESV)