Gospel Endurance needed...

It is somewhat disorienting, when it is cloudy and 48 degrees, for lawn mowers to be running outside on the tiny ten-foot square plots of grass in our neighborhood. Because there is no real change of season, or actually when you have 4 seasons in one day, it just seems odd to hear the small engine clacking when it feels like November outside…

Isn’t it supposed to be warm, and humid, with the smell of grass being so thick that you can almost feel it before you crank a lawn mower? Or at least that is probably how it is where you are now, back in Alabama, or somewhere in the other hemisphere, but not so here in Quito…

Lots of things, lots of things... have transpired in the last 30 days. Some we'll mention here and some we won't. Kole and Kory have been doing a great job of JV soccer at the school, and it has been fun to watch one of our house church members coach them from a cross-cultural and gospel perspective. Vickie has been leading the JV basketball to multiple wins, and teaching them about the character of Christ in winning or losing.

We concluded a Young Men’s “Man-Up” discipleship retreat a few weekends ago, where teachers and coaches and dads taught and demonstrated the gospel to 37 young men in grades 9-12 for two days straight thru. It was exhausting but powerful, and we want to be able to make this an annual event! We enjoyed a brief visit from Bob and Suzy from BH, but it was not exactly the relaxing ministry visit you would expect due to a smack-down stomach bug that descended on Bob while they were here at our apartment for a few days.

Weekend before last, our family and another family from our house church made the trip just outside Quito on Sunday morning to see our brothers and sisters in Christ in Calderon, a small town north of the city. I had the chance to share from Ephesians 5 about… yes- you guessed it, marriage! God used His word to speak to the group in some powerful ways, prompting a couple of people to stand up and publicly repent in tears at the end of our time together for not obeying the commands of His word in how they treated each other in their marriage relationship. We were humbled by the response, and encouraged by God to see His work through His word!

This morning I shared at our secondary chapel time about Adoption and the picture it gives of the Gospel, or maybe it would be better if I said the Gospel, and the picture it gives to adoption… then, back to back I had the chance to share a message with middle school students in the afternoon about God’s Word and our vital need for it.

On a personal note… please continue to pray for us. We desperately want His Spirit to be at work through us, and in and through our family, and in our surrounding community. Parenting is a tall order. Parenting is an incredibly tall order when there are 9 kids. Parenting is, well, borderline insanity with 9 kids across three continents. Also, pray for my Mom and Dad in the US (Chris’s parents). They have been through a real struggle in health needs and so we would ask for grace in that situation.

Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday

I pray for grace for each of you this day, that you will understand more about our unshakeable kingdom in the name of Jesus Christ, our hope, and our Savior.

Last weekend we had an incredible chance to partner with some of our house church members in doing a little relationship building. We came alongside a small church out in the blue-collar community of Calderon (where there is, by the way, a gaping valley in the earth near the location of the new airport here) to do a community improvement project with them, to teach some English for their kids, and to gather with them again on Palm Sunday morning as we shared the word with these wonderful people. I was able to speak with them (obviously through the translation work of my good friend Marcello), and to challenge them to see what authentic worship looks like based on Hebrews 12:28-13:21, that is, worship of God by obedience to Christ in every way-especially in making disciples!

One of the incredible points was to share in communion with these brothers and sisters in Christ, and to be invited back to share again later this month, so be asking for great grace to speak in a way that points to the glory of God in our marriages and our families. Check out the photos... We are enjoying a couple of days out of school for the Easter break, and our house church time today was based on the question, “Does the modern church really believe in the resurrection?” We used texts from Matthew 26, 27, and 28 and Ephesians 1.

 

Pray for next weekend as we take young men from grades 9-12 at Alliance Academy out in the countryside for a gospel centered leadership building experience.

Pray for us as we persevere, plan, parent, and proclaim the gospel in word and deed.

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

(Hebrews 13:14-16 ESV)

The Nichols Family

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)

Wide Perspective

So this past week has been a breathless run, and we are honestly thankful that a weekend has finally arrived.
Let me spell it out for you:


1) We were thrilled to host three college girls and a mom (exploring opportunities in the city of Quito) starting last Saturday night and ending Thursday night. Blessings to Nicole, Kirsten, Melissa, and Donna Kaye as they head back to the US and process all that they have seen. Just FYI, they are gigantic fans of humitas and spicy aji. We are praying that they come back soon and get an even larger viewpoint on Ecuador and the disciple-making opportunities here.


2) For some reason, and I am certain it is/was for my further sanctification, the raging Ecuador stomach bug bit me with a snarling vengeance on Wednesday and visited for part of Thursday and today too. I'll skip the details. You'll be glad I did...


3) Kelsey (our oldest daughter), who is just a couple of months from graduation from MSU as an official Bulldog alumni, is coming down tonight from the US, and we are really excited to see her, even though we will be working all week. So, she is going to get to practice some of her Spanish in getting around on her on!


4) Today- yep- professional development day at the school. Fascinating. No- I really mean it! The morning session helped us understand some of the cross cultural kids in our school better, and I do mean cross culture. There are Corfan tribe kids who are in our school that live in the pristine rain forest about 7 hours from real civilization, who have their own indigenous language, and who are here to sort of spy out the adversary (the westernizers) and keep a safe distance...


5) Vickie is having a chance to make disciples through coaching JV girls basketball here, so pray for continual opportunity to 'be the gospel" to the young ladies that she coaches.


6) Ask God for wisdom as I work with our leadership team in seeking to place people in the best possible spots for disciple-making!


More details to come, but let me say that gospel opportunity is found in every moment lately, in our own family, in our school, and in this community. Pray that we show Him well!
Chris

Go Whole Hog ?

Sometimes pictures are just better than words at describing life. When you think you are settled in to a very "citified" routine here in the nation's capitol, and you take a different direction one day, then you somehow run across something memorable like this. Yep- see my oven roasted friend next to the avocados here at right. >>>>


Maybe this is a subtle dinner suggestion... just like your local Publix store there in Birmingham. I can see the small sign on the counter... "just whip up some hog head and guacamole sauce for tonight's post soccer game family dinner" Ouch- No thanks, I will stick to the rice, meat, fruit, and humitas and aji sauce, with maybe some soup or ceviche to spice it up if I feel brave.

We are thankful for you all, and we praise God as we think of your friendship and the work of the Gospel in Birmingham and around the world because of your submission to Christ as King!  Please pray for the conclusion of Spiritual Emphasis Week here at AAI in Quito, and for God to give great results as we embark on a "back to basics" chapel series starting next Wednesday. 


Ask God for great grace for us to lead well: in the staff, in the school, in the community, and ultimately in the world through obedience to His word. 
So many prayer needs...so little time. Praise God for His answers to prayer for His Name's sake.
Blessings!
The Nichols Family in Ecuador


Matthew 10:24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor is a servant above his master."

The Gospel and El Parque de la Carolina

El Parque de la Carolina (in the sunshine!!!)

Thank you for praying for us and for the myriad of needs that you know about for us, and also for the things that your hearts have a burden for to ask on our behalf. Our little house church has grown a bit in recent days, so ask the Father for us to be wise in disciple making! We send this group back into the school and into the culture here each week to hopefully re-teach with the encouragement from meeting together around the Word. Pray for our group to remember and obey His word well by His Spirit’s work in us.

Sometimes, like today, after our house church meeting on Sunday, our family takes a long walk down the inclined street nearby called Villalengua, picking our way past multiple tripping hazards and perilous multi-way intersections, (think about the “Frogger” game for a good visual), and then we turn right on the very flat road called Diez de Agosto for a few blocks. As we go past the small tiendas and vendors selling fake sunglasses or belts, we try to sniff but not stop by the small bread store that seems to always be open. A few potholes and step downs later we are in front of a Chinese variety shop, where we laugh at the odd things they set out front for sale (think plastic pink pigs and huge red silk light fixtures.) Now it’s time for a sharp left turn across 6 lanes and a median onto Naciones Unidas, where we walk through the center of two rows of gigantic palm trees until we get to one end of Parque La Carolina. This is a place where several hundred Ecuadorians are playing court soccer or basketball, or people watching while others play on one of the innumerable small dirt fields or concrete pads there every afternoon. If you want to get into a pickup game, or just watch people here, this is the place to do it. 

Today it was also a day to get an earful of Carnaval music (sort of the Ecuadorian equivalent to Mardi Gras).

Our 2 blond-haired and blue-eyed boys are quite a novelty in this culture and seem to be able to find their way into games easily. We have to be a bit cautious since this park area can be dangerous if you are not vigilant, but the Lord is fully aware of our circumstances. Many of the boys and men (and girls) are playing ball in street shoes and jeans, while some are in soccer clothes, or even skirts! Now is when I am wishing my language were really strong because conversation start-ups would be really simple at this point. People are everywhere! Pray for our Spanish to take a real upswing. Teaching and working in an English school can really slow the process down for us and we want to learn more quickly.


The walk home was quite interesting today when the afternoon rains began. After stopping by several stores on the way back to avoid getting soaked by brief showers, the heavens finally opened full scale and we saw ice and rain fall for at least 20 minutes straight. What to do? We attempted to flag taxis for quite a while till finally we just headed out, thinking it was about stopped, only to find that we would need to wade through multiple locations where the cold rainwater was so deep it covered the curbs- which made for ankle deep walking for us as we crossed each street. Needless to say our feet were blue and our clothes were soaked by the time we made it up the mountain to the house.

We have a group of 3 college girls and one mom headed our way during March who are considering serving Christ in Ecuador next year, so ask the Lord to give clarity for them and also for Him to arrange travel, lodging, and logistical details on the ground here that will bless them and be of value. Also pray for one of our house church families as they serve a church in a poor area north of the city, and that our church and our family would be wise about how to invest there.

If you think of it, continue to ask the Lord’s favor in making disciples through Alliance Academy students and parents in the days ahead. Also, especially pray for us as parents to be wise and Spirit filled as we lead and love our family both here and in other places via text and Skype!

         This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

(Joshua 1:8 ESV)

On our Knees...

Right out of the gate I need to ask your forgiveness for my long delay in a blog post update. Just to be honest, from the time the aircraft wheels splashed down in cold and rainy Quito a few days ago from my whirlwind opportunity to go visit and encourage brothers and sisters in Port au Prince, Haiti, we have all been running hard here. 

(More details later as I have time to process, but just know that Haiti is clearly a place of much need...spiritual, physical, you name it...much need.)

When you come back from another place, you sort of hit the proverbial wall for a day or two. You know what I mean. There is the usual catch-up curve on the events and items that you missed out on, and then the normal beginning of the month items that are always fun to work thru in Ecuador. One example is paying your rent here… First you need to get an all Spanish words deposit slip from the local Banco Pichincha, then fill it out with absolutely no writing mistakes, then wait in line while some guy in a motorcycle helmet pays bills or makes deposits for about 10 people at one time, and then, when it is your turn, you give it to the smiling Ecuadorian teller behind the bullet proof glass along with a pile of cash that you have withdrawn over a couple of days at the nearby ATM. Now-wait for the receipt, pray that it has the right account number that you just deposited into on there, and then you’re done till next month.

Next item for February is to start on the bill payments for water, electric, telephone, etc. Well, you get the picture…

So can I tell you about the recent process for a knee repair surgery for my adopted daughter, Kayla? Okay, when she blew the ACL on her knee back in November, we put off the inevitable until she could finish semester number one here at AAI. We did not have surgery in the US because our missionary health policy is geared to overseas healthcare. This means you pay for any procedure up front (before you leave the hospital!), and then you submit it to see if you can recover some of the cost. We are thankful- very thankful- to have any type of help for medicals! So many people in Ecuador and across the world have absolutely nothing to help them at all when it comes to medical expenses. Last Monday we went in for pre-op, thinking we had a mid-day surgery slot, only to get a 7PM Monday night call to see if we could be there at 7AM on Tuesday morning. I really should devote an entire blog entry to the surgery day on Tuesday (and I probably will soon), but overall let me say that it was really, really good despite a really long day at the hospital for us all. Our doctor is quite competent and very helpful and kind, but even my smart Ecuadorian friends still say that the surgery discharge group and nursing staff can use a little additional customer service training. More on that later…

It’s late so I want to give you ways to pray:

-For the resources of heaven for the task He has given us to do.

-For Chris’s Dad- much needed healing and strength as he recovers from multiple complications from a hip replacement this past October.

-For Kayla’s recovery- she developed a spinal fluid leak from the epidural procedure right after her knee surgery and she has been violently ill from the headaches and nausea that follow this problem.

-For us to have incredible wisdom from God in making disciples and leading at AAI and in other places nearby here in Quito

-For God to sustain us in the midst of language learning and some really time consuming and intense training we are adding into our life in order to be CPOE certified (Christian Philosophy of Education)

-For God to bring like-minded laborers to fill spots at AAI that are needed

-For 9 children across 3 continents and in particular the multitude of blessings and challenges that we walk through daily via skype or email which drive us to kneel in great desperation to God

As always, we are incredibly thankful for all of you!

Kneeling in humble submission to our King-

Chris and Vickie and family

"No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.  Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them."

Joshua 1:5-6