The Center Vision and Objectives

As we work in partnership ministries here in Ecuador one of our greatest joys is to be an active part of the The Center's launch team. Read on to learn more about the vision and objectives of this empowerment center. 
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The Center
Shell Ecuador

Vision

The Center serves to bring culturally relevant instruction and interchange through multi-national partnerships to the indigenous people of Ecuador.

Objectives
Partnering with multi-national Christ-followers in order to transform lives; To know Jesus, to love Jesus, to share Jesus. To equip indigenous people and their families to live abundant lives in Christ, wherever the Lord places them while incorporating a holistic life and livelihood approach. Considering this empowerment model, The Center initiatives will incorporate elements of both spiritual and physical wellbeing while enabling sustainable growth as individuals, families, tribes and nations.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

The Center serves as a tool for culturally relevant instruction and interchange resulting in sustainable empowerment amongst the indigenous, their families, and their tribes. The aim of this tool is to empower and equip others, leveraging and connecting resources, both globally and locally, to provide hope in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The multi-cultural interplay of ideas and skills within a Christian context empowers the indigenous with practical life skills and spiritual formation, while encouraging and sharpening the lives of both instructors and students. Topics and areas of ministry may include but are not limited to:

Spiritual Formation: Leadership & ethics training Biblical overview Worldview Church leadership Topical studies Mission training Women’s studies Marriage Family & parenting Character Development Studies of relevant topics (addictions, suicide, etc.)

Practical Life Skills: Studies of relevant topics (addictions, suicide, etc.) Business & Micro Enterprise Finance & budget Legal rights & responsibilities Carpentry Mechanics Agriculture Dentistry Medical & hygiene Computers & technology Economics Aquaculture Forestry

Partnership & Teams
The Center’s success depends upon cooperation and unity within the body of Christ. Like-minded organizations, businesses, churches & short-term teams, individuals, and those in the surrounding community are actively invited to join in the this ministry.

To know Jesus~To love Jesus~To share Jesus 

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Provision in Parentheses

So here we are living in a small jungle town in 
Ecuador. Each of our basic needs are met.

Roof over our head 

(albeit made of metal and an oven in heat and impossibly loud during frequent rain) 

Running water 

(albeit always cold, often arriving to the faucet the color of iced tea or turned off, without warning, by authorities for repairs or to regulate usage)

Food in our bellies 

(albeit the change of diet and introduction of parasites and new bugs keeps us running to the bathroom and googling all kinds of weird symptoms)

A loving family

(albeit life has become much closer as we work together, learn together in homeschool, and our walls are very thin and completely worthless for sound privacy)

Maybe you already see where we are going with this. God has blessed us greatly but somehow our environment and it's challenges make perfect way towards parentheses explaining away God's provision and giving way to grumbling. 

We've been studying Paul's life and how he said, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13

So, we've been asking the Lord to reveal to us his many gifts. Each morning we pray together thanking the Lord for rain, for brown water, for vegetables to treat for parasites and amoebas. Setting our minds on things above is a legitimate challenge but it is the only way to walk in joy and hope in a broken and hurting world. 

Will you pray with us? For strength. For self-discipline to live thankful lives. For our home to be a home of voices rejoicing? (even if our rejoicing cannot be heard over the sound of the heavy rain pounding on our metal roof!)

Christmas Program/Outreach!

One of our most recent joys is being a part of a new little jungle church. It's very simple and right in the middle of the glorious jungle nature. After church service a few weeks ago our small church group organized a plan to have a Christmas Outreach Program for the surrounding indigenous community. 

Ideas were tossed around for games, programming and, of course, food! Responsibilities were divided amongst the group of 20 and we were on our way. We were pleased to have a group of about 50 come and a great time was had by all. It is our prayer that these connections made bring more of the local families to our little church family. 

Our contribution of a "fishing for candy" game

Then entry to our church 

Happy girls!

Kids Serving Kids

Georgia and Reese enjoyed the opportunity to serve the Kindergarten/1st Grade class at the local missionary school. They took turns sharing what they researched about Ecuadorian Christmas traditions, did a craft with the precious kiddos and then read them How The Grinch Stole Christmas. 

Homeschooling has provided us with great flexibility to encourage Georgia and Reese to serve others. What a gift!

Another Trip Into The Jungle!

Last weekend, Chris happily accepted an invitation to spend 2 days and 1 night in a Shuar community. Trips like these are invaluable as we work to learn about each tribal group's distinct cultural norms and gather data about the felt needs of each group. This information is vital as we serve and support the leadership within each group. 

We were told the trip could take up to 7 hours on very bumpy jungle roads but Chris put his Colorado 4-Wheeling skills to work and made the trip in about 5 hours. Needless to say he was very proud of himself! 

The low-land tribal people appear to have many of the same needs and struggles. They are navigating joining the modern world while maintaining their distinct cultural identity. The tribal elders have shared their great concern that the youth don't connect to their culture and practices.  It will be a cultural loss if the desire for the modern world stamps out their traditions. The loss of tradition directly gives way to a loss of identity. Navigating life with a lack of identity leaves this next generation at risk. We see the opportunity to share about their identity in Christ while encouraging a connection to the culture from which they came. 

Even the local stopped to enjoy this rare sighting of a tapir!

Learning and sharing around a simple meal of
yucca and chicken neck soup. Yum!

Christmas Letter 2016

Merry Christmas from the jungles of Ecuador!! We pray this letter finds you very well and full of Christmas spirit! It’s hard to believe this will be our 2nd Christmas in Ecuador and 3rd Christmas living outside the US. Time flies and continents change but many of our traditions have held strong and have even grown in their importance. Now, however, they take a little more creativity and commitment. We did, however, give into an artificial tree. The idea of driving 8 hours round trip to pick one up didn’t appeal this year. Holding things loosely while still being intentional is becoming an art in our home!

Reese is almost 11 years old and continues to fill our home with joy and laughter. She has taken on quite the passion for all things dragon and is often found drawing and creating new creatures for her dragon book. Reesey-girl has also grown in her love of reading and is often seen with a book in hand or with headphones on (drowning out the loud jungle rain!) and listening to an audiobook. This brings her literature loving momma great joy! Her love of animals holds strong and she has negotiated with our neighbor, Marco, to allow her to keep a pet chicken on his land. This ability to negotiate in both English and Spanish amuses us. Can you say life skills?! 

Georgia is almost 13 and has become quite the young lady. Her love of poetry, books and art has blossomed into personal hobbies. She often asks for our attention, clears her throat and then begins reading or explaining her latest creation. Ecuador has become her land of creativity and the calm provided by a slower paced culture enhances her thoughtful and contemplative tendencies. Texting and FaceTime are now also a part of her life — hello, teenager?! — but we are very thankful for technology which allows continued connection to dear friends and family back in the US. Our kitchen is often mussed by Georgia’s latest baking project and Chris has taken to exercising a bit more to ward off any weight gain caused by this new and delicious hobby. We are sure Christmas baking this year will be extra fun and messy! 

Chris spends time with many local friends and ministry partners each day. No day is the same but they all are thread through the common string of relational ministry and empowerment. Teaching a couple of our indigenous friends to drive has been one of his latest thrills! His quiet and patient demeanor lends way to authentic connection and depth. So much of cross-cultural adaptation and connection is listening to understand and Chris’ strength in listening is definitely a strength that serves him well here in Ecuador. (Proud wife typing!) He’s taken to bread baking for artistic expression and stress relief. Our entire family thanks him! He also is enjoying teaching Georgia and Reese art class each week. His passion for art is infections and the girls are enjoying every second learning with their Dad. 

I (Tina) am busy teaching Georgia and Reese in their first year of homeschool. The opportunity to teach my girls has been the highlight of my year. Each day I am overwhelmed with their creativity and hunger for learning. It’s inspiring!! With limited availability of convenience foods, cooking 3 meals a day from scratch also fills my time and, although challenging at times, cooking remains one of my favorite hobbies. My days are also sprinkled with time spent with other ladies. I’m enjoying forming deep connections and mentor relationships with local women. The added challenge of cultural and language differences keeps me humble and on my knees. Striking a balance between our work, home-life and personal time is becoming a bit easier. It seems that being gracious with myself is a lesson I continue to learn and embrace.

While we are away from many of our dearest friends and family this holiday and living in a culture that just doesn’t hustle and bustle the way the US does, the true meaning of Christmas comes more easily into focus. It’s all about God’s love sent down with great sacrifice that forever changed the world. So we pray that you will accept and walk in this love and freely give it away to all who cross your path. God’s love in action changes everything. Merry Christmas! 

Love, 
Chris, Tina, Georgia and Reese

Nerf Gun Fun!

Family fun is sometimes hards to come by in the small jungle town of Shell, Ecuador. Last year Georgia purchased a small nerf gun and we laughed so hard playing as a family. We immediately purchased 3 more and so began our family nerf wars. This is good to blow off some steam! As you can see, we take it quite seriously....