NOT WHAT I EXPECTED

Surely, my time here has not been what I expected prior to my arrival. As you know, my expectation was to arrive in Ecuador and hit the ground running. I expected to visit a number of soccer schools, assess where their needs were and begin working with the coaches to develop a comprehensive coaching, outreach, discipleship program.

Instead of hitting the ground running, I simply hit the ground and stood still....relatively speaking. Shortly after my arrival I was summoned to a meeting with the sports outreach (si se puede panas - known here as PANAS) leadership team. It was at this meeting that I quickly found out that in fact all of the soccer schools had ceased to exist, were on break, had lost it's coaching staff, etc. This was not what I expected to find within the first month of my arrival in Ecuador. To cap this off, the leadership of the, "Covenant Youth Workers in Ecuador" (JPE) has been in some relative disarray. The leadership team is comprised of a Coordinator who serves in somewhat of a pastoral/ administrative role, as well as a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

This year, the coordinator left for the US to learn English and then go to seminary. This might not seem like that big of a deal but said coordinator was the do it all for the group and when he left no one else really knew what needed to be done. In addition, the secretary had left for Sweden for three months in order to be a part of a mission training school called Acts 29. The treasurer was reported MIA which I later found out was related to him feeling excluded by the rest of the cabinet. The president had a relatively critical personal issue and was forced to resign. If you are keeping with the math, that leaves us with a VP who like all the others is a volunteer in said capacity but has a full time job that is his priority. So, needless to say, when I arrived there was little to no leadership,

In response to the void, the denominational leadership here in Ecuador has asked a former President to step in as interim coordinator to help JPE close out the year and I have been asked to assist in this process. We are in the process of re-defining the hierarchical structure of JPE as well as developing strategies for the future. The general assembly will gather at the end of January to vote on our proposed changes and to elect the new officers. Please keep me and JPE in your prayers as we attempt to move forward in a way that is practical, effective and honoring of the Lord and the work here in Ecuador among the youth.

Meanwhile, I finally broke down and renewed my Ecuadorian drivers license this week. I spent most of the day at the DMV running from one desk to the other attempting to get my paperwork sorted out. My original DL was from 1991 and had long since expired. I can't say I was surprised when they couldn't locate any record for my DL in their computers so I had to visit a "data" office in order to bring my information up to date before I could take the "very easy" test and then take my photo and get my DL. While I am not a big fan of sitting in govt buildings to get paperwork taken care of, I did meed a young police officer who was there to take his written motorcycle test. We quickly became friends. After I aced my test I was told I would need to wait for an hour while the "camera" people at lunch so I asked my new friend Jacob to lunch. During lunch Jacob asked me about my job and my life here in Ecuador and after a few minutes of reflection mentioned his need to seek and connect with the Lord. Being a police officer and a fraternity of corruption I told him that there was no way he could ever connect with God. I then got up, stormed off and smiled for the photos with my self righteous indignation.

Of course I kid, I didn't smile for the photo....and didn't really storm off. I did however invite him to join me for Church. I'm hoping that he can come with me on Sunday.

So please pray for Jacob. I don't yet know much of his story but I ask that the Lord with reveal himself to Jacob and shower him with his love and grace.

Also continue to pray for my friend Earl. I've been in touch with him lately via facebook and he has mentioned his health issues. I'm very concerned for my brother and his poor diet as well as the impending winter and all that it brings. Pray also for the rest of the homeless and their wellbeing during the cold difficult winter.

Finally, continue to pray for me as I look for my place and charge here in Ecuador.

Blessings and Season's greetings.