Josh is on his way.

Sun, 18 May 2008 07:12:00 -0500

Well everyone, I'm going to be leaving soon. My bags are being packed and I'm getting myself mentally ready. I will be leaving on Tuesday the 20th and hit the ground running. Thank you all for your prayers and support. (NOTE FROM JOEY) So what's the latest in Quito Ecuador? Everyday I seem to be reminded of the amazing opportunity that I have been given to be a part of starting a soccer ministry here. As I have mentioned it before this whole process has been taking time and I have had to learn what it means to be patient as we try and develop this new ministry. Within the last month God has really started to open doors and on May 30 and 31 we will be running our first official tournament. There is a lot of work that needs to happen to be able to run it successfully but we really believe that this is the event that will be kicking off this ministry. The idea of using soccer as a bridge into peoples lives has been a dream of mine for a long time...Its exciting to think that it's starting to become a reality. We are hoping to have 400-500 people be part of this event...Between Players, Refs, and Fans... Please pray for us as we hold the tournament and start building relationships. Pray that we would shine the love of Jesus to every single person that comes to the tournament. What else is going on? I have been given an amazing opportunity to start a soccer team with the boys involved in the Casa Gabriel ministry (this is a house made up of boys who used to live on the street)...as well as with boys who are currently living on the street. Right now I will just be playing with them on Sunday afternoons but we are trying to figure out a way to start an actual team. I have also been talking with somebody about the opportunity to coach a team of 12 year old boys from a wealthy school 30 minutes outside of Quito. One of our dreams for this soccer ministry is to have a team made up of guys from all different socio economic back rounds. To me it seems like God is opening those doors to make this happen. Please pray for guidance as we explore what this could look like. I'm really excited to see what happens with this ministry and am humbled at the fact that God has allowed me to be a part of it. I am also playing soccer about 3 times a week. In a city league, at the Alliance Academy, and against a group of Colombians. All three of these are incredible chances to love people. Pray that God would give me courage and strength as I use the passion God gave me in soccer to invest into people's lives. Josh is getting here May 20th....Finally...oh I have to apologize to all of you. I had mentioned that I wasn't going to shave until he got here. Well...yeah I shaved...sorry...Me + two months without shaving = A skinny goofy looking bearded kid.... NOT GOOD. ...Thanks for being so forgiving. Last prayer request... Crime here in Quito seems to be at a high. Just among Youth World missionaries we have had 5 different robberies in the last month. Pray for our safety and protection as we do live in a big city. Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement as I continue on my journey of life and ministry. Love you JOEY

Nosnews.com

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 07:32:00 -0500

What is Nosnews? Nosnews is a couple of things. It is first of all simply Swenson backwords. It is also the URL to this web blog. What is this web blog? This blog will serve as your news feed from Ecuador. It has many capabilities that I hope we will all be able to use in order to keep you up to date with what is happening in the lives of Joshua and Joel Swenson. I believe you will appreciate the many features this type of communication will offer. To begin with, if you chose to subscribe to our blog you will be notified every time we write something new on it. Our goal is to write something at least once a month in order to keep you current. It also has a feature that will allow us to upload slide shows so that you can enjoy this partnership visually as well. This blog also permits you to comment and or reply to the things that we share. This could be a great place to add prayer requests or simply your own thoughts related to what we are involved in. So please, give us your e-mail address and take advantage of the many things this application has to offer.

The Journey Begins

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 07:24:00 -0500

I want to thank those of you who have already joined me on this adventure as well as welcome those of you who are in the process of discovering how you will be involved. It is surely a process of patience and trust but thus far support raising has been a blessing. It has given me an opportunity to talk to people and their heart for God. [More]

Swenson - nosnewS - On my way.

Josh is on his way.

Nosnews.com

The Journey Begins