Celebrate!
In September, our Youth Camp and our Missions Conference were both blessed by our Lord!

In October, we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the founding of our first church.

The celebration began with the arrival in Ecuador of my three preacher brothers and their wives. Leonard and Susie came from Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. Richard and Valerie came from Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. Mark and Laurie came from Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

Richard preached for us on Sunday morning, the 12th. That evening, we had a unified service. We invited all the daughter churches to come help us celebrate. We had a houseful and lots of music. Mark preached a challenge to all of us.

On Saturday, the 18th, we had a special meeting with all of our missionaries, pastors and wives and institute graduates. All three of my brothers spoke to the men and their wives met with the ladies. We had a nice meal together.

We learned earlier in the week that the soccer stadium across the highway from our church was hosting the first game of the playoffs for the national title on Sunday morning. Parking, traffic and possible wind and rain were going to be obstacles.

Our people worked hard, volunteered many hours in preparation and many people prayed. Personalized invitations were printed up and individually given.

Then on Sunday, the 19th, we were ready to celebrate the Lord’s blessings on the preaching of the Gospel for 20 years. The skies were clear. We had limited problems with the soccer crowd. The riot control police strategically placed smoke bombs on either side of our church, but not directly in front of us.

The Smith clan provided the special music. Along with solos by Valerie and Leonard, we had a Smith Family Choir and the Bald Ones Quartet. Leonard preached an effective evangelistic message. An innovative children’s program was presented. A great meal was prepared and served expeditiously. Nearly five hundred were in attendance. When the dust settled, eleven people had trusted the Lord as personal Savior.