Familia Marcum, Operation Ecuador: Happy New Year!

Isaiah 43:1-3, 7, 10-13

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.... “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”

Isaiah 43:1-3, 7, 10-13

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Happy New Year!

We ended the year with a church-wide time of fellowship at our house, complete with a smoked leg of pork (thanks to my multi-talented husband!), sports, karaoke, a hay ride for the kids in the back of our 79 Chevy pick-up, burning the "old man" (an Ecuadorian custom of making and burning a dummy to symbolize getting rid of old habits), a devo, and fireworks. What a wonderful way to bring in the new year! (Although for the first part of the day, I had a few concerns: it rained all day -luckily we had rented a tent- but it cleared up and was beautiful; the flies were the worst I've ever seen, thousands of them - I have a new appreciation for the Egyptian plague in Exodus - we went through 6 cans of insect spray just to make it bearable - but the temperature dropped and the flies went away; the first guests showed up over an hour late, and most people didn't arrive until a couple hours after we said we would start.) The devo was a special time of singing and sharing some spiritual goals for the next year, and I think it really helped people reflect. Bruno, one of the young men of our congregation who has taken on a leading role with the youth, tearfully expressed a heartfelt desire to be a good role model. Renan, his father, reflected on all that God has blessed them with this last year, and a desire to serve God with those blessings in the year to come. Miguel stated he wanted to be a better father, spending more time with his kids and having more patience. Letticia wanted to humble her heart more before God. Please pray for all these brothers and sisters in their walk with Jesus.