(Newsletter April 1, 2004)

Dear Friends,

“Alli tutamantaj. Allillachu cangui.” (Good day.  Are you well? in Quichua)

Last Sunday, a commencement ceremony was held during the first part of the worship service for the Quichua teenagers in Cachigalguay who had attended my Saturday morning English classes. I presented certificates, and Steve gave a brief message from 1 Timothy 4 in Spanish. The church then presented plaques to each of US, and the pastor used Psalm 126:5-6 to encourage us. He said that this church recognized that we often “sowed in tears” because of missing our family, but they saw our work with them as “reaping in joy.” It was one of those indescribably precious moments.

In our last newsletter, we asked you to pray for Steve’s visits to Huigra and Molleturo. March 8th went well, but he wasn’t able to go on the 29th because of an injured foot. We think that an old ankle injury recurred when his foot was stomped a few times by the cows he treated in Guamote. Fortunately, we were able to find a good English-speaking doctor here in Cuenca who seems to have made an appropriate diagnosis. He’s much better now.

In these days leading up to Good Friday and Easter, the “Passion of the Christ” movie is scheduled to open here in Cuenca during the week, which we hope will provide opportunities for discussion and sharing. However, a pirated and doctored DVD has been reported to be for sale on the streets for $1.00, with such changes as: “Into Mary’s hands, I commend My spirit.” Pray that The Truth will overcome Satan’s attempts to distort.

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5-6

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  John 8:32