Our accommodations for Monday were very nice. Comfy bed. Warm water. Nice breakfast with cafe con leche, eggs, toast, and blackberry juice. We soon departed and began our 8 hour journey to Esmeraldes. We started in the mountains near 10,000 feet in elevation. About 2 1/2 hours later we were closer to sea level. The foliage change was dramatic and there were some amazing water falls. We had lunch at a roadside restaurant in one of the small towns: beef rib soup, fried fish, rice and beans.

We discussed much about the culture of the Afro-Ecuadorians along the way. From my perspective, it seems that the ungodly aspects of Western culture creep into remote societies much quicker than the gospel, but praise God for Johnny and Donna Maust who are doing God’s work among the people. In just a few years, they have planted 6 churches. As it stands now, Johnny is still leading 5 of them. He has a disciple from Ecuador, Jon, who is leading one of the others. One of his prayers is to continue to develop leaders who will become elders and lead their local congregations.

After checking into our hotel where we will be for the next 4 nights, I took a quick 30 minute nap. It was much needed. We then headed off with Johnny to visit some of the local villages, Rio Verdes, Penas Blancas, Las Delicious. One of the church members and family prepared smoked duck in coconut sauce for us. Amazing! We also had lemonade, homemade cheese, and rice. There was also an interesting drink made from cocoa nut. It was cold and had a thick milk-like texture. I wasn’t a fan, but when you are given something, you drink/eat it. (It was just the way I like it…wink, wink.)

After dinner was a real treat. We continued down a stone covered, bumpy, dirt road for maybe 5 miles and reached the local school where the church services are held every Tuesday night. We got to play some games with the kids beforehand but soon were treated to singing acapella several songs. Then Johnny led a teaching from Luke 8 and the parable of the seeds/soils. The church was engaged in his teaching and you could just sense how the Spirit filled that outdoor arena.

Side note: The singing in acapella isn’t by choice so much as by necessity. If they had instruments and the talent, they would welcome them and use them.

As I write this, it is Wednesday morning. We had a hot and humid night sleeping under mosquito nets. After breakfast we will depart again to Rio Verde and go further into two remote areas where Johnny wishes to begin two more church plants. We will be looking to see how our church and/or churches in our area can partner with him here in the future.

This is exciting stuff. NEVER let ANYONE tell you following Jesus is boring. And I don’t mean the food, culture, etc. That’s all well and good, but seeing people who’ve never heard about Jesus, trust him. Then to see fruit of discipleship. I pray I have more to report tonight or tomorrow morning. Blessings.

In less than a week, I, along with two other men, will be headed south to meet a missionary couple in Ecuador. We want to get to know the missionaries and capture their vision for the area. Hopefully, we can bring their vision back to the churches within the Western Region of Georgia Baptist Mission Board. You can read more about Johnny and Donna Maust here.

Would you pray for us? Pray for all the logistics to run smoothly. Pray for our health as we travel. Pray that we correctly understand God’s heart for these people, that we would see what He sees.

Thus far, all three of us have tested negative for COVID so that is a major hurdle. We will need another negative test next Thursday so that we may return to the US. Please pray for that.

Also, pray that we are able to make real, meaningful connections with the Afro-Ecuadorians. We want to see these people reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ and for churches to be planted among them. We want them to grow and disciple themselves to reach their own families. Wouldn’t be something to see God do a mighty work among this people group?

Hopefully, I will be able to post updates throughout the week. Check back here if you want to learn more about our trip and how you can pray, give, or go to reach people with the gospel. To the ends of the earth. (Matt 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Rom 10:13-15)

I don’t typically speak out on matters of national prominence, at least not publicly or on social media. I have many of those conversations privately. I’ve discussed at length my thoughts about our nation’s and state’s response to COVID-19. I have my thoughts on the veracity of the pandemic and the constitutionality of “shutdowns,” but I’ll save those for another time. What I want to discuss tonight is prompted by the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Like I said, I usually reserve my thoughts for those who are among my flock, my congregants; That’s where God has called me. But I also know there are others, perhaps on social media, that may read this as well. Further, I’ve seen where people have called on white evangelicals to speak out. So, here I am. I’m speaking out. If that makes me “woke” then so be it.

First of all, Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time to mourn…and that time is now. After seeing this story surface last night, it’s been on my mind all day. I can’t fathom what Ahmaud’s family is going through, but it doesn’t end there. I can’t imagine what my brothers, who happen to have darker shades of skin than me, are going through. I pray for them. I also pray for pastors and churches in Ahmaud’s community. I know some of them. This is absolutely heartbreaking.

Many people have rightly called this racism, but I believe there are stronger words: Hatred. Evil. Sinister. Demonic. Satanic. I used to be conflicted about how governments enact justice, for I understand that God’s forgiveness extends even to the most evil of humans. But eternal justification does not remove earthly condemnation and punishment. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that past sins hold no ramification on future events. Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. (Prov. 26:11) A convicted child abuser may be forgiven, but he doesn’t get to be a babysitter. Therefore, I pray that our justice system will act diligently, to the fullest extent of the law, and swiftly in this situation. This has to stop. At the same time, I pray that the perpetrators come to know and understand the grace of God. 

I believe racism is a symptom. We will never end racism until we attack the underlying cause and to do so, we must return to using a word that has become taboo – SIN. We must recognize sin and call it what it is. Only then we will be able to correctly understand the solution. John tells us that Christ came not to judge the world but to save it. (John 3:16-17)   There is an answer to evil and His name is Jesus.

Let’s be careful not to pick and choose which sins get our attention. In this instance, it’s racism, murder, hatred. If we only attack the manifestations of sins, then we are still not getting at the problem. Something supernatural must take place within the human heart. Behavior modification only works to teach your dog new tricks. It does nothing to root out evil in man’s hearts.

I grieve today but I have hope about the future. One day, there will be no more tears. No more mourning. No more sadness. No more death. For Jesus Christ is the eternal King. Justice will finally be realized. My prayer for you, if you are still reading this, is that you know King Jesus. And if you do, I pray that you seek ways to truly love your brother. Listen to him. Seek to understand. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Oftentimes God breaks us to the extent that we have nowhere to turn but to Him.

Who hears but the one who is listening?

Who listens but the one desperate for good news?

Who finds but the one who seeks?

Who seeks but the one desperate for fulfillment?

God is not more appealing to the destitute and downtrodden. They just happen to be more open and receptive to the goodness of God. The thirsty long for even a small sip of water; the hungry for a bite of bread. If the difficult moments of life cause us to turn back to God, then was it worth it? No one longs for pain, but if pain is what is required to push us toward a greater good, then perhaps we begin to understand why we should count trials as joyous.

Conversely, the man living the “good life,” never truly knowing thirst or hunger, may never see his need for God and therefore go about his merry, ignorant way. For though he does not recognize his need, his need is great indeed. There is a thirst, a hunger that resides deeper than the pit of our stomachs. The hunger is within our souls. Two things can be said about this hunger. First of all, it is universal. Everyone knows this hunger as evidenced that everyone attempts to satisfy it. We attempt with work, education, family, adventure, notoriety, striving for the “good life.” These all fail in that they are temporary but this does lead to the second point: nothing of this world can satisfy the hunger of the soul. Thus the conclusion reached by the author of Ecclesiastes. If the soul is eternal, and I believe it is, then why suspect that temporal solutions would suffice? This is the way of the ignorant. C.S. Lewis writes, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

How do we fulfill the soul’s hunger? God gives grace to the humble, regardless of their social status. And that’s just what we are in desperate need of…grace. What do the destitute need? The downtrodden? Grace. The need of those who have it all together? Grace. The ones that pretend to have it all together? Grace. We all need grace. To receive it, we must humble ourselves recognizing our need and plead the only One who can satisfy to do so. Have you heard the good news? Are you listening? Are you desperate for the goodness of God? The psalmist said, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Just a taste. Just a taste. Like a fingertip of frosting from the mixing bowl.

God. Is. Good.

And then there come those days when all the best theology in the world has to put on street clothes and walk through hell on earth. The heart tests the mind and the will. A heavy heart, an iron will, a preoccupied mind…What will win out? Days like these are when friends become so precious. Those that lift you in prayer, send a word of encouragement, or simply make time for you. I’ve heard these friends described as “Jesus with skin on.” Over the last 12 years of marriage, I’ve come to realize that there is no greater friend on earth than my wife.

An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.

Truer words have never been shared. With each passing season of life and marriage, I have come to love and appreciate my wife all the more. No, she doesn’t complete me. Christ does that. There are plenty of folks who never marry or who have been widowed. Does this make them any less Christian? Certainly not. But for folks like me, the Lord knew that I would require someone else to push me, challenge me, and love me more into the man that God desires. Thank God for my wife!

Sometimes life is smooth sailing. Sometimes there are rough waters. And sometimes I just need a kick in the pants, the rug snatched from beneath me to cause me to look up and look around. When this happens, and I stop to count my blessings, I remember God, I consider my friends, my family, my wife… I come to the startling realization, I am living the good life.

This title is a rough interpretation of Moses’ words at the end of Exodus 5. Moses, the man who’d been called by God from the midst of the burning bush and performed miracles with his shepherd’s staff, is now challenging God to uphold His word. As bold as this appears, and it is quite bold, I’ve been there. I’ve prayed for something and never saw it come to light. I’ve often wondered why God would allow such pain, suffering, and injustice.

First of all, I’m reminded that if God is to eliminate all evil, He’ll have to do something with me. I deserve hell. Furthermore, in a sense, He did do this once before, with Noah and the flood. It didn’t work. As soon as the water recedes, humans go on sinning. Evil shows up and pain ensues. Tonight, with my middle and high school students, we looked at this passage from Exodus 5 and took a stab at some tough questions. Is it as simple as, “That’s just God’s will?” “These things happen for a reason?” “It serves some mysterious purpose?”

Maybe. But I like to think that God is working to make the world right, to usher in shalom. I don’t believe that God wishes anyone to perish. I don’t believe God intends for anyone to hurt. The world didn’t start that way. The first humans were sinless and given charge to care for, to rule and reign over, the earth. But they messed up. So, God used another human, a “Second Adam,” to rule and reign. Jesus is the King and His Kingdom endures forever. It’s just not quite the time for its fulfillment. But one day, one glorious day, there will be no more crying, no more pain, no more death. That’s a promise I’m compelled to believe. I said that the world didn’t start with pain and hurt. It was perfect. It sounds like the world will eventually be a lot like it was when it started.

God used a perfect man to bring about His kingdom and the fascinating thing is that He now, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is using people like you and me, to set things right, to rule and reign, to usher in shalom. Go. Make disciples. Proclaim the Good News and long for the day when, not only will He wipe every tear from our eyes, there just won’t be anything to cry about.

p.s. What I didn’t share with my students tonight, is that today is the anniversary of the death of a great man, a true friend. It’s been 7 years and I still miss him, but I look forward to our reunion.

“Whoever thinks he has the ways of God conveniently tabulated, analyzed, and correlated with convenient, glib answers to ease every question from aching hearts has not been very far in this maze of mystery we call life and death…He (God) has no stereotyped way of doing what he does. He delivered Peter from prison but… left John the Baptist in the dungeon to die…At this writing I never knew less how to explain the ways of providence but I never had more confidence in my God…I accept whatever He does, however He does it.” – exert from Vance Havner’s diary concerning the death of his wife.

So much has been said about love. Poets pen emotions into words. Musicians charm the masses with their instruments. Vocalist croon sentiments causing folks to go weak in the knees…all attempting to define, or capture the essence of, love. But perhaps love isn’t expressed so much in word as in deed.

This advent season we have peered at the horizon with hope; we’ve rested in peace, with a stillness in our hearts; and we have danced and laughed with exuberant joy. Today, we recognize it was love that began it all. What would compel a God to send His only begotten Son into this sinful, cruel, broken world? In a word, love. But it didn’t begin at Christmas. God’s love has been there all along. The blood-red thread of redemption runs from the Garden and the sacrificial lambs of the Old Covenant right through to Emmanuel, the Lamb of God, hanging on a cross.

Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.

But not only us. You see, the love that caused Christmas, loves the whole world. Today, as we light the Candle of Love, may we be so captivated and motivated by the love of Christ that we don’t stop proclaiming “good news of great joy” until the whole world knows the Love of God.

It was an ordinary night…the shepherds caring for their flocks, probably grumbling, as old men do, about the government and the census being taken by Augustus.

Yet it was a night like no other…suddenly, an angel, beaming with the glory of God shared with them, “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.”

In essence they were saying, “Don’t be afraid, rather be joyful”

Joy, it is an especially peculiar thing. Unlike happiness, joy is not manufactured. Man can strive toward happiness, and if he plays his cards just right, may very well attain it…a happy home, a happy marriage, a happy life.

But joy, birthed in spontaneity and expressed at the crossroads of laughter and freedom, is more mysterious because it can happen anywhere, anytime, even under the most unpromising circumstances, even in the midst of suffering, with tear-stained cheeks. Joy can be a baby boy sleeping in an animal food trough or a sinless Savior nailed to a tree.

As we light the candle of joy, may we, in the midst of our ordinary days, or the extraordinary days, may we never lose sight of the joy, the freedom, that comes through Jesus. And may we be ever mindful of sharing the true joy of Christmas with everyone we meet.

And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Peace on earth, good will to men…Is this a reality? Lately it seems that our world is anything but peaceful. “Wars and rumors of wars,” is a more common theme. Seemingly daily we are inundated with stories of terrorism and violence.

But let us remember Jesus’s words to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” How then, do we reconcile a hostile world with the peace that Jesus offers? We must understand that peace is not the absence of conflict, but is the presence of Christ. It is an inner stillness of the heart; A confidence that no matter our circumstances, everything is going to be alright.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Today, as we light the candle of peace, we do so knowing that peace has not yet come to every heart. May we pray, may we give, may we go until every tongue, tribe, and nation knows the peace that comes only with the presence of Jesus Christ.

At this time of advent, as we anticipate things to come, we would do well to first look back. Let’s journey to the first century. After all, the nation of Israel would often recount its history.

• They would tell of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• They would celebrate how the Lord used Moses to lead their ancestors out of captivity.
• They’d recount the triumphs of Joshua and exploits of David.
• They marveled at God’s power on Mount Carmel.

These and so many more.

Every generation had its hero. Every generation had a story of God’s deliverance. But not this generation, nor the one before, nor the one before that. It had been a long, long time, nearly 400 years, since there’d been a “word from the Lord.” But just when the world seems it’s darkest, that’s when the Lord breaks through. A divine message, from a divine being, delivered to Zechariah, “There will be joy and delight for you. [Your son] will turn many to the Lord their God, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.” And there it is, hope, a belief that tomorrow is a better day.

Those of us who have Jesus, well, we have hope, for He has secured our tomorrow. However, at this time, as we light the candle of hope, we must recognize there are still billions without hope. No knowledge of Jesus. No promise of a better tomorrow. May we do all we can to carry the message of Jesus to a lost and dying world, to spread true and lasting hope.

I know I haven’t updated in a couple days but they’ve seen long days. Fruitful days but long days. Also, I wasn’t sure how to put into words all that I’ve witnessed the last couple days…but I’ll try. (Warning, long post)

Thursday and Friday, we spent all afternoon in a local park. The guys played basketball for the most part and the girls used henna to make temporary tattoos for anyone who ventured up. (More on henna in a moment)

Sam, Connor, and Nathan took a couple basketballs to the park and hopped it up a bit with some of the locals. After about 30 minutes, we called time so everyone could catch a breather and grab some water. Then, with help from a translator, I talked about what it meant to be on a team and that in the Bible, there’s a team called the church. I told the group that there was only one way to make that team – I then presented the gospel. One guy, Roberto, had lots of questions. Please pray for him. He says that he follows Jesus but doesn’t like the label “Christian.” I’m sure he’s not a believer but he’s close. I will be emailing him over the next few weeks. Connor sat and talked with Roberto for maybe an hour about his faith. It was awesome to see.

Then we played some more ball. After about another 30 minutes, we stopped, and Nathan shared the gospel with 5 guys. 3 of them left shortly into our conversation but…2 of them didn’t! Ricardo and Vladimir, both from Venezuela, heard what Nathan had to say, prayed, repented, and trusted Jesus with their life! How awesome is that?

This kind of thing was happening for almost 5 hours each afternoon. It was awesome! We didn’t always play ball. Sometimes we just walked the park and struck up conversations with people. In all, us 5 guys, Mark, Sam, Connor, Nathan, and I, shared the gospel with over 40 people and saw 3 people give their life to Jesus!

The girls set up blankets in the park beneath a tree and drew temporary tattoos on the hands of anyone who would come. You really have to see it to understand, but the artwork walks through the story of scripture. As the tattoo is applied, the recipient hears the story of the Bible from Creation to Christ. Then, they leave with a semi-permanent reminder of the gospel. It’s pretty cool. Through this “henna station” more than 50 people heard the gospel. The girls can tell you more about numbers and special stories from their experience. I know of at least 2 people who trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior because of the work, Heather, Eden, and Sara did with henna. Many more left encouraged and prayed for.

There is one more interesting conversation that took place on Thursday. They were literally running through the park distributing flyers. When I saw that it said something of Islam, I immediately chased them down to ask them some questions. We talked for maybe 45-60 minutes. I had a great time telling the the truth of Jesus Christ but in the end, they simply could not comprehend the love of God…A love that would send His own Son to die a cursed death on a cross. Love so amazing so divine demands my life, my soul, my all.

It’s been a great, awe-inspiring couple of days. God is good. He is faithful. Never, never underestimate what young men and women can do to advance the kingdom of God. I am truly blessed to be called their youth pastor. It is times like this that make everything else so worth it. I am already pumped about our next trip, but cannot wait to get home and see where these student go from here.

Tomorrow, we get to enjoy being tourists for a day. We’ll visit the equator and a couple other places. We’ll eat some guinea pig then we’ll fly back on the red eye to Atlanta. Please pray that all the people who heard the gospel will have fruitful follow-up from the local pastors. We gathered information on almost every person we with whom we spoke.

This is my last update of the Quito Experiment. So long and until next time, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.