Friday in Quito

We came back to Quito as scheduled today. Delta is also scheduled to fly out tonight. Thanks for your continued prayers.

Blessings...

Bro. Mark

Quick Note

If you want to email me during this time while we wait please use this email

markbass01@hotmail.com

Blessings...

Thursday in Tambo

We have finished teaching our classes. Today was quite incredible. We gave the men a time to speak to us and tell us their hopes for the future of Christianity in the area of Tambo. Almost every man who spoke talked about how desperately they wanted to have a missionary in the area (there are no full-time, on-field missionaries in this part of Ecuador) who would lead a pastoral training center. One man who is in his mid 50´s said that in his 33 years of being a Christian this was the first time he had ever had anyone teach him the things he learned this week. Talk about breaking my heart as I listened. Let´s pray for them, church, that God would make their hopes and prayers come true.

Of other very important note, there has been major unrest in the capital city, Quito, today. The police (national police, different than in US) are striking against the president because he is cutting their wages. When they strike things get violent. The president is currently holed up in a hospital surrounded by the police. The Ecuadorian airforce has shut down the airports during this time.

So, we will not be able to leave until this mess is finished. So, pray for our time here while we wait. Pray for our safety. We are fine up in the mountains, and this is where we will wait until the airports reopen.

I love you church...

Bro. Mark

Wednesday in Tambo

Hey church...

I pray all is well with you. We had another great day on Wednesday. The men are very attentive from early in the morning until we finish in the early evening. We start about 9:00 am and finish about 6:30 pm (they have an hour long afternoon siesta after they eat lunch). There were 20 men here today. The need is great here. These pastors are often preaching in multiple churches because there are not enough men who are willing and able to do the job. We often take for granted the fact that we have solid biblical teaching everywhere around us. Take a moment today and pray for these men and thank God for the privilege of the abundance of his Word in your life.

I love you church...

Bro. Mark

Tuesday in Tambo

We had another great day teaching. Some new men were here today, and one man even brought his wife. There is a pastor in the group who is blind. When we told him yesterday that there was a Braile Spanish Bible being made for him, he was excited like a kid on Christmas day. You can imagine if you can´t read the Bible for yourself. He currently has a person who reads the Bible to him. He has huge amounts of Scripture memorized.

Thanks for your continued prayers...

Bro. Mark

Monday in Tambo, Ecuador

What a fantastic and heartbreaking day we had today. Mike taught the morning session. He´s covering doctrinal issues by walking the group church history. I taught the afternoon session. I´m covering the topic of cults, which is a huge deal. The Mormons and Jehovah´s Witnesses are very prevalent here as well as a few lesser known groups. The cults thrive on lack of knowledge of the orthodox, historic Christian faith because they present themselves as Christians, and for those who cannot discern right doctrine from wrong doctrine the cults are very persuasive. And lack of knowledge seems to be the norm. For example, we had one man (who is serving as a pastor of 2 churches) ask us if Jesus was baptized before or after he was crucified.

Everything went really well and the pastors were amazingly attentitive for being there all day long. There were 15 pastors in our classes today.

Thanks for your prayers and keep praying.

Bro. Mark

In Tambo

We arrived in Tambo about noon today. I preached in a worship service this afternoon. Tomorrow morning starts our teaching. Thanks for your prayers so far. The other man who is teaching is Mike Kessler and the translator is David Sills. Please pray for us as we start tomorrow.

Blessings...

Bro. Mark