Oh, The Places You Will Go!

Oh The Places You Will Go…if Dr. Seuss hadn’t already written this book, Darryl and I certainly would be able to. We have definitely traveled all over Ecuador during the last five weeks. It has been a wonderful experience, leaving us feeling tired yet ready for more! Thank you so much for your prayers for us as over the past weeks. God has been our source of energy and strength throughout each trip we have taken. His faithfulness has been so evident with each team. How we LOVE what we do! Here is a little of what has been going on recently….


Wayland Baptist University Team, June 9-23

We had a group of 10 come down from WBU. It was very exciting for us, as that is the university our daughter attends. This was what is known as a “scouting team”, as they came to see what ministries they might like to partner with in the future. They combined college credit classes with a mission trip, so we were able to do lots of things. We climbed a mountain, trekked through the jungle, went canyoning and white-water rafting, worked at a construction site for a new orphanage, held a three-day VBS for the kids of the orphanage, and attended a church service of a new church that has joined the association we work with. We all felt challenged many times during the trip, but that was when we were able to see God come through and to draw our strength from Him. It really was a wonderful two weeks, and we are so excited to form a partnership with WBU

Murphy’s Landing, June 26-July 4

A group of 13 came with this group. We went to La Union to hold a VBS and a marriage seminar. We had our hands full with an average of 300 kids coming to VBS (we had over 350 the last day!). At night, we had over 100 couples attend the marriage seminar based on the movie Fireproof. Darryl and I found ourselves in constant prayer during this week, as the group was definitely stretched to their limits. God was so good to completely take care of all our concerns…the lodging, the food, the weather, the mosquitoes…everything we were worried about ended up being taken care of. We saw several couples give their lives to the Lord during the marriage seminar. We were the first mission group to ever come to this town, and they were so appreciative. The church we worked with was able to take great encouragement from this team, and many doors were open for future ministry opportunities in La Union. Thank you, Lord!

Ovid Community Church, July 6-14

This is Ovid’s third time to come to Ecuador. This year they brought a group of 17, many of whom had been here before. Ovid has committed to partnering with the Central District, and it has been such a blessing to see so many wonderful friendships formed over the past three years. This year they worked at Betel, a church in South Quito. They painted all of the Sunday school rooms and held a three-day VBS in the afternoons. On Saturday, they held a church summit where they offered several workshops for leaders in the churches of the Central District. They closed the summit with a foot-washing ceremony.  There are no words to express that afternoon.  It was the first time any of the Ecuadorian in attendance had ever experienced anything like that.  We were all moved to tears as we saw husbands washing their wive's feet, mentors washing the feet of the pastors who mentored them, and so many more touching pictures of people humbling themselves before others.  It was a wonderful afternoon.  Darryl and I were so touched to see the union of hearts between brothers and sisters in Christ who don’t share the same language or culture. They truly show an example of one church, one body, one calling.

We wanted to say a special thank you to Alan, Tandi, Olivia and Anna Landes. Alan has led the Ovid team for the last three years. This summer he and his family came down two weeks before the Ovid team arrived to help run the guest house while we were gone with teams. They were such a blessing to us, as well as to the

guests who passed through our house during those two weeks. May God richly bless you, Landes family, for your sacrificial service to your King!

We also have a special prayer request. While Alan was here, he, Doug Tankersley and Pastor Antonio Zabala held a meeting for our FLET students. FLET is a program that allows people to study at home and at their local church to become leaders of our churches. On the way home from the meeting, the FLET students returning to Ibarra were in a very serious accident. Three students were killed and many are still in the hospital. It was a devastating blow for all of us. However, God has continued to strengthen the church at Ibarra, and we have had several members of the church who have called asking to be able to join the FLET program to carry on the work of those who died. Please pray for Pastor Hebert and the members of the church in Ibarra. Pray for the family members of those who died and for those who are still in the hospital. We know that in all things God WILL be glorified!

Field Retreat, July 27-31

We ask your prayers for our last team of the summer. They arrive from Canada on Monday. Some of them will stay here at Quito and work on the guest house. The others are headed to Loja to do a Vacation Bible School for a week. Then, starting on Tuesday, July 27th, this same team will minister to all of the missionaries here with OMS. We will have our annual field retreat here at the guest house. Please pray for strength and health for the Canadian team. Pray that the Lord will guide them as they do their VBS in Loja and as they minister to each of us during the field retreat. Pray also that our time together as a mission family will be a time to reconnect with each other, a time to get some much needed rest and just a sweet time of fellowship.

Thank you so much for your faithful partnership in this wonderful ministry in which God has placed us. We pray that our Heavenly Father will bless you with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Serving the King,

Kelly, for the Chambers