Angels and Farewell to Ecuador

Friends Beatriz and her mother Blankita for Advent Tea

The decision to leave Ecuador has not come easily, for Loja feels so like home.  After 20 months in Ecuador, the place and the people have claimed a large corner of my heart.  And since October--during a time of personal anguish and struggle--both the physical beauties of the country and the kindness of its people have brought me great comfort.

Breakfast with indigenous Saraguro family over Christmas

Saraguro hosts Baudilio and Rosa Quizphe share their Christmas traditions

With friend (and angel) Sally Lincoln in Saraguro

Henri Nouwen, in Can You Drink the Cup?, writes that "Joys are hidden in sorrows [but that] we keep forgetting this truth and become overwhelmed by our own darkness."  And in those dark times, he notes, "We need to be angels for each other, to give each other strength and consolation."

Many have been angels to me…especially you who offered encouragement in response to my writing, some sharing your own painful journeys.  Thanks for being part of my community, defined by Nouwen as "a fellowship of people who do not hide their joys and sorrows but make them visible to each other in a gesture of hope."

with Sandry Ludena, Loja

with the Rev. Lourdes Inapanta, Quito

Two special Ecuadorean women, Sandry Ludena and Lourdes Inapanta, have opened their hearts and homes to me, and shared some of their own struggles as wives and mothers.  God bless their continuing service to others...Lourdes (pastor and supporter of new chapters of Daughters of the King in Quito), and Sandry (missionary and youth worker).  Bendiciones, Lourdes y Sandrita!

These women will join Hijas del Rey March 8, 2015, in Quito

Mama Esther Engle in her Colorado home

Other angels are my mother, whose love, listening ear, and wise counsel have lifted me up time and time again...and my faithful sisters in Gonaives, Haiti.  They, who have become strong through much suffering, check in regularly, assuring me of their continued prayers for me and Bill.  Mesi anpil, Miguelita y tout le Filles du Roi!

Dear sisters in Gonaives, Haiti, with Sally Lincoln

Owen and Bill begin recent pilgrimage to Kansas City

In Colorado, Owen and Bill have been busy with Owen's work and Bill's preparation for teaching online at Pueblo Community College this spring semester.  They made a pilgrimage (Owen's term) to the International House of Prayer's OneThing in Kansas City recently.

John, summer 2014

In Japan, John winds up two years with the Asahikawa Gospel Church.  He'll spend a couple weeks in Colorado late March/early April prior to beginning studies at Tokyo Biblical Seminary.  I've been investigating opportunities for teaching English in Tokyo, and for fellowship with the Anglican-Episcopal Church there.


John's great, grand aunt Eunice Lady Wingert and her husband Norman worked in Tokyo 1953-1957.  The photo below is from Norman Wingert's self-published book Relief Work Was Like This (circa 1970).

My grand aunt Eunice Lady Wingert and husband Norman center, standing

The Tingles take over our apartment

Dave Campbell (R) will carry baggage to Miami

When I made the decision to give up our home in Loja, virtually all the furnishings sold within a day, and a young missionary couple from Australia who needed a new home (their own rented apartment being sold) took on our lease.  Within a few more days I learned that a visiting pastor from Real Life Church in Idaho could carry baggage for me to Miami.  This is a great boon (thanks Jim, pictured R, and Kathy Kenas!) but nevertheless I've had to unload much of what we brought to Ecuador, thus traveling ever lighter (!), and sensing the freedom that comes from letting go.

The greater lessons learned in the past few months are about letting go of not just things, but of people and plans, while seeking greater self-awareness and humility.  By God's grace I've learned to say, with Job, "…he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold."  Gold is malleable, resistant to corrosion, precious, and bright.  Work on, dear God, refiner of hearts and spirits.