Happy New Year and happy new decade! We have been examining our goals for this year and look forward to continuing work with the Cofan churches, our church here in Quito and our youth groups. Evangelism and discipleship are at the top of the list this year. Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

We were not able to be there in person, but December 25th, eighteen people were baptized in the village of Dureno. Our hearts are rejoicing!

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Leoncio and Wilson, the church leaders, are encouraged seeing the fruit of the work there in that village. Wilson was also thrilled to see his oldest son take that step of obedience.

Leon and Wilson are heading down to the village of Zabalo for another baptism that will be taking place on January 26th. There are several who are desiring baptism at that time.

Ron also talked to Ramon this past week and found out there are ten desiring baptism in the village of Sinangue! We aren’t sure the dates for this, but will let you know when we find out.

What a wonderful, encouraging way to start out the new year! Please continue praying for the Cofan villages of Sinangue, Dovuno, Dureno and Zabalo and the work there. Ron is planning his next visit the third week of January.

Our time in the States was wonderful and precious. We made some great memories with our family over the holidays spending part of the time in Albany, OR and Cheney, WA. Esther’s whole family were able to be together on Christmas Eve with her mom, and we were able to have some special photos taken. My mom was thrilled to have her four kids and their spouses AND all thirteen of her grandchildren AND one great grand-daughter! Here is one of the whole family together:

Right after Christmas we headed up to Cheney, WA near Spokane and spent time in Ethan and Leanne’s household and Paul and Julia’s. Yes, we did have snow and it was COLD! It’s been eight years since we were up there mid-winter and we forgot how cold and dark it is that time of year. We did enjoy visiting the kids’ churches and observing their participation leading music and their involvement. God is so good!

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One highlight was a walk in the woods we took with some of the kids:

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Of course when you get together, there are always goodbyes…the hard part.

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We left Isaac when he dropped us off at the Portland Airport. He travels back to Pensacola Friday January 17th to begin his last semester. Graduation is May 8th and then he plans to go on a mission trip to Israel. If you are interested in helping support his trip and/or pray for him, let us know and we will forward you his support letter.

Sarah is with us again here in Ecuador until the end of April. She will continue teaching Sunday school, helping with childcare during Tuesday Bible study, helping with Sunday and Friday youth groups and working on Grandpa Borman’s book. She has rough drafts for the first two chapters with many more to go…

February 1st we will be having our annual fundraiser fair for our Homeschool Teen Fellowship group (meets on Fridays). This year’s theme will be a Renaissance Fair, with all funds going towards our annual retreat the end of March. Be looking for some fun photos in our next month’s blog!

One last family photo to share: