Extended Hearts

     When I was in High School I began a relationship with an artisan vendor named Carlos Remache who sold things across the street from the school here in Ecuador. During high school I got to know him through buying Ecuadorian gifts from him to give others. Once he asked me if I could help him with getting some back backs from some boys in his community about three hours north of Quito. At the time I was happy to help him out though I didn't even know him that well. The backpacks were for two boys whom he has been discipling for several years now. When he asked me to help the boys with the two gifts the boys were in early primary school. Now they are beginning secondary. Last semester my friend told me the boys had worn the backpacks out from years of use and were very much in need of new ones. Again I was happy to help him as I have many supporters who have freely given so that I can freely give to those in need here in Ecuador. As you have given know that two boys here in Ecuador as well as a Quichua Alliance Pastor, Carlos Remache are receiving blessings that they could never afford.

This first picture show one of the boys, Juan Carlos, on the left kneeling and Carlos Remache on the right standing over them.  The bottom photo is the second boy, Luis Humberto, with one of his backpack.

     Carlos Remache just finished his title in biblical studies to be an Alliance Pastor for his town.  He already has missionary dreams and visions of his own to reach his people.  Continue to keep him and his wife and sons in your prayers.  From time to time I help them out with other expenses such as medicines, bus fares, etc.  He is hoping to get into the Alliance Quichua seminary that meets at the school as soon as the Lord permits.

    Thank you all for playing a part in helping out the brothers who are doing such a great work in their own country.  

May the Lord Bless and keep you.

-Loren

New Home, Almost Home

This next semester I am living with the Weir family.  They are long friends of my family from back in our Shell days.  It is so nice to have some home cooking again.  Already I'm finding more energy to complete my daily tasks.

It has been only a few days since Alaina went back to the US.  Having her here in country was so nice.  Spending everyday together was wonderful as we tackled natural tendencies and family differences while preparing for marriage, etc.  So very good!  She has started her student teaching in Jackson and seems confident in what she's doing.  She has already broken up at least one fight.  Pay for her as she learns the ropes of teaching high school and middle school over the next 4 weeks.  Afterwards she will go to Costa Rica and teach at an international school called Country Day School for 8 weeks.  She will then return and have a couple of weeks before graduation May 23.  Two weeks later we get married, June 6.  We are both so excited to get there.  Pray that we can stay focused on the work God has for us right now and be patient for His timing.  In the mean time we are reading books such as, The Most Important Year in a Man's/Woman's Live, Love and Respect and This Momentary Marriage.  Each are books that have been recommended to us to prepare for marriage and so far they have been great!  Those along with some audio sermons by various pastors and teachers will be our curriculum for the next 4 months.

Planning a honeymoon is tough stuff when you don't have much money.  If anyone has any suggestions of places I am open.  Perhaps you know someone who would love to help out financially, that would be great too!  We are looking at the Caribbean, but haven't found anything inside of our budget yet.

The plan for the summer is to travel across the US while visiting supporters and speaking in churches.  The budget I have now as a single missionary will change as there will be two of us.  Therefore, we will be praying that the Lord moves hearts to give toward His work here in Ecuador.  In late September we hope to return to Ecuador and continue on.  Both Alaina and I will be working in the chaplains office.  I will continue as the Worship Director for Alliance and she will volunteer as needed.  More than anything we will seek to know and love each other while doing the work of missionaries.

I've noticed that my primary focus must be on learning to love my wife as Christ loved the church.  That is one of the greatest ways to show the glory of God wherever He calls us.  Family is such a wonderful design as it represents and is God working in and through relationships.  People sharpening each other through conflicts and loving each other through difficulties.  I truly cannot wait until we can be TOGETHER.  By the time we are married we will have been together for over 5 years.  Almost 4 of which have been long distance.  We love each other very much and are so glad to have waited this long.  Thank you all who have played a part in our growth.

As marriage approaches, pray that planning for the upcoming school year will be one where we can focus on loving one another.  We have lofty dreams of what we will do together, Lord willing.  Thank you all for your prayers and support since I have been here in Ecuador.  Please do not stop mentioning me and Alaina in your prayers.

-Loren

2008 is all done

Two months now have gone by since my last update. Unbelievable! I hope all of you are enjoying the holidays. Most important news first: Engagement: On December 12, 2008 I asked Alaina Bare, my girlfriend of 4years and nearly 8months, to my wife. There is a video production coming on YouTube if I can get it to upload. The video is a documentary of the whole thing. I flew to the US and went to Jackson, TN where she is studying to surprise her as well as ask for her hand. And, praise the Lord, she said, “YES, I’d love to (be your wife)!” More details on our engagement in future posts. We are planning right now to have the wedding June 6, 2009 in Jackson, TN at her church. Many are welcome and save the dates and invitations will happen soon. I hope. Pray for effective and informative premarital counseling for Alaina and me here in Ecuador as we meet with different couples to discuss and learn about different topics. Adam and Sara DeVries have agreed to walk us through this process. Thanks. Ministry: Chaplaincy: The semester ended well with much anticipation for the vacation. I know that Adam and I were ready for the vacation time. While projects were being completed and last minute tasks accomplished, I feared people lost sight of Christ’s coming. When things are crazy it is so easy to just “do stuff”. As the worship leader for the school I have been exploring ways to be the best leader I can, while better leading students and faculty in worshiping and encountering their Creator. One of the Bible teachers here, Dave Saavedra, has agreed to mentor me through this process. In fact next fall I may be teaching a class on Worship – history, philosophy, controversy as well as personal and corporate worship leadership. This will be a huge step for me as I would be given a temporary teaching licenses to teach something I will self educate myself in. Therefore, this coming semester will consist of educating myself as well as taking practical musical classes in voice, and guitar. There is the potential of added costs for better material with which to improve my ministry here. More on that in the upcoming months. Jungle Trip: Just this past week I went with the Bare family on a ministry adventure to the Shuar people. The tribes we visited were almost on the southern Ecuador/Peru border. Fortunately we were able to fly from Quito to Loja on a commercial plane, but then had a full day of driving mostly on very bumpy dirt roads. After our second day of travel we stayed in some cabins on the Nagariza River just over the ridge from Northern Peru. The following day we traveled by canoe up and down the river sharing the Christmas story and giving candy bags to the children of the villages. It was a wonderful trip! The only down side was leaving my basketball shorts behind by accident.   Check out Facebook for pictures! Life: Friends: This month of December my best friend and long time ministry partner Trevor Schmidt has come to live here in Quito for at least three months. I am thrilled that we will be working together again. Pray for him as he will be beginning some masters courses from Liberty while assisting me with the Youth Group and Chaplain’s Office. Needs: Personnel: Please pray for the upcoming semester and future as we are desperately in need of quality help. If you feel called to be an intern or even full time missionary, let me know and I would love to help you through that process. Pray for Dave Gardeen, who is coming to be the full-time Youth Pastor at EFC as he raises support. Also for Ashley Ruffner who is having trouble raising support to come and be a full-time chaplain at the Alliance Academy. Personal: Please keep me in prayer as I explore the topic and depth of Worship. Pray for Alaina and me as we learn about being married and how to prepare for that. The coming summer we will be traveling around the US speaking and raising support to go full-time with International Teams. Next Fall we hope to return to Ecuador and continue working as chaplains/teachers here. Thank you all for your support and prayers. They are invaluable to the work and the quality of work here in Ecuador. Everyone is feeling to economic strain. The whole world seems to be tied to the economy of the US and even here in Ecuador things have gotten tighter. God rules still! I know what He has called me to, do you? Does your “God” change when circumstances do? Are you comfortable, may be too comfortable to witness His greatness through difficult times when your only choice is to trust Him? I hope so. He has come! Merry Christmas -Loren Holland