Dearest Friends
,
Over the last couple months we have been learning a lot; about ourselves, about the needs and current realities in Ecuador and about God. Every week we meet as a couple to review our goals and assess our progress. Our role as Alteco Country Coordinators is to be catalytic in the strengthening of the tribal church through a movement of cooperation. Making the transition from things being done "for" the tribal people of the Amazon to things being done "with" them can be challenging but this transition is absolutely essential for our tribal brothers and sisters to grow and thrive.
The saying that "the day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit" is very true in our ministry. In the past couple months we've seen two steps forward and one step backwards play out over and over again. When we get discouraged we are reminded that the ministry of
Alteco and the Three Waves Movement is a long game; a long game very worth playing but a long game indeed. To raise up the tribal church through a ministry of cooperation will be a supernatural work. Plain and simple.
In this update you will see pictures representing the many facets of our ministry. We intentionally engage with foreigners, nationals (latinos) and tribal peoples on a daily basis. Every day we plant seeds telling our tribal brothers and sisters they can lead the march. Every day we plant seeds telling our national brothers and sisters they can play an active, intimate role in the needs in their own backyard. Every day we plant seeds telling our foreign brothers and sisters that we value their involvement and need their support to raise up the tribal church. Together we are better.
Thank you for praying for us as we lead this march. To be truthful, the days can be hard and the nights can lack rest. There is a cost to live and serve in this way but we know that every seed planted is worth the effort -- so that our friends will live Free and Whole and Hopeful.
Much love,
Chris, Tina, Georgia and Reese
