Things Change

We have not updated the blog for almost a month, but it is time... Lots of things have changed in the last month so let me give you a little update.

We were planning to spend the summer in Ecuador this year since we spent last summer in the USA. However, due to some family things that came up in April and May, we decided we needed to return to Indiana again rather unexpectedly. So here we are again.

Then just a couple of weeks before our return, we found out that Ruth's step-mom was entering hospice care. The doctors did not really give us a diagnosis for Jean other than that she was dieing of old age. She passed away one week before we returned to the US. So within a week of flying to Indiana, we flew to Los Angeles. We are still in CA now. The funeral was really good, and it has been a great time to spend with family out here. We fly back to Indiana on Tues.

Because the funeral was on the same weekend, we were able to attend Church of the Open Door's Summer Missions Night tonight. What an encouraging time here. Almost 50 missionaries or future missionaries were in attendance. It was really great to see some old friends.

Before leaving Ecuador, Ruth decided to leave her current position as a third grade teacher at the Alliance Academy International and teach Educational Therapy next year. That is a big change for her and will allow her to slow down a little, working only half time. We are hoping that this change will help her fibromyalgia symptoms to be a bit more manageable.

I decided during our last few weeks in Ecuador to ask for a reassignment as well. I will be stepping down as the Radio Director for Latin America and instead be working with some the new media opportunities in the region when we return. These will include things like YouTube, Podcasting, Twitter, Facebook, cell phones, etc, etc. I am pretty excited about the possibilities that some of these media present for creating new audiences in Latin America.

We have been in such a state of change lately that it has been difficult to just sit down and give you an update. But we thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue praying as we move into these new ministry opportunities.

Thanks,

Doug