July 2018 Prayer Letter
Dear family and friends,
“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” I Thessalonians 5:24
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Six years ago, on June 27, 2012, we flew to Ecuador with a six month old baby. Our hearts were full of excitement for all the plans God had for us and for the vision of ministry we had been given. In a week’s time, once again on June 27, we will fly back to the US for good, this time with four children, our hearts full of the memories we’ve made here and a new vision that God has given us.
Sensing that we had completed the goals that we had originally come down for, at the beginning of this year, we began praying and reaching out to our authorities and Godly counselors about the possibility of returning to the US. The church here in Ecuador confirmed we had completed the main goals that they had set for us and expressed their gratefulness for our work.
Justo was feeling a call to return to engineering work in the US. In May, Justo returned to the US for a short trip to attend his brother’s wedding. While there, he also interviewed with several companies in the Minneapolis area. God has been so faithful in all His timing and leading and has answered many specific prayer requests of ours in just the perfect timing. Just a few days ago, Justo accepted an engineering position with a company in Eagan, MN. We are so thankful for this provision for our family and for the faithfulness of the God who not only calls but also provides.
We have mixed emotions about leaving here and our goodbyes have been very bitter-sweet. We have many close friends here and there are many things we love about living in Ecuador. But we are also excited to return and be closer to our families. We know that God’s grace will help us through any challenges we face, both now and forever.
We want to thank each one of you for your support and involvement in our ministry and family over the last six years. We feel that we can return with joy knowing that our work here is accomplished. We have seen many answers to prayer and much spiritual fruit thanks to the Lord and you. We could not have done our work without you backing us. May the Lord continue to guide, provide for, and bless each one of you. Much love, Justo and Patricia Pillman
- Pray for energy and wisdom as we sell and pack up.
- Pray that the children would transition well to life in the US.
- Pray for emotional energy and joy as we say goodbye to many friends.
- Pray for safe travels.
May-June 2018 Prayer Letter
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Dear friends and family,
We were privileged at the end of March to welcome once again a cross-cultural mission team from the AFLBS. Justo did a lot of preparation work with the Paz de Dios leadership in preparation for this team and was greatly involved during their almost two week visit. They mainly presented children’s programs at various schools surrounding the Cuenca region and even got to share the gospel with almost 150 children in the jungle. We praise the Lord for those opportunities to plant seeds and pray that they would bear much fruit.
In the month of April, we finally got to take a few days off for a much needed vacation. We took our children to the beach, much to their delight. We enjoyed the rest and relaxation, although Isaac was sick for most of the time.
Other activities the past couple months include ongoing discipleship with various people in the church and planning and leading youth events. We also attended a retreat for the leadership of Paz de Dios.
Thank you for your encouragement and support for us!
Love,
- Pray for health. We’ve been battling various flus and colds the past month.
- Pray the seeds planted by the AFLBS students would bear fruit.
- Pray for wisdom to know the best ways to encourage and help the homeschool families.
March-April 2018 Prayer Letter
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Dear family and friends,
January and February were busy months for us with lots of visitors from the US. During the end of January, we were privileged to host a couple that are long time friends of Patricia’s. They shared with the church on multiple occasions with various topics. The church (and we as well) were very much blessed by their messages. We also received a visit from Matthew and Ednay Abel (missionaries in Brazil) and Patricia’s cousin, Karyn. We thank the Lord for the sweet times of fellowship and encouragement we received with each of our visitors.
Some of the other events we organized/were a part of during the last two months:
- A mother/daughter tea for girls ages 6-9
- A father/son campout for boys ages 6-9
- A youth retreat for kids ages 14-18
- Various “life skills” workshops for the youth
- A recreational outing with the church during carnival season
We have also started discipling a young couple in English and preparing for homeschooling. This is a couple we’ve worked with for many years, and we are so grateful to continue investing in them.
May the Lord bless and keep each one of you.
Love,
- Praise for the discipleship time with Andres and Vero.
- Pray for health for our family. We’ve been under the weather a lot lately.
- Pray for God’s blessings on the church’s ministry to the youth.
January-February 2018 Prayer Letter
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Dear Friends and Family,
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus…” Hebrews 12:1-2a
We want to wish all of you a very joyous and blessed 2018. Whatever God has in store for your race this year, run it with patience looking to Jesus for strength and grace. He can work all things for your good and ultimately for His glory. Our God is mighty and powerful!
These past two months were busy with youth events, teaching at Bible school, Christmas program practices and performance, and many others things as well. We were blessed to be able to invite different families in the church over to our home throughout the Christmas season. We were strategic in inviting those whom we wanted to get to know better and were thankful for the time we spent with them.
Another event that Justo, Nathanael, and Hannah helped with was an annual trip to a local poor community to help meet physical needs. This is a ministry of one of the men of the church, and Justo was happy to help encourage and assist in this ministry. There were over 90 precious children in this small rural community that they were able to interact with. While we don’t know all that God has in store for us this year, we are trusting in the powerful One who holds the future in His loving hands. Blessings to each of you!
Love,
- Praise God for the many opportunities to share the gospel over the Christmas season.
- Pray for continued direction and vision for the Aletheia Bible school.
- Pray for creativity and wisdom as we plan and organize youth activities.
Men’s Bible Study
What a blessing to get together with these men and study the Word together. This week there were 15 who attended. Together we studied Luke 2:1-7
