Farnsworth Family Forum October 2015











Greetings from Ecuador!  Thank you so much for your prayers and support.

We are doing well.  The summer ministries came and went, and now we press on with the new activities that began with the new school year: home school, the Bible institute, seminary courses, Liebenzell Mission meetings, men’s ministry, kids club, swimming class, ballet, etc.

Ned continues in his role as pastor of the “Amigos en Cristo” Church, currently preaching through the epistle of First Corinthians.  Recently the leader of the men’s ministry moved away, and Ned and the two church elders (Alfonso and Daniel) assumed the leadership team for this group.  They have planned a mini-retreat for this weekend.  Please pray for God to work in the men’s hearts, as the church needs more male leaders and some of the them seem unwilling to make a strong commitment.

Also, the church partners with a nonprofit foundation, Ecuador Project Hope, to provide breakfast for 50-60 elderly folks, the majority being indigenous, in Cotacachi every weekday morning.  It has been good to reach out to the community in this way, and the leadership team takes turns helping to serve the people each morning.  Ned volunteers on Thursday mornings when the people can also take showers and receive a clean set of clothes.

Eighteen students participate in the current seminary class, Introduction to New Testament, for credit; it is the largest class since our return to Ecuador in 2011.  To maintain this number, Ned works diligently to mentor and help them with their studies.  At the CCB Bible Institute on Thursday nights Ned teaches a course on apologetics.  Pray that we be a blessing to the students and their families.  The new course, Ecclesiology, will take place on Saturday, November 7.

We are practicing with the choir for the Christmas cantata to be held at various locations and churches in December.  This year we have over 35 voices, and a separate team is preparing a drama that goes between the songs.  Pray for Ned as he directs the choir and for Amelia and the other actors as they rehearse the drama.  May God be glorified through our efforts!

Marisol stays busy keeping the household running smoothly.  Our niece, Lauren Farnsworth from Philippi, WV, arrived in August, and how beautiful to see Marisol mentoring and guiding her in this new experience!  Marisol helps at the church as much as possible and bakes tasty treats for Ned’s ministry meetings.

Joel and Amelia have already completed over 40 days of home school, well on their way to finish before we leave for home ministry assignment (furlough) in the USA in June 2016.  We appreciate Lauren’s help with school; two German Impact Team volunteers (Beate and Tabea) also help to teach Joel and Amelia on Thursdays and Fridays (one each day).

Marisol teaches Joel and Amelia Spanish two mornings per week (Ecuadorian history and Spanish grammar) and works with Jacob and Elías on preschool projects each day.  So far we have taken three school field trips (enjoy the pictures from our recent field trip to the Peguche waterfall above).  As you can see, we manage to stay busy. Our kids enjoyed helping in the Vacation Bible School programs during the summer, and they look forward to the new year of kids club at the church in Ibarra, where we live.

It is always a joy to write and let you know what God is doing in our lives.  Please write to us; we would enjoy hearing from you and knowing how we can pray for you.  Thanks for your love and support to us.  God bless you.

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