Farnsworth Forum

When our family returned to Ecuador in September 2017 to begin our four-year stint as leaders of the "Zona de Vida" church plant in Otavalo, Ecuador, little did we realize at that time that we would not see our Father/Grandfather Glennis Farnsworth again in this life. He became sick in March 2018 and passed away on March 23, 2018, at the age of 88. We thank God for the year that we had closer to him and Mom while we were in PA from 2016-2017. Then, we returned to PA from 2021-2022, to accompany our oldest son during his year of transition to the United States and hosted Mom at our place in Lake Ariel. That was only one of the extended times that we were able to spend with her during our sojourn in USA. We also celebrated her 90th birthday as a family in July 2022. That was a grand time. All good things must come to an end, and we returned to Ecuador in September 2022, to return two years later for our daughter's transition to the USA. Again, we spent quality time with Mom...

 52 years ago today, the television series Little House on the Prairie  debuted. It was NOT my favorite TV show. That would be The Waltons.  Those of you who know me understand how passionate I am about that show. But I could say that LHOTP was a close second of third. Haha! I diligently wrote to many of the cast members during the original run of the series, and I received replies from some of them. I also tried to submit a script for consideration, but that is a story for another time. Perhaps it is ironic that a series about serving as kind neighbors, avoiding racism, living out faith in practical ways, and taking a stand for justice would debut on the same day of the year that 27 years later we would watch the events of 9/11 enfold on our screens. Yet, perhaps it is the very values embodied on LHOTP that remind us that hope can arise from the ashes of tragedy.  In September 2024, I attended a fiftieth anniversary event in Lancaster, PA, to commemorate the premi...

Can it be 25 years already? I was a new missionary in Ecuador, having arrived here on April 24. On 9/11, I was housesitting for some friends who were in Germany. It was a lazy day for me, and I was watching Homicide : Life on the Streets . I know, not very spiritual. I was channel surfing during commercials when I saw the second tower hit and subsequently collapse. It was surreal to me and seemed like an action movie. But it was real, and 2,976 (the official count) people died that day and many since then due to various illnesses and health complications caused by the horrific attacks. Reflections on that day bring us to consider the need for kindness and empathy for those who look, think, and act differently as well as compassion and care for those who hurt.  Elisabeth Elliot, well acquainted with suffering and grief, said, "It's only in the cross that we can begin to harmonize this seeming contradiction between suffering and love." That's exactly what many people sa...

 "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society" (Billy Graham). I recently ran across this quote, and it made me remember Dad. Often, society does not seem to understand the importance of fathers in its quest to recognize different kinds of families. Accepting all families should not eclipse the fact that fathers add stability to the upbringing of children. Studying prison statistics confirms this information. I must say that this year, with the earthly loss of Mom, has been very sad for me. Is it okay to admit that sadness, as a missionary and Christian leader? Vulnerability is something that people have challenged me about in the past. It's hard to know where to draw the line; yet, I want to be recognized as part of the human race and not elevated to an unreal pedestal impossible to achieve. "My father didn't do anything unusual. He only did what dads are supposed to do--be there" (Ma...

 I don't know how many of you are familiar with the wonderful work of singer/songwriter Fernando Ortega, who I have listened to since the 1990s. I just learned that as a teenager he lived in Quito, Ecuador, and attended the Alliance Academy. Small world. Fernando's new single called "Every Time You Leave" came out a couple weeks ago. Other than being a beautiful song, it rings true to me because a year ago we left our dear daughter Amelia at college. One day she graduated from Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, NY, and the next day we drove her to college. Now, I realize that most parents leave their sons and daughters at college. For us it is a bit different in that we returned to Ecuador a few weeks after dropping her off, which means that we are not nearby for breaks or visits or vacations. We literally have to leave Amelia in the hands of our Heavenly Father, who has lovingly cared for her, and we give thanks every day for His love towards her and our t...

During a counseling conference this past week, one of the speakers talked about the effect of prayer in our lives. One of the reasons for the goodness in our lives comes from the faithful prayers of the saints for us over all these years. I remember as a young man passing by my parents' bedroom door at night and hearing their intercession for me, in all of my raw moments of rebellion and doubt. Where would I be today without their prayers and the countless prayers of others on my behalf? I started writing a poem/song in Spanish following this theme. Here is a rough translation to English. Hope it grabs you and starts you on a path of self-reflection as it did me. Why am I here? Because they prayed for me. Because they saw something That I could never imagine: A life of service and faith That takes me beyond my own strength. In spite of me, I am here. Instrument of God, Clay in His hands, Because they prayed for me. To God be the glory! Ned, 8/8/26

 Sigmund Freud said, "Man's first duty is to learn to endure life,"  which I suppose rings partly true. But in the spiritual sense, it carries a deeper meaning: Accepting all things from the hand of a good, loving God. Learning to accept all things because they have a purpose for good in our lives. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Also learning contentment in whatever lot in life we find ourselves in. Not resignation but recognition of the work of our Heavenly Father for our good. Paul addresses this in Philippians 4. In fact, this is the context of Philippians 4:13, not the ability to do "Superman" type feats, but rather to encounter strength for daily contentment in times of abundance or need.  "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, wheth...

 GO ENGLISH CAMP 2026 is history. We ministered to 50-60 children each day of camp with the wonderful team from Exeter Bible Fellowship Church in Birdsboro, PA, and "Zona de Vida" Church in Otavalo, Ecuador. One of our participants, Isa, made cards to say "gracias" on the final day. Turned out to be a heartwarming surprise! More about GO ENGLISH CAMP to come soon...

Sorry for taking almost a month break. I will report on what we've been up to in the coming days. Today I want to remember my beloved parents on what would have been their 69th anniversary. We celebrated their 60th anniversary at Keystone Villa in 2017. It was a blessed time and one of the last times that we spent with Dad before he passed away on March 23, 2018. Mom left us earlier this year on February 16, 2026. With their passing, I lost an important connection to Pennsylvania and the United States. I have been a missionary with Liebenzell USA since April 2001 and have not spent much time in the USA. A pilgrim of sorts, I suppose. Here are some photos for you, their first as man and wife on their wedding day in Norristown, PA, then a photo from their sixtieth anniversary, and, finally, their last photo together on February 14, 2018.  Please celebrate the memories with me, thank you. I love you and miss you, Mom and Dad!!!

 Last night I rewatched a movie that I had not seen in years, Dead Poets Society. For some reason the message of this film inspired me. Of course, there are dark elements: suicide, teenage "rebellion, among them. But perhaps the strongest message is carpe diem (Latin) or "seize the day" in English. We need to make every day count, especially as Jesus followers. I often fall far short of this goal. Here is a still of actor Robert Sean Leonard from the movie and another good quote from the beginning of the film when Dr. Keating is teaching his literature class: "That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse." This scene reminds me that my contribution counts for something....At times, that is hard for me to grasp. I see what others do, and I feel I do not measure up. Dead Poets Society  released on June 2, 1989. I lived in Mexico at the time and went to see it with some friends. Honestly, it inspired me, and I went on to see it numerous times, in...

World Cup 2026. This worldwide soccer event every four years always takes me back to Mexico in August of 1999 when I witnessed the victory of Mexico team over Brazil 4-3 in FIFA's Copa Conderaciones. Oh, the joy of being in the Estadio Azteca with my beloved Mexicans! And celebrating afterwards with my favorite tacos al pastor. Deliciosos....  Flash forward to 2026. Now I'm here in Ecuador since 2001, torn between the green (Mexico) and yellow (Ecuador) and also the U.S.A., doing quite well starting with two victories for the first time since the World Cup started in 1930. Then they lost to Turkey 2-3. My adopted country of Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 on Thursday, quite unexpected but joyful for everyone here. Car horns beeping in the streets, victory parties everyone, since this allows Ecuador to advance to round two. We work with German missionaries as part of Liebenzell Mission, and everyone acted with grace and good sportsmanship, especially since Thursday's game allowed E...

 Welcome back to Farnsworth Forum! I plan to write at least one post per week to keep you all updated. Many of you know that my mother passed away on February 16, 2026, in Leesburg, Virginia. I was on my way to USA from Ecuador to see her when I received the news about Mom's death. Although that news hit me hard, especially since I was en route (in Houston, although still too far to see her one final time), I am glad that her suffering is over. The past month or so of her life on earth was very difficult. Of course, I was not there to witness her declining condition, but my sisters shared with me. Losing mom here on earth has brought back many memories that I will be sharing little by little. Good memories like the last time she traveled to Ecuador to visit us in 2018 at 86, and yes, she came by herself! It was lovely to have her here with our family, and she often told us that she was so glad that she came at that time because later it would have been impossible with her increasin...