This has been a very rewarding year for ECM and the Perhaps Today Camp. We have hosted many new groups for us and that is always a major blessing for the camp. Also, many of our regular camping groups returned many times. One such group was here seven times! It really pleases us to see how the facilities are improved group after group. A recent camper speaker pastor told us “please, do not change the emphasis of your ministry”. He was impressed with the peaceful jungle atmosphere that is conducive to personal quiet times with God. He comes from the city of Miracle which is one of the hottest and sunniest cities in Ecuador. So many camps are centering their ministries on the swimming pools and recreation activities. Yes, we have lost some very large groups because we do not have a swimming pool. We are sorry we can’t accommodate such groups as we choose not to make that our camp emphasis. Anyway, we find it very difficult to compete with the Pacific Ocean which is only three hours away. Now that is a swimming pool!

The latter part of December, Ben and Erin Havens will be joining us for three months. They are between houses and jobs, so what better place to spend winter and to serve Jesus at the same time? We have six months of work already lined up for them. Ben is a contractor with different abilities, which we are going to take advantage of and then some. Erin spent two weeks with the Campus House group from MU, Columbia, MO. in 2004.

The year of 2012 will be the year of transition for us and the Perhaps Today Camp. We have seen God lead Gabriel and Tanya Loy to accept the challenging position of Camp Directors of the Perhaps Today Camp. This is a major prayer request answered just the way that we have been praying since the inception of the camp. Tanya was one of our youth sponsors of the Los Samanes Christian Church where we first worked during our first term in Ecuador during 1992-1996. We not only see the camp as continuing as it is now but growing and doing even more for the cause of Christ in Ecuador.

Our personal plans now are to go to the States for a short time in April and then make our final move out of Ecuador during the early Fall of 2012, the Lord willing. September 1, 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of our arrival in Ecuador in 1992. What a way to celebrate this anniversary!! We are anxious to see both of our new grand babies that were born during 2011. We have so much to get caught up on.

As we look to the New Year, we want to share something that we read recently and was written by Sidlow Baxter, an English preacher.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. (So I lack nothing)

He makes me lie down in green pastures, (So I shall not lack provision)

He leads me beside quiet waters, (So I shall not lack peace)

He restores my soul. (So I shall not lack restoration if I faint or fail).

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (So I shall not lack safe guidance)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, (So I shall not lack courage even in the darkest hour)

For you are with me; (So I shall not lack His dear presence)

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (So I shall not lack true upholding)

You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. (So I shall not lack protection, preservation, and honor)

You anoint my head with oil; (So I shall never lack joy)

My cup overflows. (So I shall not lack fullness of blessing)

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, (So I shall not lack divine favor as long as I live)

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (So I shall not lack a heavenly home when my earthly journeying is done)

Now that you can see that there are 12 different ways that God helps us live a full spiritual life, may we take one of these promises each month throughout the coming year in order to live a better life for Him.

PRAYER CORNER