1998

Ron: It was late in the afternoon, and I was thirsty. I went to the kitchen for something to drink, and as I approached the counter a sharp pain, starting in the heel of my foot running up my leg, gripped me. This was a familiar sensation that I remembered from years gone by. I looked down to see the source of my anguish, and it was confirmed--there in the middle of the floor was the all too familiar duplo block (the large version of legos). Yes, we have a toddler in the house again. I'm sure the rest of the family will tell you a little about her, but let me say that God again has blessed us with the opportunity to serve Him as we attempt to make a difference in the life of this little one. At the present we are not sure how long we will have her. Her mother is not living, and her father, who is an alcoholic does not want to, or cannot, care for her. Yet we wait for the legal process to declare her abandoned. In the meantime we count every minute with her a blessing, as she will have as much impact on us as we will on her. The property purchase is advancing. We signed committment letters on Tuesday, and are waiting for all of the "escrow" type processes to be completed. We have a target date of January 21 for the final signing. Please continue to pray regarding this process--there are many stories we have heard about things not turning out as hoped when it comes to real estate deals here. We are, however, moving forward with as much counsel as we can find and of course surrendering the process (in particular the hidden things) to Him who sees and knows it all.

Sharon: Today I took down the Christmas tree, and packed away all the decorations. It's always a little bit of a relief, having the excess clutter cleared away, but also a little sad knowing that it is the end of a very special time of the year. Christmas this year for the Stiff family was one we'll never forget...our first in Latin America. Through God's gift to us of our new Ecuadorian friends we were able to participate in and enjoy some of the wealth of rich traditions of our new country. Though there were some moments of homesickness, certainly understandable on our first year away from family and friends, God graciously filled up the hours and days with fun, fellowship, and new memories to treasure. Christmas Eve was spent at the home of the Moncayo family, who we introduced to you in our last letter. Along with other family members, we shared in their celebration, which included a time of worship, focusing on the true meaning of the day. Nathan, Juan Fernando, and Pablo (J.F.'s cousin) put on a fireworks display that lit up the sky (and sometimes the ground!) which made Delila and I a little nervous, but was sure fun for them! We feasted on turkey Ecuadorian style after midnight, and finally came home at about 1:30 a.m.! It was a delightful evening! Christmas day was quiet, spent just relaxing and enjoying one another--and resting up from the night before! New Year's Eve was also spent with the Moncayo family, this time at the home of Fernando's brother in Cumbaya, about 25 minutes from where we live. The traditions surrounding the New Year in Ecuador are unique to this country, and were a lot of fun for us "gringos". The old year is symbolized by an old man, who is dying. The "old year", or ano viejo, is represented by a figure stuffed with woodshavings, dressed in old clothing, and wearing a mask (the favorites are faces of political figures--gives me some ideas for next year!). These figures are set up in booths all over the city, in front of homes and places of business. During the evening people gather near their booths, many with ropes which they stretch across the road to block cars from passing. People (men and women) dressed in costumes, most of old women (the widows of the old man)come to the car window begging for sucres (the Ecuadorian money) to help feed themselves and their families. You don't leave the house without being generously supplied with sueltos--coin! It made our trip to Cumbaya twice as long as it ordinarily would have been, but it was a lot of fun. At about 11:30, we watched another fireworks display, put on by the male cousins. Poor Nate wasn't able to participate in this, which was the one blight on the evening. Poor guy came down with a very bad virus a few days earlier, and was still feeling so puny he spent the evening sleeping in a room upstairs. Ron however was in his element! The hightlight of the evening came at midnight, when the "old man" was set on fire. Ron had purchased one on the street that morning, and had prepared him in his own fashion--loaded with fireworks! Almost immediately his head and hat disappeared--over a seven foot block wall! It was quite a show, and those of you who know how Ron likes that sort of thing can just imagine his face during it all--grinning from ear to ear! Scary guy! Again, dinner came after midnight, and we finally made it home--this time about 3:30 a.m.! I'm finally catching up on the sleep I lost during those two nights! All in all, it was a wonderful holiday season. In the middle of it, as Ron shared, God brought us a very special gift--little Blanca Romero. Babies and puppies will turn your life upside down, and now we have both! Of course Blanca is a little easier to carry, and certainly eats less than Rhino and Wrigley (our two 10 month old Golden Labradors). We are really enjoying our new little girl(very little--2 yrs. old and only 15 pounds!), being stretched of course, as any major life change will do, but confident that God has brought her to us, both for what we can do for her as well as what He will do in us through her. She has bonded with us very quickly, and seems to feel quite at home after just over a week. And quite a week it's been, with surgery on her foot and a case of bronchitis and an ear infection! Pray for her, that she'll get better quickly. And pray that God will continue to lead as He has, showing us "the next thing", and giving us the faith to step into it when it comes.

Nathan: Well, my first Christmas and New Year in South America have passed. They both were very fun and interesting. We did the Christmas program for the poor kids (which went very well), and had Christmas Eve dinner with the Moncayo's. Christmas morning was great. In between Christmas and New Years, I was very, very sick. I was not able to do much. Well, on our way to Cumbaya for New Years, many people stopped us and asked for money. They use ropes or bars or even tree branches to stop you. They have their little area where they put their old man, that symbolizes the old year. At midnight, we all eat and then set off fireworks and burn the old man. I was sick that night and missed it all. My dad stuffed our old man full of fireworks and set him on fire. His head and body exploded and there were a lot of wood chips all over the place. I'm better now and played basketball today. We have Blanca now. She is sick with Bronchitis, and has an ear ache. She is so sweet. Please pray that she will get better soon. The dogs are staying healthy and are keeping us company. Well, that's all folks. Love and miss you.

Emily: Hello! How are you all? Christmas was VERY fun! I got a bike and some plastic dishes and some china dishes from Nathan. They are very pretty. New Years was fun too. We went over to Cristina's cousins house, and we did fireworks. The tradition here is to dress up in costumes and ask for money. They have ropes and stop cars and ask for money. We got to do it once, but there weren't very many cars where we were. Tomorrow is the last day of vacation, and I'm kind of sad because it is. I've been playing with Cristina a lot and when vacation is over I won't be able to play with her till 5:00 because she has homework. We got Blanca last Friday, a little girl who is two years old. She is cute. I like playing with her, and I even help change her diapers sometime and dress her. I love you and miss you a lot! Ciao! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Friday, January 09, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Sharon: Greetings from a chilly evening in Ecuador! Ron is putting some hamburgers on the grill he's built outside in the driveway. It doubles as an outdoor firepit, and we've had some great times sitting around it at night, roasting marshmallows and just talking. Last night was such an evening. After I'd gotten the kids settled for the night (which with the addition of a third child is no small feat!), Ron and I spent some time beside the fire, talking about how we're all doing, now that we've been here for a couple of months. On the whole, I think we've made the adjustment fairly well. God has graciously smoothed the way in so many respects, that it hasn't been nearly as tramatic as I once feared, living in a foreign country. On the whole, I'd say we are quite happy with our home, our friends, our new addition. With all God has done for us, is there anymore that I could ask? I think so, but I also think that it is a desire that is in keeping with His will; that is to find a church body that we can become a part of. In this part of the world there are not the proliferation of evangelical churches that we are accustomed to in the States. Though there are a number of them in Quito, we would like to find one closer to home, where we could become involved on a deeper level than a 30-40 minute drive would permit. For us, church has always been much more than just a Sunday morning routine. It has been for us a source of nourishment which we are feeling the lack of now. Independant study of God's Word, and a personal devotional life are critical, but that study reveals much about the necessity of fellowship among God's people. I think I understand better now why the writer of Hebrews said in Chapter 10:24-25 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." There is something really special and powerful that takes place when believers meet together, forming relationships based on God's word--accountability, iron sharpening iron, encouraging mutual growth. I miss that, and ask you to pray with us that God will lead us to a body where we can both serve and be challenged in our walk with the Lord, through the teaching of the Word, and the fellowship of other believers. As you've heard, we are now a family of five. Right now little Blanca is waiting for Mommy to get her bathed and to bed...we have a big day planned tomorrow. By the way, I would love to hear from any of you other home school moms who have had to teach with a toddler in the house. As Emily says in her entry, "it's hard to do school with Blanca". Any suggestions would be most welcome!

Nathan: Salutations everyone! This week, I have to say, wasn't too exciting. We've been playing with Blanca a lot lately. She seems to be doing a lot better . I have gotten my new skateboard that I got for Christmas all put together, and have been using it quite a bit. I haven't been playing any basketball games for awhile. I still go out and shoot around a little by myself. My sister is real happy because she got this little hand held electronic puppy dog thing. My friends and I had a laser tag war at his house...it was fun, though a bigger area and more people would have made it even better. My mom and dad's anniversary went well. They went out all by themselves for a change! We barbecued last night, and we hope have another one tonight. Well, I have to go let our little(?) disasters out of the bodega (Rhino and Wrigley). So until next time...Ciao!

Emily: Hey! I am happy because the weekend is here, and because I got a dog that is electronic (it is a little computer toy that fits in my hand). Now that we have Blanca it's hard to do school. Last night we had a fire in the driveway. It was fun. Tomorrow night we are going to have a slumber party in the living room in front of the fireplace. Tomorrow we are going with los Moncayos to some places they want to show us. That's all. Love you and miss you a lot! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Saturday, January 17, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Ron: I just finished some notes for a meeting Monday regarding the property purchase. You would think that the purchase price was $7,000,000 instead of the $70,000 that we agreed to! Our meeting Friday--one of many since the process started--had four attorneys in attendance. The problem is that they want us to commit the money after which there is a window of time when there would be the potential of a third party creditor leaning the property before we could take possession. It's not a long period of time, but the sellers have financial problems which are not only compelling them to sell the property but also make the property a likely target for creditors if it is found to be unincumbered and still within the rights of the creditor to attach leans. If we can't find a mechanism to protect against this risk, we will have to walk away from the deal. There are solutions to the problem, but we are working with the bank holding the mortgage and who's attorney would have to take responsibility for some steps beyond his current obliglation. The lawyer for the seller and the attorney helping us agree that the bank attorney is "old school", independent, and likes things his way. So, tomorrow we will not only find out if there is any flex in this guy, but we will also get an indication of whether this particular piece of property, at this time, is in keeping with the purposes that God has brought us here for. We do really think the property is ideal, according to our present view of purpose here. However as Elizabeth Elliot said, and I will paraphrase to fit this context, "in the end, you discover as you are following a leading of God, you could really only see as far as the next step, and often that step takes you in a direction that you are least likely to imagine". So we press forward, but are aware that "a man makes his plans, but God orders his steps". Please pray specifically regarding this business. We meet at noon on Monday and we are asking that God make "straight" the way, allowing us to take possession of this site that we might thereafter begin constructing the facility. For those of you who have internet capability, I have put a picture of Blanca in a place where it can be accessed by anyone who would like a peek at her. The address is: hotmail.com After you are in, type in the first box quitopictures and for the password, KIDS Look for the entry dated 1-17, and be patient as the graphic downloads. I may put a couple of pictures in, so after viewing one you'll have to open separately the second. As some of you know, mail delivery here in very unsure by conventional means. However we have a friend in a national bank here where mail is delivered with much greater certainty. The address is:

Nathan: Hello friends on the other side of the equator! On this side everything is going fine. It hasn't been raining much lately, with the exception of a little yesterday and the day before, and I've been able to do more outside. I've been skating muy mucho these past weeks, and playing basketall as well. School is going wonderfully, and I'm enjoying it so much (I'm being sarcastic as you all should know)! It is going better now that Blanca is not distracting us. My dad and sister went out on a little "date" Wednesday night. She got a little stuffed puppy dog. We are all going out this weekend to see the movie "Flubber". It just came out so we thought we might go and see it. We are going over to our friends house tonight. My mom and dad are taking our friends' parents out to dinner, so it'll be just kids. The Super Bowl and my 13th birthday are coming up, and I want to combine the two events into one. Like a Super Bowl/13th birthday, or something. My week does not have anything left to tell you about in it, so hasta-la-bye-bye!

Emily: Hello, this is Emily! I'm learning a lot of Spanish in school. We moved into the room that is going to be Nathan's bedroom to do school for me. We have a lady to take care of Blanca in the morning while we are doing school. Me and my dad went on a date. We went to the best hotel in Quito for dinner (they have a buffet). The dogs are doing good. Tomorrow we are going to a movie. It's the weekend now! I love you and miss you a lot! Bye!

Saturday, January 24, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Ron: What a week! Part of what happened in it is sitting right in my lap. We have been writing about all the fun and exciting things that God has been allowing us to experience since we've been here, but we wouldn't want to leave the impression that we have found a level of existance under God's plan that is without trial. The Bible teaches that a constant companion of those who pursue God diligently is struggle. There are all kinds of reasons for why He would allow difficulty in meaningful endeavor. Some of those are revealed in the Bible, and as Job discovered, some are connected to the breadth and depth of God, and will not be comprehended fully until we see Him face to face. Job was made to see by God that all that was complex yet purposeful in God's universe was not necessarily comprehensible in order to be valuable. In spite of the blessings that you have read about, the simple fact is that ministry such as ours requires structure and structure is not easily accomodated in Latin America. Just about everything takes several times the effort that it does at home, and in the end you're still not sure what you've got. We're learning to adjust to this, but it IS an adjustment. We were hoping to have our property purchase completed early this week, but this is a project that requires six parties to complete with meetings where everyone is in attendance. Well, do I need say more? Blanca showed us a new angle this week. It seems that she at times adds the same intensity to a good cry as she does to everything else she puts her mind to. Sharon told me earlier in the day Thursday that Blanca had spit her milk out all over the place, and that when Sharon scolded her that she started a cry with one long exhale that in the end left her quite "blue in the face". Well I'd heard of kids doing that before, but I'd never seen it, nor heard of a case where they didn't eventually take another breath. That evening Blanca was out on the patio and as she was on her way in she tripped and fell on her bottom. She's usually pretty tough, but she did another one of these. Nathan picked her up but she just wouldn't take another breath. By the time I decided to step in her eyes were rolling back in her head, and she went limp. I took her over and laid her down on the rug to see if this was part of the process that I'd heard about in some cases where the child passes out and then relaxes and begins breathing again. Well, it didn't happen--she just laid there motionless. It was time to do something, and I am thankful for the training I had over the years, which began when I was in the Boy Scouts. One of the most prestigious merit badges, and the hardest to get, was first aide. We were fortunate enough to have Dr. Thompson provide the instruction over several weeks. We knew there would be a test at the end, and of course part of that was demonstrating C.P.R.. Usually this was done with "RESUSIANNIE", a maniquin divise made specifically for the purpose of practicing these techniques. Well, Dr. Thompson couldn't get "Annie", so we were told that we had to practice on our partner, the guy who we buddied up with in the beginning of the course. So here we were, a couple of 14 year old boys, who when they would go to the movies would always leave two seats between them, just so no one would get the wrong idea. What's more, my partner was Rick Boyd. Rick and I could tear a motorcycle apart and reconstruct it with the best of them. We did almost everything together, but this night we'd come to our limit. Rick had braces, and they were usually packed full of whatever he'd last had to eat. It was our turn, and I can remember it like it was yesterday; Rick laying down on the floor with a goofy grin, as Dr. Thompson instructed me to demonstrate the pulmonary technique. In the beginning we were told we had to succesfully demonstrate all the tecniques in order to pass, and did I ever want that merit badge. But the longer I stared at Rick's mouth the more I was sure that this wasn't going to happen. I don't know what he had eaten, and I was probably hallucinating from the tension of the moment, but when I thought I saw something wiggling in that mesh of metal, I sat back and declared that I was done. Well, I passed anyway, and before it was all over, over the years, I had taken lifesaving and Infant C.P.R.. I knew what to do for Blanca, and it is amazing how training can be valuable in a crisis. After I was convinced that she wasn't going to take another breath on her own, I pumped one into her, which was all it took to get her primed and on her way again. The next morning we all gathered for a lesson on this technique. As training for this situation with Blanca was useful in this time of trial, so too are the lessons taught in the Bible, and that God teaches us through experiences when we face difficulties and struggle from time to time.

Sharon: Yesterday morning during my quiet time I was thinking about the week, and about what I would say in this week's journal entry. I felt at a loss--couldn't think of anything my week had held that would interest anyone, or that I had any new spiritual insights to share. I know that anyone who has been a believer for any length of time has gone through seasons of spiritual dryness. Times when God's voice is, if not silent, at least not easy to hear. There can be different reasons for that. Sin can cut off our ability to hear from Him. Sometimes other things are crowding out His voice. And sometimes He is quiet for the purpose of teaching us something that we can only see or hear in the silence. I wish I knew the reason for this particular season, but I don't. There is, however, one thing I do know, and that is "that God is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him". Because of that, I will remain faithful to do that which I know to do--to spend time each day in His word, and in prayer. Even when I don't seem to be breaking through the confines of the ceiling, or when His words don't grip my heart as I know they can. I know that God in His faithfulness knows what I'm made of, and what is needed to make me grow to be more like His Son, even if that means spending some time alone in the "wilderness". I will continue to pray that He will place us within a church where we can find the encouragement and fellowship that I believe is necessary. And at the same time, I will continue to pray that He will take me beyond platitudes to the knowledge deep in my heart, that He is "all I need".

Nate: Hi all! My week has been fun and interesting. I'm one year older now. My birthday went really well. My dad took us to a hotel in Quito, where if it's your birthday all you can eat is free! We bought lots of toys for Blanca, so that she wouldn't continue to play with our watches. We've been trying to teach her the phrase "put your toys away", but she just takes them out again. Blanca cries like any other baby, but this week was different. She was playing on the front porch when boom--on her bottom she fell. She was cranky, and just went berzerk! She breathed all her breath out, and didn't breathe back in. She turned blue, and then passed out. My dad came to the rescue, and did mouth to mouth resusitation with her. She came back very quickly, and she hasn't done it since. Please pray that this will not happen again! I can't remember if I told you this, but if so, listen again! We've been to a place called Papallacta. It is a natural hot springs, heated by a nearby volcano. The water was perfect, and the day was very nice. The drive up and back was very beautiful; the clouds settling over the tree speckled mountains was very pleasant to look at. We've also been to a town called Banos. It's a resort town that is famous for it's waterfalls, which is what we went there for. We hiked down to the base of the largest one. The mud was very deep, but it was fun walking through it. The base of the waterfall was very cool, and I couldn't have been more than ten feet away. The Super Bowl is tomorrow. We are lucky to have friends that would invite us over for the game. We are going to have B-B-Q ribs and homemade ice cream. That is a wonderful blessing from God. I thank him that we have friends like that here. Well, that's pretty much it for this week. Love you all, and miss you mucho.

Emily: Hey! Estoy aprendiendo a hablar espanol. That means "I'm learning to speak Spanish."! Thursday we didn't have school, because it was Nathan's birthday. We went to the same hotel that me and my dad did for dinner. I fell off my bike this week, but Mr. Moncayo found me and took me to my house in his car. Please pray that me and my new sister will be good friends. I love you and miss you a lot!

Saturday, January 31, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
We are going to switch the order a little bit this week, and let the kids share their news first!

Nathan: Hi everyone! I can assure you that this will not be boring. It was probably the most exciting and painful weeek I have experienced here. The first exciting thing was the Christmas tree deal. My dad loaded up our dry Christmas tree with 36 firework rockets and set it on fire. The tongues of fire licked all around the tree, occasionally sending off a shower of sparks. Then the fire reached the rockets. It was BEAUTIFUL! The different colors of explosions were pretty neat. They continued going off for about a minute. It was lucky that the police didn't come and ask what was going on! The second thing was the Super Bowl. We had a rib barbeque and had tacos as well. I was expecting little prok ribs, but noooooo--instead of the little wimpy ribs, there was half a cow lying on the grill. You should have seen the size of the ribs! Unfortunately the meat was really tough, but the flavor was very good. The third and painful thing was a giant biff off of my skateboard. It started out when me and my friend Diego, who is 11, wanted to bo up and rump race on our skateboards. I said "sure", and we went up and raced down and down again. We both kind of got bored so we decided to find another hill. Sure enough we did. The street was really smooth, and I was about to try it when my friend saw an even better hill. It was longer, and I wanted to try it standing up. Bad idea. I climbed to the top and got ready to go down. My skateboard is really stable, but when I went down that changed. I started out slowly, but then whoosh--I picked up a lot of speed. My wheel axles started to turn to rubber, and my board was rocking back and forth. I had to be going at least 25 mph before I jumped off--another bad idea. Of course 25mph is a little faster than I can run, so I flipped after about three steps. I now am typing this letter with eight stitches in my right elbow. Please pray that it will heal up soon. Love you and miss you all.

Emily: Hola! Soy Emilia. Last Sunday we had a Super Bowl Party. It was very fun. Some people who came over to watch futbol (which is soccor--there was a game on before football) had a very cute dog. Her name was Hilary. She is small--a Shitzu. A couple of days ago Nathan lost a part of his elbow and had to have a plastic surgeon clean it up. He had to have eight stitches. We have a club here with Cristina, her cousin Stefani (who is in the States right now to have an operation), Catalina, who I don't know very well, but this way I'll probably get to know her better, and Lorena. She is one of my good friends, and she is seven years old like me. Today we have to do a dance as a present to the older group (Cristi and Catalina), and they are doing one for us. Then we're going to have a kind of lunch/dinner for just us girls. Please pray that I'll get to know Catalina better.

Sharon: Another beautiful week in paradise. Seriously, the weather here has been incredible...not typical for Ecuador's rainy season, but we sure are enjoying it. It's been a good week--with some "exciting" momemts, that though I would not want to see them repeated do make for "memories". Nathan's "adventure" is one we'll long remember. Ron and I were sitting at the computer typing some letters when I heard Nathan's voice from outside, calling "Mom!". He came in, his arm thrust out in front of him, looking a little pale. It wasn't a pretty sight. I am convinced that I would never have made it as a nurse! After a close look at his elbow, I had to sit down with my head between my knees to keep from passing out! Thank the Lord there is a very good hospital in Quito, with a plastic surgeon on duty as some major repair work had to be done. As he told me the story I couldn't help but remember what a good friend Barb Garza said once "One boy, one brain...two boys, half a brain...three boys, no brain."! (There was a third boy with them...little Miguel Moncayo who we've told you about, but to his credit I think maybe his brain was still functioning, as he decided his older companions idea was a little too crazy for him!) Anyway, I think the lesson is learned, and I don't expect this particular stunt will be repeated! Do pray for Nate though--he has to keep his arm straight for almost 3 weeks to keep the stitches from popping, and it is his right arm! I am thankful that the kids have so many new friends to play with though. I have really enjoyed watching them both improving in their use of Spanish, as a number of their friends speak no English at all. Nathan is beginning to correct Ron and I, and Emily is doing better every day. After our scare with Blanca last week, we had no more such episodes...until this morning. I was in the kitchen cooking breakfast and she was playing nearby when she hurt her foot climbing a step. I went to her as soon as she began to cry, but it was quickly evident that this was going to be another bad one. Within less than a minute she was lying limp in my arms, blue and not breathing. I was ready to take her to the sink and splash water in her face (which was recommended by some people) when Ron came in, took her and did artificial respiration again. She began to cry--and then did it again! He had to give her two breaths this time! Scary stuff! PLEASE PRAY!!! She's a very special little girl, and we want to be able to give her all she needs--even if it is beyond our range of experience. Even our dogs have given us some "excitement" this week! On the night of the burning Christmas tree, Ron planted one particularly large, loud explosive in the tree. Rhino and Wrigley have never before reacted to fireworks, and believe me there have been plenty around the neighborhood in the past few months. But the street in front of our house was a little to close, and when this particular "boom" sounded, they were over the fence using the chain we had to keep skinny Wrigley from getting through as a ladder! We no sooner got them back in the yard and they were over again! Well, we cured them, we hope. Off came the chain link, and on went more iron bars to keep Wrigley in. Then, they both had a visit to the vet (now they're both "it's") and they haven't had the urge to do any fence climbing since--until five minutes ago when someone right behind our house set off a firecracker! Hey, with kids and dogs in a missionary's life, who needs cannibals? We did visit the church we told you about last Sunday, and enjoyed it. We plan to visit it again tomorrow morning. Continue to pray that God will show us if this is to be "home" for us.

Ron: Well, we reversed the order of writers this week, because the more exciting stuff in an otherwise not very exciting week had to do with the kids, so we let them have their say first. The property deal gets more interesting with time, and I think by the end of this coming week we will know whether it's a "go" or time to pause and wait for guidance in how to proceed from here. If you remember our prior letters, our prayer has been that if there is anything "hidden" that needed exposing that God would provide in that way. I am convinced that Christian service is nothing more than a byproduct of the kind of relationship that God desires of us. For this reason, you can see providence as you travel a path that you believe He leads you in, and still in the end find yourself somewhere different than where you thought you were going. This is so, and agreeable with God (and should be agreeable to us) because it's the walk along the way with Him that He's after more than the destination. I got a call fromt he attorney who is helping us with the purchase, and he said that he had an urge to see who the prior owners were (before those who are wanting to sell us the property). He investigated, and to his surprise found that he knew the family. He said when he called "I have stumbled onto an incredible conicidence", and then he told me the story. I told Sharon "this is not a conicidence--there are two and a half million people living in Quito. This is God's answer to our prayer to expose what is hidden." He told me that he called his friend (the prior owner) and asked him what he could tell him about the property. The man told Mario (the attorney) that there is a lawsuit in the courts regarding the property, and that basically they were never paid by the current title holders. There is a claim that dates were changed on documents and that the title was taken in an illegal fashion. This property has been in possession of the current title holder since 1985, so there's lots of opportunity to watch something interesting unfold. Because we are offering cash we believe that we have the solution to the problems of three parties--the bank, the current titleholder, and the former owner. Each claims a substantial interest and each risks with high probability losing their entire position. We are suggesting a settlement between them due to the fact that this kind of solution will probably not soon again surface before a less agreeable one is forced on them. I can truthfully say there is no anxiety on our part as we consider the possibilities. Whether we come away with something regarding this piece of property or it is only a "walk in the way" with Him, we are enjoying His presence and His peace. If He allows us the land we will expect great things to be accomplished on it. If not, we will expect to see something else come along in a way that could only be from Him.

Saturday, February 07, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Ron: Back home I would often see a poem presented in a lot of mediums (plaques, greeting cards, etc.). It goes something like this "God, grant me the strength to change the things I can, the courage to accept the things I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference." Now you don't see this poem here, and for good reason; it doesn't work (here). Here, the poem that would gain popularity would say "God, grant me the strength to change the things I can, the ability to pay someone to change the things I can't and the wisdom to know who to pay and how much". Monday we had the "big meeting" regarding the property purchase. At this meeting we were to review all of the documents and if all were in order to sign title change papers and pay the money. A very important document in this process is one that describes any and all ownership interests, leans, mortgages, and lawsuits. They don't have an escrow process here as we do in the States. You basically have to do the escrow elements yourself, trying as you can to create the most protection possible. The meeting started with our attorney reading all the documents, the last of which was the certificate from the property registry describing the things I indicated above. This is a stamped and certified document, but not forgetting the above poem we decided to do as much due dilegence as possible to safeguard our interests. Of course you can only do so much, because you can only ask the questions if you are aware of the premise for asking them. It is what is hidden that can kill you. It is for this reason that we rely on a counselor of a higher kind, and I shared with you last week the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a lawsuit involving this property. Our copy of the lawsuit, which the seller and the bank didn't know we had, showed the certification that the suit was filed with the property registry and that the seller and the bank had been informed of the suit. Still we thought it would be interesting, since it was the responsibility of the seller to present the certificate from the property registry, to see how the seller would approach solving the problem or would they attempt something so barbarous as to attempt paying someone off in an effort to have the information kept out of the certificate. They wouldn't do that to someone that was here to help their orphaned or abandoned children, would they? Well, Mario (our attorney) was finishing the last document, the property registy certificate supplied by the seller's attorney, when he got a phone call on his cellular phone. It was his office. I didn't know what was going on right at this point, but it seemed as though someone was going to send him a fax to be received in the office where this meeting was taking place. Mario continued to do his review, and the fax came. I knew that we would be looking at the certificte supplied by the seller, but I didn't yet know whether the language contained any reference to the suit. Mario read the fax, which I could see was identical to the certificate that the seller supplied (style of type, certification stamps, etc.). After reading the document carefully, Mario handed the faxed copy to the seller's attorney. Sure enough, Mario had requested his own certified copy which had not been ready until the moment it was faxed during this meeting. Without knowing the details, I knew something real interesting was coming down, and I'll have to say I've never had so much fun watching something that I really wanted potentially disintegrate. We knew what had happened, and they knew we knew, and this wasn't just a little white lie kind of deal, but the kind that when one is caught throws them into all kinds of interesting gyrations. For the next five minutes, we got to witness something that I hope I never see again. The date of the seller's copy of the certificate was January 29th. The one Mario got was dated January 26th. There was no room to wiggle out of this, and what people will say when backed into a corner like the one these guys were in is extraordinary. The timing of all of this was again God's own. Anyone following our journals, if they were skeptical about a God who involved Himself in the individual affairs of men, would have to be challenged in that skepticism. We have specifically asked God to expose the hidden things, and to take care of us in this wild place. I got a call the other night. It seems that the suit has good grounds, and that leaves the seller and the bank with the potential of gaining nothing (or to be more accurate, losing everything). The former owner, it seems, while having a strong position in his claim but not wanting to wait ten years or more to go to court, is willing to consider a settlement. So, we continue to prayerfully pursue this property, but we are also now investigating alternatives. Continue to pray with us, that God will have His way and that we will be content in however he leads.

Sat, Feb 14, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Happy Valentines Day!

Ron: Even though I'm at the top of the journal this week, really everyone else wrote before I did and I read their entries hoping for inspiration. Us guys have a tough time sharing more than mechanical things and with the property prospects in neutral I'm on the spot for something more subjective. The property deal we were pursuing still has possiblilites, as we are considering how to work out a settlement between the former property owner (who is suing the current title holder) and the current title holder. However a new possibility surfaced this week. It has many of the characteristics we felt were consistant with our vision for ministry here, with one exception and that is size. This piece is not as big, but has possibilites for expansion. What it does have that the other does not is a house partially completed. The owner wanted the house he is living in which is on a separate piece of property, connected to and below the piece we are considering to be a hosteria (something like a retreat or bed and breakfast inn). The house that is partially completed was to be his new home. Before he could finish he was divorced, and the house has been idle for a couple of years, maybe half finished. This provides us with some interesting prospects, because the house has most of the characteristics we were wanting for our guest house. The purpose of the guest house is to facilitate the crucial connection between the work here and those back home who want to come from time to time to participate in the ministry. Also, for some reason, the Ecuadorians are not keen on buying homes that are not finished, so while a lot of expense has gone into this property, there are the prospects of getting quite a lot of what is needed without extra expense. Well, above I said that it's tough for us guys to engage in the non mechanical, and this last couple of weeks have reminded me just how true that is. The question has come to me again and again--if I didn't have something to build or conquer, could I be content? As I study the Bible I see that the focus is on the personal and intimate relationship with God. The question stated another way is "can I sense that I am pursuing this relationship by other means than when I am creating something?" This question's volume gets turned up when I observe some who are in Christian service, sensing that they are doing something for God because they are so busy, but in reality the qualities of relationship are hard to detect. I'm content when I am in the middle of putting something together, and struggle when I'm made to be still and just be satisfied with the relationship. This last couple of weeks have squeezed me a little into evaluating priorities. Like I said in a past journal entry, if these things aren't worked out in advance, one should not think that indulging in some sort of service will force them to the surface. The reality is quite the contrary. It is often true that service will only fuel whatever was the state of things relationshipwise with God (on course or off) before the effort was begun. Please pray that we will be successful in finding property, but even more that we will be successful in accomplishing God's higher plan for us, and that is that we have the intimacy of relationship that He seeks.

Sharon: Greetings from WET San Rafael. The rain returned this week, along with cooler temperatures. As much as I was enjoying all the sunshine, it was drying things up a little too soon so I can't complain. It's been a good week--God has answered some of my personal prayers, and I am very encouraged in that respect. To begin with, we visited another church this past Sunday. It was recommended by some friends we spent the day with last Saturday (who are not even believers, but had heard a lot of good things about it). We went by to see it, and spoke with the youth pastor. It appeared very interesting, so we decided to check it out. It was just wonderful. It is a Spanish speaking church, and quite large--over 1,000 people, with two services on Sunday morning. Though the idea of a large church would not necessarily appeal to us ordinarily, here it has advantages. It has a lot to offer--an active youth ministry, home studies, and a range of other ministries as well. The worship was great--though in Spanish, it was in spirit very much like that at our church at home. The teaching was very good as well. We're really excited about it. But the icing on the cake for me was something I saw in the bulletin--an announcement regarding a ladies study that was just beginning, for women who were interested in studying the Bible in English. WAS I EVER INTERESTED!!! It is "Bible Study Fellowship", a well known organization with groups that are now meeting aroung the world. The woman who is leading the study is the wife of an American diplomat--a very sweet lady, that I am anxious to get to know better. I went this past Thursday, and thoroughly enjoyed it. There are about 40 women currently attending, the majority of which are English speaking (about 1/4 are Ecuadorian women who speak a little English). I am so thankful to the Lord for His provision, and timing in this. I have been struggling lately with a hunger for the fellowship of other Christian women, as well as for some spiritual nourishment in the form of good Bible teaching. At home there was so much opportunity for that, that I believe I often took it for granted. I don't think I ever will again! Though God has given us a gift in the friendship of the family we often write about, there is missing in that a spiritual connection, for though interested in the things of God, they do not yet share the depth of relationship with the Lord that provides for that connection. Besides that, the language though becoming easier, is still a great deal of work, and it is still difficult to get too far beyond the surface in sharing because of the lack of ability to put feelings into Spanish. Anyway, for those of you who were aware of my desires, and were praying for me in this regard, THANK YOU!!! We are studying the book of Ephesians, and already the time I have spent looking into this wonderful epistle has been a challenge and a blessing.

Nathan: Hi everyone! My week has gone better now that I can bend my arm. I'm going to get my stitches out on Tuesday, but still won't be doing much for another few weeks. I can play basketball though. Thursday my mom went to a women's Bible study. It's in English, so it's good for her. It is at a church that we like the best so far, and it looks like this may be the one we will continue to go to. We also went to the library that day at Alliance to return and get some new books, then to a movie and lunch. Our friend Fernando Moncayo graduated from the university here this past week, and we went over to his house to celebrate. He's hoping to go to George Washington University in the States this fall. Ater the party at their house we went to see a basketball game with Alliance vs. Marista, which is my friend J.F.'s school. My Spanish is coming along really well. It's hard sometimes to make what I'm saying sound right, but eventually everything comes out fine. My parents looked at another piece of property. If the first one isn't in God's will for us I know He will show us another one and continue to make our paths clear. We are also going to move all the bedrooms around. I am going to sleep in a room outside, my sister is going into my old room, and the guest room will be in my sister's old room (Blanca will sleep in there when we don't have company, and share with Emily when we do). I am really happy that we are finally getting this done--we've waited and waited to do it, and the time has finally arrived! I'm really looking forward to the visits from Ralph and my Grandma this spring. Love to everyone.

Emily: Hi! How are all of you? Today we put my new bed in my new room which WAS Nathan's room. Blanca got my old room, and my brother got one that is outside. It is bigger, but he has a smaller bed. We still have to get a bedspread for my bed and some new curtains. My dad looked at another piece of property, and liked it. He took my mom to see it, and she liked it a lot. Pray that the Lord will guide us in finding the right property. We visited one other church that we like a lot. Me and Blanca are becoming better friends. Rhino and Wriggley are doing good too. I need to play with them more. Wrigley jumped over the fence today. Our neighbors were having a party and were shooting off fireworks and it scared him. Wrigley was limping a little bit afterwards, but he's okay now. Today I was playing with Christy and her little cousin Ricardito and he wanted to go on to their grandmother's property (they live right next door to them). We went over on our bikes. I needed to go to the bathroom and told Christy to stay with my bike. When I came out I could hear something outside, like a hose running, but when I opened the door IT WAS POURING RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and my bike was still there. Sra. Moncayo gave me an umbrella and I went to rescue my bike in the rain. When I got there it was soaking wet. I got it, and started moving. When I got to the opening in the bushes between their houses I found Christy and before she could say anything I threw the umbrella on the ground and said "here, help me", and went to her porch where Sra. Moncayo was standing. Poor Christy--she went to our house and back, looking for Ricardito, who was with the older boys...and she didn't have an umbrella! Love, and Happy Valentines Day!

Sat, Feb 21, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Ron: It's 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. It's getting harder to find a time when we can all get together on putting the weeks events into the journal summary. We think it's vital to stay in touch, so we'll be sure they go out, even if from time to time you get them a little late. We just got back from a full day with the Moncayo family. First to Papallacta, the thermal springs high in the Andes mountains, then back to the home of Fernando's sister. These are family people, and you know just how family they are when you have a dining room table that seats 18, and you still have to bring more chairs. This kind of relationship for us has deeper meaning than just the adventures that we have been enjoying with them. Fernando and Delila are well connected people, and able to move through a system of things here that is very cumbersome and that has meant that we have been well served in terms of getting settled here. Besides that, because of the type of people that they are, and their interests, we have been able to have positive influence on them as our relationship has developed. We know that God has definitely orchestrated this encounter, and it will be interesting to see where we end up. Well, we are on to another property deal. We will be meeting next week to iron out the mechanics of the purchase, but I have met with the owner and we have come to an agreement on the overall price. Also we encountered another piece of property next door to the one that we are now pursuing that is for sale at a very excellent price. The situation is that the property is right in front (that is on the other side of the street) from the community cemetary. Unless you went inside you probably wouldn't know what it was a because of the high wall surrounding it. But the Ecuadorians know that it's a cemetary, and while it appears that they're open to being planted there under certain specific circumstances, they don't want to have anything to do with being near it while they are living. So nobody wants to buy it, it appears, but me. Much of the character that we were influenced by in the piece that we are negotiating on is in this property as well. It's about half the size of the piece we're now trying to buy, but it is together that these two pieces provide us with the space to do what we have invisioned that we are here for. The owner of the first piece I spoke of is German, and I've been dealing with him directly. While the papers are in order, and the process looks to be a clean one, we are in Ecuador and after the last experience I plan to be even more careful about how we proceed. Please pray with us that God will have his way. I don't at all see the failure to put together the last deal as a breakdown somewhere between us and God. He molds us and shapes us according to the image of His Son, usually be means of circumstances connected with things that are very important to us. Also pray for Ralph Sargent, who is the president of our ministry corporation in the States. Ralph is coming here on March 8th and we will be looking at ministry here, planning, and hopefully preparing for some good exposure for you to see more clearly what we are doing, what we are planning to do, and what opportunities there will be for the people at home to come and share in this wonderful work with us. Also please pray for me. I may be traveling back home with Ralph to handle some business related issues and possibly arrange to, for the lack of a better discription, sell my business to someone who is very knowledgeable in the type of work that I did. Taking care of my clients has been an important consideration and while modern technology has made it very possible for us to handle things at this distance, we would very much like to increase our focus for which we came here, and if I can do that and take care of the people I've been serving for a great number of years that would be a wonderful result. So pray all will go well regarding this, and that God will direct regarding those things that require His wisdom.

Sharon: As Ron said, we just returned from a long day out. My eyes are a little blurry--5:00 came awfully early this morning! But it was a wonderful day...I hope we'll be able to share Papallacta with some of you some day when you come and visit. It's incredibly beautiful, and quite an experience to be sitting in a jaccuzi (without the bubbles) in the midst of some of God's most beautiful creation. It's been a pretty good week. We're all very excited about the possiblities with the property we're looking at. Personally I like it much better than the other, perhaps because I'm not as much of a visionary as Ron is. Here I can see something that has already been started, and from there I can more or less complete the picture. The other, though beautiful, required more imagination than I have. In any case whatever God has for us is, I'm sure, far beyond what either of us could either ask or imagine. (Eph. 3:20) In my study of the book of Ephesians, which I'm doing for the Bible study I've begun to attend on Thursday mornings, I've been struck by the fact that God's love for us, and His plans for our lives both here and in eternity, far exceed anything we can grasp with our minds, apart from the Holy Spirit. It helps me, when I can't see what is ahead, or why certain things happen, to know that there is an all powerful, all wise, and all loving God at work on my behalf. Blanca is doing very well. She's put on some weight, and is beginning to say more words--a mixture of Spanish and English--as well as to communicate in a language which none of us understand, but which I am sure to her has meaning. I say this because when she goes into one of her rather lengthy discourses in what to us sounds like gibberish, she does so with facial expressions, and gestures that carry a very definite message. We just have to figure out what that is! This weekend in Ecuador they are celebrating a "holiday" that I have yet to hear a good explanation for. It's known as "Carnival", and it seems that the only purpose is to get other people wet! They take this very seriously--the President declared it a national holiday, and so the schools, banks, etc. are closed through Tuesday. I've asked many Ecuadorians the significance of this rather strange, but widely celebrated occasion, but only one was able to tell me anything. Fernando says that it began many years ago as a sort of "flirtation" between young men and women. I fail to see anything even mildly romantic about having a bucket of water poured over your head, but then I'm not Ecuadorian! But my kids are loving it, and look forward to many water balloon wars over the next few days. We just have to make sure we drive with the car windows up--there are a lot of people out there waiting to "play carnival" with an unsuspecting victim! Please continue to pray for us as we pursue the property. Pray too, for me, as I am going to begin teaching Delila some English. Fernando is hoping to be accepted into George Washington University in the fall, and if so they will be moving there for two years. Though Fernando speaks English fairly well, Delila knows very little, and is quite nervous about moving to the States because of that. I can certainly relate--it's very scary, moving to a place that is so different, and where everyone is speaking a language that is foreign to you. To me, it is another evidence of God at work in our lives, putting me together with someone who is facing a very similar struggle to that which I had to face--only without the certainty that God is behind it and therefore will take care of her. Pray that this will be more than just an opportunity for "English lessons".

Nathan: (written Friday morning) Buenos dias, tardes, or noches, depending on when you get this. It's the weekend of Carnival here in Ecuador. It's four days of "try to soak everyone you can with water balloons and squirtguns until you drop". My dad got me and my sister the balloons, and now all we have to do is wait till Saturday. My dad took my stitches out on Wednesday, and now I can bend my arm without it hurting. Pray that the tissue will heal quickly. We invited the Moncayos to an Alliance basketball game Thursday night. All ten of us piled into the Land Cruiser (which wasn't very comfortable) and went to see the game. My mom is going over to the Moncayo's today to learn how to cook an Ecuadorian dinner. We will all go over to eat at their house tonight. Tomorrow morning we may to to Papallacta again. (Papallacta is the place where the volcanically heated pools are.) We have found another property. My dad made an offer and the man accepted. I like it alot; moreso than the first one. It already has a big house on it that is in the middle of being finsihed. Pray that God will show us His will concerning this. That is all that happened this week. Miss and love you all.

Emily: (also written Friday a.m.) Hola! Hi! Tonight we are going over to the Moncayo's to have dinner. My mom and Sra. Moncayo are going to do a thing where my mom does American food and Sra. Moncayo does Ecuadorian food. Tomorrow we will go to Papallacta again. Carnival, an Ecuadorian tradition, starts tomorrow. It is with water--there are several different ways you can do it...with water in a bowl, water balloons, with a hose, or with squirt guns. You throw, shoot, and spray water at any person. Another fun part about this is vacacion (vacation)--two days off from school! We have water balloons and bowls, but we don't have squirtguns. I'd like to get a big one. Please pray that I'd learn to speak more Spanish quickly. I finished one of my Spanish books (the 2nd one) today. Ciao! Bye!

Tue, Feb 24, 1998
If you have been reading our weekly journals carefully, you read in the last entry that I was heading back to California to transfer business interests to another who is knowledgable in the type of planning and insurance work that we have done over the years. While with modern technology we are able to service our clients as if we were still in town, the truth is that our focus has shifted and I am concerned that my clients get the same service that I promised them when we started together. I will be interviewing a man who has been working in the same planning areas as me for the last 25 years. He has been extremely successful in building his own clientel, and he works with the same insurance carriers as I have which has been a critical connection for us. I will give you more information soon, but I didn't want you to be concerned that you were going to be left without resource. I will talk to you later.

Ron Stiff

Sat, Feb 28, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Ron: Tomorrow morning I will be leaving for Guayaquil, which is actually the largest city in Ecuador, and located on the coast. The car I bought was registered there and while the rest of the country is connected to the motor vehicle computerized registration system in Quito, Guayaquil is the one exception. So, in order to get the car 100% legally in my name, I have to go to get it set up in their system. With the exception of a couple of excursions within 100 miles of Quito this will be the first big trip out of town (almost 8 hours). Before I started writing I read what Sharon had written, and part of what she said has been on my mind a great deal lately. As we have been working toward securing property and doing other things toward establishing our work with the kids I have been thinking about what it all would mean without having had the opportunity to pass on to those with whom we've had meaningful contact the evidence of a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. For those who don't know Him, even though there is rarely a sense of full satisfaction in doing so, the only significance in life is usually connected to endeavors of various kinds. Those who are in Christian service are not immune to feeling as if God's purpose for creation is not something, in part, connected with what we can manage to accomplish. I believe the Lord's disciple Peter finally came to understand what Jesus wanted in terms of a relationship with Him, but I am struck by how Peter struggled as he realized that his perspective wasn't God's ideal when Jesus asked Him "Peter, do you love me?". Peter wanted to say that he loved Jesus in the way that Jesus wanted to be loved, but he found that his experiences thus far allowed him only the ability to declare something less. One of these days the property we buy and the buildings that are on it will all belong to someone else. If the family that I brought here to Ecuador and the kids that walk the halls of the institution we are building are ever to know what it means to love Jesus and to fulfill His purpose for their being, it will probably be because someone was able to model that kind of love, and somehow communicate that in spite of all that they may accomplish the component that adds meaning is in knowing Him who wants only that we love Him.

Sharon: It's been a quiet week, really. We finished off "Carnival" on Tuesday, though I think God got the last laugh, as He doused everyone with a major rainstorm on the last day--guess He likes to play too! The property deal is looking very promising, and we're beginning to make some plans regarding some work that needs to be done on it, all the while knowing that "man makes his plans, but the Lord directs His steps". We are excited though, about the possibilities. We're very much looking forward to Ralph Sargent coming to visit us in about a week. Also we're excited about my Mom's visit, which will be in March. She'll be coming back with Ron, who is going to be in the desert for about 10 days taking care of some business. I'm NOT looking forward to him being gone, but knowing he'll be bringing Mom back with him will make his return extra special. I mentioned last week that I was going to begin teaching my Ecuadorian friend Delila some English. We've met twice now, and are really enjoying the time. I've really enjoyed my friendship with her; she's a very special lady. It's been interesting to learn how much we share in common as women, and yet how different we are because of our cultural backgrounds. I've been challenged as I've considered some of the things I've shared with her, certain at the time that because I am a Christian that my viewpoint was as well. I don't think I've said anything that I don't believe is true--I'm just not sure how much of it comes from my "North American" mindset. We're all effected by the things we're taught from the cradle up...whether true or not. And as believers, we need to recognize that some of that may come from a system of thought that is NOT based on what is taught in God's Word. In my study of Ephesians, we've been looking at the importance of being grounded in "The Book". Only by really knowing what it says; by studying it's truths and making them a part of us will we be able to recognize things that are contrary to it. I don't want to introduce Delila to an "American Jesus", but to the Jesus of the Bible. To do that, I have to not be first an American, but rather first, last, and more than anything else, a follower of Jesus Christ. The lives that we will have the opportunity to impact while we're here--The Moncayo family, Blanca, and all those who will follow--need to know Him. To introduce them to Jesus, we first need to have an intimate relationship with Him ourselves. Pray that we will grow in our knowledge of Him daily, and that He will show Himself to others through us.

Nathan: Hi everybody! This week wasn't super duper interesting, but I will try to make the things that did happen interest you. Carnival was great. It wasn't really sunny, but it wasn't cold either. We had a water war with my friend's sister and her cousins and my sister. We eventually were soaked to the skin and had to stop. We probably drained half of Ecuador's water supply! The weather here has been so-so. It hasn't rained much this week; only once really, but it was a very, very hard rain. Blanca went to the doctor on Thursday, and he thinks she might need surgery on her arms and hips. She can't rotate her arms very well, and she has a problem with her hip that will effect her when she is older if it's not corrected. Pray that if surgery really is necessary (my dad doesn't think it is) that it will go well. My dad will be going to Guayaquil on Sunday to get the car matriculated. Pray that the 8 hour drive will go weel, and that he won't have any problems. Well, time to go. See you next time!

Emily: Hey, this is Emily! This was not a very exciting week, but I will tell you everything. Monday: I played Carnival with my friend Christi and her cousins, then they went home and then the boys wanted to play Carnival. Tuesday: I went to Christi's and it was the last day of Carnival, so her family was going to play carnival. We went to buy water balloons from a store close to her house. But when we got there we played Carnival by ourselves--it was POURING RAIN AND HAIL!!!!! Wednesday: Nothing happened! (except we started back to school.) Thursday: We went to QuiCentro, a mall. We were going to see a movie, but it was in Spanish. Friday: We were going to go to dinner and a basketball game, but we just got to go to dinner. We went with the Moncayos. Goodbye, I love you and miss you!

Sun, Mar 08, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Ron: I found a restaraunt in Guayaquil with authentic Mexican food, with an authentic Mexican chef...a hard thing to find in Ecuador. First thing that he brought out to us (because I told him that we live near the Mexican border in California and enjoyed "real" Mexican food) was a plate full of stuffed jalepenos. They were delicious. On the one hand I didn't want to stop, but on the other I was starting to suffer, and I knew that the experience would find itself somehow into the next day if I didn't quit. I've been finding my experiences here in Ecuador a lot like eating those jalepenos. It is a thrilling experience to drink in God's creation here, BUT there is a sting that comes along with that experience that after awhile, if you don't find a way to take a break, you are sure to suffer some repercutions from. You don't really comprehend the meaning of "culture shock" until you are experiencing it within the context of living in it as opposed to just visiting it. When you visit another culture, you are often insulated from what makes up the "shock" of the equation. Like those jalepenos, there is a aura of excitement and adventure that comes with living here that is absolutely exhilierating. But in the day to day components of making life work here you find yourself excising thorns that you hardly pay attention to until you are literally covered with them. In short, nothing much works here. There is the illusion of a system, but it is really one's effort to fill the holes in the system that brings any success. Ralph will be here (one of our board members and corporation president) in a little over 3 hours. When he sees what we have accomplished in the time that we've been here his first impression will be that it's "just like home". Well, we've strived for that affect. But it takes a much different effort than it does in the States, and coming back to the point I was making above, in time that effort, like those jalepenos, brings you to a point where you had better adjust your approach, or life becomes a little uncomfortable...no, A LOT uncomfortable! My trip to Guayaquil, which was supposed to be for business that could be accomplished in half a day in addition to the eight hours it took to get there, turned out to take 3 days, and cost almost $1,000 just for registering our car (in a country where the average construction employee makes $7 a day). It was one of the most picturesque and beautiful trips I've ever experienced, but like one stuffed jalepeno too many, the cultural sting that went along with it sent me back home ready for a fight with somebody. Unfortuately the only ones in proximity were Sharon and the kids, all of which were ready to send me on another trip--any trip--by the end of the week. We had dinner with a friend last night who has been here for eight years, and he basically said it this way by implying the question "Where do you think the adjustment is going to come from--you or the system of culture here?". Well, we want the same results that we've been getting, and we do expect the system to be broken for longer than we will probably be here, but in order to survive we will have to learn to expect defects that are not tolerated at home and then supply whatever is lacking without thinking that we ought not have to. If you work at it, you can get what you need. It's the effort and the expectations that have to be adjusted. This is not a insignificant issue among those who work in a culture like this. In reality, we've heard of more than a fair number of casualties. Still, we think the crucial component for success comes down to the reality of one's calling. God will not call you to what He is not also very willing to enable you to do. Like any trial, the shock of another culture shows us our weakness, not that we might fail, but that we would look to Him who is the real strength in any lasting endeavor. Please pray for us as we adjust to life here, and pray that this week with Ralph Sargent will be a blessing to him and to us as we plan together the next steps of this ministry.

Sharon: Right now as I'm typing this I can hear my kids and Ron playing in the culdisac in front of our house. Ron and Nathan are playing 2 0n 2 (basketball) with Fernando and J.F. Moncayo, and Emily and Christi are twirling batons, practicing for their show. Wonderful sounds, the sounds of relationships in action. What a blessing these new friends have been to us. I can't imagine what these past few months would have been like without them...or what it will be like in the fall if they do end up going to the States for Fernando to attend university. I want what is best for them, certainly, and know tht the education would benefit Fernando's career. But it will be a difficult goodbye, if it comes to that. Thursday night they came over to use our computer to call the States. Delila's sister and niece are there right now, and Stefanie, who is 12 years old like Christi, was scheduled to have surgery on Friday to remove a benign tumor from her brain at U.C.L.A. Medical Center. They called to give her their love and encouragement for what must have been a very scary thing for a young girl. Afterwards we joined hands and prayed for her. What a special time that was, as each of us in turn offered up our petitions to the "throne of grace" for her, some in English, some in Spanish. Isn't it amazing that we serve a God that can understand both? And the perhaps thousands (or more) other languages spoken in this world? That He can hear, and really listen, to millions of prayers, many at the same time, and not get stressed out (like I do when Ron, Nathan, and Emily are all trying to talk to me at once!). And not mix up one petition with another, like some kind of overworked waiter? That He knows what we need before we even ask, but allows us to participate in His work on our behalf or that of others through our prayers? What a blessing it was for us to listen in as Moncayos called the States once again this morning to talk with Stephani, who answered the phone in the hospital room herself. To know that the success of the surgery was in part affected by those prayers we offered up three nights earlier (as well as those that were prayed for several weeks leading up to it)! Those of you who have been praying for us over these past eight months are every bit as involved in what God is doing here as we are. And we are involving ourselves in your lives, as we pray for you. As far away as we may be geographically, there is a connection made in the spiritual realm as we pray for one another. In my study of Ephesians this past week we looked at some human relationships. I saw something that I never really realized before. That is that our relationships are much more than simply emotional, or physical, or based on blood ties. There is a spiritual aspect to them that we seldom recognize. How we relate to eachother is an indication of whether or not we are walking by the Spirit of God. When we are walking according to the principles of God's Word, empowered by His Spirit, we are living representatives of Jesus--and as He loves and values the people in our lives, so will we. I know I have a long way to go in that! But from my heart, know that I love and appreciate each of you who take the time to read our journal each week, and especially to pray for us. For those of you who take the extra time to write, and to share with us what God is doing in your lives, and how we can pray for you, thank you! What better way to share in one another's lives, but to take eachother before our Father in prayer, knowing that what we cannot do for eachother because of the distance between us, He can do for us in an instant...what a great God we serve!

Nathan: (written Friday afternoon) Hello once again everybody! This week has gone by fast because my dad had to be in Guayaquil for half of it. Now he's home, safe and sound, and everything is back to normal. School has gone pretty well this week. We've been able to do in outside several times due to the wonderful weather we've been having. I'm looking forward to Ralph Sargent's visit a lot. Sunday is only two days away, and I can hardly wait. We went to my favorite restaraunt--T.G.I.Fridays--on Thursday after my mom went to Bible study. It was exactly the same as in the States, and it was opened only three days ago. The only problem was that they didn't have a few things. My dad ordered the soup of the day, and the waitress came back and said "Lo siento, pero no tenemos la sopa del dia" (I'm sorry, but we don't have the soup of the day). Oh well, it's a new restaraunt! I don't know if we mentioned a 12 year old girl named Stefani. She is the cousin/niece of the Moncayos. She is going to have surgery today to remove a cyst from her brain. Please pray that all will go smoothly, and that she will recover rapidly.

Emily: (also written Friday) Hi everyone! How are you all? I haven't been playing with Christi a lot this week because she has had a lot of homework to do. I've had to entertain myself. My dad was gone for four days to Guayaquil--he was only supposed to be gone for two. Just like my mom always says, take what he says and multiply it times three (two, this time)! He got home at 12:30 Wednesday night. Yesterday I went out to the property with my dad. The man who we're buying it from is named Juaquim. We went to his house, and guess what he has? A monkey and a parrot! I touched the monkey, but just on his hand because he bites. Have you ever heard of a monkey who bites? His name is Pepper, I think. He was cute. When I first saw him he was in a tree. I'm probably going to get a monkey when we get our property. I will take care of him, and name him "Mr. Nelson" like in Pippi Longstocking. We are reading a book about monkeys and apes for school. Ralph is coming the day after tomorrow. I'm excited to see him. Tah tah for now! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Sat, Mar 14, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Ron: Well, it finally happened! The property deal has closed. It was two hours after office closing time on Friday that we finally shook hands, signifying the success that we had been looking for over the last three months. The process had been a trial right down to the important signature that was finally secured late Friday. Now that this is behind us, we will focus more on the mechanics of how to make good use of the property now that it belongs to the ministry. First however, I will look forward to a little rest. Tomorrow I leave with Ralph Sargent to return to California to take care of some business, so I guess the rest and relaxation will have to wait until I get back on the 25th. For those of you who have been faithful in your prayer for our success with the property, we want to thank you and hope that your reward can be sharing in the success of the ministry as we continue to press forward. This last week we have had Ralph with us. It was a treat to have him present when the property deal was signed on Friday. It's been a busy week, besides the business I mentioned above as we traveled a few hundred miles to share with Ralph some of the world's most beautiful examples of God's creation. There is a lot that we could share, but we just got back from visiting an indiginous area of Ecuador. We've got some packing to do, and some rest to catch up on, so we'll try to give you something fuller next week. However adding to our journal this week, are some thoughts from Ralph regarding his time here.

Ralph: This week has been a real blurr, though I have taken some time to read The Gospel of John. I believe it is for us as John wrote in his epistle, that we are to walk in the same manner as He (Jesus) did. As I have read the Gospel, Jesus said "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to acomplish His work" John 4:34. I have had to come to a point to examine my walk in regard to that. Am I doing his will? The last couple of years the Lord has place a desire for Missions upon my heart. The opportunities are great. Don't get me wrong the mission is at home for some, for me I believe it is abroad. The work that has begun here in Quito is awesome the the fields are white! Pray for me in that direction and for Ron, Sharon and family. In all this week has been great, I would encourage you all that you would spend a week or two out on a short term mission, and this one place you could!

Sharon: As much of a blur as Ralph's week has been, so are my eyes right now! But I wanted to take a minute to share what a blessing this week has been for us. Having Ralph here with us was like bringing a bit of home here to Ecuador. Hearing first hand of what is happening in our church at home was a real treat, and being able to fellowship once again in person with this very special brother in the Lord has been wonderful. We have been VERY busy, but it's been great. I know Ralph is as anxious to come back as we are to have him. I hope his experience here will encourage others of you at home to come and visit us here, and to see for yourselves what God is doing. As Ron shared, the property deal closed, and we are now "duenos" in Ecuador--property owners! Of course we all know who the real "dueno" is--God Himself, for whom and by whom all things exist. We are just very thankful that He has seen fit to let us manage this beautiful piece of land, and to begin to build on it a work that we pray will bring Him much glory. This next ten days is going to be as quiet for Nathan, Emily and I as this past one was busy. Ron will leave tomorrow with Ralph, and return on the 25th with my mom. We're looking very much forward to that. Please pray for us though--Ron in the desert, taking care of some business, and sharing in person with some of you at home--and for the kids and I, as we manage here on our own. We wish we could come with him, but know that will happen soon enough, as we are planning a trip up there in May. Know that our love for you travels with him! We'll share in a little more detail next week, but for now we know you are praising God with us for the answer to our prayers--both yours, and ours. The kids also send their love, but are now sound asleep. It's been a busy week for all of us!

Sat, Mar 21, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Ron: Greetings from Sunny Southern California! The effort to tie up business seems to be going well, in spite of the fact that I didn't seem to have all of the energy I wanted to do everything that was planned. Still, the important things were accomplished with whatever is remaining to be handled via the internet after I get back to Quito. We've concluded that taking things back to Ecuador will be best accomplished a little at a time as friends come and visit and we return after our family trip here in late May. There is a pretty hefty tax when you send a container full of stuff from here. But a little at a time we can move most of the really hard to replace things without any import tax. I met with a real estate person yesterday so that the house can go on the market, the proceeds of which will be needed to continue construction on the new property that was purchased. We have no price threshold, because our focus is on misnistry and continuing with what we feel God has been leading us in. If He is directing, then there will always be sufficiency. Still, we want to do the best that we can so please pray that God will guide our steps as we proceed with this. It was a lot easier packing everything up when we left last July, thinking that one day we might be selling the house. But today, as I walked through looking at this and that, which Sharon and I have accumulated over the years, I think I felt for the first time the things that Sharon was experiencing last July as we prepared to leave. Back then the excitement of the adventure was the overshadowing emotion for me. Now, having that experience behind me, the impact of letting go of what we spent twenty years putting together is an experience that I am not sure I was anticipating. My prayer had always been that the Lord would call us into a work like that we are pursuing and that He wuld call us away from what it would be hard to leave, rather than circumstances that might make us wonder if we were running away from something. The friends, the business that God gave us for all these years, or home and the things in it, have all been a focus of mine as I spent the time here this last few days. God has ansered my prayer, and now the reality of the other edge of this sword is being brought to bear. Ralph Sargent, who spent a wek with us in Quito, will be showing slides of his visit, which include the ministry location and what visitors might expect when they come to see us (which is the other half of our vision). I will be sharing about our ministry plans, and I hope everyone who can will make it. It will be a worthwhile hour with us. This will be at Calvary Chapel Indio, on the corner of Ave. 45 and Auto Center Drive at 6:00 p.m. Please come out if you can on Sunday.

Nathan: Hola, todos! I am going to insert a little thing I had to do for Language on the robbery that took place at our house: STIFF FAMILY ROBBED A missionary family in San Rafael, Ecuador, was robbed Monday night while they slept. The items that were taken included the following: Gas tanks, a bike, tables and chairs, a stroller and a baby push car. A neighbor saw a truck parked outside the house around midnight Monday, and friends reported that they experienced a similar robbery of gas tanks before, and believe the thieves to be the same as those who robbed the Stiffs. There have also been several dog poisonings committed during the past week, which could be related because of the alarm the dogs provide. There was no evidence to show how or where the thieves could have entered. There was a pair of bycicle tire tracks in the grass, however. Residents are advised to take caution, as these thieves could strike again. There you go! Now I will get into the not-so-nasty details of the week. My dad left for the States last Sunday. I miss him a lot. The time doesn't pass quickly with him gone. He's been pretty busy but still has time to write. Well, the week didn't have much more in it than that. "So now it's time to say goodbey to all our company..." Bye!

Emily: Hi! How are you all? This week has been very exciting! That's because we were robbed! I awoke Monday morning hearing my mom asking Blanca if she wanted to watch T.V.. I shot out of bed happily to watch T.V. with Blanca. After about ten minutes my mom called from the kitchen "WE WERE ROBBED!!!" Thinking I didn't hear her correctly I called "What?". She came into her room and said "We were robbed". I just stared at her. Then she said "Your bike, Blanca's stroller, and our plastic table and chairs." A little while later whe she was talking on the phone with our friend Delila, she saw that there were no gas tanks outside. A couple days later, my mom found Blanca sitting on her little lego car trying to ride it. Then she found her little push car was gone too. I really miss my dad, but I know he will be back soon--with my Grandma!!! Ciao! and Goodbye! Fairwell! and So Long!!! XOXOXOXOXOXOOXO

Sharon: I've put the kid's entries ahead of mine this week, so you'll know the "big news", and I won't have to repeat it. From their commentaries, you can tell that they were pretty "impressed" by this event. So was I! It was not a great start to our time without Ron here! But through it, God has shown me some things that make me able to "give thanks to God for EVERYTHING, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ". First of all, there is an analogy here that I think is important. The things that were taken SHOULD NOT have been left outside--they were like bait. And while in a perfect world things like this wouldn't happen, we don't live in a perfect world--not in the U.S. and not in Ecuador. So leaving them out in front in plain sight was a careless thing to do. But it was just "things" that were taken. We ourselves were unharmed. The analogy is this: When we choose to step outside of God's will, and play around on the edges, we will suffer the consequences. God won't protect us from the results of our wrong decisions. But God is so good...when we are faithless, He is faithful, and "NOTHING can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus"! He will not allow anything to take us so far from Him that there is no coming back. Another thing I am thankful for is something that occured to me in retrospect. For one thing, the dogs were locked in the bodega (storage room) for the night. This was perhaps not a wise thing to do, but they often play pretty noisily during the night. They can play all they want now--they're going to be out! However looking back, knowing how sensitive their hearing is (they start barking when we are halfway down the street, before they can even see us), I believe it was more than a coincidence that they heard nothing that night. Also, a number of the things taken were stored right next to the room outside where Nathan sleeps, and he didn't hear a thing! When Ron is gone I seldom sleep soundly. If the dogs HAD started barking, or if Nathan HAD heard noises outside, who knows what would have happened. Anyone who would watch a house and wait for an opportunity to rob it would have no qualms about doing harm to someone who got in the way. And as everyone around here seems to believe it was someone who lives in this neighborhood, that could have had much worse consequences to follow. So I believe with all my heart that God put us all into a sound sleep, in order to protect us. Was it God's will that we be robbed? No, not any more than it's His will that we trifle with sin...both happen because of wrong choises and decisions, and because we live in a world where Satan has dominion over those who don't belong to God. But God is faithful...and His promises are true. As we read Psalm 91 together later Tuesday morning, we all rejoiced at what a great God we serve. To those of you who prayed for us as a result of the "Prayer Chain" request I put in, thank you. I believe there are some mighty big angels standing guard outside our gates now! The week with Ron gone has been LLLOOONNNGGG!!! We all miss him incredibly! But I know this trip, and what Ron is doing there in the States is another step in what God is doing in our lives, causing us to release to Him things that tie us to what we were, in order to free us for what we are to become. As Ron indicated, that is not always easy--even painful at times. But as Oswald Chambers says "True surrender will always go beyond natural devotion...beware of stopping anywhere short of total surrender to God". Pray for us that that surrender will be complete...and that we will "live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way,; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God" Colossians 1:10

Sat, Mar 28, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Ron: Please forgive the brevity of this week's journal. Catching up on business and more importantly the family since arriving late Wednesday we've pushed writing off till today, and then we lost power until just a few minutes ago. Coming home was very sweet. I felt like I was home, and all the time away from the family as a foreigner in my home town. Before I left on the 15th I got the construction crew going on putting the roof on the big house at the new property. They are doing a great job. The roof support are large eucalyptus beams that weigh so much that it takes five to six people to get them up in position. They have to get the beams up to a point where they can begin to place the full strip "tongue and groove" wood panels. After a section is completed they must then put the water proof covering over the wood to keep it dry against the inevidable afternoon rain. What a process! And what a crew of guys all working together under the direction of the "maestro". Speaking of the "maestro", ours has some unique qualifications in that he has a four year technical degree in contracting and building techniques. Today I also discovered another characteristic of his. I was taking Patricio (our metal working contractor) up to the property to look at putting doors on the storage sheds. On the road up I noticed somebody in street-clothes sitting in the mud off the side of the road in what would be our equivalent of a rural gutter. As I got closer I thought "by golly, that fellow looks like Juan Carlos" (the maestro). Oh, but it couldn't have been. Juan Carlos is such a gentleman--a businessman--and besides, he doesn't even live near the property. I drove by, thinking how much this guy looked like my builder, so when we were returning to the valley I was anxious to see if he was still in the mud. He wasn't--instead I found him a few hundred feet below sitting on a patio beside a little barrio store. I asked the people what his name was--he didn't look quite like Juan Carlos, but at the same time he looked very much like Juan Carlos. The neighbors all know what's new, and they knew I was building on the property at the top of the road, so the answer was very directly "well, he's your maestro". Oh, great!!! I suppose I'll have to wait until Monday to get his side of the story, but what a sight! Nice slacks, sweater, and wingtip shoes, all covered in mud. No, he wasn't hurt, and did I mention it was 9:00 in the morning? Juaquim, the German I bought the property from, told me about Friday nights in Ecuador, and in particular in these country pueblos. They make a liquor out of sugar cane that can be substituted for fuel if you ever ran out of gas. Ecuador continues to show us interesting characteristics that make real the meaning of the words "endurance" and "perseverance". I'm convinced that our building project will be completed in good form, but the journey to that point will be an interesting one.

Sharon: THEY'RE HERE!!! Ron and Mom arrived Wednesday night, to a very happy me! It has been wonderful having Mom here for a visit. So far we've kind of "vegged"...sitting around catching up on the past nine months. We will be doing some traveling around, seeing the sights this next week. But it's been nice just to sit around the kitchen table with a cup of coffee or tea just chatting. The kids have been thrilled to have Grandma here...Emily is sticking to her like glue, and Blanca really seems to love her new "abuelita". She's going to get very spoiled while Mom is here! Ron enjoyed his visit home. He brought back lots of pictures of family and of friends from our church. What a blessing it was to see all those faces! I have to admit that I shed a few tears looking at them, but also felt a lot of joy, as I saw people I have been praying for over these months, looking well and happy. It is evident that God has been at work in your lives, as He has in ours. I continue to believe that one of the strongest links us that connect us, even though we're so many miles apart is our bringing of one another to the Lord in prayer. For those of you who were able to go to the church on Sunday evening to see the slides, and to hear Ron and Ralph share, I hope you now feel a little "closer" and that what we've been sharing with you through our letters is a little more real to you. And most of all, that it has whet your appetites to come and visit us here, and to see for yourselves firsthand what God is doing in this little corner of the world. THAT would beat pictures any old day!

Dee: Where do I begin....I guess to say hola...and to tell all of you that I love and miss you, but am so very glad to be here with my loved ones in this beautiful place. My mind is boggled by what is taking place here. First of all, to hear the whole Stiff family speaking such fluent Spanish; especially the children. They amaze me! I have gotten a chance to practice a smattering of the language and it's kind of fun. Nobody makes too much fun of me. Blanca took to me right away, and I to her. She is a real tiny little bundle of energy and very loving. I of course am eating up all the hugs and kisses that I've been missing from my dear Miss Em. Nathan is just as witty and fun to be around as ever. The kids were with Fernando Moncayo at the airport when we got through customs. Then all sorts of welcomes awaited us when we got to the house, not the least of which was my beautiful daughter. We went out to see the property on Thursday and it is absolutely beautiful! The view from every angle is awesome!!I know that God is going to have a wonderful impact on this part of South America and I hope that you all will continue keeping the Stiff family in your prayers as they begin to build on the vision that God gave Ron so many years ago. There is so much more I could say, but there would be too many pages in this week's journal. So I will close with love and thanks for all your prayers for a safe journey for Ron and I.

Emily: How are y'all? I went to Miguel's birthday party today. It was very fun. They had clowns, and we did games with them. I won one of them. We did a pinata, but the clown said that there were many problems with them, so they dumped the candy and toys on our heads instead of letting people break it with a stick. It was fun--we got confetti all over our heads! Since my Grandma has been here it has been much better, because she is part of my family. I love having her here. Next week we will probably go to Papallacta, which is a hot springs. It is very cold there, but the pools are WARM! It's nice, but I want to go swimming in a regular pool where the weather is hot and the pool is cold. When we go back home to visit I want to swim lots of times. Miss you all very "mucho"! It helped when I saw the pictures that my dad brought home, but it's not the same as seeing you. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Sat, Apr 04, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Ron: Over the last few weeks I have been writing about how activity--even the spiritual type--can be a distraction to what I believe God is truly interested in, and that is an intimate personal relationship with Him. Another thing that activity can distract from is your family and in particular the one God has made you one with. We've heard of the casualties that have resulted from not keeping things in their fullest perspective. We are aware of the dangers and it is up to us avoid becoming part of the statistics. Toward that end I have decided that certain priorities have to be carried out and I am not taking the position that Christian service holds a higher rank than the other responsibilities that God has given me as a husband and a father. Well, I've come to look at all of this square in the face because I am very vulnerable to the idea that Sharon and the kids can survive if I get myself up to my ears in the project that we are working through here. The reality is that they can't wait, and they ought not wait because there is no room for waiting if I want to fulfill the Biblical recipe for ministry among those who have made the choise to get married and to have children. Paul alluded to the fact that the man who wants to be fully absorbed in ministry ought not to be married if he considers a wife and family as a part of his Biblical responsibilities. I don't believe, as some have thought, that Paul was down on marraige. Rather I believe he was simply pointing to the way a man serves God when married as distinct from service by one who is single. The married man serves the Lord by first serving his wife and kids. My thoughts on this were not my intention when I started writing. I was looking for a way to lead into saying what a great couple of days Sharon and I had as Sharon's mom covered the kids for us so that we could get away. I'll leave the details to Sharon...well, not ALL the details! But I wanted to share what a valuable time that was for us, and to encourage those of you who are also busy to consider the priority of thinking of spouse and family as the first course in ministry.

Sharon: Yesterday on our way home from our wonderful time ALONE, Ron and I stopped at the home of a missionary couple who were selling some items in preparation for returning to the States. He said they were going home "to get their lives back together". Some conversation with her revealed her fatigue, having been in the country for almost three years, and having her husband away for almost a third of that time, doing "ministry" things. Were they called to be here? Probably. Did they learn some things that God will use in their lives in the future? Surely. Did their ministry bear fruit? Maybe. But the cost of that fruit and those lessons was high. By God's grace they are still together, but are in a definitely weakend state, going home to nurse their wounds and to heal. How sad that is. But what a challenge to me, and to us. This was not the first case we've heard of, nor unfortunately will it be the last. But as Ron said, there are things that we must do--choises we must make, to avoid becoming a statistic ourselves. I am very thankful that God is allowing us to see these things now, early in our calling, so that by His grace we will not find ourselves on a path leading to burnout or a breakdown in our family. To that end, and with Grandma here to care for Nathan, Emily and Blanca, Ron and I "escaped" Thursday for 24 hours of "just the two of us" time. It was WONDERFUL!!! We had a room in a very nice hotel in Quito (God provided an excellent room rate), ate lunch in a Mexican food restaraunt (boy do we miss REAL Mexican food at home!), saw a movie, and had dinner in a beautiful French restaraunt at the hotel. I even got to soak in a nice hot bubble bath--something I've really missed, as all we've had since coming to S.A. are showers! It was a 10+ time. This may not sound like very "spiritual" stuff; after all, we're supposed to be missionaries, right? But you know what? It is very spiritual--it is nurturing the relationship that is the basis by which we will be able to do the things that God called us here for. If we are not connected--if our relationship is not strong--niether of us will have the energy that will be required to withstand the pressures and difficulties of ministry here in Ecuador. God did not call Ron here, apart from me. And He didn't call Ron and I here apart from the kids. He called us here together as a FAMILY, to serve Him from that context. And we must do everything we can, "struggling with all His might" to keep that unit strong. Pray for us in that, would you? And for other families you may know that God has called apart to full time ministry. There is an enemy out there, seeking to devour those unsuspecting ones who think that because they've given their lives to the service of God that they will be safe from Satans scheme to render them ineffective through destroying their families. Pray for a hedge of protection around us--but also for wisdom to make the choises that will keep us there, within its safe boundrieds.

Dee: Hello again from Ecuador... I can't believe how fast my visit here has gone by. There has been lots to do and hardly a day that we don't see another interesting and unique (at least to me) part of this area. There are a lot of older ruined buildings and just a few blocks away are high rise modern buildings. There is a lot of history and rich culture here. I am going to go out on a photo excursion before I come back home so that those of you at home can see just what I mean. Each day that passes I have enjoyed being here and love of course being close to the Stiff family, who we have missed so much this past nine months. Last night I had the kiddoes all to myself and Sharon and Ron had a night out to themselves. There have been so many things to see and do that time and space doesn't permit me to tell you all. Suffice it to say that I am so grateful for this chance to be here and hope that all of you at home are well and that you are going to continue to keep the Stiff family and the work that God has called them to here in Quito on your prayer list. Until I see you back in the USA, may God bless you all.

Emily: Hi! How are all of you? Tonight we are going to have a barbecue with the Moncayos. Last night my Grandma took care of me and my brother and sister while my mom soaked in a bathtub with bubbles up to her neck. It's been a lot better with my grandma here. But I still want to see all of you. Tomorrow we're going to Otavalo; a place where they sell only Ecuadorian things. Monday probably we will go to Papallacta. I went out to the property with my dad today. It is VERY pretty. And I love the house. Well, the Moncayos are here, and I have to finish cleaning my room before I can visit with them. So, fairwell! XOXOXOX

Nate: Hey everyone! Please don't be angry at me for not writing last week. It was raining cats 'n' dogs and I was stuck at my friends house. I promise this will never happen again.........I hope.:-) It's great to see my Grandma again. We will be doing the "routine" with her, like taking her to Papallacta and all those other places. We've been going out to the property a lot. They're doing the roof on our house now and are really making progress. I can't wait to move there. Well that's basically all the "dirt" from this week. Hugs to all. Bye-Bye Now.

Wed, Apr 15, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Okay, okay, I know the journal is supposed to come out on Friday or Saturday...what is this middle of the week stuff? And where was last weeks? Hey, after you read this weeks entries you'll understand! We promise to be back on track next week!

Emily: Hola! This has been the most exciting and painful week. The day that my Grndma left here I cut my hand and had to have ten stitches. I fell in some water when me and my friends were trying to catch tadpoles (we caught a couple, but they died). Anyway, I fell in and cut my hand on re-bar. I was trying to catch that to brace me from falling in. It's been a week since it happened. It's just now starting to heal up. I can't write in school--I can write numbers for math, but I can't do any other writing. I've got three new friends!!!! One is seven, the second is eight, and the third is twelve. They are sisters, and their names are Mercedes, Monica, and Marsela. They cannot speak English. That is good for me to practice my Spanish. I'm doing good in my Spanish now. We play in the afternoons when they're done with their homework. Some people had a key to the lock on our big front gate, so they opened it. But fortunately Mercedes (our maid) and Christi and her cousin came over and rescued our house. Christi's cousin came back. Stefani was the one that was in the States having an operation. She's fine now. Ciao!

Ron: I'm taking a break to write this between excursions into town to buy parts to fix the car. We had car problems at home from time to time, but there was always a second vehicle to keep things up and running. This morning I left early to catch a ride with Fernando on his way to Quito for work. He dropped me off in the center of our pueblo where I contracted with a taxi (and its driver) for a full day's work. That might sound like a lot, but for just $22 I can keep my schedule and continue checking things off my "to do" list. It's been an exciting week, with Emily cutting her hand and for the second time getting one of the kids to a plastic surgeon to repair a rather nasty injury. We also had for the second time someone interested in carrying off things from outside the house. This time the dogs were out and alerted the neighbors who chased the bandits off. It seems that the whole neighborhood knows that we have things in the house and they can't help but know when we all leave because our house is at the end of a long street and when we go out everyone can see that no one is left in the fishbowl. I'm not thinking that our neighbors are stealing from us, but it seems sure that we are watched closely enough to know when no one is here. From now on we will be letting the dogs out front, considering anything that they might want to eat in the way of plants and flowers of lesser importance than the house full of things that we have accumulated since coming here. We'll do all we can to secure our possessions because we think ourselves to be good stewards of what God has given to us by doing so. Then we will remember why we are here and who brought us, looking to Him to protect us so as to allow the work that we have started to be completed. We are vulnerable only to a point in what really matters most, and that is where the work of God starts and ends. Emily has found new friends and together they really seem to enjoy themselves. It tickles me to hear her chattering away in Spanish with the girls. "Las chicas" are free to go out into the countryside to play (which is where she got hurt), however we did put a stop to the taunting of the bulls (that feed in the grass between wehre we live and the river where the girls play) in order to provoke a chase. Dad has loosened up a little here in terms of doting over the kids. There is a Huck Finn kind of adventure here for Nate and Emily. For Sharon and me it's just a matter of how much of this we can release them to. The house is coming along, with the roof 50% completed. It's been a challenge trying to keep the wood dry when it has been raining almost every afternoon. We are in the rainy season now, boosted by El Nino. The beams for the roof come right out of the forrest and onto the house. However the ground has been so soggy in the forrests that the trucks haven't been able to get in and pull up trees, so we've been running here and there picking up beams where we can.

Nathan: Hi everybody on the other side of the equator! We weren't able to get the summary off sooner because we've been really busy. I went out with my friends last week into Quito on the bus. It was a lot longer than taking a taxi, and it was kind of uncomfortable. It was a smooth ride, but we were kind os scrunched. It was my first time using the bus system, but now I will know what to expect. My Grandma left last Wednesday, and I already miss her a lot. My sister had to get stitches--the little copy cat! She was walking down by a river, fell, and grabbed some metal while trying to save herself. She cut her hand open and had to get ten stitches! Stephani, the girl we asked you to pray for who was having an operation in the States is back home. She got here on Wednesday night. She has recovered completely, and is happy to be back. We went to Latacunga with the Moncayos last Saturday, a town near the volcano Cotopaxi, where they make really good Ecuadorian food. We are a typical dish called Chuchucaras, a kind of pork that is really good. I have tried a lot of Ecuadorian food, but none as good as this. We also went exploring a little bit. There was a rock the size of a small house that we went to that used to be at the base of Cotopaxi, ten miles from where it is now. The force of the blast (over a hundred years ago) threw it that far. That's pretty powerful! While we were out someone tried to rob us again. Rain was pouring down real hard, so I guess they thought that nobody would notice. They started to opened the lock on the gate with a key that they somehow got ahold of, but Christi Moncayo (who had stayed home to be with her cousin) and Stefani looked out a window at Stefani's house (on the third floor) saw a truck parked outside the house. Apparently the robbers saw the girls at the window and took off. They came back later and the dogs started barking. Mercedes (our maid who lives in the house behind us) came out and asked them what they were doing. They said "nothing" and left. I doubt they were doing "nothing" when they had their truck backed up to our driveway! Fortunately they didn't take anything. Please pray that these guys will not come back again. We went to an Easter party this week. Some people from the church we're visiting invited us. It was okay, but I like the ones that we have at home more. The eggs here were plastic, and there was no REAL Easter involved. I like being with the family more too. Oh well, I did make some friends there, so it wasn't a total loss. Our car over-heated and my dad had to get a mechanic over here to fix it. He was here all day, going back and forth from the stores to get stuff he needed. Nothing much more has happened this week. Love and miss you all, and can't wait to visit. Ciao!

Sharon: I'll try to keep this brief, as some of the entries are a little longer than usual. I'm trying to teach the kids not to just give news reports, but to really bring you here with us with their words. I hope you enjoy their entries this week. It has been exciting--though not necessarily in a positive sense. Emily's adventure is one I could have passed on--especially since Ron wasn't home when she came screaming through the front gate! She was crying "I cut my hand really bad!" I thought "Oh how bad could it be?". When I saw it I nearly lost it! It took us awhile to get ahold of Ron...he was out at the property. He's getting a cellular phone!!! Another proof that my calling is not medical! Poor baby, she was very brave once she got over the initial shock. At the hospital she was just chatting away with the doctors and nurses--in Spanish! She's just taken off in her language learning lately. It's really fun, listening to her. And it's been such a blessing, how God has brought her some new friends. We were a little concerned, as lately Christi has begun to feel the age difference and hasn't been available to play. Now Emily has three new friends, and they are sweet little girls, daughters of the woman who helps me here. Speaking of language learning, we just hired a tutor for me. Ron has much more opportunity for language learning and practice, as he is out and about all the time. Besides that, I'm more of a visual learner, so having a book in front of me will help. We'll be meeting three afternoons a week for two hours. I believe that God has more in mind for this association than just language learning though. Guido and his wife are young Christians, and have been struggling this past year in their marraige. He was very open about it, and seems to sincerely desire help and counsel. His wife is also very interested in the kind of ministry we are here for, though Guido recognizes that he has some real adjustments to make before he is ready to commit himself to ministry. Who knows what will come of all this, but please pray. His wife's name is Suzi. As for the attempted robbery, what I felt more than anything was MAD!!! It's frustrating to think you can't leave the house without someone waiting to break into it. But God brought us here, and if we truly believe that everything we have comes from Him, then we need also to trust him to take care of it. We will do what we can, using wisdom and prudence. From there, we'll trust Him. Please pray with us though, for His protection, both for our property and ourselves! Also, please pray that God will make it possible for us to bring Blanca with us when we come home to visit in June. We have learned that there is a way to do so, if all the details can be worked out. In a system like the one here though, God will have to provide the connections! We've seen Him do that before--pray that He will do it again!

Sat, Apr 25, 1998
Dear Friends and Family,
Ron: In the past I've written quite a lot about the culture here in Ecuador and how one needs to adjust one's attitude in order to survive. It never occurred to me that it might be the uniqueness of our American culture and how our attitudes have been formed by it that has made the adjustment here the challenge that it is. In reading the newsletter from a fellow worker among kids who is raising support in Nevada in order to work with some other friends of ours in Bogota, I found something interesting in the story she was telling. (Kathleen is writing about experiences relating to a recent conference in London England.) "They are a stoic people (referring to the English). We waited on hard wooden benches in a cold little room one morning for a late train. The station master stuck his head in the door every few minutes to tell everyone the train was delayed by twenty, then forty, and finally, sixty minutes. Each announcement brought a polite nod, and a chorus of thank yous from the people waiting. By contrast, we arrived in San Francisco on the way home to find our plane delayed by torrential, El Nino rains and mechanical failure--not a difficult concept to grasp. But the well-dressed, middle class passengers screamed very bad words at the ticket clerk, demanding he produce a plane instantly so that they wouldn't miss a minute of their gambling weekend in Reno. Sue (Kathleen's friend) rolled her eyes at me--we were definitely back in the USA." I'm getting a cell-phone. It's almost impossible to find a public phone when you need one here, and when you do find them they either require a pre-paid card to access a line, or the phone simply won't work at all. Sharon's Spanish teacher works part time with one of the major phone providors here, and offered to help us get a phone. He needed a rather exhaustive application completed and copies of my passport, visa, and censo (national identification). When he took everything in he was told that the application couldn't be accepted because I'd signed the application "Ron Stiff" instead of "Ronald Lee Stiff" as I had signed on my passport, and the other documents. One of the adjustments to make in Latin America is getting used to the big things going really wrong while all the while the system here likes to definitely "major in the minors". Really, I am adjusting!-----I spent more time this week up at the project than I have in quite a while. The neighbors are getting to know me, for the most part because whenever I head up or down the winding road between the house and the main street through that part of the valley, I offer a ride to whoever might be making the treck on foot. The assent is a beautiful one, as the valley becomes visible with its green meadows and forests, but it's also a killer on foot, especially if you're carrying a baby or a load of corn on your back. This last Sunday afternoon I went up to get something at the project and the whole neighborhood was out on this pretty rock road with tools in hand, obviously doing some maintainance. On the way up they all stood by and waved, but had a look as if they had something to say. On the way back I rolled down the window and stopped in the center of the crowd and what was probably the neighborhood leader came over to the car to tell me what they were doing, and how it was a custom of the community to provide support, and he wanted to know if I would be willing to help. It almost had the feeling of a challenge towards something that they were not expecting me to be agreeable to, as if to ask (in spite of their friendliness otherwise) "do you think you are too good to join us in taking care of our street?". Well, I replied with an enthusiastic "You bet I want to be part of this!" And then I asked them when the next work effort would be, and I told them that I would be there. It was evident by their response that they wanted me to be approved in this challenge, as they all wanted to shake my hand and they poured me a small glass of their campesino beverage, a form of distilled sugar cane (remember my work foreman that I found on the side of the road a few weeks ago?). The wealthy Ecuadorians do not associate except in an employee-employer relationship with the lower economic class here. Some have suggested the poor really don't want a relationship any more than the people of means do. But I don't think that's true. When you show the people that you don't think you're better than they are and are willing to demonstrate that attitude, the usually very shy and timid country people here come alive, expressing an enthusiasm and a genuine desire for friendship. What an opportunity for making disciples for Jesus Christ.

Sharon: Right now it's almost 11:00 p.m., and it's finally my turn! It's been a busy day (following a very busy week), and I've been typing everyone's segment catch as catch can through the day. It's really quite nice--the house is quiet, with no one calling "Mom!" every five minutes. Even Blanca has learned that technique, and all day long her little voice can be heard hollering through the house in search of me, "MOM!". Speaking of Blanca, we met with an attorney Wedneday evening to discuss the requirements of bringing her home to the States with us for our visit in June. Though there are a number of requirements, it seems very "do-able". Please continue to pray though, as there is not a lot of time left to get all the needed paperwork, passports, identification, medical releases, etc. together before our departure date. We really want to bring her with us to share with those of you at home. As I said, it's been a busy week. For one thing, God answered a prayer of mine, a very strong desire that I had. I have been asked to participate in the leadership team for the Bible Study Fellowship that I've been attending for the past few months when it resumes in the fall. The study we're doing now is a pilot program--kind of a temperature guage to determine interest. The full program will begin in September, with a team coming down from national headquarters in Texas to direct the first year. Anyway, I am very excited. Studying the Word is one of my very favorite things to do, as well as ministering through it into the lives of women. For this week and next week it entails going to a leaders' meeting on Tuesday mornings, in addition to the regular Thursday morning study. After that it will be over until September. Additionally, I began meeting with my Spanish tutor three afternoons a week (M-W-F) for two hours each time. I think it is going to be a real help, as I know from teaching my own kids at home that one on one is an excellent way to learn. I am doing alright in my Spanish--I'm managing to make myself understood, and am able to understand more all the time of what I'm hearing. But I've never been one to be satisfied with just "getting by". So if my brain can handle the extra taxing, I hope to improve to a more than tolerable degree. My teacher, Guido, is already becoming a friend, and has been able to help us with a number of ministry related things. Please do pray for he and his wife Susi, as I believe God has more in store for them and us together besides just my improved Spanish. Susi has a heart for ministering to disadvantaged children, and Guido appears to have some real administrative gifts. Who knows what God is up to! Other than being awfully busy, rabies vaccines and getting stuck in a ditch, this has been a pretty good week. Nate will share more details about these. The vaccines, by the way, are preventative--we aren't being treated for bites. There just happen to be about a bizillion dogs in Ecuador, and many of them do have rabies. (They are also the UGLIEST dogs I've ever seen--too much cross breeding or something.) Emily's hand is much better--Daddy pulled the stitches out--so it's back to full fledged school next week! Not much longer though--vacation is in sight! We are very much looking forward to seeing many of you in just over a month. It will be a tremendous blessing to be able to share with you in person all that God has been doing here, and to hear what God has been doing in your lives. Again, pray that all FIVE of us will be able to make the trip!

Nathan: Hi everybody! This week had some adventures that I will tell you about. We had five infrared sensors put in all over the house. So far it's working good. We also had a B-B-Q with the Vaughns last Saturday. The