CREATIVITY AT WORK
from sketches to masterpieces
We Thank God for You!
"Please don't make me host."
This was my usual plea whenever my husband wanted to have people over. I just didn't have the right mindset. I thought it was about the size of my house, or if it was pretty or clean. I was a utilitarian maximalist for some time, which really meant that I couldn't keep after all of us and our mess - creative, distracted, and messy people that we are. I only had useful hand-me-downs rather than unified decor - I was just embarrassed and fearful that guests would be uncomfortable and I would be exhausted trying to "entertain."
And then...
We gave most of our things away. I realized that the things we collected had meaning because they told a bit of our story and now they were gone. We arrived in Ecuador with eight suitcases, mostly clothes, and books. We had to bring books. We didn't even have the basic things for the kitchen and bathroom. But my grandmother wasn't done blessing me with loving gifts. We arrived just three weeks after she passed away. What sorrow to not be able to see her in person again, and yet, we inherited some of her possessions. It's the little things that make a home. And we were thankful for the cutlery and the tea towels, the linens, and the washing machine was received with so much joy and meaning. We lived in my grandparents’ small but efficient apartment for a year, and it was like we were hugged by them daily. What a privilege to care for their place!
Starting from practically zero was something that we did as newlyweds. It was hard but we saw the hand of the Lord through it all.
Now we have been given stewardship of a house that has all that we prayed for...space! We have studios for each of us, a family room, and a hosting room, a patio, a yard, a place for workshops, and a place to put our GOYA Smart Boxes together. It's old and rustic, it's quirky, there are things that don't always work, and sometimes the water doesn't heat up in the sinks. But we are so grateful. We have been here for about a month and we have already hosted several groups from teens to adults for ministry debriefs or creative book sessions.
We have celebrated a young missionary's birthday so she can process a huge milestone in her life. There was no way she could have done it in her tiny apartment. It went exactly as she hoped. We hosted friends who are at the forefront of a prayer movement in Ecuador so that they can be served instead of always serving. We have had open creative studio times and in the near future, we plan to have discipleship groups and Bible studies.
Here's what I learned. It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be "you." Your unique home is interesting and a blessing. Most importantly, hosting is a ministry.
Even if you only have water or tea, what people need is someone to listen, to pray, to let them feel at rest, and at home. I am energized by the idea that each mug, throw, or chair is there to make room for Jesus.
We will have many outreach times where we go to homes, churches, or ministry sites, but this feels like "in-reach," where we are opening the door and each person is an honored guest.
This all began as you "adopted" us, welcomed us into your homes, listened to our story, and included us in your prayers. Thank you.
~Nancy Rodriguez
Who’s It For Anyway?
Who’s It For Anyway?
Recently I asked myself the question, “what am I doing, and who’s it for?” These are good questions for me because it causes me to test my heart and align myself with my higher calling. Lately I have also been reflecting on how I carry out the Great Commission. I know that my husband and I are “full time missionaries,” but we still have to reflect and make sure that we are fulfilling the heart of this calling and command.
What is The Great Commission?
These are some of Jesus' final words on earth. It’s amazing. He had two final word moments, when he died in weakness, and then as the Risen Lord who had fulfilled all he set out to do on earth. Ponder that for a moment!
Now here’s what he said:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Those words carry so much weight since He has all authority, after all. And so here we are, left with a torch to carry and a command to live out. But this isn’t just for the full time missionary. We all have this special work to do in our own special way. And the great thing is - he is with us.
It means that we all have a sphere of influence that God’s spirit is highlighting for us. And we all can participate in many small ways.
Think about the words, “Go, therefore.”
These words can excite me and scare me to death! Please don’t think that we aren’t sometimes filled with nervous anxiety when we stand in front of people to lead a devotion, a workshop, or a mural. We are often so nervous, even when sharing with small children, hoping to speak the language in a way that reaches them. But he is with us, he is with us!
All Nations? But how?
The following verse reminds me of concentric circles, that is, circles that are inside bigger circles. They are either getting bigger or smaller, depending on how you look at it. Like a ripple effect, having a common center from which to radiate.
Jesus said,
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
It tells us how and where to live out the Great Commission, but here’s the great thing, it starts from where you are. Be faithful in that circle. See if God’s Spirit takes you further and further, with Him as the center. For some of us, our circle may feel small. It may hardly feel like “all nations,” and “the ends of the earth.”
When I was a young mother, my circle was within the home on most days. It was challenging to see The Great Commission being fulfilled. For some of us, it may be a challenge just to step outside the house or even to volunteer to greet at church. But be faithful to love extravagantly and give generously, just like Jesus did. Who knows? You might find yourself on a short term missions team one day (wink, wink). It isn’t the size of the circle that counts but the center, very much like the planets orbiting the sun. He is your center center as you challenge yourself a little further to walk out this calling.
Praise and Prayer Requests:
We have space! We have space! Thank you for praying that we would find a bigger space to live, work, and minister. We have moved into a house that is well located and we each have our own studio. There are already interested groups who want to come to us for Bible studies, book clubs, and healing art sessions. We even have a dedicated space for our GOYA Smart Boxes.
Pray for continued financial provision to be able to run this space for creative programs, missionaries, and short term mission teams.
We are currently in the States (from September 21-Oct. 31) connecting and visiting with our sending church and partners. But it is a weird feeling of being home and yet away from home. Please pray for us to be encouraged through the ups and downs, the joy and the grief of returning and yet letting go. Pray for safe travels as we drive to Georgia, Arkansas, and Florida.
Community Art Mural
We are hosting a mini mission in Smyrna, Georgia with hopes of inspiring the youth to be involved in missions in the future. Please pray that we will have a successful time. Our task is to paint four mural panels in one day, benefitting a local public school. Hey, we did a 20ft x 40ft mural at La Roca Skate Ministry in two days, it can be done!
Financial Provision
We are so thankful to you who pray and give. We are a team! Pray that we would continue to have financial provision to live and serve in Ecuador. This upcoming year is already full of many opportunities for us to pour into and we get to do it freely. The work we see ahead of us is long term and we continue to depend on partners who believe in creative Gospel outreach.
Connect
Please reach out to us. If you are in Georgia or in Arkansas (or in any state in between) we would love to spend time with you, find strength in our mutual faith, and share with you about how you can partner with us. Email Freedom at freedom@artserveint.org
Nearly a Year in Review
Time went by so fast! In the beginning everything went so slowly as we had to learn to do daily life here in Ecuador. And yet here we are, wrapping up an entire year.
There have been countless answered prayers and hopes manifesting themselves before our eyes. How much the Lord has provided!
Our initial goals to find a home church, homeschool community, an accountability group, and ministry sites to pour into have all been realized. But even more, we have seen how God is using us alongside our children as well. We have set out to work with ministries bringing huge ideas (and a huge mural or two) and somehow we have known how to carry out our ministry initiatives. Indeed, there have been times when we just have a sense of wisdom and knowledge to do what is needed to lead.
It's impossible to have all the answers ahead of time. Things felt scary when so much was changing. But once we stepped out to follow our calling, we began to see so many things fall into place as if the way had long been prepared.
This is not to say that we haven't felt deep homesickness or that our kids didn't suffer loneliness as they adjusted. But I think we can all agree that this is only the beginning, and we are joyfully looking forward to what's next.
Here are some of the highlights from our first year:
What's next?
We can feel things ramping up already at the start of year two. We think it will look very different because now our attention is shifting to more regular work at ministry sites working with and alongside Ecuadorian leadership. Our ministry sites this year will include an indigenous church, a Christian community center, the women of Esperanzart, and La Roca (a skateboarding ministry).
We are also hoping to create and lead our own short-term teams as well. This will be a catalyst for connecting people and resources to continue the work of the Kingdom of God.
How It Works
Supporting ministry sites has become of great importance to us. Many times the calling of a pastor or youth worker comes at a great cost. In fact, many times you will see that pastors and ministry workers have to have several jobs in order to carry on their ministry.
When short-term and long-term missionaries begin to serve by building, providing for educational needs, or bringing resources the Ecuadorian leadership is able to reach more people in their communities. Not only do two cultures connect in fellowship, service, and discipleship, but the local leaders can begin to focus on the work of the ministry.
The fruit that happens over years blesses families and produces youth that begins to give back with hopes to also become youth leaders, missionaries, or pastors.
This paraclete effort of coming alongside others has become an identity marker for Art Serve. We see what ministries are already doing and find ways to support their communities in creative ways. We couldn't have done it without you!
Also coming up in September!
Were are gearing up and preparing for our GOYA Smart Box that will offer art & educational supplies for children in need. We are scheduled to distribute 60-70 on September 2nd and 3rd. Our only concern is that more kids will show up than we have boxes. In the remote Gualsaqui community, this can especially be the case as word of mouth can spread and bring people from other communities higher up in the mountains.
Consider one or more boxes or becoming a monthly sponsor.
Please pray:
We are still looking for a place that can provide us with enough space to host groups, create art, and prep for our various ministry projects. Pray for a great space, in a great location, that can fit within our limited budget.
Pray for our upcoming family events where we will be distributing the Smart Boxes. The local leaders will be identifying the families with the greatest needs and they hope to gather some new families to love and serve. The two places are the Christian Community Center of Carmen Bajo and the Quechua church in Gualsaqui.
And as always...
Thank You for your care, prayers, and financial support.
Freedom & Nancy Rodriguez
El Paro
Ecuador experienced 18 days of political unrest this month, with protests by united Indigenous groups due to high cost of living, oil drilling, high gas prices and other economic difficulties. There was destruction, blocked roadways, and several people died. Finally, there was talks between the government and the protests stopped for "90 days of talks." There is a chance of this happening again if the people cannot agree or accept the government's response.
It was alarming to say the least. We were minimally affected because our neighborhood grew quiet, many people staying home or unable to commute due to road closures and buses not operating. It's usually only quiet during "feriados," holidays. During holidays, most people here head to the coast, leaving behind clear roads and peaceful days. This was different. There was a quiet anxiety that was felt everywhere. As it turns out, Education Equals Hope had a team of mostly young adults on the ground. We were so relieved that they didn't cancel their trip, but we were all holding our breath and having plans B, C, and D in line for their schedules as the protest developed. My son Jonathan and I were involved in various ways. He was given the opportunity to be a host-in-training. He was to shadow the young hosts who were responsible for getting the team through their 10 days here in Ecuador. Meanwhile, I was leading a small team responsible for a mural in a small church. The protests centralizing in the historic district of Quito meant that we were able to move about, still serving in this small church.
The team who was from South Carolina, expressed some caution and concern, but the greatest attributes they displayed were of joy and compassion. Of course, they were going to come. They would not be deterred. They had prepared for months, in prayer and in study, so that these 10 days would be a blessing to the people they came here to love. It was amazing to see this kind of courage and peace beyond understanding. In fact, when they landed, they were informed that they would not be able to leave the airport until a brother in Christ with connections was able to make a plan for them to arrive at their hostel safe and sound. From then on, their time here was fruitful. And even though they weren't able to do anything tourist-like they were content just to serve. It is that sense of works fueled by faith that binds people from different cultures.
There is an eternal exchange of gifts - a painted wall, a home cooked meal, a repaired roof, hugs and fellowship in Spanish and English will become testimonies of glory.
A small church is encouraged by the love of God through new friends, and college students from a church in the U.S. grew their faith and trust that God made a path, literally, every step of the way. --
~ Nancy Rodriguez
Stepping Into Peace and Rest
In my journal the other day I read, “You bring me to a bustling city and yet call it a place of rest.”
I wrote that not long after we arrived here in Ecuador. The comfort in moving is a faith-filled hope that we will go from God to God, for “from Him and to Him are all things.” And, of course, we can’t forget the promise that reminds us that we are traveling through life with purpose. Each moment, season, or place has its own glory and strength. Therefore, we are moving upwardly from glory to glory and strength to strength.
I’ve heard many people say that the safest place to be is in the will of God. And the safest thing to do is to follow Him. Well, I don’t know if I agree that there’s anything safe about some of the places He calls us to. It takes courage because there is an element of the unknown and danger about it, otherwise, we wouldn’t need to exercise hope or faith.
If you don’t believe me, just remember the burning bush, the arc, the wilderness, the boat that ran into a tempest, the cross. Yet, He bids us follow Him. I remember having the assurance that we would find a sense of rest, a belonging, and be surrounded by people that would be like treasures to us as we step into missions.
The natural eye sees city chaos and tells us that we are too different to be accepted and that most people would carry on with or without us. But when we begin to count the blessings that abound, we realize that walking in obedience brings inner rest. We find that we belong with the family of God on a global scale and that where our hearts unite with others is where the treasure is found.
I can’t begin to describe the joy that is felt in placing others in high esteem. In serving in any small way if it means we are a conduit of love.
Peace often comes when we step out, power comes when we stand up to preach about His love and healing, and belonging comes when we accept and value those dear ones that surround us.
I hope that you are encouraged. Don’t settle for the normal way of doing things. See what He may be calling you to today. You are in a place of glory and strength. Now find that adjacent glory and strength that is waiting for you as you trust, love, and serve.
Nancy Rodriguez
There is a seat at the table for you
“There is a seat at the table for you.”
I think that is a universal desire. To belong, to be included. To feel special in the eyes of our Father.
In Ecuador, oftentimes we are faced with heartbreaking images. We may be traveling in an Uber and happen to look over to see something that will stay with us and even haunt us for days. There is one particular situation of a street man that will stay with me always, I think.
The test we face consistently is to believe that God’s goodness and mercy is enough for all. Why is it a test and a challenge? Because when we speak that truth, we have to own it, believe it, and then powerfully say it. There is a huge gap of poverty and affluence here, like in many places. But sometimes the contrast is jarring.
Recently, we had a few workshops for women entrepreneurs. They already had small business endeavors that were jump-started by a small loan from the ministry, Pan De Vida. They make their product and sell it on the street. My missionary friend, Sylvia, said the average wage is about $5/week.
I couldn’t wrap my mind around it.
It was our third workshop and it was presented as adding a skill set to their business. We taught them painted paper and collage techniques that can be used to create greeting cards. The part that excited them was that these cards would potentially be bought in-house and sent to Austria to be sold to the believers there that had supported Sylvia and her family. It is to be a full circle of love.
During the hours we spent together, the women realized that they relaxed and began to develop community, not competition, with each other. Many Ecuadorians (nationals) and Venezuelans (migrants) don’t get along.
But one of them said, “I forget about my problems when I am being creative.” and another said, “I can feel the Holy Spirit when I am making these cards.”
Our time with them came to an end, and many of them asked when our next workshop will be. We were so humbled by their amazing ability and I really feel that each one has something valuable to teach the others.
I struggled, wondering if these cards could actually help them overcome poverty. It was overwhelming and a wave of doubt was looming. One of the ladies showed me a unique skill she had in making gigantic paper flowers but she had stopped when she came to Ecuador from Venezuela because no one was interested in what she had to offer. She makes some really amazing bread now, but I encouraged her to not give up.
I was stirred by the idea of how many times these women hear the word, “no.”
So I began to speak to them about collecting as many “no’s” as they could with joy because in the midst of them would be a “yes” that could make all the difference. Who knew I could give them business ideas?
Then I said, “There is a Yes for you. There is a way for you to provide for your family, do you want to know how I know? Because you have breath in your lungs and that means that God has a plan!”
I hope I don’t sound too sentimental, but I began to have chills run through my body at that statement. The scripture says that “surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.” I bet it’s harder for some of us to believe than for others, but I could tell that these women took a hold of it for dear life and we are so grateful for the opportunity and privilege to share it here in Ecuador.
Thank you so much for your support,
Nancy & Freedom Rodriguez
The Minga
I Was There
Think about the stories that were told to you by your elders, or by your friends. It causes an intensified interest if the person says, "I was there when it happened." Now you begin to formulate more questions about the event because you have someone that can give a personal account of what they saw, how they felt, and how it changed them.
Truth be told, there were times when we have asked ourselves, "why go?" Typically, there is not an upgrade to your career when God calls you to go to a foreign place. It is difficult to find programs or seminars that will tell you to sell or give away most of your belongings to start over.
What did we have to rely on for this to be a worthy venture?
The Calling
We are called to spread the Gospel like honey over warm bread so that others may taste and see that the Lord is good. I use that analogy because the first step in reaching people is to truly love and appreciate them before you even share anything. You will feel God's joy over them like warm bread and then you are able to share His heart, sweet as honey.
And we are called to do that in different ways and in different places. Your physical position is important because your spiritual position is so great. I love the story of Jacob at Bethel. He struggled for a blessing that was already his inheritance through Abraham. He ran from his own attempts to receive the blessing, having stolen it from his brother. And finally, he was in the middle of nowhere with only a rock to lay his head. A rock! Just like our own efforts sometimes bring us to a standstill or a hard place. And yet Jacobs's position in the Living God had not changed.
A dream and a vision revealed a flow of blessing coming and going from heaven to earth. Not only was his identity renewed and solidified, but the place of struggle also became a portal known as Bethel, House of God. That hard rock became the foundation for blessing. It became a pillar blessed with the oil of the Holy Spirit. It's as though the physical and spiritual position became intertwined, the calling and inheritance solidifiedThink about the place where you are, your city, and your sphere of influence. Those are so intentionally chosen by your Heavenly Father.
The Minga
And so, here we are in Ecuador. We are positioned here, adapting to and experiencing this new, in many ways, foreign space, while not forgetting that we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. Our senses are heightened when we meet new people.
Recently, as you may know, there was a natural disaster here. A landslide that claimed 28 lives. Many still missing. We helped out one day, shoveling alongside groups from YWAM and Quito House of Prayer. Personally, our efforts were a drop in a bucket. The mud was still sliding and constant and it was overwhelming. But we were there. And many of you prayed.
We worked on just the outskirts of ground zero. Here’s a BBC video to help you visualize it better: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-latin-america-60230560
On the Saturday after the disaster, literally, thousands of vesinos (neighbors) conducted a Minga, which means ‘a work.’ But what this word looks like in action is neighbors coming out together to clean a place and make it better. It was a common thing before the Pandemic. Perhaps one person can create little outcome, but thousands are able to make a big difference. And so, many people have bought their boots and shovels and they picked their place to pour their blessing. What a beautiful picture of love and service in the midst of the surrounding darkness and pain.
And we can tell you the story because although several kilometers away, "we were there to see it happen."
Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it .' He was afraid and said, ' How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.' Genesis 28: 16-19
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. Psalm 96:3
Thank you for your support and prayers.
Freedom & Nancy
A Purple Shamrock
It was on a difficult day that I found it. It was in the early days of our arrival and I had been frustrated with the not-knowing. Not knowing how to get somewhere easily, not understanding my current location, and the various streets you can take. The GPS arrow spinning as though it were on a pinwheel and not helping me at all. My husband Freedom had been away tying loose ends in the States and it was just the kids and me for about three weeks. I was feeling the weight of having to answer all the questions the kids had, with no one to consult. Well, without Freedom to consult and disagree with. We love disagreeing and the challenge of making our debatable points. Needless to say, I missed him.
I was weary and trying to get us home after a disappointing excursion because I kept getting confused trying to read the GPS. (Let me just say that using the GPS while walking is extremely slow, especially when you go in the wrong direction and you can’t tell because the arrow barely moves and doesn’t always point correctly.) It was bright and sunny in Ecuador. The equatorial position provides that direct sunbeam that burns you without you being aware but also excites and energizes you because you are never too hot. I must have been peering down at my phone trying to see the screen, whose light is no match for the daylight surrounding us. In my earnest attempts and in my frustration I looked down and my eyes lingered on a line, a crack in the sidewalk. There were several cracks and patches of grass trying to defy the density of concrete but something caught my eye. Were they clovers? There was something uncommon about them.
Suddenly, I forgot everything and became a child. “What are you doing here?” My kids looked down trying to understand why I was now crouching and talking to the sidewalk. I am very much in the habit of stopping to wonder and stare at something long enough to embarrass my family. “Look! This is a beautiful plant. It’s not supposed to be here. It will get trampled.”
It was a Purple Shamrock.
The tiny triangles were just starting to form, their stems so thin and fragile. I’ve only seen them in a pot so I wondered how they got themselves in this high-traffic, unsuitable place. “We have to save it, it doesn’t belong here.” I took out whatever I could find from my bag - a napkin and a small plastic bag. Kayla helped me pluck the purple clovers out and we found our way home to plant it. Not all its stems survived but some did and still others began emerging looking delicate for only a day or so before becoming strong unfurling their deep-colored, triangular leaves.
When I look at the plant now, it reminds me of that frustrating moment that turned out to be life-giving. I can’t help but wonder about some of the stories we’ve heard in our weekly Education = Hope meetings. Stories of kids who simply can’t learn at home because they have one phone for remote classes and they have to share it with several siblings. I’ve heard stories of kids who can’t go to school because, although school is free, uniforms, books, food, and transportation are not. I think of the hardness of life and the lack of resources that puts people in even harder situations that they can’t get out of. Looking at the now thriving plant reminds me to stop and notice a person or a detail. I remember that our small, nourishing acts can help someone else in a big way.
We’ve met people here, missionaries, that embody this act of plucking out and literally changing someone’s destiny. They pluck out the difficulty of not being able to afford to go to school, they pluck out the barrier of not having enough technology to support learning. They opened tutoring sessions where kids can come to use computers and have wifi. They have even plucked boys and girls or men and women off the streets and off of enslaving acts so that they can have hope and training for their future. They have left their home, or even their careers to follow this missional calling. They have, even through personal frustrations, stopped long enough to see the cracks that are choking, binding, and blinding. Over time and through ups and downs the people they serve have begun to unfurl their hopes and believe that God is real and that they matter to Him. What’s even more exciting is how each missionary or family of missionaries represents a great cloud of witnesses supporting them back in their hometowns. This is the body of Christ literally reaching out from one nation to another just how the Father designed it.
The great news is that God is faithful to put small wildflowers or lilies in your path. I hope you find time to quiet yourself, even in frustrating moments, to listen and to see. Remember that it is sometimes a small nourishing act that can help someone in need. Even someone who seems fine might need help plucking out the lies swirling in their head.
Thank you for helping us serve in this way,
Nancy Rodriguez
A Few of My Favorite Things
It’s funny how time flies, but while the time is flying, it is also going by really slow. Adjusting to a completely new environment has felt like time is crawling and yet flying to the point that we are still working on Freedom’s visa and we only have about a week before his tourist visa runs out. Also, I have to go to the Civil Registry office possibly for the 8th time to get my ID card again because now it has to say “married” on it and to “legalize” the marriage registry because that couldn’t be done at the time of registry, and a couple of other things that require separate visits and “turnos.”
And yet, it is Christmas time already… and we don’t have a tree. It’s pretty funny actually because we know exactly where to find the natural trees that we like. But when you don’t have a car you kind of make an account of where you have to go and you budget your walking/energy output, add the taxis or buses you have to take, factor in how interested your kids will be in the venture and you opt to do other, more important or more-interesting-to-your-kids things. And so we have a garland with berries and wooden flowers for decorations this year. Wooden flowers are these seed pods that come from a Cedrela tree and it’s similar to decorating with pine cones. I’m pretty sure next year we will be better prepared as far as decorating goes. The really great thing is that our kids don’t mind. That is pretty different for them and I’m thankful. I think this year, we are all more focused on meeting people, finding new places, and exploring new favorite things. This was the advice my missionary friend gave me, “find new favorite things so you will be less homesick.” Great advice. Reminds me of a song in The Sound of Music…
“I simply remember my favorite things,
and then I don’t feel so sad.”
We have been able to find many new favorite things and people. In fact, we are excited to begin a new year working in collaboration with Youth World and Education Equals Hope (e=h). Already, we are fans of this organization and the masterminds that put it together. The outlook on short-term mission teams that will come to do ministry in the Spring alone has given us plenty to plan for. There will be eight teams from February - April and we are starting to dream about how we can assist them to reach the community they are helping. Also, we will assist in team-building art sessions with these young missionaries. I love it because the teams are half Ecuadorian and half American which is also a way to collaborate, learn a new language and step outside comfort zones.
As for our weekly activities, we are putting together a schedule of which ministry sites we are going to be visiting for after-school art sessions. These sessions will enrich their already existing tutoring sessions with art education. Over the years e=h has developed relationships with various churches in impoverished neighborhoods in order to fuel them with resources to reach their own communities. These are called ministry sites and they are located in different regions, even as far as the jungle communities. We look forward to discovering where we fit in best.
I think the best news is our new favorite place: English Fellowship Church. We sure miss our home church in Georgia, but we are very thankful for what EFC has brought to our family. At first, I thought we must attend an Ecuadorian church in Spanish. We must immerse ourselves in the culture and language. In fact, we found one that was young, hip, and with amazing worship. But we saw a change in our kids each time we visited EFC. The church is simple, nothing fancy at all. Not the sound system, lights, or sounds we are used to.
And yet, our kids have really enjoyed the youth and kids ministry. Without any bells or whistles, this church has been able to reach our kids. It’s such a gift to see them happily go to their activities. But EFC is also unique because it is a church for the international community. There are Chinese bible studies, groups for the Arabic community, a Quechua service, and a Spanish service. The service in English is special too because it is a community of Ecuadorians practicing English, missionaries, ex-pats working here, or anybody passing through on a visit.
There is a vibrant homeschool teen night stemming from this church that meets every other week. Usually, we can find a ride for Jonathan, but if we are volunteering, it takes two hours, three buses, or $20 Uber rides. That’s one way. We usually do a bus/Uber combo. But it’s one of those things…
“We should really go and buy a Christmas tree, but we have teen night this week. Yeah! Let’s do teen night. Besides, there’s plenty of time to get a tree, right?”
The cherry on top of our favorite things is the handmade cards. A month ago, we led a card-making workshop to give a small group of people ideas on what to sell in a market. Being that we are not very craft-oriented, (some artists aren’t great at crafting, it’s true) we weren’t sure what to expect. But several in the group really made some beautiful designs. Far better than my examples. It just goes to show, sometimes all you need is resources and an idea.
Other favorite things include:
Finding the art district in Quito, La Floresta
Seeing our son Jonathan light up when he finds a new mural or sees his favorite graffiti artist’s work
Hearing our daughter Kayla’s new poems
Mora (blackberry). Mora anything. (juice, yogurt, or jelly)
Biscochitos- they are a crunchy, buttery, biscuit you eat with caramel or mora jelly.
The mountains and the skies that go with it.
The little girl down the street, who sits in a wheelbarrow while her mother sells fruit. Heart-wrenching and beautiful.
We hope this season is filled with a few of your favorite things. Savor them and breathe them in because that’s what really fills you up with a beautiful life. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The Rodriguez Family serving in Ecuador
2020 Vision Refocus
Photo @iahuh
As we prepared our hearts and lives to move to Ecuador for the purpose of ministry we had only a telescopic (long-range) vision. We had some experience serving families overseas but only short term. Now that we are actually living in Ecuador, submerged in its culture and society, we have more of a microscopic (close-range) vision. Originally we had planned on moving in 2020 but we all know what happened that year and what is still altering our lives. We had a whole year to clear the debris from the lens and refocus. We wanted to make sure our vision and heart were on the right path. And we knew that our paths were leading us towards Jesus in the face of those most marginalized, at-risk, victimized, or hindered by poverty.
The calling and great task ahead of us, now that we see the need more closely, is to serve through art and education so that the least privileged can rise above in every way. ~Freedom
Why Art & Education
We believe art and the creative process cultivate the talents within. It’s a way to discover and develop what we are passionate about and what God has created us for. As we create outwardly we transform inwardly. As we make tangible what we envision intangibly we practice what it means to hope. And we build problem-solving skills and talents that could open up encouraging opportunities.
While art inspires, education empowers. Guiding and mentoring through difficult educational problems builds up the muscle to overcome. Also having the resources that make learning fun and accessible gives hope for those struggling. And that’s what we are called to do, to serve through art and education so that the least privileged can rise above in every way.
An Opportunity to Make a Difference
This year through our creative box ministry Gallery of Young Artists, we want to provide art & educational supplies to kids in need. We’re inviting you to this opportunity and you don’t have to supply boxes like Operation Christmas Child. All you would have to do is sponsor a box for $20. We will locally supply the boxes with the art and educational materials the children will need and love! If you’re interested in this effort, click on the button below.
Thank you for your love and generosity,
Freedom & Nancy Rodriguez