A Testimony to a Faithful God

The end of 2017 marked a year since Milton sat with Paulino and I and cried in repentance, pledging to turn away from his relationship with his sister-in-law and to return to walking with God. I asked him at that time to sign a 'contract' which called him to leave the relationship, and to come to both a weekly Bible study time along with church each Sunday. For most of the last year each week was a struggle---we never knew if he would come or not. This was a weekly struggle for Milton, and there were some weeks when he missed these important times. It would seem that the many prayers for Milton helped to sustain him during these months. Recently we have seen more and more of a commitment on his part to be faithful to just show up; if he is not able to come, he has worked to clearly tell us so and to find an alternate time for the study. The times of Bible teaching and prayer with him have been a precious time of fellowship, as God has worked a deeper humility and repentance in Milton's heart. "I can't hide or ignore that I did wrong. What I did was really wrong. I hurt my wife, my family, and those in the church. I am thankful that God has shown me mercy and again received me and forgiven me, I didn't deserve that. I am thanking God for His forgiveness."

In the meantime, Milton's family has suffered. His oldest son Cristian has taken a wife, Ana Patricia, and the two of them have not shown much interest in following God. Graciela, Milton's 15yr old daughter, ran off with her boyfriend against her parent's wishes. Little Milton, 11 yrs old, has often been rebellious, and along with his younger siblings Isabela and Jhonatan, have not been wanting to go to school, rather doing whatever they like. Little Sonia is 3 yrs old now, too young to really understand, but also learning from her big brothers and sisters! Milton's heart is heavy for his family, and he would like to take back up the burden of caring for his wife and family in a Godly way. We have seen an improvement in Milton's relationship with his wife, which brings us great joy.

We have asked Milton to work toward a time of confession in front of the church, a very difficult task considering that not many of the believers are ready to forgive him and grant him a new beginning. Lately I have seen a new humility in his heart, leading toward a possibility of public confession. Please join us in prayer that both Milton and the other believers would be ready for this next step!

In the meantime, Paulino (and his wife Manuela) continue to struggle with much bitterness toward his brother. Some of Paulino's children have not chosen to walk with God, laying the blame at the feet of their 'uncle Milton' (a good excuse in their eyes!) Paulino has been ridiculed and shamed in his community for Milton's actions. This shame has held Paulino back from extending forgiveness: not so much a sadness for God's testimony before the Awa communities, but a personal sense of suffering and shame that his brother brought on him. It has been hard to talk to Paulino about this, as it is a painful subject for him. We are thankful for your prayers for God to soften Paulino's heart. Over the last year we sense that Milton's sister Cecilia also struggles with bitterness in her heart towards him, and she has been quick to spread ugly rumors---she also needs prayer. Many hearts were grievously wounded, and the healing has been slow.

We want to share a shining light in the midst of our struggle: Milton's sister, Gloria, brought our hearts much joy this week when she shared with us a little about Raul, an local Ecuadorian who has been working for her and Guillermo in order to pay off a debt he owed them. "We've been talking to Raul and his wife about God. Raul told us that he used to go to a church, but then he irrevocably damaged his relationship to God and the church because he left his wife and 3 children, and took a new wife. Raul says now God can never forgive him." And Gloria went on to tell us that she and Guillermo had shared with Raul that God wasn't like that! "When we agree with Him that we have done wrong, God's Word says that He forgives us and receives us again.¨

And, Gloria told Kathy, "I believe that because both Raul and his wife are agreeing with God that they have done wrong, and are wanting to return to God, He will receive them. So we've been studying the Bible together with them, and now that the debt is paid and they will be at their own house, they can read the Bible there together. And they can be walking with God again! That's what we've been telling them.¨

This brought tears to our eyes and joy to our hearts, to see that what God has taught Gloria through her brother Milton's situation, she is now able to see how that truth plays out in others' lives as well. The truths of God's sacrifice for us and His forgiveness, and how to share that mercy and grace with others, have now become a part of who she is. This is a great encouragement to us! We are often impatient, teaching each Sunday and wanting to see more immediate changes and the fruit of forgiveness shown in the lives of the believers; we also appreciate your prayers for patience and the perseverance needed to walk daily with the Awa church here as they learn to extend the grace they have received.

Thank you for being a part of the Team working to reach the Awa people. In God's Economy, our prayers and labor are not wasted, even when change is slow to come about. May you, along with us, be encouraged in God Himself--in His faithfulness and steadfastness and patience.