Ash & i are still a bit numb from yesterday. You remember the mythical Clearing House Sweepstakes guy – that guy you hope will just show up at your door with a giant check?! Well, it kind of happened to us.

We were part of a celebration in Birmingham marking the 100th Anniversary of the Assemblies of God in Alabama (that’s the family of churches that we’re a part of, 370 in AL & more than 12,000 in the US). It was an amazing day full of challenge & excitement. The place was packed with Leadership and Missionaries from around the world, and with hundreds & hundreds of people who are passionate about reaching the world with God’s love. It was so much more than a celebration of the past – more like a slow motion explosion into the future!

In the middle of this ‘explosion’ – time stopped. Ashley & I were called to the stage. Everything went fuzzy as my mind raced to think of what to say. I thought that they were going to ask us to share about the Proclaimer. (That’s the miraculous audio new testament that we’re determined to deliver to all 600 Shuar villages.) No, we weren’t asked to say anything. Instead, we were presented with a giant check. It wasn’t an urban legend or wild dream – it was real!

The check is to purchase a vehicle when we arrive back in Ecuador. It was made possible because of a program called Speed The Light. STL is the product of teenagers who raise money to supply vehicles for Missionaries worldwide. Their passion and relentless effort is directly connected to our effectiveness on the field. Our vehicle will likely be a jungle worthy 4×4 truck, but STL has provided canoes, horses, radios – whatever it takes to speed the ‘light’ of God’s love to every corner of the world! In 2014, Alabama youth raised more than a half million dollars by washing cars, cutting grass, babysitting, even hitting golf balls (ask me about that)! We are grateful for each one and also for our Alabama District Youth Director, Steve Mason. He and his staff lead the way – real world changers!

We’re hoping to return to the jungle this summer, just need to raise a little more to sustain our mission for the next three years. We’ll be sure to update you on the STL vehicle purchase, as well as the progress of the Shuar Proclaimer Project. THANK YOU for your interest, prayers, and concern for us and all our Missionary families. If you would like to be a part of our monthly support team, just email us, CLICK HERE, or go to our ‘give’ page in the above menu. Blessins’ to y’all – now let’s go spread some light!