Our Mission Path
Serving God in Ecuador
sharper
The New Testament apostles did not turn the world upside-down by social work; they turned the world upside-down by proclaiming the Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword.
K.P. Yohannan
We all like helping people but we dare not conflate missionary work with social work. Christian charity flows naturally from our sanctified hearts. Followers of Christ often find themselves fulfilling Matthew 25 instinctively. This intuitive drive to help those who are hurting is seen in every concentric sphere of witness, from home to the ends of the earth. But missionary work is following the great commission. It is not food distribution, child sponsorship, installing clean water or starting a hospital. All these works are good but the message of salvation is the only impetus that can turn the world upside down. God’s Word is sharper than our works.
May we care for all who are in need. May we realize that the greatest need is salvation.
Elucidate Human Nature
Have you ever had a day in which your best laid plans changed because God had something else for you. Well, that was today! We did not get to the recording studio in time to record a new Theology Thursday today so here is a throwback post from March of 2020. Make sure to join us next week for a brand new Theology Thursday podcast.
Love, The Downing Family
If you liked this podcast check out This One!
If you would like the book mentioned in this podcast you can find it and other books written by Timothy by clicking here!
A Day in The lives of your missionaries
Friends, we invite you to listen to our podcast today as we give you a glimpse into our day.
The Church’s Jubilee
This hymn is widely considered the anthem of the Church of God. It harkens back to a time when we were living in the purity of our doctrine. The poetry of this hymn elucidates the fact that we were a movement not a sect or denomination. As a movement we had a unifying message: “The day of sects and creeds for us forevermore is past, Our brotherhood are all the saints upon the world so vast; We reach our hands in fellowship to every blood-washed one, While love entwines about each heart in which God’s will is done.”
The light of eventide now shines the darkness to dispel,
The glories of fair Zion’s state ten thousand voices tell;
For out of Babel God doth call His scattered saints in one,
Together all one church compose, the body of His Son.Refrain:
O church of God, the day of jubilee
Has dawned so bright and glorious for thee;
Rejoice, be glad! Thy Shepherd has begun
His long-divided flock again to gather into one.The Bible is our rule of faith, and Christ alone is Lord,
All we are equal in His sight when we obey His word;
No earthly master do we know, to man-rule will not bow,
But to each other and to God eternal trueness vow.The day of sects and creeds for us forevermore is past,
Our brotherhood are all the saints upon the world so vast;
We reach our hands in fellowship to every blood-washed one,
While love entwines about each heart in which God’s will is done.Oh, blessed truth that broke our bands! In it we now rejoice,
While in the holy church of God we hear our Savior’s voice;
And gladly to His blessed will submissive we shall be,
And from the yokes of Babel’s lords from henceforth we are free.C.W. Naylor
Love, 
The Downing Family
All In Jesus
Friends, here is a B.E. Warren Hymn. Enjoy!
Friends, this post was first published in August of 2019.
Love, 
The Downing Family
Psalm 24
Friends, this post was first published in September of 2019.
The Psalms have always been a source of strength and encouragement for the believer. Today’s podcast explores the depth of Psalm 24. Click play below to hear this encouraging word.
Psalm 24
The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains,
The world, and those who dwell in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas
And established it upon the rivers.
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
And who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive a blessing from the Lord
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face—even Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates,
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Love, The Downing Family
Plátanos asados con queso (baked ripe plantains with cheese)
Friends, this post was first published in March of 2020.
This recipe produces: 6 baked ripe plantains
This is an easy recipe for a taste of Ecuador. Baked ripe plantains stuffed with cheese are a common treat that all seven Downings suggest you try this dish at least once.
Ingredients
6 slices of mozzarella
1-2 pats of melted butter
6 ripe plantains, whole
Instructions
First. Pre-heat oven to 400 F
Then. Peel the plantains, place them on a baking sheet and rub them with butter.
Then. Bake the plantains for 30 minutes, turn and bake for another 20 minutes. Both sides should be golden brown.
Then. Remove the plantains from the oven, make a cut (from end to end) and stuff them with the cheese slices. In a few minutes the cheese will melt
Enjoy. Serve warm.
Love, 
The Downings
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Our Motto
The motto of every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or school-master ought to be “devoted for life”.
Adoniram Judson
The Call of Christ is not to be taken lightly. His voice echoes with authority throughout the past, in the present and into the future. He is calling you into his mission. Rather he calls you into local service or to the ends of the earth, his calling is to engage in the great mandate of his great commission.
Followers of Christ are to “disciple!” Regardless of the way he has gifted us, we are his missionaries wherever he leads us. Devoted to his mission for life ought to be our motto.
May we be devoted to the Call Christ. May we persevere through even the most difficult times.
Friend, if you were encouraged by today’s missionary devotion please share it on your social media network.
