Our Mission Path
Serving God in Ecuador
In The Light of God
Along a dark and gloomy path
I groped beneath the shades of death;
No hope beyond my dying breath,
Till light from the Savior came.
Refrain:
In the light of God,
Now my soul is singing, all, all is bright;
In the light of God,
I’m now in the light of God.
My darkness now is passed away,
In Jesus all is perfect day;
And peace and comfort ever stay,
Since Christ is my perfect light. [Refrain]
O Jesus, to my heart so sweet,
Thy Word’s a light unto my feet;
How holy, happy, and complete,
I walk in the precious light. [Refrain]
All glory to my Savior’s name,
To do Thy will my highest aim;
Thy favor’s more than earthly fame,
Thy smile is my constant light. [Refrain]
D.S. Warner
With love,
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Quinoa Soup With Beef
Quinoa soup with beef
Serves: 8-10 people. Seven out of seven Downing family members enjoy this delicious soup.
Ingredients
- 2 tbs butter
- 10 cups of water
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 diced white onion
- 2 peeled and diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp of ground achiote
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- 1 tsp of ground cumin
- 1lb of beef, cut in bite sized chunks
- 2 cups of peas
- 2 cups cooked quinoa with onion, garlic and broth
- 4 Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 sprigs finely chopped parsley
- 2 sprigs finely chopped cilantro
- Pinch of salt
- Avocado
Instructions
First. Melt the butter over medium heat in soup pot. Make a flavor base by adding diced onions, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, achiote, cumin and pepper, cook until onions are soft.
Then. Add beef, mix until well coated with flavor base, cook for 5 minutes.
Then. Pour in water and increase the heat, bring to a boil.
Then. Lower heat to medium and cook until the meat is tender.
Then. Mix in potatoes, peas and cooked quinoa, raise heat and bring to a boil.
Then. Simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
Then. Add the parsley, cilantro and salt.
Enjoy. Serve with avocado.
Love, The Downing Family
Click here for more great Ecuadorian recipes!
Disciple! Where
Friends, this post was first published in August of 2020.
“All nations” is the field of concern the Great Commission gives to Christians. Remember, the One who gave us this Commission had no budget, building, hymnal, or theology textbook. Simply, by His authority He sent out His original disciples, fully expecting them to conquer the world. He expects no less from us!
If we do not hold a world-sized vision for our church and ourselves our vision is too small.
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Goye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Here is the audio version of Disciple! Where
Dear reader, enlarge your vision! This is exactly what Christ’s original disciples did. They proclaimed the glorious Gospel of Christ in Jerusalem, where they lived, in Judea, where they were comfortable, in Samaria, where they were hesitant, and to the Ends of the earth, from which most did not return.
How does the enemy of our soul rebel against the ever-expanding vision of the followers of Christ? He tempts us to focus on our own struggles on our own survival. Satan is constantly trying to turn our attention to smaller things. He seeks to shrink our vision into something institutional, traditional, political or personal.
Here is the video version of Disciple! Where
If you would like a copy of the book Disciple! you can find it here!
Blessings,
The Downing Family
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Disciple! Engage
Friends, this post was first published in August of 2020.
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20
The word “Go” is an action-packed and aggressive word. It requires, (as we learned in the previous lesson), the universal movement of all believers everywhere. Each generation, each tribe, tongue, and nation is depending on believers to follow Christ into His mission.
In what manner are believers to go? A quick examination of the Holy writ will instruct us to penetrate the world. Jesus spoke using symbols of salt, light, keys, water, and bread.
Salt is useless if it remains in the salt shaker. It must penetrate that which it is to flavor or preserve. In the same way, a lamp hidden under a bowl is worthless, it must be positioned on a lamp stand so that the light may penetrate and dispel the darkness. Keys cannot function unless they enter into the lock. Water and bread need to enter a person to quench thirst and abate hunger. Likewise, Christians must penetrate the world.
Here is the audio version of today’s teaching.
How has the enemy fought against this natural pattern of Kingdom expansion? Satan has subtlety changed our mentality from “go and tell” to “come and hear.” The biblical expectation is for the church to knock down the very gates of Hell. This cannot be done with a meek invitation to attend our worship shows. It must be done outside of the four walls of the church building and beyond our church programs.
“Come and hear” is not a substitute for “Go and tell.” Paul little once wrote: “The problem is not that the gospel has lost its power, the problem is that the church has lost its audience.” The audience for the church is always found outside of the church.
Here is the video version of today’s teaching.
If you would like a copy of the book Disciple! you can find it here!
With much love,
The Downing Family
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Disciple! Who
Friends, this post was first published in August of 2020.
Matthew’s account of the Great Commission leaves little room for interpretation. The words are not unclear. In them, we find exactly what Jesus expects from His followers. He gave a specific pedagogy that is timeless and changeless. The words of Christ bind every Christian to fulfill His Commission. As we carefully investigate Matthew 28:18-20 the extent of this commission may astound you.
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20
The first and second century’s result of Christ’s “all of you” approach was a world turned upside down by His authority and through the witness of His disciples. Imagine what our century could look like if the entire church took seriously their individual responsibility to Christ’s Great Commission. What if we honored the principle of universal participation in the Great Commission?
Here is the audio only version of Disciple! Who.
Here is the video version of Disciple! Who.
If you would like the book behind the lesson you can get it here!
With much love,
The Downing Family
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Disciple! Assurance
Friends, this post was first published in July of 2020.
Jesus wraps His Missionary enterprise, His disciple-making Commission in the power of His authority. Time and geography have not abated the authority with which Christ sends us into the world. We are to undertake His Commission in the extraordinary power of His authority. Today’s podcast explores the great assurance that is given to us with the beginning words of Christ’s great commission.
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20
The Greek word we translate as “power” or “authority” literally means “out of being.” The great assurance of Matthew 28:18 is that out of the very being of God flows all of the necessary power and authority to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission. This authority was given to Christ and vicariously, as we follow Him, this authority is given to us who are “joint heirs with Jesus.”
The New Testament scholar A.T. Robertson wrote: “It is the most sublime spectacle in world history to see the Risen Christ, without money or army or state, charging this band of five hundred men and women with world conquest and bringing them to believe it was possible and to undertake it with serious passion and power.”
When the church has a clear vision of Christ’s authority we can rest assured that we have the power to fulfill the mission of our Savior.
Here is the Audio only version of Disciple! Assurance.
Here is the video version of Disciple! Assurance.
If you would like the book from which these lessons flow here is a link.
With much love,
The Downing Family
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Disciple! Vision
Friends, this post was first published in July of 2020.
Everything is online these days, and our Seminary program is no exception. This is the English version of a class we will be offering our students in South America. Vision is the first in the series Disciple! We will post a new class available each Wednesday. If you have need of the Spanish version of this teaching please contact us and you can join us for online seminary this year.
Here is an audio only podcast of Disciple! Vision.
Here is the video of this class.
If you would like a copy of the Book Disciple! Please click here.
With love,
The Downing Family
The Wonderful Change
All weights are gone, my heart is light,
My scarlet robes are changed to white;
O praise the Lord! I need no more
My load of sin and guilt deplore.
Chorus:
O I am saved in Jesus’ blood,
My soul is happy now in God;
O glory! glory! can it be!
The Prince of Peace has come to me.
Where passions reigned and tempers foamed,
Now Jesus sits in love enthroned;
No dregs of carnal strife are found,
But hope, and love, and peace abound.
O wondrous grace! how great the change!
My soul now takes her joyful range,
‘Mid scenes of beauty in the light,
Where all before was gloomy night.
The gilded glory of this world
Eclipsed, and into nothing hurled,
Before the super-excellence
Of Heaven’s peace and righteousness.
D.S. Warner
Love,
The Downings
Níspero Chicken
Friends, this post was first published in May of 2020.
Níspero Chicken
Servings: 2
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
6 large ripe Nísperos, peeled with seeds removed
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon grape-seed oil
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast
Instructions:
- Place Nísperos into a saucepan and stir in water, orange juice, and brown sugar until sugar has dissolved.
- Bring the mixture to a boil
- Stir in ground ginger, cinnamon, lemon pepper, and smoked paprika
- Reduce heat to simmer for 20 minutes
- Stir occasionally to break up the Nísperos.
- When the sauce is thick, stir in vinegar and simmer 3 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Heat grape-seed oil in a skillet over medium heat and pan-fry chicken breasts until golden brown and cooked through (about 5 to 8 minutes per side)
- Remove chicken breasts and cut into bite-size pieces
- Return chicken to skillet,
- Stir in 1/4 the Níspero sauce
Serve with remaining Níspero sauce on the side.
Click here to find out more about our food campaign!
Click here to purchase our book La Quinta Níspero!
Click here for more great Ecuadorian recipes!
With love, The Downing Family
His Yoke Is Easy
Friends, this post was first published in June of 2019.
I’ve found my Lord and He is mine,
He won me by His love;
I’ll serve Him all my years of time,
And dwell with Him above.Refrain:
His yoke is easy, His burden is light,
I’ve found it so, I’ve found it so;
His service is my sweetest delight,
His blessings ever flow.No other Lord but Christ I know,
I walk with Him alone;
His streams of love forever flow,
Within my heart His throne. [Refrain]He’s dearer to my heart than life,
He found me lost in sin;
He calmed the sea of inward strife,
And bade me come to Him. [Refrain]My flesh recoiled before the cross,
And Satan whispered there,
“Thy gain will not repay the loss,
His yoke is hard to bear.” [Refrain]I’ve tried the road of sin and found,
Its prospects all deceive;
I’ve proved the Lord, and joys abound,More than I could believe. [Refrain]
D.S. Warner
Love, 
The Downing Family
