The Roar of The Waters of Baptism

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

JOhn 7:37-38

Life has essentially stood still in Ecuador since the first COVID case was brought here from Europe. Since March travel has been restricted, the economy shut down, and freedom of worship ceased. In addition to the government imposed restrictions fear gripped the people. Images of dead bodies piled on the streets of the second largest city and  horror stories coming from the socialized healthcare system stoked the fires of fear. In many ways the church was paralyzed by government edict and societal fear. But the Mount of Olives Church in Cangauha faced their fear because their message of salvation was too important to remain hidden away in “jars of clay.” 

The Mount of Olives Church decided to visit every family in the six rural communities surrounding their church building during the pandemic. Their goal was simply to share the love, hope, and salvation of Jesus Christ during the COVID crisis. Because of their willingness to act counter culturally and show they care about their neighbors with a visit the church has grown during the  COVID lockdown!

On Sunday, October, 25 our family was invited to a baptism service. Early in the morning Tim2 and I (Timothy) drove to the Mount of Olives Church building and gathered with the brethren. We then loaded up into several pickup trucks, two buses, and our family SUV and drove an hour further into the mountains to some thermal springs. We gathered at the banks of the Pissimbilla River and worshiped. Seventeen new believers were baptized as the Church sang Spanish and Quechua hymns to our gracious Lord.   

Click on any of the photos below to enlarge them.

Throughout history the roar of the waters of baptism have called to those who are thirsty for salvation. When any of those who thirst come to Jesus and partake of the water he gives them, the Scripture says, they “will never thirst again.”

Friend, if you are reading our missionary update chances are that you have already tasted the “living water” that only Christ Jesus offers and experienced the roar of the waters of baptism. But, if you have not been saved from your sins we encourage you to heed the eternal call:

“Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” 

Revelation 22:17

With much love,

The Downing Family

One thought on “The Roar of The Waters of Baptism

  1. What wonderful news to share of how the Lord is adding to the church in Ecuador. I’ll be praying for the discipleship of these new believers.

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