From The Beginning
World missions was on God’s mind from the beginning. Dave Davidson God seeks a dwelling place among the creation that … Continue reading From The Beginning
Category: Thoughts along the way
The Salvation of Two Young Men
The Harvest Call
Why stand ye all day idle? The harvest time is here,Behold, with flaming sickle the reapers gather near;Oh, hear the … Continue reading The Harvest Call
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 … Continue reading The Wonderful Change
Ceviche de pescado (Fish Ceviche)
Ceviche de pescado Fish Ceviche is one of a handful of Ecuadorian dishes that the Downing family has completely rejected. … Continue reading Ceviche de pescado (Fish Ceviche)
Bound To Go
Unless I am sure I am doing more at home to send the gospel abroad than I can do abroad, … Continue reading Bound To Go
In The Light of God
Along a dark and gloomy pathI groped beneath the shades of death;No hope beyond my dying breath,Till light from the … Continue reading In The Light of God
Example
In Proverbs we read: “He that winneth souls is wise.” If any man, woman, or child by a godly life … Continue reading Example
I am Healed
Syncretism
What do the Inca, the Conquistadores, the cult of Pachamama and Mariolatry have in common? Find out by listening to … Continue reading Syncretism
I Will Praise Him, Hallelujah!
Oh, I praise the Lord who bought me, hallelujah!I’m a happy pilgrim bound for glory land;I am singing, and I … Continue reading I Will Praise Him, Hallelujah!
Chicha De Piña
Spiced pineapple drink Serves 8-10 people Chicha de piña is a spiced pineapple drink made by simmering the pineapple skins … Continue reading Chicha De Piña
Treasure
Do not think me mad. It is not to make money that I believe a Christian should live. The noblest … Continue reading Treasure
No Substitute For Action
Sympathy is no substitute for action. David Livingstone Felling sorrow and pity for another’s situation is a good starting point … Continue reading No Substitute For Action
sharper
The New Testament apostles did not turn the world upside-down by social work; they turned the world upside-down by proclaiming … Continue reading sharper
I am The Lord’s
Food
Have you ever considered how important food was in the ministry of Jesus? We see that the context of many … Continue reading Food
The Perishing World
He said to them, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest … Continue reading The Perishing World
Ecuadorian Shrimp Ceviche
Ecuadorian Shrimp ceviche Serves 8-10 people. Three out of seven Downings recommend this classical Ecuadorian dish. Click play on the … Continue reading Ecuadorian Shrimp Ceviche
Our Motto
The motto of every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or school-master ought to be “devoted for life”. Adoniram Judson The Call … Continue reading Our Motto
From The Pews outward
I spent twenty years of my life trying to recruit people out of local churches and into missions structures so … Continue reading From The Pews outward
He Is No Fool…
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose Jim Elliot, … Continue reading He Is No Fool…
Cultural Insight: Bull Taunt
In many cultures bull fighting is popular. Here is our cultural insight about this event in Ecuador. With Love, The … Continue reading Cultural Insight: Bull Taunt
The Legend Of Cantuña
We understand foreign culture in several ways. One way is by understanding the legends and folklore. Listen to today’s podcast … Continue reading The Legend Of Cantuña
Fellowship
What we have seen and heard we announce to you too, so that you may have fellowship with us (and indeed our fellowship … Continue reading Fellowship
Tree Tomato Ají Sauce
Tree tomato aji hot sauce / Ají de tomate de árbol Yield: ~1 1/2 cups of tree tomato aji Tamarillo … Continue reading Tree Tomato Ají Sauce
Urgency
It should be clear that all these theologians believe in the same gospel; that the first priority of the church … Continue reading Urgency
Willachina, Tapuykuna, Chimbapurana, Killpichirina, Paktachina (Indigenous Justice)
In Ecuador there are two systems of justice. Indigenous Justice is an ancient practice of restorative justice and it is … Continue reading Willachina, Tapuykuna, Chimbapurana, Killpichirina, Paktachina (Indigenous Justice)
Wound Transformed
I am ready to burn out for God. I am ready to endure any hardship, if by any means I … Continue reading Wound Transformed
Blood Sport
Sometimes cultural differences are uncomfortable. Today we discuss a common blood sport in Ecuador. (This is a throwback podcast. It … Continue reading Blood Sport
El Guagua Auca
Folklore and legends are in important part of understanding a culture. Folklore sometimes communicates deep or difficult cultual reality. Listen … Continue reading El Guagua Auca
Go Forth
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and … Continue reading Go Forth
Empanadas De Viento
Empanadas de viento (fried cheese empanada) Empanadas de viento are a special Ecuadorian treat. Six out of seven Downings consider … Continue reading Empanadas De Viento
The Work of Mark 16
The lesson is obvious. True missionaries concentrate on doing the work of Mark 16:15 rather than operating social-welfare programs. True … Continue reading The Work of Mark 16
Cultural Insight: Syncretism
What do the Inca, the Conquistadores, the cult of Pachamama and Mariolatry have in common? Find out by listening to … Continue reading Cultural Insight: Syncretism
Grown Out Of Love
Hello friends, today we invite you to enjoy a blast from the past. This missionary devotion was first posted October … Continue reading Grown Out Of Love
Cultural Insight: World’s End?
What if I told you that there is a building in Quito that if finished would cause Armageddon? Just click … Continue reading Cultural Insight: World’s End?
Church
The Gospel message is the same in every epoch and in every culture. Our Christian experience flows from the Gospel … Continue reading Church
Press The Battle On
Friends the movement of God should always be offensive not defensive! Today’s podcast explores an early hymn of joy and … Continue reading Press The Battle On
Encebollado de Pescado (Tuna Fish Soup)
Encebollado de Pescado (Tuna Fish Soup) Serves: 8 people This Ecuadorian fish soup is made with fresh tuna, and has … Continue reading Encebollado de Pescado (Tuna Fish Soup)
Contentment’s Secret
I cared not where or how I lived, or what hardships I went through, so that I could but gain … Continue reading Contentment’s Secret
Liberation
Missions is not a recruitment project for God’s labor force. It is a liberation project from the heavy burdens and … Continue reading Liberation
Divine Reality
Mission is at the heart of the divine reality. It is the will of God and the Kingdom of God … Continue reading Divine Reality
The Distinctive Mark
“The concern for world evangelization is not something tacked on to a man’s personal Christianity, which he may take or … Continue reading The Distinctive Mark
Water
The wellspring of the Gospel is powerful and freely flows into every culture. As you will find out on this … Continue reading Water
All Because We Do Not Love Them
This hymn paints the absolute necessity of missions on the heart of the hearer. Pastor Daniel O. Teasley wrote this … Continue reading All Because We Do Not Love Them
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 plantainsThis is an easy … Continue reading Plátanos asados con queso (baked ripe plantains with cheese)
Nearer
The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Christ, the more missionary we become. … Continue reading Nearer
The Purpose Of The Church
Missions is not the ‘ministry of choice’ for a few hyperactive Christians in the church. Missions is the purpose of … Continue reading The Purpose Of The Church
The Divine Desire
All of history is moving toward one great goal, the white-hot worship of God and His Son among all the … Continue reading The Divine Desire