Our Mission Path
Serving God in Ecuador
Realizations
Most Christians would like to send their recruits to Bible college for five years. I would like to send them to hell for five minutes. That would do more than anything else to prepare them for a lifetime of compassionate ministry.
William Booth
There are three very important realizations that each follower of Christ has. The first is when we realize just who we are in contrast to our Holy God. This is when we realize our sinfulness and desperate need for Salvation. We usually have this realization just before we become Christians. The second realization is the ghastly reality that there is a Hell and the natural human condition leads us there. At this realization we are usually driven to make sure our friends and family know of Christ’s salvation. The third realization is that we are called to do something about the horrible reality that multitudes of people step out of this lost and dying world each day without seeking salvation from the consequences of their sin. These multitudes have no hope. They will spend Eternity in Hell.
The hope that each Christian experiences when we begin following is the very same hope that we are to proclaim to the world! Every Christian is called to make known the Good News! Every Christian can take motivation from the ghastly reality of Hell, the sad destiny of mankind and the hope that only the Words of Jesus can offer!
May we be quick to realize that the very hope that we hold dear is the only hope for the multitudes of lost and dying souls. May we be even quicker to share the hope that we have!
With much love, 
The Downings
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
Church
The Gospel message is the same in every epoch and in every culture. Our Christian experience flows from the Gospel but when our culture is added to the mix the two coalesce into a unique experience that we call church. Although our theological understanding of Church remains constant across borders our experience changes drastically. In today’s Cultural Insight we explore some of the differences between the North American church and the church in Ecuador from our perspective.
With much love,
The Downings
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Chicha De Piña
Spiced pineapple drink
Serves 8-10 people
Chicha de piña is a spiced pineapple drink made by simmering the pineapple skins and core with spices and hard brown sugar.  Seven out of seven members of the Downing family recommend this simple drink.
Ingredients
- Assorted spices: cinnamon sticks, allspice peppers, cloves, anise
- The skins and core of 1 pineapple, well washed
- ¾ lb of panela (unrefined sugar) or brown sugar, whole or in chunks – more or less to taste
- 10-12 cups of water
Instructions
First. Â Combine all of the ingredients in large saucepan or pot
Then. Â Bring to a boil and simmer partially covered for at about an hour, stirring occasionally.
Enjoy. Â You can drink it immediately or let it rest refrigerated to allow the spices and pineapple flavor to concentrate.
With love, 
The Downings
Don’t Stoop
If God calls you to be a missionary, don’t stoop to be a king.
Jordan Groom
We might add, if God calls you to be a king don’t stoop to be anything else! Do what God calls you to do. We must be brutally aware that our lives and callings are in the hands of our savior. When we call upon the name of the Lord we are saved! When we are saved we are grafted into the body of Christ. As part of His body we give up our autonomy and submit to His will.
When Christ, Who is the head of the Church, calls us into an active position in His Body it is an honor. Don’t miss His blessing, don’t stoop to do anything else!
May we be the generation who seeks His will. May we serve happily wherever Christ calls us!
Love,
The Downing Family
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 play for details!
With much love, 
The Downings
I Want A Principle Within
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30
